District X Report - 2008/11
Best in the West Jet Rally (January 18–20, 2008)
Best in the West Jet Rally, January 18–20, 2008, was attended by 40 top-notch jet pilots who enjoyed perfect weather all three days. Pilots from as far away as Montana came to enjoy the excellent facilities of the Coachella Valley Radio Control Club, a Gold Leader Club.
Pilots enthusiastically praised the safe way the event was run, the home-cooked, catered Mexican cuisine, and the easy access they had to restaurants and casinos.
Awards included:
- Finish and Detail: Justin Sands, MiG-15
- Best Turbine: Billy Edwards, A-10
- Best Scale Flight: Doug Anderson, Hawk
- Most Spectacular Flight: Dave Presta, T-33
- Best Electric Ducted Fan: Ryan Sherrow
- Best Gas Ducted Fan: Mike Thomson
- Contest Director's Award: Jason Pakfar
- People's Choice Award: Billy Edwards, A-10
- Pilots' Choice Award: Billy Edwards, A-10
One of the special pilots at the event was Lowell Wexler, originator of the Best in the West contest in 1989 and the contest director in 1990. He said, "I was higher than a kite for two days after the event; I had such a great time. I will be looking forward to attending the 20th annual Best in the West next January at the CVRCC field." — Murry Ross, Vice President of the CVRCC
Desert Jet Storm and the Passing of Ryan Sherrow
District X Associate Vice President Bob Reynolds reported on Desert Jet Storm and the passing of a popular young modeler, Ryan Sherrow.
"Arizona has many electric ducted-fan pilots. One of the most popular was Ryan Sherrow. Ryan's family is very involved in model aviation. Mom, Debbie, and dad, Clay, are active as contest directors for warbird racing and jet rallies. Ryan's sister, Breanna, is an AMA scholarship recipient and college student.
"Ryan had been flying electric models for several years. The Electric Jet Factory was a sponsor for his many and varied jets.
"Ryan, at age 14, died February 4, 2008. The jet and electric communities were shocked and saddened by his sudden passing. His family was going to participate in the next weekend's event, Desert Jet Storm, held at Speed World, northwest of Phoenix.
"Ryan's funeral was on Friday, the first day of the event. Many at the rally carpooled down to Tucson, adding to the estimated more than 300 in attendance for the funeral, to pay their respect to the young pilot who meant so much to them and to his parents and sister. Fourteen balloons carried his spirit of flight into the sky from the cemetery.
"I was asked, as a friend of the family and an AMA District X associate vice president, to attend the Desert Jet Storm rally on Saturday. Having seen Ryan from when he could barely walk, flying his first airplanes and progressing to bigger, faster ones with obviously more flying skill than most adults have, his passing was very hard to talk about.
"Ryan's friends, the pilots of Desert Jet Storm, stood in respect, some quietly crying. Paul Stenberg flew Ryan's favorite jet, an EJF Sport Jet 70. Paul ended the flight by flying ascending circles until the aircraft was just a speck in the sky, followed by a no-power glide and landing. After a moment of silence, a good round of applause was heard.
"Desert Jet Storm hosted 57 pilots and 140 jets. The field is on Speed World property that includes drag racing, motorcycle activities, and model flying. The weather was the kind that we don't write about because too many people might move here.
"Flying was organized with the pilots, spotters, and field safety officers at either end of the flight line (depending on wind direction). There was one line of airplanes for takeoff and after landing the aircraft taxied to the other end of the flight line to be recovered. It was a smooth procedure.
"Flying stopped at noon when all of the models were moved out along the centerline of the runway for display. Before open flying resumed, another tribute to Ryan was made.
"Joe McBride, along with Dave Presta, Bill Edwards, and George Manning, organized a four-jet formation to do a missing-man flight. This was the first time they had tried to fly in formation and by the fourth lap they had it down pat. The missing man pulled straight up with smoke on and the crowd roared its approval.
"One of the features of jet rallies is to have a golden voice explaining to the spectators who is flying and what they are doing. The voice at Desert Jet Storm belongs to Al Pilon. As emcee, Al did a fantastic job of keeping all aspects of a successful jet rally before the spectators."
Till next time ... Keep 'em safe and Keep 'em fly'n.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
