District X

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

One of the common themes I see frequently in my experiences as your District X vice president is how the love of our sport is frequently passed from father to son. Teaching the skills of building and flying are great experiences to be shared.

I don’t think that people outside of our realm understand this. Maybe if we emphasize this fact, we can improve our image to the general public. Who knows if it will counteract the negative press modeling has received lately, but I think it is worth a try.

Because Father’s Day is this month, let’s enjoy some pictures and stories from fellow members about their dads.

My father, Edward Tougas, and I enjoyed our time together. We flew at least one day a week year round. He loved that Electrostik model; he must have gone through three of them throughout the years. He didn’t think a model was complete unless it had a pilot.

Two men and model aircraft on a lawn — (L-R) Paul and Chuck Kirby. At the age of 81, Chuck is still an active modeler and private pilot. Their fleet includes Chuck’s Top Flite Stinson Reliant and scratch-built 84-inch Goldberg Senior Falcon, as well as Paul’s Falcon 56 and Top Flight P-47.

(L-R) Paul and Chuck Kirby. At the age of 81, Chuck is still an active modeler and private pilot. Their fleet includes Chuck’s Top Flite Stinson Reliant and scratch-built 84-inch Goldberg Senior Falcon, as well as Paul’s Falcon 56 and Top Flight P-47.

Two men standing behind a model Beech D18 — Walt Sr. and Walt Jr. Moucha. This was Walt Sr.’s Giant Scale Beech D18. Scratch-built from more than 18,000 individual parts, it had a 12-foot wingspan. Walt Sr. built the aircraft and Walt Jr. finished and flies it. They won the Quarter Scale Association of America’s Best in Show award at the 1994 Las Vegas event.

Walt Sr. and Walt Jr. Moucha. This was Walt Sr.’s Giant Scale Beech D18. Scratch-built from more than 18,000 individual parts, it had a 12-foot wingspan. Walt Sr. built the aircraft and Walt Jr. finished and flies it. They won the Quarter Scale Association of America’s Best in Show award at the 1994 Las Vegas event.

Two men with a model Westland Whirlwind — Walt Sr. and Walt Jr. with their 28% Westland Whirlwind. This model won Best in Show at the 1993 Quarter Scale Association of America’s Las Vegas Fly-In. It has a 10-foot wingspan and was powered by dual Zenoah G-62s. Again Walt Sr. framed the model and Walt Jr. finished and flew the beauty.

Walt Sr. and Walt Jr. with their 28% Westland Whirlwind. This model won Best in Show at the 1993 Quarter Scale Association of America’s Las Vegas Fly-In. It has a 10-foot wingspan and was powered by dual Zenoah G-62s. Again Walt Sr. framed the model and Walt Jr. finished and flew the beauty.

Thank you to all who contributed to this column. It feels good to remember our fathers, both with us and passed. I’m going to make it a regular feature each June, so please send in photos of your father, father figure, or surrogate

Three generations of the Sarkisian family in an airplane — Here are three generations of the Sarkisian family, (L-R) Edward A., Edward, and Daniel, taking flight. Edward got this clan interested in aviation with his love of modeling. He got his start in aviation working at the Little Ferry Seaplane Base, east of Teterboro Field in New Jersey, before World War II.

Here are three generations of the Sarkisian family, (L-R) Edward A., Edward, and Daniel, taking flight. Edward got this clan interested in aviation with his love of modeling. He got his start in aviation working at the Little Ferry Seaplane Base, east of Teterboro Field in New Jersey, before World War II.

Two men building a model Stearman — Edward A. (L) and Edward Sakisian shared time building a Stearman. Edward A. has many childhood memories of helping his father build and fly model aircraft. So many in fact, that he chose to become a commercial pilot and now captains Boeing 757s and 767s for United Airlines.

Edward A. (L) and Edward Sakisian shared time building a Stearman. Edward A. has many childhood memories of helping his father build and fly model aircraft. So many in fact, that he chose to become a commercial pilot and now captains Boeing 757s and 767s for United Airlines.

Two men with model sailplanes — Former District X Associate Vice President Greg Clemensen and his father, Bob, both enjoyed Soaring. They had matching Hangar 9 Aspires that got a lot of use in sunny Las Vegas.

Former District X Associate Vice President Greg Clemensen and his father, Bob, both enjoyed Soaring. They had matching Hangar 9 Aspires that got a lot of use in sunny Las Vegas.

father along with some background information and we’ll remember the people who introduced us to this wonderful sport.

Until next month, I wish you all happy landings.

Associate Vice Presidents: Tim Attaway, Chula Vista CA; (619) 427-6392; trattaway@cox.net; Forrest Barton, Woodland CA; (530) 383-9019; cbarton328@aol.com; Richard Bonnardel, Kailua HI, (808) 261-7046; rebbfb@hawaii.rr.com; Kurtis Chandler, Phoenix AZ; (602) 647-8342; azpm@cox.net; Alan Friedman, Eloy AZ; (520) 876-0232; pooralan@aol.com. Dan Johnson, St. George UT; (435) 619-3112; dk5ajohnson@gmail.com; Eric Henderson, Las Vegas NV; (609) 410-3194; ehenderson05@gmail.com; Kevin Houser, Oro Valley AZ; (520) 490-7657; khouser@coxcharterme.com; Tim Johnson, Rancho Santa Margarita CA; (562) 965-4288; timothy@johnson.us.com; Mike Lee, Redlands CA; (909) 792-8424; mlee8249@msn.com; Scott Malta, Merced CA; (209) 723-4202; scottmalta@comcast.net; Jim Mohan, Phoenix AZ; (623) 434-1351; jmohan351@cox.net; Todd Sheridan, Pleasant Grove UT; (801) 358-8345; sheridan.todd@gmail.com; Greg Stone, Laguna Nigel, CA; (949) 413-0920; gstone4@cox.net; Peter Vogel, Santa Clara CA; (408) 569-7067; vogel.peter@gmail.com; Roger Willis, Murrieta CA; (951) 249-9688; willisasoc@aol.com. Contest Coordinators: Tim Attaway, Chula Vista CA; (619) 427-6392; trattaway@cox.net; Forrest Barton, Woodland CA; (530) 383-9019; cbarton328@aol.com; Bob Bayless (Arizona and Utah), Peoria AZ; (623) 694-3379; sumobob@cox.net; Christopher Sullivan, Waipahu HI; (808) 953-8863; rccombat808@yahoo.com.