District VII
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Hello District VII members. As I write my first column in November 2020, many of our aeromodeling families have experienced challenges and sorrows. To those who have lost family or friends, my heart goes out to you and your loved ones. Know that the strength of the aeromodeling community is behind you for support.
At this writing, there is news of significant progress in COVID-19 vaccine development, which I am hopeful allowed all to have a joyous holiday season.
There will certainly be many challenges in 2021 as well. By now, many of the FAA rulings will have been published, and there will be plenty of work for your AMA Executive Council and AMA staff to do. There will be calls for membership assistance and comments. I trust we will have your response.
Because few in our district know me, a bit of background might be helpful as we get to know each other as aeromodeling enthusiasts.
As a child, and with a lot of help from local club members at the time, I began carving my way into the hobby—literally. My first project, a Sig Kadet, involved an old-school balsa wood kit, hardware, Titebond glue, and an assembly manual.
Throughout the years, I have been involved in various RC aircraft disciplines, fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and, most recently, RC turbine-powered airplanes. Although my path through modeling has focused on RC aircraft, make no mistake, I am your advocate and will be representative of all forms of aeromodeling.
Many years ago, I was a competitor in the AMA Nats when the events were held across the US. While competing, I had the opportunity to see many other disciplines. The delicacy of Indoor Free Flight, the speed of the Control Line (CL) Speed events, precision landing in CL Navy Carrier, Scale aircraft that have such amazing detail, multistage rocketry ...
This is AMA—members involved in many facets of model aviation, all enjoying the passion of flight.
As your district vice president, I am looking forward to working with all of you in the support of maintaining the hobby.
Please feel free to let me know about your club events, programs, community involvement, etc., and you might see the write-up here in this column. When traveling opens again and is back to normal, I look forward to visiting the clubs in the area and learning of your concerns.
Take a kid flying!
The Central Michigan R/C Jets inaugural fun-fly was held in August 2020.
Randy Gibson
Vice President
rgibson@mmrca.org
503 Mall Ct. # 289, Lansing MI 48912
(317) 688-4346
www.amadistrict-vii.org
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Bruce Baier, Oshkosh WI; (920) 233-1127; buzsrr@gmail.com
Lee Frederickson, Ada MI; L1520@comcast.net
David George, Riverview MI; (734) 284-9017; indiancity5129@yahoo.com
Bud Gorman, Knife River MN; (218) 834-5797; gorman@frontiernet.net
Bob Johnson, Fond du Lac WI; (920) 922-6705; bobj54935@yahoo.com
Mark Robotti, Lindstrom MN; (651) 257-6792; mgrobotti@frontier.com
Len Todd, Baldwin MI; (907) 903-3569; lentodd@att.net
Dell Shannon, Osceola IA (641) 342-4278; dell.t.shannon@gmail.com
Marc “Doc” Shelstrom, Lancaster WI; (608) 732-4077; shelstrm@uwplatte.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
Michael J. Haller (RC), Fond du Lac WI; (920) 979-9452; mike.haller.60@gmail.com
Marc Warwashana (CL), Whitmore Lake MI; (734) 449-7355; wheltieman@gmail.com
AMA Headquarters (FF), (800) 435-9262; competition@modelaircraft.org
FREQUENCY COORDINATORS
Al Schwartz, Roseville MN; (651) 633-2286; alberts@comcast.net
Pete Waters, Northville MI; (248) 924-0223; petewaters@charter.net
