District IV
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland,
North Carolina, Virginia
Jay Marsh
Vice President
amadistrictiv@modelaircraft.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; rmoreland1@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@rpnet.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
Doug LeRoy, our District IV social media coordinator and president of the Holly Springs Skyhawks, sent me a report about what his club has been doing. By the way, I want to make sure that everyone knows that District IV has a Facebook page for what’s happening in the district, as well as other interesting posts. Visit www.facebook.com/amadistrictIV. You can follow our page and post or send what you want posted to social@ama-d4.org. It’s a great way to advertise your events and share your projects.
The Holly Springs Skyhawks RC Group (www.hssrcg.org) kicked off 2024 with a club workshop focused on 3D printing and airplanes. We had our best turnout yet for a club-sponsored workshop. From the first minute, everyone seemed to enjoy learning about a different way to fabricate a model airplane.
Club member Steven Vensko walked the attendees through all of the details that are necessary to get a good idea of what 3D printing is all about—types of printers, filament differences, and, of course, equipment. Several example models and 3D-printed structures were on hand for members to see and feel this “new” building material.
If clubs would like to receive a copy of the workshop presentation, contact info@hssrcg.org.
Are you looking for opportunities to mentor young aviators? A club member and I recently had an opportunity to advise and coach a group of elementary students who were competing in the Just Plane Awesome event at the North Carolina Science Olympiad. Science Olympiad is a “hands-on, activity challenge for students in grades K-6 to build their understanding of basic scientific concepts.”
This year’s challenge involved assembling an AMA Alpha kit and learning all about the physics of flight and how to best trim the aircraft for maximum flight duration. The building was quick, but test-flying and learning about controlling Free Flight (FF) models was challenging.
I was able to meet fellow AMA member and rubber-powered FF enthusiast Jimmy Jordan. Jimmy started flying rubber-powered FF at age 11 in 1956, and he is still active in that hobby! He became involved with Science Olympiad 13 years ago when his grandson “volunteered” him to coach his middle school’s flying event.
Regarding mentoring the youth, Jimmy said, “I remember the struggles I had trying to learn flight without any help. I think these memories are what makes mentoring young people today so enjoyable and satisfying.”
To learn more about Science Olympiad, visit www.soinc.org.
Go fly and have fun safely.
