District X
Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah
This month’s news comes from District X Associate Vice President Barry Mattison, about the Lake Mead Float Fly. Barry was the contest director (CD) for the event as the Las Vegas Radio Club Flyers (LVRC) hosted its inaugural float-fly on April 6, 2024, within the boundaries of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
The LVRC is the host club at the internationally known Bennett RC Field in Las Vegas, home of the former Tournament of Champions that was sponsored by Bill Bennett of Circus Circus fame. The LVRC also maintains a flying field within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, one of only eight such fields in the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) authority and the event’s new home.
Boulder Harbor, now closed to boating traffic because of low water in the lake, provided the perfect location for the event with its high, sheltered walls and gentle, sloping boat ramp.
There were 14 pilots registered (participation was limited by the park permit for this inaugural event) who, along with some surprised fishermen as they watched from the nearby lake banks with poles in hand, flew a wide variety of float aircraft, including a Turbo Bushmaster, a Twin Otter, a Timber X, a Beaver, and many other great aircraft with nitro engines and electric motors. Sanctioned by AMA, the event was permitted by the NPS and received its FAA-Recognized Identification Area designation through the FAA and AMA. The LVRC provided coffee and doughnuts, along with beginner float-flying instruction.
Presidents from three local clubs attended and participated: Al Badoux, president of the Las Vegas Soaring Club (LVSC); Randy Dorn, president and event co-CD from the LVRC; and Rex Bordwell, president of the Propnuts of Las Vegas.
This is the first time in anyone’s memory that such an event was allowed in a national park because the NPS generally prohibits the launching, landing, and operation of drones within the boundaries of national parks. This blanket ban is aimed at protecting wildlife, visitor experiences, and preserving the natural soundscape.
Randy, of the LVRC, approached the park management about hosting such an event, and to everyone’s surprise, permission was granted. The NPS was more than helpful during the entire process and event. Representatives who stopped by, including park rangers, were interested about all facets of RC float-flying and gracious in their cooperation and interest in and with the event.
Also participating were several local younger club pilots who had never flown on floats. They were encouraged and given pointers by the experienced pilots and were quickly on their own, enjoying the challenges of flying from the water. Barry provided and operated a retrieval kayak, but was only needed to retrieve three downed aircraft when the wind flipped them over after landing. A couple of mishaps over the adjacent land provided some entertainment as pilots climbed the steep, rocky banks to retrieve their aircraft.
It was a perfect day for all of the pilots and spectators as airplanes of all types took off and landed in this new venue. There was even a guest appearance of the Titanic, built and operated by Ian, as it scurried about looking for icebergs in the harbor. Pilots from the local clubs and outside of the area made this not only a historic event but a fun-filled one, and are looking forward to next year and an even bigger event.
Photos are courtesy of Al and Barry. Videos and photos are posted on the LVRC website at www.lvrc.club/gallery.
Feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, recommendations, or issues. There is much to share across the district. Enjoy everything you build and fly.
Greg Stone
Vice President
amadvdistrictx@modelaircraft.org
5345 Paseo Caliente
Yorba Linda CA 92887
(949) 413-0920
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Forrest Barton, Woodland CA; (530) 383-9019; cbarton328@aol.com
Jim Bonnardel, San Diego CA; (858) 292-5518; nitrblast@hotmail.com
Alan Friedman, Eloy AZ; (520) 876-0232; pooralan@aol.com
Bob Hunter, San Tan Valley AZ; (714) 273-1419; bobh@huntershome.com
Dan Johnson, Preston ID; (435) 619-3112; dkjohnson@gmail.com
Tim Johnson, Mission Viejo CA; (949) 444-7520; timothy@johnson.us.com
Mike Lee, Redlands CA; (909) 792-8424; mlee8249@msn.com
Barry Mattison, Las Vegas NV; (702) 218-3827; mr.babbitt@gmail.com
Jim Mohan, Phoenix AZ; (623) 434-1351; jmohan351@cox.net
JR Schiager, Folsom CA; (916) 705-7778; jrstuff88@gmail.com
Gil Terzo, Las Vegas NV; (702) 523-9897; gterzo@aol.com
Peter Vogel, Santa Clara CA; (408) 569-7067; vogel.peter@gmail.com
Roger Willis, Murrieta CA; (951) 249-9688; willisasoc@aol.com
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATORS
Forrest Barton (CA north of Bakersfield), Woodland CA; (530) 383-9019; cbarton328@aol.com
South California and Arizona, Greg Stone, (949) 413-0920; gstone4@outlook.com
Free Flight: AMA Headquarters, Competition Department, (765) 287-1256, ext. 252; competition@modelaircraft.org
