District V—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands
Bob Brogdon
Vice President
r.a.brogdon@comcast.net
5251 Hermitage Dr., Powder Springs GA 30127
Tel.: (770) 421-8838; www.amadistrict-v.org
Hello District V and friends! Thanks for joining me this month. I appreciate the feedback I have received and the interest you have shown in my column. I hope I can continue to keep your attention.
I am pleased to report that we have two new Leader Members: Robert G. Miller Sr. of Athens, Tennessee, and Daniel Wendell of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Thank you Robert and Daniel!
We also have four new Contest Directors/Event Managers: James Ogorek of Tallahassee, Florida; Alan Tahler of Rossville, Georgia; Richard Bobb of Sarasota, Florida; and Edward Dumas of Knoxville, Tennessee. Thanks, guys!
I received this report from Don Wise, one of our associate vice presidents (AVPs) in South Carolina.
heart’s content on either of the two parallel runways. Tony Turner was the event contest director (CD). We also held a raffle for prizes worth $2,500.
The event started off with cool weather and blue skies then became cloudy after lunch. The 38 pilots seemed to enjoy themselves—flying everything from small sport models to large-scale aircraft, using everything from electric to turbines for power.
This report came from Florida AVP Andrew Griffith.
With a title like “Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ and Blues Festival,” you might be asking yourself why it’s in a model airplane magazine. The barbecue festival in question took place at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport in Florida on January 21, 2017.
Despite the obvious interest shared between modelers and full-scale aviation enthusiasts, many airport managers are reluctant to mix modeling and full-scale aviation at such an event. We are often limited to static displays, and although any publicity is usually good publicity, flying demos are what really show off what we do.
Nathan Coleman, the airport manager, approached the local RC club, the Can-Am RC Flyers, about a display and flight demonstration because he wanted to showcase all things aviation at the Pigz and Blues Fest. Can-Am member Randy Leapley came to me while I was the district vice president about what would be the best approach for both the club and the airport. Never one to turn down good barbecue, I volunteered to apply for a Class-D sanction and act as the event’s CD.
Working with Nathan, Randy, and the Can-Am club members, we surveyed an area where we could safely operate. With a limited safe-flight area, a mandate to keep it at or below 200 feet, and the constant use of spotters, most of the flying was to be done with foamie and smaller electric airplanes and flown by safe and experienced pilots.
Despite these restrictions, a wide array of flight demos were conducted including foamies, electric helicopters, multirotor FPV racing, and 3-D. I flew the new E-flite Convergence VTOL tilt rotor, which was perfect for the occasion because it could take off and land like a helicopter and still perform some regular fixed-wing aerobatics.
Tony Greene flew in from Cape Coral with his full-scale Scottish Aviation Bulldog. He was a big hit flying his Extreme Flight 60-inch electric Extra 300. Fortunately, the tree he hit suffered only minimal damage.
In addition to the flightline demos, the club also manned a static display booth in the main exhibition area where there was a steady flow of visitors and easy access to the barbecue. The entire affair was a great success.
I was able to talk to a large number of full-scale aviation professionals and private pilots about AMA’s safety code and explained that as fellow enthusiasts of all things that fly, it was our goal to not only enjoy our hobby, but to coexist safely in the airspace.
A big thanks goes out to Nathan and everyone at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, along with Randy Leapley and all of the Can-Am RC Flyers who flew demos, brought their models out for static display, or staffed the information booth and spent the day smiling and talking with the public. The barbecue was pretty darn good, too!
Last, but not least, the McMinn County RC Club in Tennessee is in the news for its community involvement. The club was recently recognized for its contribution to the Fisher Library. Thanks to all of the McMinn club members!
Until next time, make sure all of your control surfaces are tight with no play.
