District X Report - 2004/03

174
Southern California
fires destroyed more
than 743,000 acres
and damaged at
least two AMA
charter-club flying
sites. The Miramar
Radio Control Flyers
(MRCF) club was
perhaps worst hit as
the fire swept over
the field destroying
everything in its
path.
MRCF past president Frank Lewis (L) and
2004 president Jerry Neuberger survey
the damage with District X vice president
Rich Hanson.
WILDFIRES RAVAGE SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA: October 2003, Southern
California was decimated by a number of
devastating fires. The wildfires destroyed
3,587 homes, blackened more than 743,000
acres of brush and timber, and resulted in 22
fire-related deaths. The largest of these fires
was the Cedar Fire in San Diego County
which burned more than 330,000 acres.
Not reported in the news was the total
loss of the Miramar RC Flyers’ (MRCF)
flying site near the Miramar Marine Base,
and damage to the Simi Valley Flyers’ field
in Ventura County.
The Cider Fire swept over the MRCF
field in minutes destroying everything but
the runway and causing more than $13,000
in damages. Ironically, less than a year
before the fire, the club completed a major
renovation of the field’s shade structure and
pit area.
The MRCF have already reopened the
field and are committed to rebuilding. Club
president Jerry Neuberger reported that
members invested innumerable volunteer
hours in the cleanup and member donations
have replaced much of the necessary field
equipment. However, not yet addressed is
the significant loss of training aircraft and
support materials.
Jerry stated, “We feel it is the
responsibility of the club to support training,
boy scouts, NJROTC, etc. Members have
been filling the gap and although we’re in no
position to resume services, we’ve already
received donations of two trainer aircraft, a
radio, buddy box, and simulator software.”
District X associate vice president (AVP)
Don Gulihur holds a melted glob of
aluminum, the only remains of one of the
club’s trainer aircraft stored on the field
for use in the club’s new member and
youth programs.
Les Littlefield reported the Simi Valley
fire burned through the Simi Fliers’ field on
October 25. “There are only two or three
live trees left, damage to the storage shed
(with lawn equipment, etc inside), and the
portable toilet. I’m surprised the wind sock
is still flying!”
A survey of the site on the Monday
following the fire revealed, “Damage to our
flying site was minimal. Our portable toilet
and some of the things in our storage
container were damaged, but we believe the
firefighters moved our tables and benches out
of harm’s way. These people were real
heroes. We were flying a week after the fire!”
Les took the following aerial photo with
his Telemaster 40 and a Cannon Nice Touch
II 35mm camera.
Although the fire completely encircled the
field, an aerial view of the Simi Valley
Flyers’ field shows the club luckily
escaped serious damage.
September 20-21, AMA and District X,
with the support of the Ventura County
Regional Model Aeronautics Association
(VCRMAA), provided an aeromodeling
static display at the Grand Opening of the
Playa Vista planned community in Santa
Monica, CA. Organized by AMA Western
Regional Flying Site Assistance
Coordinator, Wes De Cou, the two-day
event provided an opportunity to build
public relations and to acquaint the local
community with the fundamentals and
benefits of model aviation.
Pictured are VCRMAA president Joe
Martin (L), Andrew Carlson and Mike
Ambarian (Ventura Comets), and Wesley
Minear Sr. (Conejo Valley Flyers).
Playa Vista is the newest residential
community to be built in the urban Los
Angeles area in the last 50 years and was
created on the former site of the Howard
Hughes aircraft plant. The property
developers are intent on maintaining the site’s
aviation heritage and AMA was expressly
invited to participate in the Grand Opening
celebration.
Wes has opened a dialog with the
developers and current discussions include
the possibility of a permanent flying site to
accommodate Hand-Launched Gliders as
well as RC Electric airplanes and helicopters.
Also helping with the static display were
Rich Cox (Camarillo Condors) and Rudy
Bustamante (Valley Circle Burners).
Display support was also provided by the
members of the Flying Circus. Thanks to all
for your participation.
Till next time ... Keep ’em safe and Keep
’em fly’n.
Associate Vice Presidents
Darwin Barrie Scottsdale AZ (480) 946-8955
Don Goeschl Lancaster CA (661) 940-6066
Don Gulihur Santee CA (619) 449-8397
Marc Karpowich Logan UT (435) 752-3639
Dave Pinjuv Las Vegas NV (702) 656-1772
Frequency Coordinators
Eloy Marez Santa Ana CA (714) 540-4935
(See last month’s column for additional AVPs and
Coordinators)
Arizona / California / Hawaii /
Guam / Nevada / Utah
Richard Hanson
Vice President
PO Box 3312
Scottsdale AZ 85271
Voice/Fax: (888) 899-3548
E-mail: [email protected]
District X Web page:
Web site: www.ama10.org
District X Report