District X
Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah
Greg Stone
Vice President
amadistrictx@modelaircraft.org
5345 Paseo Caliente
Yorba Linda CA 92887
(949) 413-0920
Associate Vice Presidents
Chuck Barnes, Santa Maria CA; (805) 886-7921; cdbarnes10@comcast.net
Forrest Barton, Woodland CA; (530) 383-9019; cbarton328@aol.com
Stella Bennett, San Pedro CA; (310) 357-4570; bennettleaus@gmail.com
Jim Bonnardel, San Diego CA; (858) 292-5518; nitroblast@hotmail.com
Alan Friedman, Eloy AZ; (520) 876-0232; pooralan@aol.com
Craig Haslebacher, Springville UT; (509) 518-0243; craigsrcloaol.com
John Johnson, Silver Springs NV; (775) 287-3652; johnorama@gmail.com
Tim Johnson, Mission Viejo CA; (949) 444-7520; timothy@johnson.us.com
Barry Mattison, Las Vegas NV; (702) 218-3827; bm.brabbit@gmail.com
Jim Mohan, Phoenix AZ; (623) 434-1351; jimohan351@cox.net
JR Schiager, Folsom CA; (916) 705-7778; jrstuff88@gmail.com
Gil Terzo, Las Vegas NV; (702) 523-9897; gterzo@aol.com
Peter Vogel, Santa Clara CA; (408) 569-7067; vogel.peter@gmail.com
Roger Willis, Murrieta CA; (951) 249-9688; willisasc@aol.com
Events Sanction Coordinators
Forrest Barton (CA north of Bakersfield), Woodland CA; (530) 383-9019; cbarton328@aol.com
Southern California and Arizona, Greg Stone, (949) 413-0920; gstone4@outlook.com
Free Flight: AMA Headquarters, Competition Department, (765) 287-1256, ext. 252; competition@modelaircraft.org
This month’s update comes from a visit to some clubs in the Sacramento, California, area. I started the morning dropping in at the Woodland/Davis Aeromodelers’ field, where I had the opportunity to meet the board before their monthly meeting. I then went over to the Associated Modelers of Sacramento (AMOS) field, where I had the opportunity to meet one of the club’s Mavrix Youth Division members as they were preparing for a training event.
If you are ever traveling around, I recommend looking up clubs and dropping in. We have great clubs and modelers all over.
Next was a run to the Sacramento Area Modelers’ field for the YS - Valley of Speed III Warbird Pylon Race. Things kicked off early Saturday morning with a solid turnout of racers and an impressive lineup of aircraft—everything from the classic Mustangs and Spitfires to T-28s. The pits looked like a mini version of the Reno Air Races, and you could tell everyone had come ready to go fast.
Once racing started, the pace did not let up. Those YS-powered warbirds absolutely screamed down the course. There were some great head-to-head battles, a few close calls, and more than one heart-stopping low turn around pylon one. A couple of airplanes came home with a little “character,” but that’s part of the game—if you’re not turning tight, you’re not flying hard enough!
Between heats, the pits were buzzing. Racers checked standings and tuned engines while everyone enjoyed the sound of the engines echoing across the field. It was also great to see plenty of spectators—families, club members, and a few curious newcomers—getting their first taste of Pylon Racing.
As always, a huge thank-you goes out to the volunteers, course workers, and timing crew for their hard work and keeping things organized and safe. These events don’t run themselves!
Valley of Speed III was another great reminder of why we love this hobby—fast airplanes, good friends, and the unmistakable thrill of racing around the pylons. Remember, go fast and turn left.
Enjoy everything you build and fly.
