District VIII Report - 2012/06

news 150 Model Aviation June 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
My April column about cancer,
surgery, and recovery generated more
comments than any of my previous
63. Every comment was positive, most
relating a similar situation or a trip to
the dermatologist as a result of reading
about it here. I was worried that it
would be unsettling to most, but was
pleasantly surprised to find that it
touched modelers across the country.
Thanks to all who offered words of
support and wisdom. Keep using
sunscreen folks, it is better than the
surgery—believe me!
Bill Holland brought several airplanes to
District VIII’s AMA 75th Celebration, including
his beautiful Nieuport 17 (not pictured).
I traveled to Oklahoma to visit and
care for my 94-year-old mother in
March. High winds kept my aircraft in
the car, but I did visit Bill Holland, the
associate vice president for Oklahoma.
We had a good exchange and I
presented him with a long-overdue
award of the Mr. Multi plaque from
the District VIII celebration of the
AMA’s 75th Anniversary.
He brought several Okies to
Kingsbury, many World War I
biplanes, and put on several shows
with members of the Oklahoma
Sooner Squadron. Great modelers,
superb builders, and a good AVP/
advocate for AMA made the
experience a great time!
Roy Brown recently moved to
Fredericksburg, Texas, from Europe
where he was an AVP for Gary Fitch in
District II. I met him at a swap meet in
February. He has been actively trying
to start a club and generate interest in
a Society of Antique Modelers (SAM)
chapter.
He reports that Ed Hamiler, SAM
president, from Napa, California,
visited Charlie and Kay Bruce in
Kerrville and presented a Sweetheart
of SAM award to Kay for her work
helping Charlie with his old engine
reviews. Ed observed Charlie’s engine
collection and had an interesting
and educational experience in his
workshop, which is full of CL, RC,
and FF aircraft and old-time engines.
Charlie was a longtime dear friend of
George Aldrich, who was one of my
predecessors.
Kay Bruce, Ed Hamiler, and Charlie Bruce with
Charlie’s engine collection.
On March 29, Austin Radio Control
Association (ARCA) hosted a meeting
at the request of representatives of
the FAA to allow them to address
modelers about a public complaint of
model aircraft being flown FPV above
cloud cover in the Austin area. The
complaint was generated by someone
who viewed a video of the flight,
which was posted on YouTube.
Doug Nelle, president of ARCA,
arranged for leaders of area clubs to
attend and hear what FAA official
Gary Stamper had to say. There were
representatives from clubs in the
Austin, Georgetown, Temple, and San
Antonio areas, as well as Rich Hanson,
AMA government and regulatory
affairs officer, and two of my AVPs.
Gary’s pitch addressed the group as
fellow aviators, not as subordinates,
and was well received by attendees,
with a good question-and-answer
session at the end.
Gary investigated the complaint, but
could not identify the pilot. Even if
the person was found, the FAA did not
have a way to discipline him or her.
Gary’s mission was to educate local
modelers of the danger of such flights,
and to ask for assistance in spreading
the word to all modelers.
He shared a comment from his final
report:
“They were encouraged to be active
in policing modelers so that their
existing privileges are not forfeited
to government regulations. They
have identified the field used by the
video pilot, but not the pilot ... They
share a passion and conviction for
professionalism that underscores their
enthusiasm for a unique and innovative
hobby. They are a very credible group
of pilots and nationally, there are over
140,000.”
I encourage all modelers to remain
alert for similar activities. It doesn’t
matter whether the perpetrator is an
AMA member or not, the actions can
impact model aviation’s future.
AMA guidelines regarding flying
FPV can be found online at www.
modelaircraft.org/files/550.pdf.
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