AMA District VI—Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri
As published in the March issue of Model Aviation Magazine.
At the time of this writing, we’ve all just celebrated the arrival of the new year. For many clubs, flying on New Year’s Day is tradition. This year being no exception, I flew with the Ozark Mountain Barnstormers. The weather was mild and a bit breezy. The chili and coffee went down easily.
Of particular interest this year was James Hubbell. It is not often that one is up all night on the dance floor ringing in the new year with a special lady, and then comes directly to the flying field to get a few flights in and enjoy the day with his fellow modelers. Talk about dedication to the hobby. James, you’ve set the bar pretty high. It will be difficult to top next year.
This past year has been busy for the AMA with many difficult decisions, including the first dues increases in 13 years, government advocacy, and constantly trying to work out issues with the FAA, registration, etc.
Here is a quick 2015 year in review of some things I am proud of that have come from our district.
The Wings for Kids 2015 air show, hosted by the River City Radio Controllers (RCRC), was held at the Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Kentucky. This two-day event raised more than $20,000, which was donated to Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville. Throughout the years, RCRC has donated more than $200,000 for this charity.
District VI supported National Model Aviation Day with 26 clubs participating. We raised roughly $18,000. The top charity fundraisers in our district this year are the Black Sheep R/C Modelers in Danville, Indiana; the Paducah Aero Modelers in Kentucky; the Kansas City Radio Control; the Kansas City Northern Knights; the Ozark Mountain Barnstormers in Missouri; and the Palos R/C Flying Club in Illinois. The AMA presented a check to Wounded Warrior Project for approximately $92,000 at the 2016 AMA Expo.
In 2015, District VI sponsored Andrew Sites’ attendance at Camp AMA. Andrew is an outstanding young man who, at age 16, has many accomplishments under his belt. He is an active modeler and proficient RC helicopter pilot. He’s active in the Civil Air Patrol, has started a student club at his high school, and most recently, shortly after Christmas, he held a class at the YMCA in Warrensburg, Missouri, on how to fly drones safely. One of his goals is to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy and become an Air Force pilot.
In June 2015, I had the pleasure to be involved with Bob Gautreaux and Wayne Williams working with more than 80 Cub Scouts at the Take Flight Day Camp Jamboree held at the State Fairgrounds in Sedalia, Missouri. We had a fun and rewarding couple of days building 9-inch foam-plate gliders, known as FPG-9s, with the boys. It put a lot of smiles on their faces, which left a huge impression on me
Members of the Lake Ozark Radio Control Society held an educational event at Belair Elementary School in Jefferson City, Missouri, and a fundraiser to help fight cancer. Both events were successful. This active club includes Daniel Smith. Twice this year, Daniel represented modelers in Missouri. He worked with representatives and stood up for us during hearings at our capital in Jefferson City. Thank you very much, Dan.
AMA’s Education department provides $2,000 to each district for Take off And Grow (TAG) grants. In 2015, the Kansas City Northern Nights, the Farm Friendly Flyers, and the Louisville Area Soaring Society all received a portion of this grant money.
AMA provided $30,000 in Flying Site Improvement Grants in 2015— two of which were awarded to District VI clubs. One went to Henderson Radio Control Model Airplane Club in Kentucky, in the amount of $432, and the other to the Millersburg RC Modelers in Indiana, in the amount of $1,355.60.
John O’Brien recently sent me the following:
I belong to the Morrison, Illinois, club chapter 577. Attached is a picture of a couple of airplanes I built and flew this summer. The one on the left is a Senior Kadet I kit-bashed, adding 13 inches to the wing. It uses four Tower Hobbies engines. The one on the right is called a Super Senior with four O.S. .46s. They both fly well and people ask to see them fly all the time. I enjoy making something that is different and interesting.
Happy 2016 and may it be full of good landings!
Randy Cameron
Vice President
flyrcam@gmail.com