District IX
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
Here’s another success story. The Minot Aircraft Modelers club in Minot, North Dakota, is healthy and growing. The club owns—and has for many years—15 acres of land north of the Minot that includes a well-groomed 600-foot grass runway, a clubhouse, a pavilion and even a campground. Despite all of those amenities, a while back, the club was losing members and interest. Here are a few words from club President George Lowther:
“Thanks to the AMA Introductory Student Pilot Program, our club has experienced a resurgence at a critical time in our history. The pandemic years took its toll on our membership until only a few faithful ones remained active.
“After efforts to revive the club by advertising in the newspaper, on TV, and distributing flyers from our float in the State Fair Parade, produced only one new member, we decided to try using AMA’s Intro Program to attract new pilots.
“By working hard to spread the word through many avenues, including personal invitations, we recruited friends and neighbors to try flying model airplanes. Last year, we trained three students, and this year, we have eight in the program.”
“We have a variety of people involved, both young and old—grandpa and grandson, father and son, mom and son, and adult men. There are three instructors using three GPS-enabled Apprentice trainers to manage this many students. We also utilize two RealFlight simulators that are set up in our hangar for practice. Using this program, we have gained four new members and several inactive members became involved again.
“Our annual August fun-fly was the best in years, with pilots coming from North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Canada. I have great expectations for the coming year as we continue to grow and attract new pilots, and the events will be awesome. We are looking forward to what comes next.”
Thanks to Craig Bastion, our roaming Wyoming associate vice president for the coverage of another growing Wyoming event.
The Hot Springs County Airport in Thermopolis, Wyoming, is the site of the Thermopolis Fun Fly. The September event is held in conjunction with a full-scale fly-in on the same day.
The first day was marked by constant flying by the pilots in attendance. Every sort of RC craft was flown, including sport, 3D, gliders, Scale, EDFs, and turbine jets. The club provided both lunch and supper to the pilots in attendance.
The next morning, the field was active with full-scale aircraft arriving for a biscuit-and-gravy breakfast that was enjoyed by pilots with all sizes of aircraft. By mid-morning, RC flying resumed, with stops to allow full-scale aircraft to take off or land. A spaghetti dinner capped the evening, followed by a raffle drawing.
For the 24 registered pilots from three states, this had to be one of the most enjoyable fun-flys a person could attend. Renewing old acquaintances, making new friends, eating great food, and flying. What more could you ask for?
Thanks to co-Contest Directors Art Mulkey and Dennis Rollings, from Billings, Montana; Nate Messenger, Thermopolis County Airport manager; Jerry Umdenstock for the use of his hangar; and last, but by far from least, all of the ladies for cooking all of that great food.
Brandon Koch
Vice President
amadistrictix@modelaircraft.org
Mandan ND
(701) 471-9575
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, MarkDf1yer@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
Jim Tiller, Custer SD, (605) 390-3878; jtillr@hotmail.com
Terry Wiles, Harrisburg SD; terryscustom@yahoo.com
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR
Troy Hamm, Gardner KS; (913) 744-5745; funflyr@juno.com
