District III

District III—Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia

Mark Radcliff
Vice President

mradcliff@suddenlink.net
199 Heron Dr., St. Marys WV 26170
Tel.: (304) 684-2133

www.amadistrict-iii.org
www.facebook.com/ama.district.iii

I will begin this month by sharing my experience attending and participating in two events. The first event was the West Virginia RC Pattern Championships hosted by the Flying Wing Nutz Club of St. Marys, West Virginia, June 10-11, 2017. This was the fifth annual event and a record 27 entries competed in all classes of Pattern.

Fliers came from Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Michigan, and for the first time, Illinois and North Carolina. The Wing Nutz field is a beautiful 700 x 100-foot manicured grass airstrip that is well laid out for Pattern flying. The weather was excellent and once again the Wing Nutz club put on an event second to none.

As the event’s contest director (CD), I can say this was the smoothest contest thus far because of the excellent cooperation and participation of the Wing Nutz members. Word is getting around and I believe the West Virginia RC Pattern Championships will be bigger and better next year.

After all, winning this event entitles you to claim bragging rights as a state champion, a claim not many events across the country can make. Congratulations to all of the participants and thank you for another great year of Pattern flying in West Virginia.

Model aircraft on the Wing Nutz grass field — A few of the beautiful pattern aircraft and a view of the fabulous Wing Nutz field.

Lester Faroux holding his red-and-white model airplane — PA flier Lester Faroux won the Sportsman class at the West Virginia RC Pattern event with his scratch-built Dirty Birdy.

Peter VanHevsden operating the electronic scoring system beneath a canopy — Thanks to Michigan flier Peter VanHevsden for running the new National Society of Radio Controlled Aerobatics electronic scoring system.

Model airplanes lined up at the Nighthawks fly-in — A view of the flightline at the Nighthawk’s fly-in.

Jason McQuistion standing behind a large model airplane — Nighthawks CD Jason McQuistion flew a great 3-D demo.

The next event I attended, on June 17, 2017, was the Nighthawks RC Club’s Father’s Day RC Air Show in North Jackson, Ohio. Upon arrival, I was greeted by CD Jason McQuistion and his dad, Tom, both known for their large foam scale aircraft.

Tom explained that the facility was once an active airport, however, a severe storm totally wiped out the hangars, so the facility was abandoned. Thanks to the efforts of Tom and the Nighthawks, permission was granted for the club to use the facility for RC flying. The club began hosting fly-ins, and each year the funds raised were used for to improve the facility. I had heard the jet modelers liked flying there, and I was not disappointed because several jets flew at this year’s event.

Congratulations go out to the Nighthawks for taking a piece of land that would likely have decayed into an eyesore, and making it a positive facility for the community. Thank you, Nighthawks, for an excellent event at your fine aerodrome. I am sure I will be back in future years to fly with you again.

Until next month, fly safely—fly AMA.