District X Report - 2003/07
Arizona / California / Hawaii / Guam / Nevada / Utah
Richard Hanson Vice President
AMA staff tour Southern California flying sites
AMA staff members Jay Mealy (Programs Director) and Carl Maroney (Special Services Director) toured several Southern California flying sites following the AMA Convention to see firsthand some of the critical issues facing District X flying sites. Over a two-day period they visited Lilly Shapell Park in Laguna Niguel, the closed El Toro Marine base in Orange County, and the Torrey Pines Gliderport in San Diego. These facilities have recently benefited from AMA’s Flying Site Assistance Program and remain open for aeromodeling activities thanks to the efforts of local modelers and AMA assistance.
- Lilly Shapell Park, Laguna Niguel
Lilly Shapell Park, home to the Laguna Niguel Slope Soaring Guild, is a scenic city park. Its amenities and the rolling hills of south Orange County make it a spectacular slope-soaring facility. AMA administrators met with the Laguna Niguel Slope Soaring Guild and representatives from the City of Laguna Niguel to view the park and discuss aeromodeling use of the facility.
- Torrey Pines Gliderport, San Diego
Torrey Pines Gulls president Ron Brown showed Jay Mealy and Carl Maroney around the historic Torrey Pines Gliderport overlooking the San Diego coastline. Ron and Jay took some time to enjoy the view and the excellent soaring conditions.
- Closed El Toro Marine base, Orange County
The administrators also toured the closed El Toro Marine base to review site conditions and community relations.
Andrei Tupolev Diploma awarded to Bob White
On February 15, Bob White of Monrovia, California, was presented with the Andrei Tupolev Diploma at the 2003 Americas Cup Banquet, held in conjunction with the annual Max Men 14 Rounder Free Flight Contest at Lost Hills, California. Bob was nominated by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) Aeromodeling Commission, and the Tupolev Diploma was conferred by a vote of the delegates attending the 2002 FAI Council meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Established in 1989, the Andrei Tupolev Medal is donated by the NAC of Russia in honor of the Russian aircraft designer often referred to as the father of Russian aviation. The Tupolev Diploma may be awarded annually to a single aeromodeler who in the same year wins the World and National Aeromodeling Championships in the same class of models.
East Valley Aviators meeting
On March 5, club president John Pomroy briefed the East Valley Aviators on current events during their monthly meeting at the Valle Del Oro RV Resort in east Mesa, Arizona. The East Valley Aviators are a vibrant, growing club made up of local residents and many winter visitors who travel to the Valley of the Sun to take advantage of Arizona’s year-round flying conditions. The club maintains an excellent flying site and focuses on providing a safe and friendly aeromodeling environment.
Stolen deBolt Speedster
A deBolt Speedster powered by a .061 Norvel, built from the 1949 kit plans by Alan Knox of Reno, Nevada, was stolen from Alan’s home before its initial test flight. The exceptional model has not yet been recovered. Anyone with information that may help in the recovery of the Speedster is asked to contact Alan Knox, Box 11692, Reno NV 89510. Photo and information provided by Fran Ptaszkiewicz of Tonawanda, New York.
'Till next time... Keep 'em safe and keep 'em flyin'.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
