District IX—Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
Vice President
jtiller@hotmail.com
Box 828, Custer SD 57730
Tel.: (605) 390-3878
If the annual Flying Cowboys R/C Club Fly-In in Sheridan, Wyoming, is not already on your calendar, make sure you put it there. It will be this year’s District IX Fun Fly. On Saturday, September 9, 2017, as part of the weekend event, we will have a short AMA meeting during the prime rib dinner and give away a prize to one of the AMA members present. Other than that, just come, fly and have a good time. For more details, see the Flying Cowboys’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/flyingcowboys.
Sadly, I was not able to attend Warbirds Over Denver this year. Colorado Associate Vice President
Above: Shaquille James and his BVM F-16 at Warbirds Over Denver. Below: Zach Cozzolino, of Pueblo CO, has launched his 1/5-scale P-40.
(AVP) Rick McCaskill sent this report:
The Jefco Aeromod’lers’ Warbirds Over Denver celebrates and honors those who fought in the skies throughout history. From the raising of the flag and the singing of the national anthem, this event is a continuing tribute to those who flew to fight. As always, there were scale aircraft of all kinds from biplanes to turbine jets, all done up in their warbird colors.
This year brought pilots from New Jersey, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Idaho, Nebraska, and Arizona to join fliers in Colorado to celebrate this great heritage. A total of 66 pilots enjoyed three days of sunshine and camaraderie.
One airplane and pilot that drew my attention was an F-16 belonging to Shaquille James. The airplane was strikingly realistic on the ground and in the air. Shaquille flew this 95-inch F-16 like a Top Gun pilot, which is amazing since he just got into RC flying three years ago.
Another local connection is that the airplane is painted in the color scheme of an F-16 flown by Maj. Ryan Peterson, of the Colorado National Guard. Shaquille recently met Maj. Peterson and was asked to come to the base to fly his replica of the major’s aircraft.
For more, there is a great video by Bud Glass on the District IX Facebook page, or go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoDryW3Z1vY.
Great job Jefco Aeromod’lers. Put Warbirds Over Denver on your event list for 2018.
In 2017, District IX had five applications and awards for Take off And Grow (TAG) grants. This is a new high for the district, and it was a pleasure to see how well the money was spent.
Wyoming AVP Josh Nelson reported on two Casper, Wyoming, clubs and their joint inaugural TAG event.
Congratulations to Zayne Gomez for winning the giveaway at the Casper WY, TAG event.
The two Casper, Wyoming, AMA clubs, the Privateers and Casper Air Modelers, held a joint event on Sunday, June 10, 2017. The event was called Come Fly With Us! Community Day.
The clubs reached out to the community with an invitation to anybody who wanted to give RC flight a try. A team of club trainers hit the flightline, keeping potential pilots in the air for the entire day. Many of the new pilots were kids, but we did score with adults in the crowd as well.
Part of the TAG grant was used to purchase an E-flite Apprentice 15e complete with transmitter and battery. All of the attendees’ names were put in a box, and the winner was young Zayne Gomez. The airplane comes with free flight lessons, too.
Another part of the TAG money went to Facebook advertising. The event was listed at www.facebook.com/casperairmodelers. The Facebook advertising exposed our event to 4,892 people. From that we received 117 event responses. That is eight times more than any other event we’ve hosted. The remaining money was spent on a free barbecue lunch for all who attended.
The spectator and participant turnout was awesome. Thanks to the AMA and the TAG grant program. We were excited to be able to strengthen our bond with the community and promote our hobby.
Associate Vice Presidents: Tyler Brown, Lincoln NE; (402) 617-044; tylerzx9r@yahoo.com; Paul Frankum, Lenexa KS; (912) 856-6372; paultf1524@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; huntwy@q.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.
