District IV
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland,
North Carolina, Virginia
Jay Marsh
Vice President
jaymarsh@ama-d4.org
3227 Pine Needles Rd.,
High Point NC 27265
(336) 687-0973
www.amadistrict-iv.org
www.facebook.com/amadistrictivy
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Nic Burhans, VA; (540) 219-9646; nic@ama-d4.org
Bob Burnett, Washington, D.C. SFRA; (703) 742-9682; bobl@ama-d4.org
Rick Cawley, NC; (919) 630-1649; racbcg2@yahoo.com
Rusty Kennedy, VA; (757) 812-2812; rustyk716@gmail.com
Richard “Rick” Moreland, MD; (301) 261-7366; rmoreland1@verizon.net
Mark Smith, NC; (704) 798-2776; markk@ama-d4.org
Terry Terrenoire, VA; (412)760-4593; terry@ama-d4.org
David Trogdon, NC; (910) 654-1220; dtr0gdon4967@gmail.com
Mark Weiss, DE; (302)547-4917; markw@ama-d4.org
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATORS
CL AVP: Jack Rosemere, 609 William St., Cambridge MD 21613; (410) 330-4663; jrosemere@verizon.net
FF AVP: Bob Sowder, 84 Misty Hills Ln., Troutville VA 24175; (540) 525-7086; bsowder@rpnnet.com
RC: John Bergsmith, 1438 Piney Church Rd., Concord NC 28025; (704) 699-6977; RCcoordinator@ama-d4.org
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AVP
Ray Stinchcomb, (443) 618-8998; govrelations@ama-d4.org
WEBMASTER
Jack Upchurch, webmaster@ama-d4.org
SOCIAL MEDIA ADMINISTRATOR
Douglas LeRoy, social@ama-d4.org
It is with a sad heart that I announce that John Kirchstein, from Wilmington, Delaware, has taken his final flight. John was the longest-serving District IV Associate Vice President, working as a proponent for model aviation. Many knew John from Warbirds Over Delaware at Lum’s Pond, hosted by the Delaware RC Club. John was a mainstay in the event and was always ready to help, advise, and be a friend. He will be truly missed.
I have applauded and thanked the AMA Government Affairs team before and now I congratulate them again on a significant win for the superb outcome from their work on Remote ID. I also want to thank our members. Without your comments, we would not have reshaped the original proposal into this palatable new rule.
At the time I wrote this, there were other issues being resolved and I trust they will also turn out well for AMA. Remember that this is a slow, ongoing process. The full implementation of the new rule will take up to 3 years when—guess what—it will be time for Congress to again renew the FAA Reauthorization Act, which initially started all of this. We might need your help again. Stay tuned and remain informed.
I want to share a report about the Holly Springs Skyhawks from Douglas LeRoy, the District IV social media administrator.
“On Saturday, November 7, 2020, the Holly Springs Skyhawks Radio Control Group in Holly Springs, North Carolina, sponsored a mini Take off And Grow (TAG) event at its club field. The Skyhawks hosted Frontier Girls Troop 523, and the girls spent a few hours on a Saturday morning learning about model aviation and STE(A)M careers in aviation.
“With lockdown and gathering restrictions hampering most of our club’s events this year, we were fortunate to be able to host this activity and complete a TAG event, albeit a scaled-down version of what we normally sponsor each fall. The weather was picture-perfect and we were able to easily observe all COVID-19-related safety protocols during our outdoor activity.
“We began at 10:30 a.m. with an introduction to our club and the model aviation hobby then the girls were able to experience simulator stick time in order to familiarize themselves with the aircraft controls and flight dynamics. Following the simulations, each girl completed a full instruction session that included buddy-box flying on the club-owned Apprentice aircraft. Each girl was able to experience hands-on flight, and several were skilled enough to land with the assistance of the SAFE system. Smiles were prevalent on all of the faces.
“The event concluded with a pizza party and informal question-and-answer session with club members. The time spent was rewarding and enjoyable, and the girls were able to complete the requirements to earn an aviation badge that they can now wear on their uniform. We enjoyed our time with the Frontier Girls, and we look forward to hosting more youth groups in 2021!”
