District IX
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
For those of you who don’t know me yet, I’m Brandon Koch. I thought I’d use this 2014 picture that shows where I started in my AMA career.
I was one of the first associate vice presidents (AVPs) appointed by Jim Tiller. We met at a Big Bird fly-in in Omaha, Nebraska, and a few months later, I was wearing the shirt. Since then, I’ve been doing my part as an AVP.
In that time, I’ve served on several AMA committees, including the Safety Committee, which I now chair. I’ve sat in on AMA Executive Council meetings several times when Jim couldn’t attend. This means I hope to hit the ground running when I take the council seat in January.
I will do my best to represent you. I understand that the AMA budget comes from your dues, and I will remember when the council votes to spend it wisely.
I also know that the needs of the aeromodeling community in this part of the country are sometimes different from those in the districts that are more densely populated and smaller in area. I will do my best to vote on these issues with the heart of America in mind.
Finally, I will keep abreast of all the new federal regulations and make sure the pertinent information gets to you and your clubs. The rollout of the FAA Remote ID requirements (AC 91-57C) and the resulting establishment of our clubs as FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs) is another journey we will take together. And don’t forget, in a year or so, we must endure another FAA reauthorization bill. That will certainly be a lengthy process as was the last one.
The fun part will be meeting many more of you as I get a chance to travel around the district. I’m looking forward to that.
This report is from Craig Bastion, Wyoming AVP, on a relatively new event in that state.
The second annual Thermopolis Fun Fly was held at the Hot Springs County Airport in Thermopolis, Wyoming, in September 2022. I had the opportunity to participate and the privilege to fly with the 21 registered pilots from Wyoming and Montana.
This event, only in its second year, is growing and looks to have great promise going forward. The Thermopolis crew used Dennis Rollins and Art Mulkey from Billings, Montana, to direct the event. Jerry Umbdenstock, of Thermopolis, was the local organizer and the connection with the airport manager, Nate Messenger, who graciously allowed this event to take place. At his direction, two portable radios were monitored for incoming full-scale aircraft. One time, RC flying was suspended to allow full-scale traffic to land. It all worked out well, with great cooperation from both groups.
On Saturday, the wind and weather cooperated, giving pilots the opportunity to for some excellent flying. The use of the hard surface at the airport was a dream for the turbine-jet pilots who appreciated the long runway. The jets shared the airspace with gas-, nitro-, and electric-powered aircraft, with the sky filled nearly all day.
At noon, a food truck provided lunch and dessert. Late in the afternoon, a raffle and pilot drawings took place, with everyone going home with some goodies.
I am glad I went to this event, and I think it can only get bigger as the word gets out about this dynamite place to fly. The plan is to host this event again next year but in conjunction with a full-scale fly-in. I’m ready to return.
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
Mark Dennis, Longmont CO; (951) 203-7776, MarkDflyer@gmail.com
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
