District VII—Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Tim Jesky
Vice President
timjesky@charter.net
2886 E. Country Ln., Monroe MI 48162
Tel.: (734) 384-6085;
www.amadistrict-vii.org
December is here, and in spite of the predicted El Niño, my money is on that we’ll be getting more than our share of cold temperatures, wind, and snow. Here’s hoping I’m wrong.
While you’re down in the shop this winter working on new projects or repairing some mishaps from the summer, I ask that you take the time to try and bring the sound level down on your aircraft. It’s been my experience throughout the years that noise complaints are one, if not the top, reason for losing flying fields.
That roaring engine, or propeller tips going supersonic, might be music to your ears, but not for everyone else. The fixes can range from proper mufflers, canisters, and three-blade propellers to simple throttle management. Regardless of how remote the location of your field today, it might not stay that way forever. Being proactive on reducing our sound footprint can save plenty of headaches later on—or a field or two.
District VII Associate Vice President “Doc” Shelstrom attended Warbirds Over Iowa this past summer, and has offered the following words. Before I sign off for this month, I’d like to take a moment to wish a happy and healthy holiday season to you and yours and may 2016 be your best year ever.
The Cedar Rapids Skyhawks hosted its 13th annual Warbirds Over Iowa on July 18, 2015. High temperatures in the 90s didn’t discourage the fliers or the enthusiastic spectators. Todd Davis, club president and contest director, did an excellent job of running the event. He was assisted by Wendell Maakestad. Mark Woytassek was the flightline coordinator and did an outstanding job organizing takeoffs and landings.
Twenty-one pilots showcased 40 models throughout the day. A predicted morning thunderstorm did not materialize and the winds were calm; however, afternoon crosswinds developed that made landings a challenge.
Among the pilots were Geoff Barrance with his impressive Tiger Moth and Wendell Maakestad with his B-17. Steve Forest won the Pilots’ Choice award for his F4U; Lyle Vasser won Best Word War II model for his B-25; and Terry Peterson won Best Flight with his P-51 Mustang. Several WW II veterans who attended the event had input in choosing the best WW II model.
The club did not charge admission, but it encouraged spectators to make donations to Honor Flight of Iowa to help send veterans to Washington, D.C.
I had the distinct pleasure of conversing with a spectator who had flown in WW II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He had previously participated in an Honor Flight and was so impressed with the experience, that he wanted to help other veterans be so honored. He specifically came to the event to make a donation to the Honor Flight of Iowa.
Warbirds Over Iowa was his first experience with viewing RC models up close, and he marveled at the authentic scale and details of the WW II fighters and bombers, and was amazed at the realism of their flights.
Rich Dean did an excellent job of photographing the event. The local TV station, KCRG, was on site and taped a segment that ran on the evening news.
The Cedar Rapids Skyhawks was established in 1962. It currently has 62 members, who make good use of the new field that was built in 2003 on property owned by the city and leased by the club.
Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Superintendent Daniel Gibbins commented, “The Skyhawks are a great partner and add a wonderful recreational element to our city.”
Associate Vice Presidents: Bruce Baier, Oshkosh WI; (920) 233-1127; buzssr@gmail.com; Lee Frederickson, Ada MI; L1520@comcast.net; David George, Riverview MI; (734) 284-9017; indiancity5129@yahoo.com, Randall Gibson, Lansing MI; RGibson@mmrcha.org; Bud Gorman, Knife River MN; bgorman@frontiernet.net; Don Held, Elmira MI; (231) 584-2662; edge540m@gmail.com; Noel Hunt, Shelby Twp. MI; (586) 677-1540; hunt4it@comcast.net; Bob Johnson, Fond du Lac WI; bobj54935@yahoo.com; Mark Robotti, Lindstrom MN; mgrobotti@frontier.com; Marc “Doc” Shelstrom, Lancaster WI; (608) 732-4077; shelstrm@uwplatt.edu; Kent Woods, Ames IA; (515) 232-8180; woods229@msn.com. Contest Coordinators: Wayne Yeager (RC Michigan), (517) 260-0132; yogi931@comcast.net; Michael J Haller (RC non-Michigan), Fon Du Lac WI; (920) 979-9452; mrhaller2460@att.net. Frequency Coordinators: Al Schwartz, Roseville MN; (651) 633-2286; alberts@comcast.net; Pete Waters, Northville MI; (248) 924-0223; petewaters@charter.net.
