District I
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
At an event this year, I met AMA member Paul Morante and learned about the Uxbridge Youth Soccer League (UYSL), which held its 4th Annual UYSL RC Airshow and Vendor Fair on October 19, 2025, in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. This event is a unique collaboration that showcases the flying skills of some of AMA’s award-winning New England RC pilots, with a variety of impressive Giant Scale model aircraft. This event supports UYSL’s largest fundraiser.
Paul, a highway division superintendent for the town, coordinates the RC airshow demonstrations and activities alongside UYSL. The goal is to raise $160,000 to prevent irrigation issues by releveling the Sutton Field Complex into five competition soccer fields. This renovation will improve seasonal soccer league games and increase community use, potentially creating an AMA club site with dedicated RC flying times.
This was one of the best local events that I have attended. Highlights included a well-designed flying site with a large, manicured runway, safe pit and spectator areas, ample parking, superb food and craft vendors, raffle tables, and skilled AMA RC pilots. Kids’ activities, including a candy drop, an RC Iron Man flight, and AMA RC flight simulators, were thrilling. All of these features added to the suggested $5 attendee donation and the $75 vendor attendance fee.
A big shoutout of “thank you” goes to Paul for his excellent coordination, and to my team, Associate Vice President Kevin Ryan and AMA Leader Member Wayne Watjus, for helping me with the kids on the simulators and answering attendee questions about AMA and aeromodelling. This was a win-win event for everyone involved!
secure higher flying altitudes. That meeting was one of two that day that marked the very first of the SRM panels that would provide higher altitudes for AMA clubs. Because of the involvement of club members and others who were also full-scale pilots, the meeting was highly successful. Had it not been for the club’s well-prepared information and a great relationship with the nearby full-scale airport, the meeting might not have been so successful. To find out more about the Brookfield RC Club and all of its activities, visit the club’s website at brookfieldrc.com.
Remember, it’s not about what you fly, it’s about the friends you make.
District III Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
Flying Wing Nutz Fun Fly Event: The Flying Wing Nutz, Club 4438, of St. Marys, West Virginia, hosted its annual Fun Fly event on Saturday, September 6, 2025. All area clubs were invited, with a special invitation going to the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Parkersburg Composite Squadron from Parkersburg, West Virginia. A total of 22 pilots registered, and the club welcomed a new member.
The CAP was well represented, with eight cadets and their squadron leader in attendance. Club members provided the cadets with hands-on flying experience using a buddy-box system. Utilizing the AMA Take off And Grow Grant funds that the Flying Wing Nutz had received, the club purchased a RTF HobbyZone AeroScout airplane and a RealFlight simulator.
At noon, the Wing Nutz club surprised the CAP by presenting them with the complete RTF airplane package. This generous gesture was met with excitement and appreciation from the cadets and their squadron leader.
The Wing Nutz club will continue to work with the CAP to support aeronautical education and collaborate with its cadets on future initiatives.
Harrisburg Area Flying Society’s Community Outreach: On Saturday, October 11, 2025, the Harrisburg Area Flying Society (HAFS) hosted CAP Dauphin County Composite Squadron 306 for a picnic and the opportunity to learn about RC flying. The event drew 12 cadets, along with their families and adult officers, for a total of approximately 42 guests.
The CAP squadron provided a wonderful buffet lunch, while club members organized flight demonstrations and answered questions from attendees. Two trainer airplanes were set up for buddy-box flights, ensuring that every cadet who wished to participate had a chance to fly.
Special thanks go to Ken Howard for coaching and piloting, Dave Manton for lending his transmitter and assisting with testing, Krenzel’s Hobby for donating gift cards, the club members for supporting the event, and to those who maintain Elmerton Field. This event was an excellent example of community outreach and provided a valuable opportunity to connect with individuals who share an interest in aviation, potentially leading to new club memberships in the future.
Thank you to Club Secretary Frank Benson for your comprehensive report.
The Value of CAP Partnerships: Based on these reports, collaborating with the CAP is an outstanding way to share our passion for model aviation and strengthen our clubs.
Please send me information about your club’s activities and I will do my best to include them in the District III monthly column.
Until next month, stay safe and fly safe.
District IV
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia
The deadline is approaching to submit applications for AMA grants and scholarships. If you do not apply, you will not get anything! To find out more and to submit applications now, go to amafoundation.modelaircraft.org/grants.
Rick Cawley has been an associate vice president (AVP) since I took office back in 2014 and has served our district and members continually. He has been one of our most prolific authors submitting district reports for Model Aviation. He is retiring so that he and his wife, Gail, can travel more. As a master Scale modeler, he says that he will continue building, flying, and having fun.
Thank you, Rick, for your years of service to District IV.
I want to welcome and introduce our new AVP, Winston Brown, who is currently the president of the Raleigh Durham RC Club in North Carolina. He came east in 2018 from California, having been involved in model aviation since he was 12 years old.
