District X - 2012/08

Greetings. It’s Memorial Day as I’m
writing this and I wanted to share with
you three events my daughter and I
attended during the three-day weekend.
The first was the International
Miniature Aircraft Association’s (IMAA)
West Coast Festival and Fly-In. IMAA is
the AMA SIG that promotes large model
aircraft operations. This fly-in is a major
District X event and this is my fourth
year to attend.
Held at Castle Municipal Airport in
Atwater, California, the event is made
possible by airport manager and district
associate vice president (AVP) Scott
Malta. Special recognition goes to Ken
Shapiro, Tom Moore, Rick Maida, and
Denny Baker. Check out the District
X website for a detailed write-up and
dozens of photos.
The next event was 400 miles away
in Coachella, California, where the
Coachella Valley Radio Control Club
(CVRCC) was celebrating its 10th
anniversary. Dan Metz, Dick Knapp, and
the rest of the CVRCC should be proud
of a spectacular facility.
CVRCC just received its seventh
straight Gold Leader Club award. The
club has a long, smooth, paved runway,
and plenty of covered pit area. There is
also a separate paved 3-D/helicopter/
CL area. If winter flying is a challenge,
CVRCC offers part-time memberships
for visitors. Pack up your airplanes, head
out to the first-rate facility, and enjoy yourself.
The last stop was Chino, California,
for the Pomona Valley Model Airplane
Club’s (PVMAC) Scale Aerobatics
competition. PVMAC President Phil
Goodwine and his members put on one
of the best IMAC events in the country.
The club offers $200, $100, and $50
gas cards for placing first, second, or third
in all classes of competition. There is also
a delicious catered meal at the Chino
airport alongside a full-scale P-51, and
a great raffle that benefits the Donnie
Leseberg Memorial Trust (visit www.
donnielesebergmemorial.com.)
District X AVP and Southwest IMAC
director, Tim Attaway, served as co-CD.
I was there for the Sunday Freestyle
competition and awarding of trophies.
All involved gave the event a big thumbsup.
In three days we traveled more than
1,100 miles and met many wonderful
people. I couldn’t think of a better way to
have spent my holiday.
I want to remind everyone that we
have established a special account to
contribute to the development of a West
Coast AMA facility. You can make a
direct contribution or arrange to leave
a portion of your estate to the project.
Please contact me and I’ll be happy to go
into the details with anyone interested in
donating to the cause.
I received a report from Scott
Robertson, the secretary/treasurer of the
Aeromodelers Club of Guam.
Scott and his members pitched in to
fight cancer by participating at an event
to raise money. The event was hosted by
United Airlines Micronesia, and involved
teams pulling a full-scale 737 in timed
competition. The club members put on a
public display with plenty of models and
RC simulators.
The club has two paved, intersecting
runways and a safe, covered seating area.
Last year, the club erected a fence/gate
as well as signs to identify the field to the
general public. The club hosts fun-flys
every year, and continues to increase its
club roster.
The club’s standing invitation to AMA
members is, “If you ever find yourself
in Guam, come on out and spend your
Sunday afternoon with us!”
In this month’s “In the Air” is a story
about the Sonoran Desert Flyers Buy,
Build, and Fly event. It details a plan to
partner with a local hobby shop, build
membership, and improve community
relations. Please take a look.
Until next month, happy landings.