District V

District V

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands

Welcome back everyone! Congratulations to our newest District V contest director (CD), Dave Patrick. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s been to a few contests around town, designed a few models here and there, and I want to welcome him to the CD fraternity.

David Webb kneeling beside a large model jet — David Webb, of Melbourne FL, with his HSD Jets T-33 after his turbine waiver flight.

A tip of the glass also goes out to Keith Murphy of Jacksonville, Florida, and David Webb of Melbourne, Florida, for attaining their fixed-wing turbine waivers. I also want to acknowledge the turbine pilots and turbine CD-holder volunteers who worked with these people to make this happen.

If you’re charging someone money to help them learn to fly or get his or her turbine wavier, I challenge you to look in the mirror and ask yourself what you’re giving back to the hobby.

On the subject of jets, Gateway RC in Jacksonville, Florida, recently held its Jax Jet Madness event for EDF and turbine jets and attracted a great group of 35 pilots. This was a low-key event, run by CD Warren Bio, and there was a lot of flying, a lot of helping out, and much good-natured landing critiquing going on. I look forward to seeing it grow.

Steve Betts standing behind a model A-10 Thunderbolt II — Steve Betts, from Jacksonville FL, with his Freewing 90mm A-10 Thunderbolt II. A full 3D-printed cockpit, weapons, and Pave Penny pod make his Hog stand out on the flightline.

I also attended the AMA National Fun Fly and EC meeting in Muncie, Indiana, in late June. AMA Executive Vice President and CD Randy Cameron has done an outstanding job with this event and Erin Dobbs represented the AMA Foundation and ran the raffle the entire weekend. There were some really cool models there and a trip to the AMA National Model Aviation Museum is always worth the trip.

Until next month, be safe!

Three people standing behind a model aircraft — Keith Murphy (center), with Warren Bio (L) and JD Hannah after Keith’s turbine waiver qualification flight.

A model jet flying toward the camera with smoke behind it — Bob Rembert, of West Palm Beach FL, shows his Rebel Classic turbine jet with smoke on at the Jax Jet Madness event. Photo by Tony Lively.