District X
Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah
Lawrence Tougas
Vice President
ama.district10@gmail.com
Box 276, Fairfield CA 94533
(707) 480-2053
www.ama10.org
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Tim Attaway, Chula Vista CA; (619) 427-6392; trattachway@cox.net
Forrest Barton, Woodland CA; (530) 383-9019; cbarton328@aol.com
Jim Bonnardel, San Diego CA; (858) 292-5518; nitroblast@hotmail.com
Alan Friedman, Eloy AZ; (520) 876-0232; proarlan@aol.com
Dan Johnson, Preston ID; (435) 619-3112; dksajohnson@gmail.com
Tim Johnson, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA; (562) 965-4288; timothy@johnson.us.com
Mike Lee, Redlands CA; (909) 792-8424; mlee8249@msn.com
Barry Mattison, Las Vegas NV; (702) 218-3827; bm.rabbit@gmail.com
Dave Merriweather, Laguna Beach CA; (949) 350-4075; meriweud@comline.com
Jim Mohan, Phoenix AZ; (623) 434-1351; jmohan351@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; willisassoc@aol.com
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATORS
Tim Attaway (CA south of Bakersfield), Chula Vista CA; (619) 427-6392; trattachway@cox.net
Forrest Barton (CA north of Bakersfield), Woodland CA; (530) 383-9019; cbarton328@aol.com
Flying events have been a struggle to hold with state and local officials placing restrictions on gatherings because of COVID-19. Contest Director (CD) Tony Quist, working with the Sun Valley Flyers in the Phoenix area, was able to organize and execute this year’s annual Winter Warbirds event for scale and semiscale warbirds of every era.
The event was held January 28-31, 2021. Although Friday’s weather was “iffy,” Saturday was a glorious day with light wind and a fair sky. Planning was pivotal to the event’s success. Because local restrictions only allowed 50 or fewer participants, previous participants got first choice to attend. This event historically serves pilots from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Tucson, Arizona, and, of course, Phoenix.
Others joined an actively managed waiting list to help that ensure no available slots were left empty. Participants understood that to maximize the number of pilots, club volunteer helpers would be limited to two. All other tasks supporting the event would be accomplished by the participants themselves. This proved to be a successful model.
To limit interpersonal contact during registration, all of the event forms were filled out by the CD from information that was submitted online by the participants. All they had to do was show their AMA card to sign in.
Organizers had face masks and distributed hand sanitizers and disinfecting wipes to help with cleanliness. They also worked to ensure proper social distancing. For those who have been to this premiere event before, the flightline was emptier than past years, but for those who were able to participate, it was another great success, with great flying friends and outstanding Arizona winter flying weather.
The Winter Warbirds is known for hosting some of the most beautiful models in the Southwest, and this year’s event was no different.
Awards in the static category included Best World War I, Cole Thornton; Best World War II, Dave Zarra; Best Post-WW II, John Gerhardt; Best Jet, Greg Thomas; and Best of Show, Henry Nguyen. Awards in the Flight Performance category included Best WW I, Rick Chitty; Best WW II, Wayne Layne; Best Post-WW II, Barry Hinrich; Best Jet, Brian O’Meara; and Best of Show, Ali Machinchy.
Thank you to Jim Mohan for this month’s column.
Stay safe and until next month, I wish you all nothing but happy landings.
