District IX
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
Kim O’Neil, president of the Fargo Moorhead Skylarks club in Fargo, North Dakota, noted the unfortunate passing of one of the club’s members, Paul Kegel.
We said farewell to friend and leader Paul Kegel. I cannot adequately express how greatly Paul will be missed by the Skylarks, and I will personally miss all the great company and conversation.
Paul enjoyed building and flying Control Line model airplanes. He attended events across the country, including Dayton, Ohio; Lincoln, Nebraska; and several times in Muncie, Indiana, at AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center. Paul was a member of the Fargo Moorhead Skylarks Model Airplane Club, the Dakota Skymasters, and Valley R/C Model Club.
Paul later fulfilled his dream of opening a downtown model airplane shop, that started in his mom’s basement, then a retail store, and on to a second larger location. Paul earned the nickname “Mr. Motor.” People called and emailed him from across the country to work his magic on engines that wouldn’t run or had suffered crash damage. He loved all aspects of the modeling hobby, but he most enjoyed fellowship with other modelers.
Wyoming Associate Vice President Craig Bastion sent this message about the Gillette Sage Hoppers Fun Fly in August 2021.
The 2021 version of the Sage Hoppers fun-fly hosted 21 registered pilots from South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming. A crosswind in the range of 15 to 25 mph put a real damper on flying; however, there were a few brave souls that managed to get in some fixed-wing and helicopter flying.
Andy Cooley and Jeff Deines stole the show with their piloting skills. Andy, from Powell, Wyoming, flew two different turbine jets and Jeff, from Cody, Wyoming, put on a good show with his Extreme Flight Turbo Bushmaster 120.
Another great photo from the end of the Frito Pie Scramble in November 2021. This was another event from the Magnificent Mountain Men in Denver. This photo records the day’s last flight by Pete McQuade.
Martin Miller, from Denver, flies with the Denver RC Eagles and Crosswinds RC Club. Martin is a longtime builder with a flair for design. He often starts with parts and pieces given to him when an airplane meets its demise. This GliderBipe started with two matching, discarded wings and Martin’s creativity did the rest. It has a 90-inch wingspan and is powered by an E-flite BL25 engine with an 11 x 5 APC propeller.
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; craigb1961@msn.com
Tyler Brown, Lincoln NE; (402) 617-0444; tylerzx9@yahoo.com
Steve Graham, Denver CO; (303) 883-0205; steve.graham1@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 SC; (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
