District V
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands
Welcome back everyone! One of the first things I did as District V vice president was to create a District V Facebook group, where members can share event flyers and pictures, and where I distribute updates and other important information from AMA on FAA issues and such.
The benefits are that I can share many more event pictures than I can here, and, of course, time-sensitive information can be shared quickly. Please look us up on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/269465863849495 and join the group page!
I had the pleasure of attending the Southern Scale Helicopter Challenge. Formerly taking place in Dalton, Georgia, the event for the past few years has been held at its new home at the Heath-Green Sky Ranch in Hinesville, Georgia.
The event celebrated its 24th anniversary this year, and if you want to see amazing Scale helicopters or come and learn from the best in the hobby, including several AMA Scale Heli Nats champions, the event takes place each year the week and weekend following Labor Day.
The Sky Ranch is a beautiful facility, with more than 2,000 feet of grass runway, RV hookups, real bathrooms, and an air-conditioned clubhouse. Several meals are prepared on-site, culminating in a steak dinner on Saturday night that is sponsored by Heli Workshop/Vario. Hinesville is only 30 minutes from historic Savannah, Georgia, so there are plenty of things to do if you want to make this a family trip.
I also had the occasion to visit the Ocala Model Flying Club in Ocala, Florida, for the club’s annual 12 O’Clock High event. Contest Director (CD) and club President Jesse Hinds, ran an awesome event.
This is a warbird event for larger models. The club’s long, paved runway is great for big models and jets, and its smooth, grass runway handles World War I-style airplanes. A “cook shack” serves pretty good food as well! The weather was perfect, and I had a chance to get some flying in as well as hang out with some great friends.
Andrew Griffith
Vice President
amadistrictv@modelaircraft.org
12258 Bucks Harbor Dr. N.
Jacksonville FL 32225
(904) 993-4956
www.amadistrict-v.org
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Mickey Avery, AL; (334) 247-7123; district-V-AVP@email.com
Rick Grim, AL; (256) 656-0859; uavpilot@bellsouth.net
Joe Dolliver, FL; (239) 218-2677; Joe33914@gmail.com
Keith Hall, FL; (813) 928-3861; wing-man@verizon.net
Randy Leapley, FL; (813) 277-6862; randy.leapley@yahoo.com
Jose Melendez, FL; (321) 412-3078; rcjets12@hotmail.com
Andre Smith, FL; (850) 980-3724; andresmithsr@gmail.com
Bill Barbee, GA; (912) 660-2155; awbarbee@hotmail.com
Bob Dixon, GA; (478) 960-5200; rldixon3@cox.net
Nick Ray, GA; (865) 368-3820; lasray@gmail.com
Darrell Sprayberry, GA; (706) 280-5848; darrelluh1b@optlink.us
Paul Verger, MS; (228) 826-4892; cpaulverger@yahoo.com
Edwin Medina, Puerto Rico; (787) 525-7768; captmedina@gmail.com
Scott Anderson, TN; patternpilot1@hotmail.com
Tim DiPeri, TN; (615) 591-7399; caseco@comcast.net
Dick Tonan, TN; (615) 995-6291; dtonan@mac.com
RC, CL, AND FF EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR: Dick Tonan, (615) 995-6291; dtonan@mac.com
WEBMASTER: Glenn Bond, d5amaweb@gmail.com
That smile is from our newest turbine waiver holder, Andrew Hammond, of Orange Park FL. Andrew was in Jacksonville to get trained in flying the full-scale P-8 Neptune.
Sean Shelton (L), of Savannah GA, and Butch Wellmaker (R), of Central Islip NY, received the Technical Achievement Award at the Southern Scale Helicopter Challenge for their scratch-built Giant Scale Sikorsky S-92 models from CD Darrell Sprayberry (center in the pink tutu). Not pictured is Joel Rosenzweig, from Marlborough MA, who received the Pilots’ Choice Award for his turbine-powered Starwood Lama.
Ocala Club member Nick Capone with his Ziroli Skyraider at the 12 O’Clock High event.
