District VII
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Air Boss: “Winds are 340. Cleared for takeoff. 340 at 14, left crosswind, trim set, go for throttle up ... applying power ... here we go!” What type of chatter is this? Welcome to the 2023 Wings Over Flint Air Show. This was the some of the radio chatter communicated during the opening act of the show.
The opening act featured RC turbine jets! A full-scale airshow, featuring groups such as the U.S. Army Golden Knights, Czech-Mate Jet Team, Northern Stars Aeroteam, Manfred Radius, and Vampire Airshows among others, was opened by RC turbine jets flight demonstrations! RC Pattern and 3D flying demos were also included.
Our RC demonstrations were not just “fillers,” but integral parts of the event. As such, the pilots had to attend the air boss briefings along with the other participants. This was one of the finest examples of how model aircraft and their full-scale counterparts can and do coexist. Static model displays were on hand, as was the AMA Model Aviation Experience trailer.
Thanks to the members of the Flint Aero R/C Club, the Chesaning Area Model Flying Club, the Lapeer County RC Wing Nuts, the Frankenmuth Aeromodelers, and the Central Michigan R/C Jets Club, a phenomenal display and interaction with spectators occurred with eyes opened to the breadth of the hobby.
I also had the opportunity to attend the Iowa City Aerohawks air show. This was the club’s 30th year to host it and the members have refined it into an art. The July 9 event was held in Iowa City, Iowa. The free 3-1/2-hour show was well received by the public and has grown considerably in attendance and the quality of the events. This year’s estimated attendance was between 1,200 and 1,300 people.
The event is designed to promote the hobby to those who might not be familiar with what it has to offer. Most who attend are unfamiliar with model aviation, although many spectators return year after year.
The show started with opening ceremonies welcoming the crowd with banner towing and a tribute to our flag, which was also being towed by an airplane.
From there, the show took spectators through the possible progression in the hobby, showcasing the types of airplanes a person might choose for their first and second aircraft and through
getting into turbine jets. The event’s emcee answered typical questions that a newcomer might have, such as how fast they fly, how high they go, and what it costs to get started? He even interjected facts about the models, as well as the full-scale aircraft that these airplanes were modeled after.
Aircraft from World War I and II and the Golden Age of aviation, as well as high-energy aerobatic routines, attracted a lot of attention. For the kids in attendance, the favorite events had to be the candy drop and the flying car.
The last event of the day featured a towplane pulling an 80-foot streamer with 10 to 12 airplanes in hot pursuit and attempting to cut the evasive streamer, while William Tell Overture played over the PA system.
It was a great afternoon filled with family fun! Events such as these are critical to the future of our hobby. It’s a way to get the word out in a family-friendly and entertaining way.
District VII has been extremely active this year and it is wonderful. The outreach to the youth has been phenomenal and I thank all of you for your work.
Let’s continue to share the passion! Until next month.
Randy Gibson
Vice President
rgibson@mmrca.org
503 Mall Ct. # 289, Lansing MI 48912
(317) 688-4346
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Bruce Baier, Oshkosh WI; (920) 233-1127; buzssr@gmail.com
Bud Gorman, Knife River MN; (218) 834-5797; bgorman@frontiernet.net
Bob Johnson, Fond du Lac WI; (920) 922-6705; bobjh5493@yahoo.com
Mark Robotti, Lindstrom MN; (651) 257-6792; mgrobotti@frontier.com
Dell Shannon, Osceola IA (641) 342-4278; dell.t.shannon@gmail.com
Len Todd, Baldwin MI; (907) 903-3569; lentodd@att.net
Peter G. Van Heusden, Bloomfield Hills MI; (248) 515-1071; petervh@ malibutech.com
Kent Woods, Ames IA; (641) 751-7126; woods229@msn.com
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATORS
Michael J. Haller (RC), Fond du Lac WI; (920) 979-9452; mike.haller60@gmail.com
Marc Warshawsana (CL), Whitmore Lake MI; (734) 223-1243; whellieman@gmail.com
AMA Headquarters (FF), (800) 435-9262; competition@modelaircraft.org
FREQUENCY COORDINATORS
Al Schwartz, Roseville MN; (651) 633-2286; albertS@comcast.net
Pete Waters, Northville MI; (248) 924-0223; petewaters@charter.net
