District XI Report
In my October 2003 column, I featured the Inland Empire Soaring Society's event at Farragut State Park in North Idaho. In that column there was a photo of Will, James, and Emily Hundley, who were new members of the Farragut Flyers, the Coeur d'Alene Aero-Modelers (CAMS), and the Post Falls Flyers.
The three youngsters, new to the hobby at that time, were experiencing all the hobby had to offer. Later last summer the boys put together an airplane and flew in the IMAC event hosted by the CAMS and did very well.
The local fliers, noting the equipment the boys were using, decided that they, as a group, would try to help the boys out. My informant told me that Wayne Duncan, the secretary of the Farragut Flyers, donated a Hangar 9 CAP 232 to the project, and the Farragut Flyers club purchased an engine from B&B Hobbies of Spokane, Washington. I understand that B&B gave them the engine at cost.
I was told that the CAMS president, Brad VanWormer, put the airplane together. The Post Falls Flyers also donated to the project, and Wayne Duncan did the graphics for the model. On September 25, when the Hundley family arrived for the annual Family Fun-Fly and picnic at the CAMS field, they noticed a very large group of people and some sort of ceremony about to begin. Group pictures were taken, and it wasn't until Brad VanWormer got into his presentation that the Hundley children realized he was addressing them.
The children were presented with the finished aircraft. This wonderful gift was possible by the joint efforts of three clubs and other interested people who all made the dreams of three children come true. I received a letter from Bob and Sue Hundley, the children's parents, and quote from the text:
"On behalf of Sue and I, may I express our sincere gratitude to all of those involved in bringing this about for our children. This is the kind of thing that as a parent you can only dream about for your children.
"We have been truly blessed to have so many take such an interest in our situation, and we are very thankful that there is an organization such as AMA where things like this can happen.
"Thank you so very, very much."
Great job! You have shown what modelers are all about.
Bruce
Contributors and Roles
- Farragut Flyers: Wayne Duncan (donated Hangar 9 CAP 232; did graphics); club purchased the engine.
- Coeur d'Alene Aero-Modelers (CAMS): hosted the IMAC event; Brad VanWormer (CAMS president) assembled the airplane and presented it.
- Post Falls Flyers: contributed donations to the project.
- B&B Hobbies (Spokane, WA): supplied the engine (reported to have been sold at cost).
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
