District V
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto
Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands
Andrew Griffith
Vice President
amadistrictv@modelaircraft.org
12258 Bucks Harbor Dr. N.
Jacksonville FL 32225
(904) 993-4956
www.amadistrict-v.org
Welcome back everyone! Public relations is gold for clubs! (Where have you heard that before?) I want to thank Ron Gaynor and the North Georgia Model Aviators (NGMA) RC club for hosting its fourth annual RC Airplane Exposition at the Bowen Center for the Arts in Dawsonville, Georgia. I had the opportunity to attend the club’s first event and was impressed with the presentation and community involvement.
Held throughout a three-week span, this event takes considerable club involvement to pull off, and, once again, NGMA rose to the occasion.
More than 50 aircraft were present, from foamies to a large twin-turbine A-10 Warthog, and many members of the public passed through the display. A RealFlight simulator was on hand to allow visitors to experience RC flying and get a taste of the hobby.
NGMA also has an active Junior Flight Program, an initiative to bring in the next generation of RC pilots with sponsorship from our friends at Horizon Hobby. I want to thank Associate Vice President Darrell Sprayberry for representing the AMA at this event.
Board members of the NGMA presented a $2,700 check to the Bowen Center board members to support the fundraising effort for a new interactive community room.
I attended the inaugural Florida Jet Together at the Radio Control Association of Central Florida (RCAFC) in Apopka. This club has hosted a number of events, including Pylon Racing, helicopters, and a wonderful New Years air show and this event was no exception. Contest Director Gary Freeman and the club did an excellent job with their first jet event.
Although it’s hard for anyone to “replace” Florida Jets, this will be on my list every year. Because of the size of the venue, the pilot count was capped at 60 and it was maxed out. Despite some windy conditions, there were jets in the air all day and lots of spectators there to view the flying.
Aside from the usual attractions in the Orlando area that will keep your family entertained for days, the Apopka field is mere minutes away from Graves RC, one of the best remaining old-time hobby shops in the country.
The two things that get talked about at an event are the weather and the food. The food was great, thanks to these nice folks at ROCAF at the club’s inaugural Jet Together.
I had a great time at the St. Augustine RC Flyers swap meet and fly-in. (L-R): Club President Lorenzo Bennasar, past president Hank Golden, myself, and past president Carl Schneider.
Until next month, stay safe and keep ’em flyin’!
