District IX
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
My best to you and yours this holiday season.
In September, I managed to get to one of the farthest corners of District IX and visit the Red River R/C Flyers in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
The District IX vice president (far L) and the assembled Red River Flyers members.
Brian Dorff has kept me informed on Facebook of the club’s activities and how the members were preparing to celebrate 50 years as an AMA club with a big fun-fly. Although I could not make it to the actual event, I did manage to share some time at the field and get a couple of flights in with the assembled members.
The club’s field is actually across the river in Minnesota and is a wide-open tract of land that belongs to the city of Grand Forks. This is a perfect location and, because of the nature of the land use, will not be developed. The club recently installed a fabric runway that is a smooth flying surface. Many more field improvements are in progress or being planned.
Recently, the Red River R/C Flyers was named AMA Club of the Month. This title is well deserved. Club membership is up to 50 from just a few not too many years ago. The new energy in the membership has resulted in a commitment to training, reaching out to youth in the area, hosting competitions and events, and recently completing the requirements to be an AMA Leader Club.
Another perk is a reciprocal arrangement with
Brian Dorff launches a night flight at the Red River Flyers’ 50th anniversary celebration.
the University of North Dakota (UND). UND uses the field for drone work and the club gets use of the indoor practice field for flying in the winter. How sweet is that?
I was certainly impressed by the club, its field, and mostly its ambitious and friendly members. Sorry I could not be there for the 50th anniversary event, but from your reports, it looks like the milestone was well celebrated.
This is a great picture of Mike Isermann at the 56th Rocky Mountain Free Flight Championships, hosted by the Magnificent Mountain Men in Denver in July 2021. This annual event drew 29 Free Flighters from nine states. The participants raved about the awesome weather, and amazing thermals. Monetary prizes and trophies were awarded at the end of the event. The championship takes the help of many volunteers, from Contest Director Don DeLoach on down. Thanks to all who donated their time and efforts.
The Red River R/C Flyers field in East Grand Forks MN
Jim Tiller
Vice President
jtiller@hotmail.com
Box 828, Custer SD 57730
(605) 390-3878
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Craig Bastian, Casper WY; (307)577-6463; craig1961@msn.com
Tyler Brown, Lincoln NE; (402) 617-0444; tylerzx9@yahoo.com
Steve Graham, Denver CO; (303) 883-0205; steve.graham10@comcast.net
Brandon Koch, Mandan ND; (701) 471-9575; kochbrandon471@gmail.com
Rick McCaskill, Frederick CO; (303) 682-0440; rickm1947@aol.com
Zachary Roller, Rapid City SD; (605) 519-0815; zroller28@gmail.com
Arend Schuurman, Elkton SD; (605) 695-2122; arend.schuurman@gmail.com
Terry Wiles, Harrisburg SD; terryscustom@yahoo.com
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR
Troy Hamm, Gardner KS; (913) 744-5745; funflyr@juno.com
