District VIII - 2012/03

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www.ModelAviation.com March 2012 Model Aviation 155
I am writing this between Christmas
and New Year’s. With weather in the
70s and light winds, I should be out
flying, but have to get this sent off
before I leave for the AMA Expo in
California.
I have a little catching up to do. The
District VIII Celebration of AMA’s
75th Anniversary had several venues to
allow CL, RC, and FF. All FF was done
at Randolph AFB Aux Field in Seguin,
Texas. Wildfires in the state had Federal
Emergency Management Agency
trailers positioned at the site so flying
and retrieval had to avoid those areas.
We have flown at that site for more
than 40 years and it is a wonderful FF
venue.
Faust Parker, CD for the Reid
Simpson Memorial FF venue, reported
that at start time the consensus was
that a 120-second max was required,
especially since the drift was directly
toward the trailers. Throughout the
day, several aircraft left the field and
Tom Bell lost his F1P from near the
road outside the gate. When thermals
were good, many had to make an offfield
recovery.
Both days had some extremely large
thermals in the afternoon. In all, it was
a great meet with plenty good flying
and banter. It was especially nice to
have three juniors in attendance—Gina
Barron and Colby and Cade Fedor—and
they had a great time, keeping us all
entertained.
Gina had perfect rounds both days,
but lost in a flyoff with her dad, Aaron,
in F1A. They came from Connecticut
for the event. Gina is on our FAI team
for next year.
The Alamo Escadrille,
of the Flying Aces Club,
had a coincidental fly-in
at Randolph during the
event as well. Roughly
a dozen modelers flew
Scale rubber-powered
aircraft for the two days.
The Texas Remote
Control Indoor Club
(TRIC) flew again this
year for the Trip to
the North Pole event,
sponsored by Valero
Energy Corporation and
conducted to give local
children with cancer
an opportunity to meet
Santa and enjoy some
games, festivities, and
food. TRIC provided
some flying demos and
club members truly
enjoyed the opportunity
to interact with the
children. Pictured below
are the pilots who flew
for the children.
Have fun and fly safely.
See you on the
flightline!
Associate Vice Presidents: Jack Hogan, Chandler TX; (903) 849-4193; Bill Holland, Edmond OK; (405) 562-1327; Mark S. Johnston, Albuquerque NM; (505) 823-0158; Jim
D. Marshall, Alton TX; (956) 984-9474; Jon Martin, Rayne LA; (337) 783-2759; Jack Matlock, Live Oak TX; (210) 413-4846; Randy Ritch, Magnolia TX; (281) 701-3121; Doug
Staines, Belton TX; (254) 780-3512; Ron Stanfield, Maumelle AR; (501) 851-1697; Cliff Town, Dumas TX; (806) 935-3063; [email protected]; Pat Willcox, Kingwood
TX; (281) 358-1750. Frequency Coordinator: Gene Kent, Tomball TX; (281) 255-4805. Safety Coordinator: Randy Brown, Kemah TX; (713) 515-5552; randybbrown@earthlink.
net. RC Contest Coordinator: Douglas E. Powell, Wichita Falls TX; (940) 691-8348; [email protected]. CL/FF Contest Coordinator: Bill Lee, Chandler TX; (903) 852-5599;
[email protected]. AMA Display Coordinator: David Johns, Deer Park TX; (281) 476-4820.
Jim Rice
Vice President
District VIII—Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
[email protected]
4810 El Gusto, San Antonio TX 78233
Tel.: (210) 213-0299; www.AMA-Dist-8.org
Eddie Vanlandingham
executes the perfect
launch enroute to another
two-minute flight.
Mike Fedor, Aaron and Gina Barron, and Faust Parker at the
awards ceremony.