|
|
Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is the largest sport aviation organization in the
world with over 170,000 members in over 2,500 chartered clubs. AMA District VII consists
of the 249 AMA Chartered clubs in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
|
| Take The Challenge |
|
AMA District VII VP Bill Oberdieck has given a challenge to district clubs, "...introduce
a youngster to our hobby". Here is a recent response to Bill's challenge:
Hi Bill,
I have just read your D-VII column in the September Model Aviation and the challenge
to involve youngsters in Model Aviation. No challenge required here, I
wholeheartedly agree.
In July I pulled together an Aviation camp for troop 349 of the Boy Scouts of America
and had great support from RCCD, the club to which I belong, as well as Chapter 13
of the EAA. Unfortunately, I was so busy with the Scouts I forgot to take
pictures, or ask someone else to! Darn!
Regards,
Noel Hunt
RCCD - Vice President
Scout Troop 349 Aviation Camp with RCCD
Thanks to the strong support of some RCCD members as well as members of Chapter 13
of the EAA, thirty Scouts form Troop 349 earned their Aviation merit badges on
July 10th and 11th.
At the RCCD field Larry Parker and Noel Hunt presented the basics of flight, R/C
control, field safety and other aviation topics. This was followed by an
opportunity for plenty of stick time with an R/C plane. For many, this was the
highlight of the camp! Intro pilots Larry Chaltron, Howard Motin, Keith Jones,
Don Veres II, and Noel Hunt subjected their trainers to the 15 to 20 mph winds and the
sometimes over-eager fingers of the youngsters. Neither the wind, nor the fingers
claimed a plane that day! Also thanks to Willie McMath, Dan Bateman, and Rainel Veres
for helping out.
Another Aviation merit badge requirement is to build and fly an FPG-9. The FPG-9
(Foam Plate Glider – 9) is designed by Jack Reynolds is relatively easy to make yet has great
flight characteristics and teaches the effect that control surfaces have on flight. As the
name implies, the FPG-9 is made from a foam plate. “Plans” are printable from AMA’s
web site. Once the FPG-9s were completed, the Scouts had to perform tasks with them;
tasks like longest time in the air, longest distance flown, fly round a pylon, land on a target,
etc.
And all the time there was continued opportunity for the Scouts, and a few of their
parents, to fly R/C with an Intro Pilot.
Lunch and dinner were prepared by the Scouts for themselves and all the adults
helping out. Hot dogs and hamburgers for lunch; and chicken yakitori, rice
and corn for dinner. Pretty good! especially from a camp kitchen!
The Scouts spent some of the day at the Ray Community Airport. Lead by Rex
Phelps (EAA Chapter 13 President) and Dennis Glaeser (Young Eagles coordinator)
the folks from Chapter 13 introduced them to airport operations, pre-flight
inspections, aircraft instrumentation, etc. The EAA Chapter 13 then held a
Young Eagles day on Saturday (14th) and many of the Scouts took the opportunity to
go for a ride in a real aircraft.
Working with youngsters can be challenging, but it is always rewarding.
Some comments heard at the end of camp and since then:
From Scouts: “That’s the best camp I’ve been to!” “I know Mr. Parker
was teaching us stuff for the merit badge, but he made it really interesting.
He knows how to teach” “This is really hard! Can I try one more time?
I’ve got to get it!” “Wow, that’s cool!” (After doing a loop)
From Parents:
“The guys over at Ray (Community airport) were organized and shared a lot of
interesting information”, “I heard (from a scouts and/or attending parents?)
the camp went really well. Thanks.” “My son was contemplating quitting
Scouts. Since going to the camp, he's changed his mind”, EAA, Chapter 13 and
RCCD, your efforts are really appreciated.
| |
|
Second Mid-Michigan Fun Fly - June 23, 2007
Jim Monk of Frankenmuth Aeromodlers submitted the following report:
As expected this annual event turned out to be a great time for everyone. For the informal nature of this event, everything went
so smoothly you would have thought it was a formal event. Everything started with
the many early arrivals, all vying for the best spot along the flight line and for a
place in the shade. It seemed that everyone had a pop-up canopy tent quickly
assembled with aircraft littered below them.
