District XI
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
Hi all! It’s still the middle of winter here as I wrote this, and we’re deep in building season. I’ve been working on several projects and have more “in the wings.”
How about you? I can’t wait to move my stuff back out to the shop and start the flying season. Here’s a picture of one of my storage areas. All of these models just want to go fly!
I’ve been feeling a little nostalgic, looking back at the first few models that I built and flew. One of my first was a Ringmaster Control Line (CL) model.
I decided to do some CL flying this year, so why not go back to the beginning? I found a Ringmaster Tribute kit from Skyward Hobbies to build, and I’m well on the way to completing it.
Here’s a picture of my progress. I have several other kits of my early RC airplanes that I’m going to build soon. More on those in future columns.
This made me think about some of the trends that I have seen. Many of us become quite specialized and don’t consider the many other aspects of our hobby.
I think I tend to burn out if I don’t change things up a bit as time goes by.
I built and flew one of AMA’s BETA Free Flight airplanes with my granddaughter and that was a blast. I won a glider last year at a club raffle. I haven’t flown a hi-start glider for many (I’ll not tell you how many) years, but I’m going to do so this year.
I already mentioned CL, and I’m going to do that too. I might also try International Miniature Aerobatic Club flying this year.
I’m merely trying to point out the many types of model aviation that are available. Try mixing it up a bit—it’s fun!
I’ve flown indoor RC a few times in the past month. That is a different skillset! Walls are closer than they appear and there is a hard ceiling.
Most of the time, there are also many other aircraft flying as well. This is great practice for your situational-awareness skills. There is much to keep track of!
The following picture is of an event that is sponsored by the Inland Empire Quiet Flyers of Spokane, Washington.
Check out the club’s website at www.ieqf.org for more dates and details.
Remember, the AMA Northwest Jamboree is coming on June 3-5, 2022, at Sanderson Field near Shelton, Washington. This is the largest all-inclusive fly-in in the district!
We’ll have lots of room to camp, all kinds of flying, a great raffle, and maybe an auction. Come on out and say hello. I’ll be there.
For more information, visit www.amanw jamboree.com.
That’s all for this month. Keep on building and flying!
