District XI 2013/07

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A local club to which I belong has an
event called Builder’s Night at its April
membership meeting each year. I have
been an active participant for many
years and I do not do this simply to kill
time—I do it to win!
This year, I brought in my freshly
finished Mini Antic. I was optimistic
about my chances until Leonard Good
brought in his model of a 1913 French
Sommer Monoplane, complete with
operational wing warping. I knew I was
in trouble.
Not only was the model well built, it
featured technology not often seen in a
model. The airplane is relatively heavy,
approximately 7 pounds, has a 3S2300
LiPo battery setting as far forward as
possible, and has a 46-inch wingspan
covered with an iron-on covering that
is sufficiently loose to accommodate
the wing warping.
Wing warping is accomplished by
using one servo and several pulleys and
bellcranks. The model was built from
plans from AeroModeller
magazine. Such
innovation is often seen
in models dreamed up by
Leonard. He is a retired
school teacher, a model
builder, and introduced
model aviation to many,
many of his students
throughout the years.
The hardest part of
this contest is the longstanding
rule that the
model must never have
been flown. I don’t know
about you, but when I
complete a model I want
to know if it will fly and I
want to know it now. No
one ever said that life was
easy!
I am on the committee
that awards grants to
clubs wanting to improve
their flying facilities.
There is a specific budget for this each
year and the amount of the grant can
be up to 10% of the total project cost.
The word is out, so there are more
applicants than money. Who wins?
The answer is the club with the mostdeserving
project as evidenced by a
well-prepared request that is submitted
on time. The description of the project
and its benefits must be clear, actual
costs must be documented by receipts,
and estimated costs must be backed
up by an estimate from a recognized
source.
Some committee members want to
see evidence that there is or has been
club labor used to advance the project.
Site grants are no different than any
other request for funding that I know
of; you have to clearly state your case.
Let’s get busy and see more of this
money in District XI!
Leader Member is the highest level
of membership within the AMA. The
goal is to have at least one in every
club. This member is the go-to person
when someone is seeking assistance or
information. Does your club have a
Leader Member? Does your club have
individuals whom you think should be
Leader Members? Information on how
to become one is on the AMA website
(www.modelaircraft.org) or you can
contact me or your nearest associate
vice president for help.
Associate Vice Presidents: Darrell Anderson, Great Falls MT; [email protected]; Bryan Batch, Spokane WA; bbhobbies@qwestoffi ce.net; Chuck Bower, Langley WA;
[email protected]; Al Culver, Wilder ID; [email protected]; Bruce Harlow, Myrtle Creek OR; [email protected]; Jerry Holcomb, Vancouver WA; jholcomb@
pacifi er.com; Reeves Lippincott, Wasilla AK; [email protected]; Chris Rankin, Bend OR; (541) 593-3294; [email protected]; Gene Stone, East Wenatchee WA;
[email protected]; Al Watson, Bellevue WA; [email protected]. Frequency Coordinator: Phil Tallman, Medical Lake WA; [email protected]. FF/CL Coordinator:
Mike Hazel, P.O. Box 505, Lyons OR 97358; [email protected]. RC Coordinator: Dan Rood, 629 W. 26th Ave., Spokane WA 99203; [email protected]. Webmaster: Chris Rankin.
District XI—Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
Mike Mosbrooker
Vice President
[email protected]
533 Birch St., Oak Harbor WA 98277
Tel.: (360) 679-9139; www.amadistrict-xi.org
The 1913 Sommer Monoplane with electric power.
Leonard Good with his Sommer Monoplane.
AMA 13july.indd 146 5/21/2013 12:39:42 PM