Edition: Model Aviation - 2017/03
Page Numbers: 131
Portrait of Jim Tiller.

District IX—Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming

Portrait of Jim Tiller.

Jim Tiller
Vice President

jtiller@hotmail.com
Box 828, Custer SD 57730
Tel.: (605) 390-3878

For some time, Denver area clubs have been getting together once a year, primarily to schedule events without conflicts. For the last two years, we have expanded the concept and called the get-togethers Leadership Meetings.

We ask any club within driving distance to send two officers and we expanded the agenda to include AMA resources, educational activities, governmental affairs, and other topics of interest. Last year we took the concept on the road and held Leadership Meetings in other cities.

The first meeting this winter was in Denver in early December. Tom Neff, Colorado associate vice president (AVP), got us a room at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum and 34 people showed up. Tom, Colorado AVP Rick McCaskill, and I moderated a discussion of local concerns and talked about AMA programs and activities of interest to clubs.

In 2017, the Leadership Meetings will continue in Kansas City, Kansas; Bismark, North Dakota; and Casper, Wyoming.

Man in a blue coat holding a model aircraft transmitter outdoors.
Gene Corson at the Casper Hell or High Wind
Man launching a model aircraft outdoors.
Darren Schwede at Frost Your Buns
Person preparing a model airplane on a runway.
preparing for flight at the Frozen Needle Valve
Two people with a model aircraft outdoors.
and Eric Lemmon with a new student, Finn Wallington, at the LEAF New Year’s Fly.

Here in the outback of the US where the hardy folks live, we don’t fear bad weather—we celebrate it. Many clubs in District IX actually plan events for just that purpose. Such events are called by many names including the Frozen Finger Fly in Beresford, South Dakota; Frozen Needle Valve in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Come Hell or High Wind in Casper, Wyoming; Flurry Fest in Bismark, North Dakota; and Frost Your Buns in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Whatever the name, the principle is the same. Enjoy the hobby regardless of what Mother Nature has to offer. This year temperatures ranged from below zero to roughly 40° throughout the district, but hundreds of our hardy members put their cares in the air. Hot food and drinks usually follow when your fingers can no longer feel the sticks. My compliments to all of you rugged individuals.

I have a little space to show another gem. Cody Wilson of Denver modified this P-47 Razorback from a used Top Flite ARF he bought. Add a G-62, Robart gear, and approximately 250 hours of repainting and reworking, and here’s what you get. This is no hangar queen. Cody’s low passes down on the deck are amazing.

People seated at tables during a Denver Leadership Meeting.
There was a packed house at the Denver Leadership Meeting.

There was a packed house at the Denver Leadership Meeting.

Model P-47 aircraft flying against a blue sky.

Associate Vice Presidents: Paul Frankum, Lenexa KS; (912) 856-6372; paulft1524@yahoo.com; Troy Hamm, Gardner KS; (913) 744-5745; funflyr@juno.com; David Koch, Mandan ND; (701) 472-9575; kockbrandon471@gmail.com. Rick McCaskill, Frederick CO; (303) 682-0440; rickm1947@aol.com; Tom Neff, Aurora CO; (303) 829-5416; thomas.neff@comcast.net; Josh Nelson, Casper WY; (307) 277-3110; huntwy@gmail.com; Ed Paasch, Omaha NE; (402) 391-2855; bigedmustafa@hotmail.com; Arend Schuurman, Elkton SD; (605) 695-2122; arend.schuurman@gmail.com.

Sanctioned Event Coordinator: Troy Hamm, Gardner KS; (913) 744-5745; funflyr@juno.com.