District X Report - 2012/06
One proven way to protect a flying field on public land is through community involvement. This month, Associate Vice President Greg Clemensen discusses a day of model and full-scale aviation in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Open House
General aviation joined with model aviation at the Fifth Annual Clark County Aviation Association open house. The event attracted more than 1,000 people to the North Las Vegas Airport on March 31, 2012. Members of several Las Vegas–area AMA clubs participated.
- Retired American Airlines pilot and Las Vegas Radio Control Club member Gil Terzo displayed his 40% Extra. Gil said, "It is easier for a radio control pilot to learn to fly full-scale aircraft than the other way around." He added that many people develop an interest in general aviation after being involved in model aviation.
- Richard Ranney of the Vegas Aces showed a 2.5-gram indoor free-flight (FF) model.
- Las Vegas Circle Burners club members displayed and explained their control-line (CL) airplanes, including Skip Horstman’s beautifully finished Ares.
- More than 100 kids enjoyed receiving a free blue foam glider. Rebel Squadron’s Bill Allen, John Stockwell, and Bob Connell did final assembly on-site, demonstrating for the kids the essence of aeromodeling.
- Two flight simulators were in constant use by adults and children.
Many other organizations were involved in the open house:
- FAA representatives and flight school instructors provided information on aviation safety and flight instruction.
- Commercial sightseeing carriers promoted tours.
- Members of the EAA displayed and explained an airplane under construction.
- Angel Flight discussed its mission of providing air transportation for medical needs.
- Representatives of the United States Air Force and the Civil Air Patrol answered questions.
I observed this open house as a perfect illustration of the convergence of full-scale and model aviation, and I was honored to be a part of it.
United Airlines Winglet Project
My job as a structural engineer at United Airlines frequently has some crossover with modeling. I recently completed a project to add blended winglets to the 767 fleet. This involved strengthening the wing with new stringers and ribs from the pylons out to the wingtip. I then joined 11.5-foot-tall winglets to the wing. The wing rework had to be done with minimal weight addition, or the benefits of better fuel economy would be lost. I have included some pictures from the project; I hope you enjoy them.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
