District V

District V

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands

Welcome back everyone! As I wrote this, I had just returned from the quarterly AMA Executive Council meeting in Muncie, Indiana. Among other things accomplished at the meeting, the weight limit for Large Turbine Model Airplane-2 jets, previously 100 pounds, was increased to 125 pounds to match the Large Model Airplane-2 (LMA) limit on propeller-driven aircraft.

I doubt that there will ever be an appetite for an LMA-3 category among the AMA Safety Committee, insurance company, or the FAA, so plan accordingly if you’re into large jets.

The recent incidents of hurricanes Helene and Milton crossing the district and affecting many clubs and AMA members brings to mind some of the programs that AMA offers to help out in times such as these.

One such program is the Disaster Relief Grants that is run by the AMA Foundation. This grant helps clubs reopen and repair critical infrastructure after hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. It is available by filling out the grant application on the AMA website (https://modelaircraft.secure-platform.com/a/page/grants/disasterreliefgrant), with amounts up to $500 available.

If you want to help your fellow modelers, contact the AMA Foundation with a donation that can be earmarked for Disaster Relief Grants or any of the outstanding programs that the AMA Foundation supports. Your contributions are tax deductible.

A shout-out to Contest Director (CD) Mike Stanley, of Jacksonville, Florida, for the recent success of the Jets Over Jacksonville event. Despite coming just a few days after Milton tore through the state, the Radio Control Club of Jacksonville got to work cleaning up the field and preparing for a successful event, with 20 registered pilots and a variety of turbine- and EDF-powered jets.

Speaking of great events in the district, despite being in Muncie for both of them, congratulations to Dino DiGiorgio for the success of the Dino DiGiorgio Sr. Memorial Warbird event at Mac Hodges Field in Americus, Georgia, which drew more than 77 pilots and a flightline full of classic and modern warbirds.

Compliments for great job also go out to CD Chuck Orrick, as well as Rusty and Leslie Trawick, who hosted more than 60 pilots for the long-standing Huck-O-Ween event at the 3D Farm in Iron City, Georgia. Rusty and Leslie built a private field (now an AMA club and FAA-Recognized Identification Area site) in their backyard, and the runway in the middle of a cotton field becomes 3D central for a week, drawing pilots from as far away as Idaho.

Model aircraft and debris in a firepit — The aftermath of Huck-O-Ween, as seen in the firepit. This event is hardcore 3D and not for the faint of heart! It’s also a lot of fun.

The aftermath of Huck-O-Ween, as seen in the firepit. This event is hardcore 3D and not for the faint of heart! It’s also a lot of fun.

Person holding a red model airplane outdoors — Bryce Do, with his Freewing Avanti, at the Jets Over Jacksonville event. Bryce is from California but attends Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach FL.

Bryce Do, with his Freewing Avanti, at the Jets Over Jacksonville event. Bryce is from California but attends Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach FL.

Orange model jet aircraft on a runway — My Habu 32X at the Jets Over Jacksonville event that I fly with a Powerbox CORE radio, Schubeler 80mm fan, and HET motor.

My Habu 32X at the Jets Over Jacksonville event that I fly with a Powerbox CORE radio, Schubeler 80mm fan, and HET motor.

Young modeler holding a model airplane outdoors — Twelve-year-old Caleb, from the Coffee County Aerofliers, with his new Ranger V2, courtesy of my buddy, Jeff West, of West Hogbri RC. Caleb recently soloed with the help of Jeff’s grandfather, Ed West, as his instructor.

Twelve-year-old Caleb, from the Coffee County Aerofliers, with his new Ranger V2, courtesy of my buddy, Jeff West, of West Hogbri RC. Caleb recently soloed with the help of Jeff’s grandfather, Ed West, as his instructor.