District XI - 2011/04

WINGS ACROSS AMERICA 2008
(WAA-08) is a group of modelers that is
flying a battery-powered RC aircraft in all 48
contiguous United States with hopes to make
it to all 50 if Alaska and Hawaii can be
reached. The program was launched by Frank
Geisier of Gloucester, Virginia, a longtime
RC pilot, who first flew the first leg of the
flight on May 24, 2008. The aircraft trekked
through the South, Southwest, through
California, and reached Oregon in November
of last year. Washington state pilot Danny
Page participated in this endeavor to promote
the hobby nationwide.
The electric-powered RC airplane, called
a SQuiRT (Simple Quiet Robust Trainer), has
been flown in 31 states and following its stint
in the Northwest, will head through Idaho,
the upper Midwestern States, the Midwest,
and then back down South, returning back to
the starting point in Eastern Virginia and to
Frank Geisler.
Scott and Danny Page of Midland,
Washington, are members of the Miniature
Aircraft Association (MAA) of the Tri-
Cities, along with Danny’s granddad, Ronald
Page of West Richland.
They coordinated an excellent article
about their participation in the WAA-08
adventure in two of their local online
newspapers The News Tribune and
the Tri-City Herald.
On Saturday, January 22, Scott
and Danny as well as Scott’s dad
successfully flew the SQuiRT. The
father, son, and grandson make the
second group of three generations
that have flown the SQuiRT
together.
The elder Page has been
involved in RC airplanes for
decades, but his son and grandson
didn’t pick up on the hobby until
2008.
“My grandpa got us a flight
simulator for Christmas. It started
with curiosity, and from there it
evolved into a learning adventure,”
Danny Page said. “I really enjoy
the excitement of trying different
maneuvers.”
Other model airplanes have
made similar trips across the
country, but instead of packing the
model in its travel box and
shipping it to the next pilot on the
list, the airplane is personally
delivered to the next in line.
“Wings Across America is all
about making personal connections
between fellow model pilots. It’s
actually verboten to ship it,” Scott
said. The Pages drove to Spokane,
Washington, and personally
handed it off to pilot Jerry Mudge
of Spokane.
“Being part of the project is
exciting,” Danny Page said. “It’s
good to be able to be involved with
people with the same interests from
far away.”
For more information about the
Tri-City club, visit the group’s Web site at
www.my2wings.com.
Danny Page hands off the SQuiRT to Jerry
Mudge at Zips Drive-In in Ritzville,
Washington.
District XI
Bruce Nelson, District XI Vice President; [email protected]
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
Bruce Nelson
Vice President
807 E. Vicksburg St.,
Spokane WA 99208
Phone: (509) 467 8348
[email protected]
Associate Vice
Presidents
Rick Allison, Issaquah WA;
[email protected]
Darrell Anderson, Great Falls MT;
[email protected]
Bryan Batch, Spokane WA
[email protected]
Al Culver, Wilder ID;
[email protected]
Bruce Harlow, Myrtle Creek OR;
[email protected]
Jerry Holcomb, Vancouver WA;
[email protected]
Gene LaFond, Wenatchee WA;
[email protected]
Reeves Lippincott, Wasilla AK;
[email protected]
Mike Mosbrooker, Oak Harbor
WA; [email protected]
Claude Tanner, Boise ID;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator
Phil Tallman, Medical Lake WA;
(509) 299-5102;
[email protected]
District RC Coordinator
W.T. (Bill) Smith, Seattle WA;
[email protected]
Web site: www.amadistrict11.org
District XI Volunteers
Three generations of fliers: (L-R) Ron Page, R. Scott
Page, and Danny Page.
First flight at Higgins field. Scott (L) flew first then
handed off to Danny (center). Ron Page (L) landed the
airplane perfectly.
(L-R) Jon Erlandson at the controls with
Danny watching closely, Scott Page standing
next to Clarence Corriveau, and Dan
Deckert in the rear.
156 MODEL AVIATION