Edition: Model Aviation - 2021/01
Page Numbers: 106
Portrait of Gary Himes

District VI

Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri

Portrait of Gary Himes

Happy New Year! It is the start of building season once again. I cannot believe we are already into the new year. I hope that 2021 will be a much better year than the last!

It’s time now to sit around the fire and enjoy the following stories from when it was still warm outside! First this month is Phil Freeman.

The Southeast Missouri Modelers Association’s asphalt runway had needed to be replaced for several years. Our field is located at Galaxy Park in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It was determined that the most cost-effective surface for the new runway would be Petromat, laid over a level and packed fine-gravel base. The necessary prep work was started early in the summer of 2020.

Aerial view of the Southeast Missouri Modelers Association runway

The project’s final stage, installing the Petromat surface, took place with the help of several club members on Saturday morning, July 18. We want to thank the members of Midwest Airwing in Pontoon Village, Illinois, for their technical assistance and the knowledge that we needed to understand how to install the Petromat.

The next submission is by Mike Morton of Henderson Radio Control Model Airplane Club in Robards, Kentucky.

Jax Nickelson, 9, is the club’s youngest member. Jax was one of our previous Take off And Grow (TAG) students and is pictured here with a used E-flite Cub that he won at the club’s Fall Fly-in, held in September.

Toys collected for a model club toy drive

He had just completed his first three flights with his new airplane, including takeoffs and landings. I don’t think we can get that smile off of his face anytime soon. He has become an accomplished quadcopter flier and has also been flying a mini Spacewalker and a mini Cessna outdoors at home for a few months. This Cub is his biggest airplane to date.

This submission is by Bob Gautreaux.

On saturday October 3, 2020, the Sedalia RC Flyers Club, in Missouri, hosted a sanctioned fun-fly/toy drive event. There were 12 pilots attending, which was a very good turnout for the club.

The weather forecast was not favorable, but everyone stuck it out, and the day ended up being a great day to fly model aircraft. Several visitors stopped by to watch. There is nothing better than having fun and giving to a worthy cause. The club raised $90 in donations, and members donated approximately $500 worth of toys.

Young model airplane pilot with a red-and-white airplane

The last submission is from David Lindley, president of the National Free Flight Society.

October 10-12 was the date of the Bong Eagles Columbus Day Indoor Contest. This event is held at the Rantoul National Aviation Center 6 in Rantoul, Illinois. Indoor flying always draws a large crowd at this spacious facility. AMA Executive Vice President Randy Cameron attended the event and stated that he is always amazed at these lightweight models.

Indoor flying event with lightweight model aircraft

If you want to see your club in the magazine, send me a submission of your club’s event from this past year! Email me at amadistrictvi@modelaircraft.org with the word “magazine” in the subject line and attach a few high-quality digital pictures! This is the time of year when submissions are few, so get writing!

Please take the time to introduce someone to model aviation!

Gary Himes

Vice President
AMADistrictVI@modelaircraft.org
5204 N. Smalley Ave., Kansas City MO 64119
(816) 550-1205
www.amadistrict-vi.org
www.facebook.com/AMADistrictVI

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS

Dale Arvin, Jefferson IN; (812) 284-0162; darvin8094@aol.com

Gary Bussell, Muncie IN; (765) 288-3541; cgbussell@comcast.net

Craig Greening, Mahomet IL; 872-203-0377; servo f names@gmail.com

Mike Mueller, Hoffman Estates IL; (847) 507-4373; mike@f3aunlimited.com

Leo Rodriguez, South Bend IN; (724) 396-2700; lrodriguez44@verizon.net

Keith Sessions, Burlington KY; (859) 801-8182; keithsessions@hotmail.com

Andre D. Smith Sr., Elmhurst IL; (850) 980-3724; andredsmithsr@gmail.com

Bob Underwood, St. Charles MO; (636) 939-3394; bobrae53@sbcglobal.net

Donald Way, Hobart IN; (219) 614-6218; bolar36@hotmail.com

EVENT SANCTION COORDINATORS

RC/CL: Andre D. Smith Sr., 125 Clara Pl., Elmhurst IL 60126; andredsmithsr@gmail.com

FF: Charles Markos, 655 Carlisle Ave., Deerfield IL 60015

SAFETY COORDINATOR

Walter Voyt, Joliet IL; (815) 725-4677

FREQUENCY COORDINATOR

Mel Ziska, Naperville IL; (630) 357-7350

WEBMASTER

Donald Way, bolar36@hotmail.com

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS CAN BE SEEN IN THE DIGITAL EDITION.