District V
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto
Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands
Welcome back everyone! Things are picking up in the district as the weather cools.
First, I have a submission from Michael Valetti:
The South Pinellas Area Radio Control Society (SPARKS; www.sparksrc.org) hosted a display at the MacDill Air Force Base AirFest in Tampa Bay, Florida, on March 26-27, 2022. There was a maximum-capacity crowd on both days. It was canceled in previous years because of COVID.
The weather was a fantastic 75° both days and allowed for the headliner, the Blue Angels, to have a clear, blue sky in which to perform.
The club displayed aircraft ranging from small foamies, to 3D-printed aircraft, to gas-, glow-, electric-, and turbine-powered models. The display also provided a continuous video of flights at the field and interviews, as well as running two RealFlight simulators on flat screens for attendees to try.
Attendees were also able to read standing placards by each aircraft for information about the full-scale airplane, as well as the model. Information about SPARKS and the AMA was also available and it looks as though both might have some new members soon.
It took a lot of organization within the club, as well as with MacDill; however, much was learned this first time out and the club looks forward to the next event in 2024.
I also visited this year’s Southern Scale Helicopter Challenge on October 7-12 in Hinesville, Georgia, at the Heath-Green Sky Ranch. See full coverage of this amazing event beginning on page 24.
A full-scale Bell 407 LifeStar helicopter now operates at the field, but sanctioned events are permitted. Operations were coordinated via a VHF radio, and the models integrated seamlessly thanks to great communication.
A full-scale Bell 407 LifeStar helicopter now operates at the field, but sanctioned events are permitted.
Associate Vice Presidents
Mickey Avery, AL; (334) 247-7123; district-V-AVP@email.com
Rick Grim, AL; (256) 656-0859; uavpilot@bellsouth.net
Joe Dolliver, FL; (239) 218-2677; Joe33914@gmail.com
Keith Hall, FL; (813) 928-3861; wing-man@verizon.net
Jose Melendez, FL; (321) 412-3078; rcjets12@hotmail.com
Andre Smith, FL; (850) 980-3724; andresmithsr@gmail.com
Bill Barbee, GA; (912) 660-2155; awbarbee@hotmail.com
Bob Dixon, GA; (478) 960-5200; rldixon3@cox.net
Nick Ray, GA; (865) 368-3820; lasray@gmail.com
Darrell Sprayberry, GA; (706) 280-5848; darrellhullb@optlink.us
Paul Verger, MS; (228) 826-4892; cpaulverger@yahoo.com
Edwin Medina, Puerto Rico; (787) 525-7768; captmedina@gmail.com
Don Wise, SC; (803) 534-8164; d7wise@cs.com
Scott Anderson, TN; rcfoamy@hotmail.com
Tim DiPeri, TN; (615) 591-7399; caseco@comcast.net
Dick Tonan, TN; (615) 995-6291; dtonan@mac.com
Safety Coordinator: Red Scholefield, Johns Island SC; (843) 494-5225; redsch03@gmail.com
RC, CL, AND FF EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR: Dick Tonan, (615) 995-6291; dtonan@mac.com
WEBMASTER: Glenn Bond, d5amaweb@gmail.com
