District VII
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Hello District VII members. Another month has passed and what does that mean? We’re closer to the start of warmer weather and the flying season!
As many of you know, I tend to write columns about things that you, the District VII members, share with me and thus with the group. I also try to write articles to help promote the hobby and share ideas about this. I hope you will indulge me this month as I write about myself.
We all grow up with people whom we idolize—people we look up to and admire for their accomplishments, struggles they have overcome, and contributions that they have made. This month, I am sharing an opportunity I had to meet a pioneer in many aspects, and a vast contributor to the modeling community: Hazel Sig-Hester.
You might recognize the name Sig. Yes, this is the Sig, the co-founder of Sig Manufacturing Company. Many of us started our modeling adventure with one of the Sig Manufacturing trainer airplanes or have had one of its vast array of airplanes in our inventory. Whether it was RC, Free Flight, or Control Line, Sig had an airplane for you.
Montezuma, Iowa, with a population of approximately 1,340, held a birthday party for Hazel on her 100th birthday! I was so excited to find out about the event being held in her honor and had the opportunity to not only attend, but to meet firsthand one of the greatest contributors to our hobby and my idol.
Many of you who have met me have heard the story of my first airplane and learning how to fly. For those who haven’t heard my story, my first airplane was a Sig Kadet. As I became more involved in RC modeling, I went to the Toledo Show: R/C Model Expo every year, standing in line and waiting for the arena to open in the cold and in the wet, waiting to see all the new things coming out (remember this was pre-internet).
One of the highlights was seeing all of the beautiful models in the Sig booth and Hazel with her team, working the booth. As a youngster, I was beside myself and overwhelmed with the display.
Fast-forward to today. Montezuma held an amazing party for Hazel, and I got to share this event with them all. What really amazed me were her contributions and generosity to the local community. Everyone I met had worked for or had a relative who had worked for Sig Manufacturing, and all had the most amazing stories to tell. I could have stayed for days to listen to all that they had to share.
What happened next is something I will carry with me for a long time. Not only was I able to meet her and talk and laugh, but it was my honor to present Hazel with the Academy of Model Aeronautics President’s Award. The surprise she had on her face was wonderful to see.
Hazel is such an incredible person. She has a love of Corvettes and motorcycles, is an accomplished full-scale aerobatics pilot, and a complete daredevil. It is easy to see where she got her drive. Her father was a race car driver.
Her smile lights up the room today, just as I remember seeing her at the Toledo shows. I could go on, but space does not allow. Thank you, Hazel, for all of your contributions. It was an honor to meet you.
Before closing, I would also like to thank John, Frank, and Bud for the ride to Montezuma and for listening to my chatter!
To read and learn more about Hazel, go to www.avweb.com/features/hazel-sig and www.modelaviation.com/hazel-sig-hester.
As always, until next month, stay well, be safe, and share the passion.
