District IX—Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
Jim Tiller
Vice President
jtiller@hotmail.com
Box 828, Custer SD 57730
Tel.: (605) 390-3878
We concluded the last two of our District IX leadership meetings for this year with stops in Kansas City and Casper, Wyoming. Once again, the rooms were filled with spirited discussion about club issues such as member retention, flying site issues, and the future of our hobby.
Austin Axmann gives a report on his adventures at Camp AMA.
Another big item was the laundry list of resources and programs provided by the AMA.
If you did not make it to one of these meetings this year, make plans to attend next time they roll around. The feedback we get is all positive.
Attendees at the District IX leadership meetings. Craig and Shannon Bastian at the Casper meeting (top); Scott Borton, Phil Abb adessa, and Don Brents at the Kansas City meeting (above).
The Kansas City meeting saw roughly 30 interested modelers from Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri. Approximately a dozen fliers from Wyoming attended the gathering as well.
A highlight of the Kansas City meeting was the report of last year’s District IX scholarship recipient, Austin Axmann. He attended Camp AMA in June of 2016 with the money awarded him. After listening to him, I can tell you that your money was well spent. Not only is he a good pilot, he is truly a young gentleman.
As you receive this issue, we are sending two young people as District IX guests to Camp AMA 2017. There is still time to donate to this worthy cause. Please help support our scholarships to these young people with a check from you or your club.
Thanks, as always, to my associate vice presidents (AVPs) for doing all the hard work preparing for the leadership meetings. Troy Hamm and Paul Frankum organized the Kansas City event and Josh Nelson did the work in Wyoming. I could not do these without you. Also thanks to District VI Vice President Randy Cameron for attending and organizing the Missouri modelers who attended the Kansas City meeting.
In March, I was privileged to present the AMA’s Distinguished Service Award to Dean Copeland from Omaha, Nebraska. Dean has been a leader in the model aviation community for many years. He is also a great Scale builder and flier who has a long record of achievement in Scale competition. Dean was also one of those mentors in my early flying career. I am proud to have been able to present this well-deserved plaque and to call him my friend.
With the help of Nebraska AVPs Tyler Brown and Ed Paasch, roughly a dozen of Dean’s friends and fellow fliers were able to surprise him with a dinner in his honor after the presentation. Many of those present told stories about how their lives had been affected by this fine man. Thanks to all for helping make this a special event.
As you receive this issue, the June 1 deadline for registering a National Model Aviation Day event is nearly here. I encourage all clubs in District IX to organize an event in support of National Model Aviation Day. You can use any proceeds for a local charity of your choice, or send them to the AMA Foundation. Foundation donations go to AMA scholarships, outreach, and other activities.
AMA District IX Vice President Jim Tiller presented Dean Copeland with the AMA Lifetime Achievement Award (top) witnessed by many of Dean’s friends (above).
Associate Vice Presidents: Tyler Brown, Lincoln NE; (402) 617-044; tyl erzx9r@yahoo.com; Paul Frankum, Lenexa KS; (912) 856-6372; paul tf1524@yahoo.com; Troy Hamm, Gardner KS; (913) 744-5745; funflyr@juno.com; David Koch, Mandan ND; (701) 471-9575; 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; huntwyo@gmail.com; Arend Schuurman, Elkton SD; (605) 695-2122; arend.schuurman@gmail.com.
Event Sanction Coordinator: Troy Hamm, Gardner KS; (913) 744-5745; funflyr@juno.com.
