170 MODEL AVIATION
JACK MATLOCK and I traveled from San
Antonio the Friday before the Grand
Opening of the El Paso RC Club’s new field
on August 1, and then traveled back on
Saturday. What a long trip, but well worth it.
The club was being enveloped by the city
after more than 50 years of enjoying its old
field. In five weeks the club members took
their AMA Flying Site Grant money,
donations, club bank account, and bond
money and built a new field with a beautiful
paved runway, two shelters, and a taxi/pit
area. It is a site to be proud of and they are.
The new field sign is visible from the road.
Mark Johnston, associate vice president
(AVP), Frank Martinez, club president, and I
cut the ribbon to the field.
I presented Making a Difference (MAD)
awards to club officers (L-R) Stumpy
Caldwell, Frank Martinez, and the guy who
did most of the work: Hans Wittek.
Pete Boudreaux, our Louisiana AVP, sent
this report:
“The first annual Warbirds over Berwick
was held August 15-16 with 27 registered
pilots and lots of spectators. Pilots’ choice
award went to Randy Boyne of Berwick
with his Ju-87 Stuka. Best of Show award
was won with another Ju-87 Stuka owned by
Mike Legg and built by Jimmy Henline,
both of McComb, Mississippi.
“Marshall Candies came with his In
Stitches Embroidery trailer and was busy all
day doing caps and shirts. This event has all
the markings of becoming one of the best in
the state. They have plenty of room for
campers, pilots, and spectators. Come
experience the excitement.”
Attendees at Warbirds over Berwick.
We have a new district safety coordinator!
David Oates is taking over the reigns from
Chuck Waller. David is an avid modeler,
specializing in International Miniature
Aircraft Association (IMAA) Big Birds. He
is the IMAA District VIII director and lives
in Texarkana. Look for David’s “Safety
Notes” on the District VIII Web site.
Thanks to Chuck for all his great work
and welcome David to the district team.
Your experience and enthusiasm will be
invaluable to us.
David Oates, district safety coordinator.
A new program in the district will have a
safety officer in each of the states with only
one AVP: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma,
and New Mexico. The state safety officer is
selected by the respective AVP, helps the
AVP (like an assistant AVP), and sends
reports to the district safety coordinator.
This should provide better coverage from
the district team, give the AVPs some
needed help, and provide opportunity for
more people to provide important volunteer
work for the district. I encourage you to
solicit information from and invite these
new state safety officers to your events.
While in El Paso, I presented a welldeserved
MAD award to Danny Sander for
all he does for both the El Paso Radio
Control Club and the Horizon City RC Club.
He donates time, equipment, money, and
even his personal flying field to help
modelers. Danny is an example for all
volunteers to emulate.
MAD presentation to Danny (R) while Mike
Taylor watches.
Have fun and fly safely. See you on the
flightline.
District VIII
Jim Rice, District VIII Vice President; [email protected]
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Jim Rice
Vice President
118 E. Wright Blvd.,
Universal City TX 78148
Tel.: (210) 213-0299
(evenings)
www.AMA-Dist-8.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Lester L. Barry, Bethany OK;
(405) 789-5373
Pete Boudreaux, Franklin LA;
(337) 836-5478
Jack Hogan, Chandler TX;
(903) 849-4193 (Evenings)
Mark S. Johnston, Albuquerque
NM; (505) 823-0158
Jim D. Marshall, Mission TX;
(956) 585-6446
Douglas E. Powell, Wichita Falls
TX; (940) 691-8348
Randy Ritch, Magnolia TX;
(281) 701-3121
Doug Staines, Belton TX;
(254) 780-3512
Ron Stanfield, Maumelle AR;
(501) 851-1697
Pat Willcox, Kingwood TX;
(281) 358-1750
Frequency Coordinator
Gene Kent, Tomball TX;
(281) 255-4805
Safety Coordinator
David Oates , Texarkana TX;
(903) 826-7919; davidoates@
sherrodservices.com
AMA Display Coordinator
David Johns, Deer Park TX;
(281) 476-4820
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]
District VIII Volunteers
11amanews_11amanews.qxd 9/21/2009 12:34 PM Page 170
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/11
Page Numbers: 170