District VII—Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Tim Jesky
Vice President
timjesky@charter.net
2886 E. Country Ln., Monroe MI 48162
Tel.: (734) 384-6085;
www.amadistrict-vii.org
Let me begin this month by thanking you for asking me to represent you for another term. The privilege of serving as District VII vice president is truly one of the greatest honors of my life. As I look back on the last six years, the people I’ve met, and the new friends I’ve made, I’m both humbled and grateful beyond words. During the next three years, I look forward to meeting many more of you. Again, my heartfelt thanks.
Now that Christmas is around the corner and we’re in that what-to-get-for-whom mode, why not look for something aeromodeling related for a friend, a niece, nephew, or the kid down the street who helps you out with chores now and then? The cost of the plug-and-play packages are about the same as a video game and shouldn’t put the kind of dent in your budget as it would have years ago. The thought of them getting bitten by the same bug we have is a way cool thing for me.
Before I go, I’d like to share a small bit of information on the legislative front. You might recall that I mentioned that the legislative houses were at work on the new FAA Reauthorization Bill. As of this writing, the September target for the bill to be completed has been extended. Based on the past track record, this might not be the last extension.
I’m going to hand the ball off now to Minnesota Associate Vice President Bud Gorman to take you through some events held in his neck of the woods.
Here we are near the end of another flying season—early October with beautiful fall weather and stunning fall colors. The colors are even better when you can see them from above.
Soon we will retire to the shop and start building again—those of us who still build and no longer brave the cold to fly, although the electrics do make it a lot easier to sneak in a quick flight and not have to clean an airplane.
Our wet weather brought a slow start to the Duluth/Superior R/C Club event schedule. In June I attended the Sturgeon Lake Fun Fly. Todd and Kristen Booker put on an excellent, well-run event. There was plenty of flying and food.
July 15, the Itasca RC Club in Michigan held its Pancake Breakfast Fun Fly. I arrived too late for breakfast, but the flying lasted all day.
The end of July brings the Bemidji
Water and Wheels Fun Fly at the Moberg Seaplane Base in Minnesota. Ken Schreiber is the contest director (CD) for this event. The official fun-fly is Saturday and Sunday, but it has turned into a weeklong event—first arrivals are usually there on Monday.
One week after Labor Day, the Itasca RC Club put on the Hill City Float Fly. Pilots take over the Hill City campground and floatplanes take over the beach. Rod Hess is the CD, and Jerry Lawler keeps everybody safe. As darkness takes over, Jim Hadrava lights up the night for our fireside stories.
Two weeks later brings our official flying season to a close with the Moose Lake Float Fly, also run by Todd and Kristen Booker. It was windy this year, but that didn’t stop the flying.
Now back to flying.
Take a kid flying.
Associate Vice Presidents: Bruce Baier, Oshkosh WI; (920) 233-1127; buzssr@gmail.com; Lee Frederickson, Ada MI; L1520@comcast.net; David George, Riverview MI; (734) 284-9017; indiancity5129@yahoo.com, Randall Gibson, Lansing MI; (317) 698-4346; rgibson@mmrcha.org; Bud Gorman, Knife River MN; (218) 834-5797; bgorman@frontiernet.net; Don Held, Elmira MI; (231) 584-2662; edge540m@gmail.com; Bob Johnson, Fond du Lac WI; (920) 922-6705; bobj54935@yahoo.com; Mark Robotti, Lindstrom MN; (651) 257-6792; mgrobotti@frontier.com; Marc “Doc” Shelstrom, Lancaster WI; (608) 732-4077; shelstrm@uwplatt.edu; Peter G. Van Heusden, Bloomfield Hills MI; (248) 515-1071; petervh@malibutech.com; Kent Woods, Ames IA; (515) 232-8180; woods229@msn.com. Event Sanction Coordinators: Wayne Yeager (RC Michigan), (517) 260-0132; yogi931@comcast.net; Michael J. Haller (RC non-Michigan), Fond du Lac WI; (920) 979-9452; mike.haller60@gmail.com Frequency Coordinators: Al Schwartz, Roseville MN; (651) 633-2286; alberts@comcast.net; Pete Waters, Northville MI; (248) 924-0223; petewaters@charter.net
