District X - 2008/09

IN 1993, when I first took on the task of
representing District X, I never really gave
much thought to how long I’d serve. Quite
honestly I didn’t envision it being more than
a few years. Well, there’s certainly truth in
the adage “time flies when you’re having
fun.” Before I knew it 15 years had passed.
Much has changed during the past 15
years. The hobby has grown in its
capabilities, diversity, and complexity. We’ve
seen substantial advancements in electronic
technologies, building materials, and engine
design. The advent of Lithium batteries and
brushless motors has made electric flight a
practical reality. The expansive growth in
technology has brought with it new
challenges and concerns, and AMA remains
committed to meeting these challenges and
securing the future of model aviation.
The advancements experienced in model
aviation have also enabled the feasibility of
unmanned commercial flight, and the
phenomenal success of unmanned aircraft in
the defense industry has spurred a ground
swell of domestic applications. FAA is
currently developing regulations to govern
the use of unmanned aerial systems (UASs)
and these new regulations have the potential
of impacting the modeling community.
In its effort to develop new regulations,
the FAA has commissioned an Aviation
Rulemaking Committee (ARC) composed of
industry representatives and stakeholders,
and AMA has been invited to participate in
this process.
AMA has taken a proactive stance
toward protecting modeling interests by
creating a dedicated position to represent
model aviation and I’ve been asked to fill
this position and work with the ARC.
I’m excited about representing the AMA
on the committee and look forward to the
challenges associated with the rulemaking
process. The unfortunate downside is that it’s
not possible to effectively represent District
X and also dedicate the time and energy
necessary to participate on the ARC. As such,
I’ve decided to step down as the District X
Vice President (VP) at the summer Executive
Council meeting.
Associate Vice President Jim Giffin will
take over the reigns as District VP and will
complete my current term of office. Jim is
from Redding, California, is the outgoing
IMAA president, and brings to the AMA a
wealth of knowledge and business expertise. I
will make myself available to him as best I
can to ensure a smooth transition in the
district’s representation.
For my part, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my
tenure as the District X VP and look forward
to continuing to serve the modeling
community at the national level.
I want to express my deepest appreciation
for the dedication and hard work put forth by
the District X staff, and my sincere thanks go
out to the clubs, officers and AMA members
of District X for your support and confidence.
So for now ... Keep ’em safe and Keep
’em flying.
District X
Rich Hanson, District X Vice President; [email protected]
Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah
Rich Hanson
Vice President
Box 3312,
Scottsdale AZ 85271
Tel./Fax: (888) 899-3548
[email protected]
www.ama10.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Tim Attaway, Chula Vista CA
(619) 427-6392
Darwin Barrie, Chandler AZ
(480) 946-8955
Greg Clemensen, Las Vegas NV
(702) 870-6242
Jim Giffin, Redding CA
(916) 760-8291
Wayne Hamada, Honolulu HI
(808) 521-7733
Marc Karpowich, Logan UT
(435) 752-3639
Rick Maida, Morgan Hill CA
(408) 778-6885
Scott Malta, Merced CA
(209) 723-4202
Bill Malvey, Ladera Ranch CA
(949) 481-8624
Jerry Neuberger, Santee CA
(619) 258-4477
Bob Reynolds, Tucson AZ
(520) 296-8183
Jon Wilson, Ryde CA
(916) 776-2797
Frequency Coordinators
George Steiner, Sacramento CA
(916) 362-1962
Eloy Marez, Santa Ana CA
(714) 540-4935
District X Volunteers
166 MODEL AVIATION
One of my greatest pleasures over the
years has been the privilege of visiting our
local clubs and presenting awards. One such
award that I made a concerted effort to
present personally is the AMA Leader Club
Award.
The Leader Club Award recognizes
clubs that have accomplished specific
criteria representing the “best practices” of
being an AMA chartered club. It recognizes
the club for its achievements in model
aviation safety, community involvement,
promoting the hobby, and youth and
newcomer programming.
District X has been fortunate to have
dozens of clubs achieve the Leader Club
level and my thanks and congratulations go
out to each.
On March 29, I
presented AMA’s
Gold Leader Club
Award to the
Yuma
Aeromodelers at
the club’s
Spring
Pattern
contest. The
club donated
the $600
proceeds
from its
annual
community
air show to the Salvation Army Boys and
Girls Club.
On April 8, the High Sierra RC Club was
recognized a second time for having
achieved Gold Leader Club status. The
award was presented at the club’s monthly
meeting in Carson City, Nevada. Pictured
below receiving the award are club president
Louis Scheel (L), Bob Brogan, Tom
Reinbolt, and Dan Etcheto.
On May 6, I had the distinct pleasure of
presenting AMA’s Silver Leader Club
award to one
of the oldest
continuously
chartered
AMA clubs:
the Cholla
Choppers
MAC. This is
the second
time the
Cholla
Choppers have achieved Leader Club status
and it is the only CL Leader Club in the
District. Club president John Callentine (L)
is pictured receiving the award at the club’s
monthly meeting in Tucson, Arizona.
Awards
Above: Pictured are Mercedez Villarreal (L),
Libby Westphal, Joe Madrid, Bill Westphal,
Marco Diaz, Angelica Heras, and Ashley
Wetmore. Below: John Contreras and the
Aeromodelers’ board accept the award.
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