Congratulations to one of our District IV members, Louis Joyner, on receiving the National Distinguished Service Award. Many will recognize his name; in 1988, he began guest-writing the "Free Flight (FF) Duration" column in Model Aviation and has been the regular columnist since 1993. "Writing about FF has been a way to repay all the help I have had throughout the years, both from published articles and one-on-one from more experienced modelers."
The following is a brief report from AVP Rick Moreland.
Every Veterans Day for the past 10-plus years, Gary Heath, of the Free State Aeromodelers club in Beltsville, Maryland, has put on a program celebrating Veterans Day with a day of history and flying.
It has always been nice getting together with a great breakfast in the morning. At the 11th hour of the day, there's a tribute to all veterans both past and present who have served this country. This year, we could not fly because of 25-plus mph wind, but about two dozen hardy folks still showed up for the camaraderie and the ceremony, and we had a great day.
What made this day even more special was that our host, Gary, is quite the historian. He was a volunteer tour guide at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center annex of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum for the last 40 years and is a wealth of knowledge about aviation history. If you ever have a question regarding your Scale project, Gary is the guy to talk to.
Thanks to the Free State Aeromodelers for another great Veterans Day, with special thanks to Gary.
Go fly and have fun safely.
District V
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands
Welcome back, everyone! AMA members elected District X Vice President (VP) Greg Stone to the office of AMA president. Congratulations to Greg! While he has big shoes to fill on the heels of Rich Hanson's tenure, I'm excited to see what fresh perspectives he brings to the office.
You are also stuck with me for another term. If you aspire to being elected to the office of the District V VP, I officially term-out in three years, so get your Leader Member status if you don't have it and start thinking about taking a turn to volunteer.
I feel like I write about this a lot. I'm always amazed at the rules that clubs come up in the name of "safety" that are pushed through by those who want to control what others fly but, in fact, contribute nothing to address actual safety concerns.
I challenge clubs to review their safety and field rules with an open mind and consider revising rules that are aimed at curbing 3D airplanes, helicopters, turbines, or whatever isn't flown by them. If you have a rule against gas engines because the club is near a neighborhood, or have limited operating hours to be a good neighbor, by all means; however, if you have a rule against helicopters because they look scary doing 3D maneuvers, or against turbines because you don't understand them, maybe it's time to address the rules.
It's been my observation that some of the growing areas of the hobby are 3D airplanes (gas and electric), turbine jets, and helicopters because younger members are drawn to them. Don't run them off because you have to wait a few minutes to fly a warbird or trainer.
Speaking of jets, I had the pleasure of attending Jets Over DeLand at the beginning of November 2025. Hosted by the DeLand Golden Hawks, this event takes place at the club field, which resides on a closed runway at the municipal airport in DeLand, Florida. There were more than 70 pilots. Contest Directors Mike Setteducati and Bruce Pennington did a great job.
District VI Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri
Larry Erbach reported that the Chain-O-Lakes Eagles RC club is proud of its member, Ralph Warner, being inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame. The club was honored to have Gary Himes, AMA District VI vice president, join it in July for a special meeting and presentation to Ralph. During the meeting, Gary presented Ralph with a beautiful plaque that honors his achievement, as well as a certificate, in front of family and friends who joined them for the special occasion!
Ralph has been actively involved in model aviation for more than 76 years and entered his first competition at Naval Air Station Glenview in 1949 at the age of 14. As a young man, Ralph worked at Leonard’s Hobby Shop in Chicago. His association with the hobby shop, which later became Stanton Hobby, allowed him to connect with many influential figures, such as Carl Goldberg and Wally Simmons. Ralph remains an active member of the club today, and they are grateful for the knowledge that he is so willing to share with them.
Two of the club’s Youth members, Andrew Durik and Charlie Missak, presented Ralph with a letter from the club, along with an AMA Walk of Fame brick. These two young men also gave presentations on their experiences—they are starting their journey into aviation at about the same age that Ralph was when he got started! Gary also took the time to come out and fly with a group of the club members, making the event memorable in more ways than one!
Bill Spencer shared that the Champaign County RC Club (CCRCC) launched its first-ever Winter Indoor RC Flying Kickoff party, bringing together nearly 100 families, kids, and pilots for a day filled with aviation, learning, and community spirit.
From the opening moments, the excitement was unmistakable. Students began on simulators before moving to the flightline, where instructors guided many through their very first RC flights. Families enjoyed a break over pizza and laughter, and then they joined in on the fun as raffle winners took home airplanes and gear. Experienced pilots thrilled the crowd with aerobatic demonstrations and precision flying.
More than just a party, the event reflected the club’s growth and the enthusiasm that drives it forward. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers, instructors, and families, the kickoff was a resounding success. As the winter flying season begins, CCRCC looks ahead with gratitude and excitement for what’s to come.
Submissions are again low. To see your club in print, send me pictures and a short article. It will make it into the magazine. Pictures of snow flying are great, or just a normal day of flying works too. Email it to amadistrictvi@modelaircraft.org. Keep in mind that the pictures must be at least 500KB stand-alone JPG files.
