Merry Christmas! Please remember the real reason for the season.
I really cannot believe that this year is nearly over. It seems like only yesterday that summer was starting. I am sure that the older I get, the faster time is flying! Enough of my rambling … Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each of you and your families.
Camp AMA will be held again at AMA Headquarters, June 7-13, 2020. As in previous years, I will be sending one or possibly two candidates to camp.
I will pay the tuition, which covers attendance, food, and lodging. The student would be responsible to arrange/pay for his or her transportation to and from the event. There is not a minimum level of flying experience required. We will accept any youth from beginner to extreme hot dogger. What is necessary is the desire to spend a week with other young people, making new friends and learning new flying skills!
If you know of someone between the ages of 13 and 19 who would like to attend the camp, or have more questions about the camp, please contact me. I need to have campers signed up by February 1, 2020.
My first submission is a carryover from last month that I did not have room for. This is from Rege Hall from the Blacksheep R/C Modelers in Danville, Indiana.
Our 2019 MAD R/C air show to benefit Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation (HVAF) was a success! The day started with Bernie Kruse, vice president of support for HVAF, and a veteran, joining a group of our members who are also veterans to raise the flag. A World War II veteran in our club, Leo Tarplee, stood at attention and saluted during the national anthem and flag raising.
Also attending from the HVAF was Ashlee Walls, Raden Miller, and his grandson. Senator John Crane and his two sons also visited. Hendricks County Sheriff Brett Clark also paid us a visit.
Thirty-nine pilots registered to fly. We had a large number of spectators throughout the day. Many youngsters had a chance to fly a trainer. We raised roughly $9,000 this year for the HVAF.
Next is from Don Gilkison from the Radio Control Sport Flyers Club in Kansas City, Missouri. John Johnson, who is the head of Jackson County Parks and Recreation, has declared our airfield to be totally compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). It was designed and built by the Army Corps of Engineers, which is in charge of ADA-compliant construction on public lands.
I think that our club might be the only totally ADA-compliant airfield in the US, but I can’t confirm that.
If you want to see your club in the magazine, send me a submission of your club’s event from this past year! Email me at amadistrictvi@modelaircraft.org with the word “magazine” in the subject line. Attach some high-quality pictures!
Enjoy this holiday season with friends and family between flights and please take some time to introduce someone to model aviation!
Gary Himes
Vice President District VI