District VII
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Hello once again, District VII members! As always, there is good news and, of course, the not-so-good news. Let’s start with the good news!
By the time you read this, we will be in June and flying away. Many fun-flys will have happened, with many to come, including the AMA National Fun Fly hosted at the AMA International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana. June 28-30, 2024, will be a time of fun and excitement, plus, you can enjoy touring the AMA National Model Aviation Museum while you are there. This is a great event. Let us show the strength of District VII in attendance!
Another great event coming up (with still enough time to attend as you read this) is the 31st Annual Radio Controlled Air Show in Iowa City, Iowa, on Sunday, July 7, 2024. This is an amazingly orchestrated show with a great community draw. I have had the opportunity to attend this event. It is well-polished and takes the audience through the history of model aviation. (I even learned a few things myself!) If your club is thinking about having an air show and really bonding with the community, reach out to the Aerohawks. The club has it down pat, and they are a great group of modelers who will provide some good pointers.
One other event I want to touch on that will be happening in our district is the Annual Mid-Am Electric Flies. This event is sponsored by the Midwest R/C Society and organized by two names familiar to many, Keith Shaw and Ken Myers. This year will be the 40th event and it is the oldest all-electric event in the country. The dates are July 13-14. Details can be found on the Midwest R/C Society website at www.theampeer.org/midwest.
As I wrote this, we were finishing the wintertime and clubs were starting to clean their fields and prepare for the true start of the season. We had a few false starts, but it is truly time.
On a sad note, vandals did severe damage to one of the clubs in District VII. The Signal Seekers RC Club in Wayne, Michigan, suffered two vandal attacks during the off season, resulting in a great deal of damage.
Vandals destroyed the solar panels, then proceeded to the shelter and broke every chair, upturned the picnic tables, destroyed the starter benches, smashed photos, the bulletin board, and (the worst part) the framed artwork given to the club by students at the nearby Burger School. The vandals, not done yet with their destruction, also punched holes in the side of the shelter and climbed onto the roof to poke holes there.
The members of Signal Seekers had already begun the repairs as I wrote this, and should be back fully up and functioning by the time that you read this. The club is a great example of how, when things look poorly, the passion for the hobby gives one the energy to press on.
I will leave this month with the thoughts of a friend who flies full-scale helicopters that applies to all of us. I went flying with him once and, as he started up his helicopter, you could hear the ignitors firing off to start the turbine. He had a big smile on his face and said that the sounds of the turbine starting up meant he was about to go flying, which always brought a smile to his face. I am sure that when all of you are at the flying site and starting up your aircraft, it brings the same smile to your faces. Until next month, enjoy the passion!
Randy Gibson
Vice President
amadistrictvii@modelaircraft.org
503 Mall Ct. # 289, Lansing MI 48912
(317) 688-4346
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Bruce Baier, Oshkosh WI; (920) 233-1127; buzsr@gmail.com
Bud Gorman, Knife River MN; (218) 834-5797; bgorman@frontiernet.net
Bob Johnson, Fond du Lac WI; (920) 922-6705; bobj5493@yahoo.com
Mark Robotti, Lindstrom MN; (651) 257-6792; mgrobotti@frontier.com
Dell Shannon, Osceola IA (641) 342-4278; deellt.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
Chris Sterner, Greendale WI; (414) 349-0981; sterner6854@gmail.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.haller.60@gmail.com
Marc Warwashana (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
