District IV—Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia
Jay Marsh
Vice President
jaymarsh@ama-d4.org
3227 Pine Needles Rd., High Point NC 27265
Tel.: (336) 687-0973; www.amadistrict-iv.org
www.facebook.com/amadistrictIV
Go fly, and have fun safely. Flying season is in full swing and you should be out there doing exactly that. There are many events in the district this year, and you should plan to enjoy the hospitality of other clubs, and, in turn, invite them to your field.
Tell me about what you are doing. It doesn’t have to be an official event or contest—just members having fun. Send me a picture or two and a short report about your club, like the Macon Aero Modelers did in this column.
All seems quiet at the moment I am writing this. However—and the reason why it is quiet—there is a lot of work taking place by many dedicated people representing your privilege to fly and enjoy this hobby. Stay up to date by taking a look at the AMA blogs and the communications you receive such as AMA Today and watching AMA Air. Make sure you are receiving emails from AMA, and please pass what is happening along to those who don’t have Internet access.
I want to correct something I said last month: model airplane flying is a “privilege,” not a “right.” There was never anything else that was going to happen with the proliferation of drones, and there never has been a plot to increase AMA membership.
Like it or not, we are all in this together. The best way to protect your privilege to fly is to make every effort to bring these new pilots in, educate, and show them how to do this safely.
Here is Bob Scott’s report on the Macon Aero Modelers.
Located in the Smoky Mountains of southwestern North Carolina are the Macon Aero Modelers, sporting a 500-foot Bermuda grass runway and a beautiful place to fly at the club’s OTX AeroDrome. Here’s a link for more information: www.macon aeromodelers.com.
This past winter was relatively mild for the mountains. Luckily, the 60 club members got some great winter flying in, and with a good spring going into summer, we look forward to a lot more good flying. The club welcomes all visitors—pilot or spectator.
In addition to having fun, the club sponsors two fly-ins a year to raise money for local charities. Club members are well known for their ability to cook competition-quality barbecue. Come by and see us anytime.
Gerry Doubleday heads to the flightline with his Ryan STA, his winter project.
Lou Vitale launches a sailplane.
Associate Vice President Nic Burhans submitted the following write-up.
On February 7, 2016, the West Potomac High School in Alexandria, Virginia, held its first fun-fly of the year. As usual, this was an indoor event for RC and Free Flight models held in the high school’s gymnasium. The event was hosted by the school’s engineering education department and sponsored by the Northern Virginia RC Club.
The event was well attended with approximately 40 young and old pilots and walk-ins throughout the day. A new event for the students was “paper glider slope racing” in which the air pushing the glider along is provided by a person waiving a board under the model.
It was a good time with flying, fellowship, and hobby introductions for young, old, moms, and dads.
Go fly, and have fun safely.
Associate Vice Presidents: Delaware: John Kirchstein, (302)731-2831; john@kirchstein.net; Mark Weiss, (302)547-4917; markw@ama-d4.org; North Carolina: Rick Cawley, (919) 630-1649; racbgc@embarqmail.com; Mark Smith, (704) 798-2776; mark@ama-d4.org; David Trogdon, (910)654-1220; frogman28472@embarqmail.com; Maryland: Richard “Rick” Moreland, (301) 261-7366; rmoreland1@verizon.net; Virginia: Nic Burhans, (540) 219-9646; nic@ama-d4.org; Randy Elliott, (540) 239-0645; Randy.Elliott@nordsonxaloy.com; Rusty Kennedy, (757) 812-2812; rusty@ama-d4.org; Terry Terrenoire, (412)760-4593; terry@ama-d4.org; FF AVP: Bob Sowder, (540) 525-7086; bsowder@rbnet.com. CL AVP and FF/CL Contest Coordinator: John Tate, 10 Hanbury Ave., Portsmouth VA 23702; (757) 399-5376; jtate22@cox.net. RC Contest Coordinator: Andy Kane, 305 Natick Ct., Silver Spring MD 20905; (301) 785-3022; andykane01@gmail.com. Webmaster: Jack Upchurch, webmaster@amadistrict-iv.org. Government Relations Coordinator: Ray Stinchcomb, (443) 618-8998; govrelations@ama-d4.org.
