HELLO, DISTRICT X. As I write this,
I’ve just returned from the Executive
Council meeting in Muncie, Indiana. It was
a quarterly meeting and all of the AMA
district vice presidents, as well as a number
of other officers of our organization, got
together to work out the details of the
membership.
Throughout the year your suggestions,
ideas, and opinions are gathered and some
are brought to these meetings for discussion.
This was no different. Although I don’t have
room enough to go over many of those
details in this column, I can say much was
discussed.
One subject of discussion was small jets
powered by a new mini turbine, something I
am sure you will see somewhere soon. It’s
another example of the continued
advancements in technology from which our
hobby benefits.
On behalf of District X, I would also like
to take a moment to honor Bob Underwood
for his years of service with the AMA. A
well-attended dinner was held in his honor
in Muncie on Saturday evening, April 25.
Moving on this month, I received a note
from a fellow modeler and as I read it I
thought that I’m not the only modeler who
can relate to this man’s feelings, so read on
and see if it’s you.
“Hi, Jim. My name is Dave
Bartholomew. I am a Sno-Bird. I live in
southern Oregon and spend the winter in
Yuma, Arizona. I belong to the Rogue
Eagles in Medford, Oregon, and the Yuma
Aeromodelers in Yuma.
“This winter I finished my 50cc Yak and
was at the field flying. I have been
struggling with my landings and you can
imagine my dismay when 8-year-old Kyle
Harbour showed up with his Dad Jay. Kyle
went to the trailer, pulled out his 50cc
Hangar 9 Cardin Yak, put it together, and
gassed it up.
“Kyle, with the help of Jay (Jay only held
the plane) flipped the prop and started the
engine. He then took his Dad’s place
straddling the tail to warm up the engine. He
took off and flew around a bit and then
started making these picture-perfect
landings, one after the other.
“A few of us grandfather types stood
around in amazement.
I had my camera at
the field and snapped
these pictures.”
Dave, I
seem to feel
that way
more often
than I would
like!
An event I wanted to bring to your attention
is the Gilman Springs RC Flyers’ Dawn
Patrol Fly-In held April 4, 2009. From what
I can see in the photos and was told, the
event was an outstanding success. There
were 25 registered pilots and 35 awesome
World War I models.
Ten clubs were represented including the
Gilman Springs RC Flyers, Valley
Tailwinds, Channel Island Condors, Chula
Vista Flyers, Coachella Valley RC Flyers,
Hemet Model Masters, Modesto RC Club,
Palomar RC Flyers, Riverside RC Club, and
the San Gabriel Valley RC League.
The weather was perfect and pilots and
spectators alike had a great time.
Thanks to all who participated, including
the members who worked so hard preparing
for and conducting the event. A special
thanks to Darrell Ivie, Bill Rothenbuhler,
and others for the many hours they spent
getting the field ready; to head judge, Skip
Shaw, and his assistants for their efforts; and
to Gvido Grinbergs for his fine work as head
photographer.
I also thank Darrell Ivie for his efforts
arranging to get the field repair work done
before the event, and for obtaining the award
plaques. The food concession crew members
also deserve a warm thank you for their
work: Darrell Ivie for getting all the food
items; Kenny Nutt for preparing all the
vegetables; Dennis Milliken for doing the
barbecuing; and the rest of the kitchen crew:
Bob Shaw and “Goldilocks.” The burgers,
hot dogs, and chili were great!
The winners (L-R) included Rich Cox,
Channel Island Condors, first place with his
Newport 28; Curtis Cunningham, Chula
Vista Flyers, second place with his Sopwith
Pup; Dick Skoglund, Antelope Valley
Tailwinds, third place with his Eindecker E3;
and the winner of the People’s Choice
award, Mel Santmyers, a member of the
Gilman Springs RC Flyers.
District X
Jim Giffin, District X Vice President; [email protected]
Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah
Jim Giffin
Vice President
Box 494688,
Redding CA 96049
Tel. (916) 760-8291
[email protected]
www.ama10.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Tim Attaway, Chula Vista CA
(619) 427-6392
Darwin Barrie, Chandler AZ
(480) 946-8955
Mike Brown, Bella Vista CA
(530) 549-3005
Greg Clemensen, Las Vegas NV
(702) 870-6242
Wayne Hamada, Honolulu HI
(808) 521-7733
Marc Karpowich, Logan UT
(435) 232-1873
John Lockwood, Clovis CA
(559) 298-1606
Rick Maida, Morgan Hill CA
(408) 778-6885
Scott Malta, Merced CA
(209) 723-4202
Bill Malvey, Ladera Ranch CA
(949) 481-8624
Jerry Neuberger, Santee CA
(619) 258-4477
Bob Reynolds, Tucson AZ
(520) 296-8183
Jon Wilson, Ryde CA
(916) 776-2797
Frequency Coordinators
George Steiner, Sacramento CA
(916) 362-1962
Eloy Marez, Santa Ana CA
(714) 540-4935
District X Volunteers
154 MODEL AVIATION
07amanews.ar:11amanews.qxd 5/22/2009 10:16 AM Page 154
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 154