District VIII
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Lawrence Harville
Vice President
districtviii@modelaircraft.org
932 Calloway St., Hurst TX 76053
(817) 781-9615
www.amadistrict8.org
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Larry Cox, Corpus Christi TX; (361) 765-8974; judgepilot@gmail.com
D. Tom Holmsley, Baytown TX; (915) 588-8735; dtlholmsley@gmail.com
Johnny Hunt, Godley TX; (817) 905-8124; huntsranch@aol.com
Bruce Landsman, San Benito TX; (956) 244-1034; adjc1c2@hotmail.com
Terry Monroe, Greenwood LA; (318) 470-2650; tlm1959@aol.com
Jason Perry, Searcy AR; (501) 281-2991; oldsuch8l@yahoo.com
Randy Ritch, Magnolia TX; (281) 701-3121; randyr it ch.dist8@yahoo.com
Pablo “Chico” Romero, Royce City TX; (951) 250-4648; Thunderbird84@yahoo.com
Steve Shipley, Mayhill NM; (806) 620-0590; shipley2525@gmail.com
Greg Skinner, Terrel OK; (806) 673-9238; Gregskinner94@yahoo.com
Gary Strickland, Hooks TX; (903) 278-5703; garystric@gmail.com
Jerry Watterson, Maurice LA; (337) 298-7755; jerome1w1@gmail.com
AVP SAFETY
Tony Breyen; Wichita Falls TX; (940) 733-2803; awb1056@sbglobal.net
RC/CL/FF/EVENTS SANCTION COORDINATOR
Sean Dickerson, Bedford TX; (951) 205-9027; ra390driver@gmail.com
DISTRICT VIII WEBMASTER
Sonny Coleman, zepher@cammenet.net
Check out the events in District VIII. There are many from which to choose. Visit www.amadistrict8.org. See you at the field.
Alex Dean, an 11-year-old pilot entered his first AMA event. He has only been flying for a year, and is following in the footsteps of his father, Alex Dean Sr. The drone event was at the Greater Southwest Aeromodeler’s Club. His home club is Sky High RC Club in McKinney, Texas. Alex Dean Sr. is the club president. Photo by Ron Wedel.
Rick Davey and his Stearman were at the Austin Radio Control Association. The aircraft is 120 inches. He said that it flies like a feather. Photo provided by Rick Davey.
At the Small Model Aircraft Society of Harlingen club fun-fly, the club donated the food and desserts. Coordinators of this event were (L-R): Joel Webb, Mark Self, Bob Galway, and Jeff Galway. Photo by Associate Vice President (AVP) Bruce Landsman.
Steve Farrior, with his yellow and black UMX WACO, was at the 2024 Memorial Day Fun-Fly, hosted by the Central Arkansas Model Aviators Association, and held in Bauxite, Arkansas. It is a welcoming club with an excellent group of pilots. Photo by AVP Jason Perry.
District VIII Sparkplug of the Month
Ed Couch, known throughout the district and the country, started flying Control Line in 1960 and RC in 1963. He flies RC Scale, gliders, and drones, and was a pioneer in ducted-fan jets.
Ed is a member of many clubs, including the Greater Southwest Aero Modelers, Mid Cities RC Club, Fort Worth Thunderbirds, Texas Wings RC Flying Club, the Tidewater RC Club, the Fifth Air Force, One Eighth Air Force, Spartanburg Sky Knights, and the Golden Triangle RC club. Throughout the years, he has owned several hobby shops and has held every club officer position. Ed is always available with a helping hand.
He has competed at the AMA Nats, the Texas Scale Championship (from 1981 through 2024), and countless other events. Ed was one of the first to fly blimps indoors for the Dallas Cowboys, the Dallas Mavericks, and for several major universities.
He is known for his dedication to electric-powered airplanes, drones, and helicopters. If it flies—he has flown it!