As the time got closer to the 11 am start time, many of the fliers were getting a
little excited to get started. Under aggressive prodding by the pilots, a quick
pilots meeting was held with opening remarks by Frankenmuth Club Prez Jim Monk,
followed by a safety meeting and review of flying site rules by Frankenmuth Safety
Officer Bill Hendley. Everyone must have been listening to Bill very closely
since there were not any crashes nor any safety incidents during the event.
Good job Bill.
There were approximately 35 pilots with many different variances of aircraft.
We even had three big birds putting on great shows most of the day.
Jerry Cross even wowed the crowd with some air ripping-action with his helicopter.
To top things off, we even had around 25 spectators during the day.
Not bad for a very informal event for members of the various tri-county Michigan R/C flying clubs.
There were a few others pilots from other clubs that had heard of the fun fly from
other forms of advertisement. They came from areas such as Saginaw, Caro, Bay City,
and even Highland Park (Detroit). A "Traveling Trophy" given to the club each year with the
highest participation, Frankenmuth club won it again this year. Note that a different club hosts
the event each year. Last year it was hosted by the Flint club.
I heard nothing but nice comments about everything at this fly-in. I personally
have to add A GREAT MANY THANKS to all the Frakenmuth club members who turned out to help with
the fly-in. They were: Jim Clemons for Parking, Andrew Mossner covering the
Radio Impound area, Al Vaughn and Ron Carlton for handling a very successful
50/50 raffle, Bill Hendley as Safety Director and Organizing Assistant,
Brian Matzke and Ben Rinaldi for taking care of the pilot registrations,
Jerry Cross for always being there to assist with everything and anything,
Dave Salo, his wife Mary Beth and friend Chris for serving some great food and drink.
And a Special Thanks to John Laundra for the use of his 20x30 Canopy and
taking charge of the Safety Directors position after Bill Hendley had to leave to
attend a wedding.
Here is a list of participating clubs and their attendance: Frankenmuth - 17,
Midland - 9, Davison - 6, Flying Aces (Swartz Creek) - 3, Aero RC (Flint) - 2,
Chesaning - 2
Take a look at the pictures Jerry Cross has posted on his web site.
Mid-Michigan Fun Fly Pictures
| |
|
AMA District VII Fun Fly
The first annual AMA sponsored District VII fun fly is now history.
It was hosted by the Radio Control Club of Detroit at their field. And there
are no words in Webster's Dictionary that could possibly describe my sincere thanks
to all the hard working men and women that put in so many hours of hard work.
This fly in was a successful venture for being the first one. It would not have
happened had RCCD not come forward to volunteer the club field and the membership.
In four months RCCD under the leadership of Ernie Varilone put all the necessary
promotions, ads and made the necessary connections for the registered pilots
banquet,(free).
For those pilots that did show up to help this event be a success (in 95 degree heat)
thank you. For those of you that knew about it and didn't come out to show
support for your hobby/sport, that in its self speaks volumes. This event was
sponsored by the AMA District V.P., me. For the express purpose to bring together
the clubs and membership for a couple of days of just plain flying and fun and
camaraderie. In answer to those that say, "what is AMA doing for me"?
Well this was a chance to enjoy yourself. If you didn't show up, OH well,
You missed one hell of a good time.
Will it happen again? It's up to YOU the membership and clubs to decide.
It took two years before someone came forward this time. I'll be waiting to
see how long it takes to get any club in DISTRICT VII to volunteer to do another
D-VII FUN FLY. I'll say this, the bar has been raised by RCCD.
Our webmater has posted some pictures of who, what and whatever went on.
OK IA, WI, MN, what say you. I know there are clubs out there that can handle it,
so let me know.
Bill Oberdieck
AMA District VII VP
| |
| Add Your Club's Events to D-VII Calendar |
|
Email Ed with the
specific information. You can list sanctioned and non-sanctioned events,
but it's best to send info at least 4 weeks in advance. And don't forget
non-flying events like swap meets and mall shows.
Here is the information we need:
- Event Date(s)
- Event Name
- Event City, State
- Site location (URL of map if available)
- Event desription
- Event flyer (URL of flyer or attach pdf file)
- Contact name, email & phone number
- Sponsoring club name with URL
| |
|
