District V
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands
Welcome back everyone!
I get a lot of questions on FAA-Recognized Identification Area status and government affairs issues when I’m out and about at club meetings and events. I recommend subscribing to the Government Affairs blog and the AMA YouTube channel to stay abreast of the very latest updates. The government team can publish these updates within hours if there are changes or important updates to disseminate.
Florida Jets took place at Paradise Field on the backside of Lakeland Linder International Airport March 16-18. As always, the event was huge this year, with pilots coming from all over the country and several international visitors. The working relationship between Frank Tiano Enterprises, Lakeland Linder International Airport, and the Imperial RC Club seems to be a well-oiled machine.
The flightline was well managed and the event was a great success. I missed three great people and good friends this year: Frank, announcer Sam Wright, and air boss John Walsh, all of whom have passed during the last year or two. The show might go on, but it’s not the same without these folks.
Finally, I want to thank Frank Mintz for telling me about the Southern Eagle Squadron’s outreach in Florida. The club hosted the EAA Chapter 534 Young Eagles. These kids already love aviation, and this was a chance to pair them with a club instructor and get hands-on simulator and buddy-box flight time.
As someone who looked to the sky at a very young age, I appreciate the Southern Eagle Squadron’s efforts to help young people catch the bug.
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; andredsmithsr@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; darrellhuhb@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
RC, CL, AND FF EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR: Dick Tonan, (615) 995-6291; dtonan@mac.com
WEBMASTER: Glenn Bond, d5amaweb@gmail.com
