District X
Jim Giffin, District X Vice President; [email protected]
Coverage
- Arizona
- California
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Nevada
- Utah
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 membership matters. 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.
Reader letter
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 snowbird. 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!
Gilman Springs RC Flyers — Dawn Patrol Fly-In (April 4, 2009)
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:
- 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
- San Gabriel Valley RC League
The weather was perfect and pilots and spectators alike had a great time.
Thanks and acknowledgments
Thanks to all who participated, including the members who worked so hard preparing for and conducting the event. Special thanks to:
- Darrell Ivie and Bill Rothenbuhler for their many hours preparing the field
- Skip Shaw and his assistants — head judge and helpers
- Gvido Grinbergs — head photographer
- Darrell Ivie for 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 — procuring all the food items
- Kenny Nutt — preparing all the vegetables
- Dennis Milliken — doing the barbecuing
- Kitchen crew — Bob Shaw and “Goldilocks”
The burgers, hot dogs, and chili were great!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
