One of the newest clubs in District IX is the Colorado Dawn Patrol (CDP), AMA chartered club #5309. The CDP was formed to promote early aviation through World War I. As the club grows, it hopes to form an AMA Special Interest Group for all like-minded fliers. Instead of regular meetings, the CDP members plan to gather as a group at area events, bringing their period aircraft and flying them to attract others with similar interests.
The Dawn Patrol organized and ran the inaugural Parker RC Swap Meet on May 21, at the Parker Fieldhouse in Parker, Colorado. The event was organized by club president, Wayne Perry, and club vice president, Norman Berger.
The club officers set up a website listing items and offering a discount to anyone wanting a preregistered table. The swap meet was also promoted in Model Aviation and by an email campaign. Those efforts paid off with nearly 50 seller tables and more than 100 buyers throughout the day.
The club will donate 25% of the net proceeds to AMA’s National Model Aviation Day charity, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). The balance goes to fund the new Colorado Dawn Patrol club.
North Dakota Associate Vice President Brandon Koch and I were happy to be a part of the UAS4STEM regional contest hosted by the Valley R/C Flyers in Fargo, North Dakota. Four teams were registered for the event.
The winning team was the Quad Squad from Shoreview, Minnesota. Team members Benjamin Chen, Naranjan Sankar, and Shant Sabane made a strong showing. I was impressed by the quality of the presentation, their thorough knowledge of the flying platform, and skills in using their equipment. In the face of a cold, rainy, 25-knot breeze, they were able to find all of the objects and identify the unknown. Great job, guys, and good luck to you on your path to the UAS4STEM national competition in Muncie, Indiana.
Thank you to the Valley R/C Flyers for stepping up and hosting this firstever UAS4STEM regional in District IX. I know the preparations were significant, but the outcome was beyond my expectations. Judges Ryan Johnson, Tony Bjerke, and David Tsen were outstanding. Even the chili was great.
Ellsworth Air Force Base team at the National
Model Aviation Day event in Rapid City SD. Zac
Culberson shoots for the fire department team,
while Paul Sandal pilots in the background.
The first 2016 National Model Aviation Day event in District IX was held June 5, in Rapid City, South Dakota. One highlight of the event was a charity paintball shoot with teams including the Rapid City Fire Department and Ellsworth Air Force Base Security Squad competing for the coveted paintball trophy. All of the proceeds went to the DAV.
Other events included an assassin flying-wing race, warbird and 3-D aerobatic demonstration flights, and an FPV racing demo. Buddy-box instruction went on throughout the day. Smokin’ Hot Catering took on the food duties and sold out most of its selections by the day’s end.
Thanks to all of the club members and to the Rapid City community for their interest and participation. Many more pictures and details are available on the Rapid City Propbusters Facebook page.
