District IV
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland,
North Carolina, Virginia
Jay Marsh
Vice President
jaymarsh@ama-d4.org
3227 Pine Needles Rd.,
High Point NC 27265
(336) 687-0973
www.amadistrict-iv.org
www.facebook.com/amadistrictiv
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Nic Burhans, VA; (540) 219-9646;
nic@ama-d4.org
Bob Burnett, Washington, D.C. SFRA;
(703) 742-9682; bobl@ama-d4.org
Rick Cawley, NC; (919) 630-1649;
racbcg2@yahoo.com
Jack Hamilton, NC; (828) 206-5281;
scorpionjacks@hotmail.com
Rusty Kennedy, VA; (757) 812-2812;
rustyk716@gmail.com
Richard “Rick” Moreland, MD; (301)
261-7366; rmoreland@verizon.net
Mark Smith, NC; (704) 798-2776;
marksmithsmitty@yahoo.com
Terry Terrenoire, VA; (412)760-4593;
terry@ama-d4.org
Mark Weiss, DE; (302)547-4917;
ama82824@yahoo.com
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATORS
CL AVP: Jack Rosemere, 609 William
St., Cambridge MD 21613; (410) 330-
4663; jrosemere@verizon.net
FF AVP: Bob Sowder, 84 Misty Hills
Ln., Troutville VA 24175; (540) 525-
7086; bsowder@prnet.com
RC: John Bergsmith, 1438 Piney
Church Rd., Concord NC 28025; (704)
699-6977; RCcoordinator@ama-d4.
org
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AVP
Ray Stinchcomb, (443) 618-8998;
govrelations@ama-d4.org
WEBMASTER
Jack Upchurch, webmaster@
ama-d4.org
SOCIAL MEDIA ADMINISTRATOR
Douglas LeRoy, social@ama-d4.org
Gym Jam was provided by Douglas LeRoy,
District IV Social Media Coordinator and presi-
dent of the Holly Springs Skyhawks.
When the weather outside is frightful, inside
flying is delightful! Such was the case for the
Holly Springs Skyhawks Radio Control Group
(www.hssrcg.org), in Holly Springs, North
Carolina, which hosted an indoor fun fly event
called Gym Jam. A record 34 pilots descended
on a local gym/multipurpose facility with their
ultramicros in hand, ready to fly in the warmth
of an indoor space on a gloomy, windy Sunday
afternoon. It was an over-the-top success!
We like to have club events and activities with
the idea that we will eventually repeat them if
they turn out to be something our members
enjoy. Gym Jam is no exception. Technically,
this was our fourth indoor event of this type,
but since our last event was more than two years
ago, we tweaked a few things, came up with a
few new ideas, and set the plan.
This year’s event preparation started with a
build challenge. Featured in our monthly club
newsletter, our editor in chief, Raymond “LeFlyr”
Lefrancois, introduced the membership to an
RC Group thread regarding a foam board,
ground-effect vehicle: the Chticat.
The challenge put to the membership was for
club members to scratch-build a Chticat
ground-effect vehicle using scraps and parts
from each member’s workshop. Eight club
members participated in the challenge which,
for some, was their first attempt at scratch-build-
ing. They were all one design, but many creative
decorations yielded quite a colorful fleet of
indoor speedsters. They were a hoot to race round
the floor.
Flying was a steady mix of roughly about a
dozen airplanes in the air throughout the event.
Midairs were common; however, the damage to
aircraft and the pilots’ pride was minimal. There
were many smiles to go around and a lot of
laughter!
The excitement throughout the day was pal-
pable and there were gasps of admiration as
attendees admired each other’s aircraft and
exchanged tips and stories about their flying
experiences.
Models looped, rolled, and soared, performing
graceful moves that looked like coordinated
chaos. During the session we mixed it up a bit
with indoor “night” flying with lights off, UMX
Radian rally, and UMX Vapor formation flying.
As the pilots packed up their equipment, it was
clear that this event had brought everyone closer
together and new friendships and bonds were
created.
The indoor RC model flying event was a
resounding success that we hope to repeat again
soon. The camaraderie, support, and enthusiasm
on display were truly heartwarming, and it was
a day that none of the participants will soon
forget.
Go fly and have fun safely.
