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...org

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone.

I want to repeat that some important deadlines are coming up; please be aware of them. Take off And Grow (TAG) proposals are due by February 1, 2017. Your club can be awarded up to $1,000 if your proposal is selected for funding.

The Flying Site Assistance grant applications are due by March 1, 2017. These grants can fund as much as 10% of your club’s planned construction or renovation. You can receive up to $3,000, but you won’t get a penny if you don’t apply.

Leader Club applications and AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame nominations need to be turned in by March 31, 2017. We have many great clubs in the district that would qualify for Leader Club status if they applied. Don’t be left out. District X has many notable members who warrant inclusion in the AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame, so nominate someone today.

The AMA Scholarship program is currently accepting applications and the deadline to apply is April 30, 2017. This is a great way for a college-bound member to get some money to help pay for his or her education.

All of these programs are a benefit that you enjoy as an AMA member. If you have any question about them, please look them up on the AMA website (www.modelaircraft.org) or drop me a line. I want to help you take advantage of these great opportunities.

It is only four months until June and Father’s Day. I am going to dedicate my June column to remembering our fathers, father figures, and surrogate fathers who got us into this wonderful world of aeromodeling. Please send me an email with a photo of your loved one and a brief write-up and we’ll share our photos and memories in the June District X column.

This year, AMA District IX Vice President Jim Tiller invited me to attend the Warbirds Over the Rockies air show. This event happens every September at the Arvada Associated Modelers (AAM) field outside of Denver. The organizers are Brian and Bonnie O’Meara and their family.

The AAM put on a great show to benefit mental health charities in Colorado. The show is reminiscent of the Byron Originals shows of the past. They have flying mixed with pyrotechnic effects that really up the “wow” factor. Lunchtime featured flyovers of full-scale warbirds—both piston and turbine. Some of the nicest Scale warbirds in the country can be seen at this show. Please enjoy some of my favorite photos.

Two model Lockheed F-104 aircraft at the show — These two huge Lockheed F-104s were a sight to see. They flew in a manner identical to the full-scale aircraft, and they were big. The horizontal stabilizer comes up to the belt line of the man in the background to give it scale.

These two huge Lockheed F-104s were a sight to see. They flew in a manner identical to the full-scale aircraft, and they were big. The horizontal stabilizer comes up to the belt line of the man in the background to give it scale.

Model Thunderbolt aircraft beside its handler — This Thunderbolt beauty is Brian O’Meara’s. It is powered by a 300cc 3W engine.

This Thunderbolt beauty is Brian O’Meara’s. It is powered by a 300cc 3W engine.

Olive-colored model Navion aircraft — You don’t often see models of the Navion. This North American aircraft was developed at the end of World War I for the civilian market, but the Army Air Force bought 83 for its use.

You don’t often see models of the Navion. This North American aircraft was developed at the end of World War I for the civilian market, but the Army Air Force bought 83 for its use.

Model Stearman biplane — This Stearman had a Moki radial engine. It looked and sounded just like the real thing.

This Stearman had a Moki radial engine. It looked and sounded just like the real thing.

Blue and yellow model Ercoupe aircraft — This big Balsa USA Ercoupe was also done up in military colors. The full-scale aircraft had its ailerons and rudder interconnected so there were no rudder pedals. You steered the airplane like a car.

This big Balsa USA Ercoupe was also done up in military colors. The full-scale aircraft had its ailerons and rudder interconnected so there were no rudder pedals. You steered the airplane like a car.

White model T-33 with red markings — This T-33 was modeled after the Thunderbirds.

This T-33 was modeled after the Thunderbirds.

This is a show worth traveling to see. Next year, mark your calendar and attend. You’ll have a lot of fun. I guarantee it.

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; rebbfbf@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; Kevin Houser, Oro Valley AZ; (520) 490-7657; khouser@rocketfarmers.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 Niguel, CA; (949) 413-0920; gstone4@cox.net; Gil Terzo, Las Vegas NV; (702) 523-9897; gterzo@aol.com. Peter Vogel, Santa Clara CA; (408) 569-7067; vogel.peter@gmail.com; Roger Willis, Murrieta CA; (951) 249-9688; willisasoc@aol.com. Sanctioned Event Coordinators: Tim Attaway, Chula Vista CA; (619) 427-6392; trattaway@cox.net; Forrest Barton, Woodland CA; (530) 383-9019; cbarton328@aol.com; Kurtis Chandler (Arizona and Utah), Peoria AZ; (602) 647-3842; azpm@cox.net; Christopher Sullivan, Waipahu HI; (808) 953-8863; rccombat808@yahoo.com.