District X Report - 2005/05

May 2005 159
February 5-6 was the 17th Annual
Southwest Soaring Classic sponsored by
the Central Arizona Soaring League (CASL)
at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek, Arizona.
THIS REPORT on the 17th annual
Southwest Soaring Classic was provided by
Darwin Barrie, an associate vice president and
CD of the event.
“The 17th annual Southwest Classic,
sponsored by the Central Arizona Soaring
League (CASL) of Gilbert, Arizona, is in the
books. The Classic takes place in Queen
Creek, Arizona, at Schnepf Farms. This firstclass
facility features full hookups for RVs
and campers, unlimited camping for tents,
restroom facilities with showers, and this year,
a hot tub.
“The actual contest is held on roughly 15
acres of unobstructed grass. The entire area
surrounding the field is farm fields and is
generally wide-open territory. This facility is
second-to-none for this type of event.
“This year, 128 fliers took part with all
scores qualifying for Open, 18 in Two-Meter,
37 in RES, five in Youth, and 21 in Gray Cup.
For the first time entrants were allowed to fly
two classes jumping the participation to 168.
“The contest continues to grow. Many
ventured west from the cold confines of the
central United States. Peter Goldsmith and
John Diniz from Horizon Hobbies escaped the
cold and enjoyed the great February weather
in Phoenix.”
For more information on the SW Classic,
please read Darwin’s RC Soaring column in
next month’s issue of Model Aviation.
In January, the Southwest Regionals Model
Airplane Championships (SWR) celebrated
55 continuous years of drawing FF modelers
from the southwest and western states, as well
as a few from the north and northeast.
The events include three separate contests
on the same site during the same days: FAC
FF (a National Free Flight Society [NFFS]
National Cup contest), FAI FF (an America’s
Cup contest and the first FAI qualifying
contest of each year), and the Society of
Antique Modelers RC Old Timers. There was
a Model Engine Collectors Association
(MECA) Collecto, and new this year was a
NFFS National Cup Competition.
Information about the event is courtesy of
Al Lidberg, webmaster, editor, and caption
writer of the contest. Al’s complete report on
the Southwest Regionals can be found at
www.aalmps.com/2005swr.htm.
The Southwest Regionals Model Airplane
Championships were held January 15-17 in
Eloy, Arizona. Sal Taibi (above) was present
with his O&R .60-powered Playboy.
SW Regionals CD Al Lidberg from Phoenix,
Arizona, prepares to launch his Jetex
model.
Vic Lichtenberg from Tucson, Arizona.
Anthony Ferrario (L), Sean Andrews, and
Rocco Ferrario from Napa, California, are
setting up for another round.
The Spirit of Sam fliers had their photo
taken by Mary Pearce.
My February
column featured
Dave Johnson of
Hemet,
California. For
clarification,
Dave flew 367
consecutive days
in celebration of
his 85th birthday;
however, he did
not necessarily
fly the same aircraft each day. My apologies
for the confusion.
Till next time ... Keep ’em safe and Keep ’em
fly’n.
Associate Vice Presidents
Glenn Carter Walnut Creek CA (925) 933-2086
Jim Giffin Sacramento CA (916) 296-6165
Wayne Hamada Honolulu HI (808) 521-7733
Bill Malvey Ladera Ranch CA (949) 481-8621
Jerry Neuberger Santee CA (619) 258-4477
Bob Reynolds Tucson AZ (520) 296-8183
Frequency Coordinators
George Steiner Sacramento CA (916) 362-1962
(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]
Web site : www.ama10.org
District X Report