District V
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto
Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands
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As I’ve mentioned many times, good public relations is gold for clubs. I can’t emphasize this enough. Such is the story from Frankie Mintz of the Southern Squadron in Lady Lake, Florida.
The Southern Eagle Squadron (SES) hosted cadets and their families from the U.S. Air Force Central Florida Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol (CAP) for the day. The event, held on March 9, 2024, at the SES field, included ground school instruction, AMA safety briefing, RC flight simulator time, a display of various SES members’ airplanes by their owners/pilots, hands-on buddy-box flying, and a great lunch for all that was provided by the club.
Each cadet and, if desired, their family members, put in a full buddy-box training flight or two with an SES instructor. The spotter would raise a flag when the student pilot was in control of the model, so there were lots of oos and aaahs as the flights progressed. Only one unscheduled “landing” requiring the “walk-of-shame” was made. Each uniformed cadet, ranging in age from 13 to 16, was attentive, courteous, and eager to experience aviation in miniature, because most are in full-scale flight training with CAP. I am looking forward to this becoming an annual event!
I also want to congratulate Contest Directors (CDs) Warren Bio and JD Hannah for a successful Jax Jet Madness event on March 8-10. Perfect weather brought 45 pilots, including myself, to
I’m with the Jax Jet Madness crew. (L-R): CD Warren Bio, me, co-CD JD Hannah, and club members James John Abbott and Marvin Washington.
Gateway RC for a weekend of mixed turbine and EDF flying. Warren started this event a couple of years ago as an EDF event but has since expanded it to all jets and, pardon the pun, it’s really taking off!
Mark Dill, from Pensacola FL, made the trip to Jax Jet Madness with his EA Picaro. Mark is a retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. His Picaro won the People’s Choice award at the event.
CAP cadets and members of the SES, from Lady Lake FL, partnered for a fantastic learning event. Here they receive a ground-school briefing before their first instructor-led buddy-box flight.
Sponsors and vendors bring pilots to events, not only providing prizes but also parts and support. Lisa and Rob from Dreamworks RC in Daytona FL, were on hand at Jax Jet Madness in Jacksonville FL.
Until next month, stay safe and keep ’em flyin’!
