District X—Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah
Lawrence Tougas
Vice President
ama.district10@gmail.com
Box 276, Fairfield CA 94533
Tel.: (707) 480-2053; www.ama10.org
October is upon us. The days are getting shorter and the air crisper. Fall will be arriving as you receive this magazine. Although I love the fact that District X allows for year-round flying, I truly hope we get a wet fall and winter and a return to normal water levels. A couple of lost flying days will be a small price to pay.
Free Flight (FF) Rubber Scale modeling is alive and well in District X. These models, constructed with stick and tissue, are amazing reproductions of full-scale aircraft. The most active contests in this flying category are dominated by the Flying Aces Club (FAC) Squadrons in District X.
There are 10 FAC squadrons in our district. Those in California include the Oasis Flyers in Menifee; Scale Staffel in La Mesa; Secret Squadron in Porterville; Der Alte Alder Gruppen in Bellflower; The Grassy Knoll Flying Club in Thousand Oaks; Scale Masters in Long Beach; and Marin Aero Club in Mill Valley. Others in District X are Vulture Squadron in Henderson, Nevada; Wasatch Mt. Devil Dogs in West Valley, Utah; and the Cactus Squadron in Buckeye, Arizona.
The FAC is a fun-filled organization of more than 75 squadrons across the US. It sponsors more than 35 FF events involving stick-and-tissue construction. Scale rubber events that include duration, scale judging, and mass launches comprise most of the competitions, but many Old-Timer Duration events are also popular.
Events are organized in a quasi-military fashion, which is taken very much tongue-in-cheek. After all, when the president of the organization refers to himself as the Commander in Chief, The Grand Poohbah, or The Decider, you know they are having fun.
As fliers win various events, they receive a Kanone, or award. Kanone was the word the German military used in World War I to recognize an Ace. It loosely means cannon, big gun, or big shot, much like today’s Top Gun. After winning 16 contests, a competitor is awarded a Blue Max Medal. The 16 victories can be in any of FAC’s 35 events.
There are only three Blue Max medalists in California. The latest Blue Max was awarded to George Mansfield at a recent Scale Staffel Squadron contest. It’s quite a ceremony and a real honor. This was held at the last event of the year, so a presentation was also made for Flyer of the Year. That award went to Bob Hodes from Nevada. Bob had more first-, second-, and third-place finishes at Scale Staffel contests than anyone else, which earned him the award. They both deserve congratulations.
FF stick-and-tissue Rubber Scale requires superb building (usually from scratch), trimming, and flying skills. There is no powerful engine—only a motor made from strands of rubber and wound more than 1,000 turns. Judging is based on construction, workmanship, scale details, and markings. The model’s duration is added to the Scale score awarded by the judges to determine the final scores.
Whenever I’m at a FF Rubber Scale event, the atmosphere is lighthearted, with a lot of ribbing and fun for all. Check one out; you might be the next Kanone.
Thanks to Roger Willis, our District X FF associate vice president (AVP), for helping with this column. Until next month, I wish you nothing but happy landings and, for my Free Flight fliers, many maxes.
