District X—Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah
ama.district10@gmail.com
Box 276, Fairfield CA 94533
Tel.: (707) 480-2053; www.ama10.org
The AMA has many programs to help members and clubs. Sometimes the help goes unclaimed because of a lack of applications. I don’t want any of District X’s deserving individuals or clubs to miss out, so please note these programs and application deadlines.
Take off And Grow grants are due by February 1, 2018. Apply and receive up to $1,000 to hold an event to introduce the public to modeling. College scholarship applications are also due on February 1, so if you’re a Youth member going off to college, let the AMA help. If you have an active youth in your club, nominate him or her for the Youth Leadership Award by February 15 so he or she can be recognized.
Your club can receive up to $3,000 from a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant, but you won’t get a dime if you miss the March 1 deadline. March 31 is a busy day too. It is the deadline for Leader Club applications, AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame nominations, Club Charter renewals, and Special Interest Group renewals.
Our National Aeromodeling Heritage Program recognizes historic aeromodeling sites, such as Torrey Pines and the Tustin Blimp Hangar, both of which are here in our district. Finally, there is the Carl & Beth Goldberg Vital People Award, which recognizes the members who do so much to help their clubs and members to thrive, such as Maurie Sumption from the Casa Grande RC Flyers, again coincidently in District X. Please take advantage of these opportunities to attain the recognition and funding you all deserve.
Winter weather is still blowing in most parts of the country, which makes the idea of a warm weather getaway sound pretty good right now. There is a great vacation spot here in District X that also happens to have world-class flying fields: Las Vegas. The city has much to offer.
Between the night life, entertainment, luxury resorts, and desert scenery, there is plenty to keep a person busy during a vacation. Add to this seven clubs that welcome visitors and span all types of modeling, and you’ve got a great combination.
The two primary RC clubs in town are the Las Vegas Radio Control Club (LVRCC), that just elected its first female president, Tina Kissack, and the PropNuts R/C Club (PNRCC). The LVRCC calls William Bennett Field home. This was the site of the Tournament of Champions (TOC), and is named after the benefactor of the TOC and former casino owner. It is approximately 10 miles east of the heart of the Las Vegas strip. The PNRCC flies out of the Willie McCool Field, which is named for the late pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia. This club is at the extreme north end of town, roughly 20 miles from the strip.
Both fields have large paved runways 600 to 700 feet long and 100 feet wide, that are capable of handling practically any model you care to bring with you on your vacation. They are both public flying sites, owned by their respective parks and recreation departments. The LVRCC’s requirement to fly is an AMA membership. The PNRCC also requires AMA membership and a membership card issued by the parks and recreation department, which can be obtained by dropping by its office. Operations at PNRCC need to abide by a 98 dB sound level at 25 feet.
Beyond these two fields, there is the Las Vegas Circle Burners, a separate Control Line club at the LVRCC facility. The Vegas Aces hold the distinction of being the first park flyer field in the country. There are two multirotor clubs, the Las Vegas Drone Club and the Star Nursery Multirotor club, that have recreational flying and racing.
If Thermal Duration Soaring is your passion, the Las Vegas Soaring club is the place to be. To find out more about all of these clubs, use the AMA club finder to access contact information and websites for each.
As you can see, no matter whatever type of modeling you enjoy, there is a place to do it in Las Vegas. Plan that vacation and don’t forget to bring your airplanes with you.
Until next month, I wish you all happy landings.
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; rebbh@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; khouser@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; 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.
