Happy New Year! It is the start of building season once again. I cannot believe we are into the new year already. It is time now to sit around the fire and enjoy the following stories from when it was still warm outside!
The first submission is from Rene G. Manta:
Shortly after I joined the Hardin County RC Modelers club in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, I met Mike Blair, the club’s secretary. It was clear to me that he had a natural ability to introduce new members to the club. During the next four years, Mike and I became very good friends. Mike’s helpful nature became even more evident when, while we were flying, another pilot lost visual contact with his airplane and Mike looked away from his airplane to look for the other pilot’s aircraft. Thankfully everyone landed safely.
Unfortunately, Mike had been battling a serious medical condition for many years. Surrounded by his family, he passed away peacefully on July 31, 2019, at the age of 53. Our club lost not only an excellent secretary, but also a great friend.
September 29, 2019, was the Memorial Fly-in at our field. The event had excellent attendance. Twelve members of Mike’s family and friends came to the event. His daughter and husband drove from Huntsville, Alabama. Thanks to the generous donations by many club members, we had a free raffle. As part of this event we collected donations to purchase a memorial brick on AMA’s Walk of Fame.
This was submitted by John Earlywine:
The Fort Wayne Flying Circuits enjoyed perfect early October weather for the club’s third annual Circuits at Night event organized by Shane Reinhart. Activities consisted of late afternoon flying followed by chili and hot dogs. As daylight faded, aircraft began showing up on the flightline with many creative custom LED lighting schemes and some friendly competition for the most spectacular designs.
There was a break for a professional fireworks display, then more flying and a campfire until after midnight. Shane’s goal was to create something interesting for members’ and spectators’ families and kids. It has been a huge success and has grown every year. We had nearly 100 cars in the parking lot and consumed 4 gallons of chili, along with 100 hot dogs this year!
The last submission is from Tom DeVincentis: On October 5, 2019, the Mid-Missouri Radio Control Association (MMRCA) hosted our annual Chili Dog Fun Fly. Despite a weather prediction of constant rain, there was an excellent turnout of more than 40 pilots and guests. The rain held off for most of the day and it was a great time.
Of course, a Chili Dog Fun Fly isn’t complete without a lunch of chili and hot dogs. Members brought their chili recipes to combine with grilled hot dogs, snacks, and desserts.
Although this is an annual event for MMRCA, this Chili Dog Fun Fly was special because the club recognized Dan Adams for his decades of service to the club and to the hobby.
Dan was a founding member of the club. He helped train many new pilots who are now seasoned pilots themselves. It was also Dan’s 90th birthday, so for dessert we enjoyed a birthday cake with him. What’s better than a birthday celebration with some RC fun thrown in?
If you want to see your club mentioned in the magazine, send me a submission about an event from this past year! Email me at amadistrictvi@modelaircraft.org with the word “magazine” in the subject line and attach a few high-quality digital pictures! Also, please take the time to introduce someone else to model aviation!
Gary Himes
Vice President District VI