Edition: Model Aviation - 2025/01
Page Numbers: 114
Portrait of Gary Himes

District VI

Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri

Portrait of Gary Himes

Gary Himes

Vice President
amadistrictvi@modelaircraft.org
5204 N. Smalley Ave., Kansas City MO 64119
(816) 550-1205
www.amadistrict-vi.org
www.facebook.com/AMADistrictVI

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS

Dale Arvin, Jefferson IN; (812) 987-2224; darvin0843@gmail.com

Gary Bussell, Muncie IN; (765) 288-3541; cgbussell@comcast.net

John Fischer, Plainfield IL; (312) 518-0075; jfxcx1@comcast.net

Craig Greening, Mahomet IL; 872-203-0337; servoframes@gmail.com

Leo Rodriguez, South Bend IN; (724) 396-2700; leodrodriguez44@verizon.net

Keith Sessions, Burlington KY; (859) 801-8182; keithksessions@hotmail.com

Donald Way, Hobart IN; (219) 614-6218; bolar36@hotmail.com

Nick Ziegler, Moline IL; (563)-508-0908; A100dork3@yahoo.com

EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR

RC/CL/FF: Randy Cameron, flyrc@modelaircraft.org

SAFETY COORDINATOR

Walter Voyt, Joliet IL; (815) 725-4677

FREQUENCY COORDINATOR

Mel Ziska, Naperville IL; (630) 357-7350

WEBMASTER

Donald Way, bolar36@hotmail.com

Harlan Davis reported that Dennis Bielecki’s daughter, Trish, contacted the Prop Masters RC Aero Club in Naperville, Illinois, to ask whether they would help her and her sister, Krista, honor her father on Father’s Day. Dennis loved model airplanes and built several flyable models. Trish loved helping her dad build airplanes.

Dennis never learned to fly his models. His death left an unfinished Sig Kadet Senior on his building table. Trish decided to complete the airplane in honor of her father. The club saw an opportunity for community service. Trish did an excellent job completing the model, and then provided some of Dennis’ ashes to put into the aircraft. Dennis got his first experience flying an RC airplane by riding in his own aircraft.

Dennis’ adult children, Trish, Krista, and Jim, plus family members and friends, attended the event. Michael Pfeifer flew the airplane with

Four people standing beside a completed model airplane
smooth takeoff, then circled a few times. Michael put the buddy box in Trish’s hands and tears came to her eyes as she played her dad’s favorite song on her cellphone while flying him around the field.

George Farris reported that the Converse Flying Eagles, in Converse, Indiana, held its second annual Kids and Eagles Fly-In for the Amboy Friends Church. The goal was to promote goodwill and generate interest in the hobby.

The club had a flight simulator and three buddy-box setups to let the kids fly a real RC airplane. Free lunch was provided, followed by a commercial drone demonstration. The finale was five RC airplanes dropping candy on the runway, and the kids rushing to find the candy.

Crowd watching model airplanes at an outdoor flying event

Rege Hall shared that the Blacksheep RC Modelers, in Danville, Indiana, hosted its 17th annual Warbird Fly-In. There was great weather, 31 registered pilots, and a huge variety of airplanes representing all eras, sizes, and propulsion systems. There were lots of foamies, turbine jets, EDFs, large-scale models, and everything in between.

Jeff Thomas shared that the Indy RC Modelers, in Indianapolis, hosted the Fly All in the Fall, with an optional fun-fly and swap meet. Thirty-five registered pilots attended and had more than 100 airplanes. This was the club’s annual “all-electric” event, but it was open to all types of powerplants. This is the club’s largest event each year. They held two optional fun-fly events for trophies and offered introductory flights for youth attendees and a midday youth Free Flight glider contest.

Model airplanes displayed beside a fence at a flying event

Charles Brooks reported that every year, his church has a fall festival with games and a hayride, along with food and other fun fall activities. This year, Charles decided to set up his flight simulator. He took his daughter’s Cub so that people could see the airplane they were flying. It was a big success, and a few kids became great fliers before the night was over.

Model airplane flying over a fall festival gathering