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
Happy Memorial Day everyone. The start of the summer flying season approaches, along with all of the fun-flys and contests. I’m looking forward to doing a lot of flying and I’m sure you are too.
Next month is June and Father’s Day. Last year I offered a Father’s Day-themed column that was well received, so I have decided to make this an annual thing. I’ve asked for photos of the dads, granddads, and other father figures who got us involved in this great sport. I have received some, but not enough. Please take a minute and send me a photo, along with a paragraph or two about how this person got you started flying and the impact he has had on you. Send all of this to ama.district10@gmail.com.
I learned a valuable lesson recently that I want to share with you. I was flying my 2-meter aerobatics airplane on a gusty day and just as I was flaring to land, a gust pushed the model down onto the runway. I heard an odd sound and when I inspected the airplane, one side of the landing gear seemed a little loose and required me to tighten the attachment bolts. After a little adjustment, I was back up in the air for the rest of the day.
The next time I went flying, after my second flight, I noticed what looked like a spider web on my composite propeller emanating from behind the spinner. When I tried to brush it away I realized it was not a spiderweb, but a crack in my propeller! The propeller was cracked and delaminating and I had made six flights with it installed before I saw the damage.
This really took me by surprise. I make it a point to preflight my models before flying and I thought I was thoroughly covering the entire airplane. My rough landing had bent the propeller blade back enough to damage it at the center, but left no damage on the tips.
This is a lesson I won’t soon forget and I will double my efforts at a preflight inspection. I would have shed more than one tear if I had lost my beautiful Krill Spark and probably would not have known why if I threw a blade in flight. Please learn from my experience.
In hindsight it seems hard to miss this crack, but miss it I did. Don’t let this happen to you.
I had the pleasure of traveling to the Coachella Valley Radio Control Club (CVRCC). The CVRCC is a great club. Its location gives members excellent winter flying weather and they welcome snowbirds who come to the greater Palm Springs area to escape the cold. If you’re looking for a good winter place to fly, keep this club in mind.
CVRCC held its International Miniature Aerobatic Club Championship the first week of March and was rewarded with blue skies and great flying. Contest directors Charles Lewis and Darrel Morgan put on a great show. Please enjoy some of my favorite photos.
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; rebbff@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; khous@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. Event Sanction 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.
Ryan Crutchfield with his QQ Yak powered by a DA-100, finished fifth in Sportsman.
Lawrence Vasquez, of San Jacinto CA, finished third in Basic with his 105-inch AJ Aircraft Laser.
Gene Folger, with his Dalton Extra 300, placed fifth in Basic.
Jim Maguire took fourth in Sportsman with his DA-150-powered Aeroworks Extra 300.
Until next month, I wish you all happy landings.