Not only do modelers help other modelers, but they also answer the call for community support. Many clubs hold charity benefits for community groups, and with the holiday season, one of the common club fundraising programs is toy drives. I attended one such event in Muncie, Indiana, that was organized by a group of fliers to help the Muncie Toys 4 Tots program hosted by the City of Muncie Fire Department. This, in partnership with Toys Forever Models & Hobbies hobby shop, the Horizon Convention Center, the Muncie Children’s Museum, and even Santa, provided a top-notch indoor flying facility. There was a variety of aircraft, and not only were there many pilots, but many spectators were also in attendance. A RealFlight simulator was set up to allow the spectators to try their hand at flying models. Many of the spectators also had the opportunity to try flying an indoor model via a buddy box.
The star of the show, of course, was Santa himself. To see the excitement in the eyes of the children and hear the squeals of excitement! I wonder if many of them asked for a model airplane in their stocking. In the end, the participating pilots were generous in their donations and, because of it, many of the area children had a present under their tree this Christmas. I would really enjoy hearing about similar club activities throughout the district.
Before I close out this month’s column, I will put the reminder out to please let me know of events that your club will be hosting so that I can put them on the calendar and try to attend. I enjoy visiting with you and listening to issues and concerns that you have and, of course, flying when I can. Until then, stay warm, and, of course, share the passion!
District VIII
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Check out the events in District VIII. There are many from which to choose. Visit amadistrict8.org. See you at the field.
District VIII officials are working hard! (L‑R): Associate Vice President (AVP) Chico Romero, District VIII Vice President Lawrence Harville, and AVP Terry Monroe wish you had been at the Waco Fly‑In—it was a blast.
Mike McCarthy shows off his two beauties—his Focke‑Wulf Fw 190 and his wife, Mataya—at the Houston Sport Flyers field.
(L‑R): AVP Johnny Hunt, Darrell Sizemore, and Roman Zemlyansky, all from the Fort Worth Thunderbirds RC Association, and Matthew Brandes, from the Western Area Modeling Society in Granbury, Texas.
Jeff Budemer and Tanya Bidwell, from the Falcons of Lake Dallas RC Club.
Putting on a show, flipping, turning, and having fun, are the heli boys: Abel Cardona, Harold Davis, Chuck Calloway, Chris Carranza, Chad Dingman, and Erik Anderson.
The Jet Master Series raffle was designed by AVP Terry Monroe and James Hillin. Key people who made the impressive series work were Maria Cortex, Hudson Carlton, and Carlos Hernandez. There were 104 pilots who participated in the series. Contact Terry for details about the 2026 event.
District IX Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
This month's column spotlights a youth event that the Newton Area Radio Control Club (NARCC) in Newton, Kansas, designed. Club President Terry Wiggers reports:
In August, the Newton Area Radio Control Club hosted three evening sessions to assist Boy Scout Troop 494 of Valley Center, Kansas, in fulfilling the requirements to obtain the Scouting Aviation Merit Badge. Seven of our members created three nights of training, tailoring their presentations to cover the requirements of the merit badge.
On evening one, Scouts rotated through eight different sessions. At each station, our club's team members shared information by using tools such as RC airplanes, helicopters, transmitters, mock-up models, different kinds of motors, computer-generated slides, pictures, posters, and other media concerning aviation in general.
The second evening continued with more information about AMA and the model aviation hobby. Several RC models were on display. Each Scout then participated in building a Delta Dart rubber band aircraft. While the glue was drying on the Darts, each Scout made their own FPG-9 glider. In the flyoff session that followed, we taught flight controls. They explored ailerons and rudder adjustments to change flight characteristics.
Evening three was at the Newton City/County Airport. There, they met with two of our club members who own a beautiful 1946 Ercoupe. They were able to sit in the cockpit, and our guys explained the instrumentation and controls.
The Scouts were then a part of the preflight inspection, including an explanation of control-surface functions. With the engine cowling removed, they learned about the repair and maintenance that is required on the engine. This included inspections and the logbook records that are required for owning a full-scale aircraft.
After that part of the session, the Scouts then toured the airport, runways, and terminal.
The seven club members who tutored the Scouts all remarked that it was a rewarding experience and how the youthful enthusiasm of the kids rubbed off on them. We received many compliments from the Scouts, troop leaders, and the Scouts' parents.
NARCC offered the Scouts, leaders, and parents the opportunity in the future to have an introductory flight experience using the club's instructor pilots. Several have voiced interest in trying an RC introductory flight.
District X
Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah
This month’s update comes from the Unlimited Scale Racing Association (USRA) Race of Champions Giant Scale RC Pylon Racing event, which took place in Gila Bend, Arizona, on October 23–26, 2025.
The sky over Gila Bend Municipal Airport was anything but quiet as the USRA Race of Champions brought adrenaline-filled competition back to the Arizona desert. With multiple classes battling across the pylons, pilots demonstrated not only speed and precision but also remarkable resilience and sportsmanship throughout the weekend.
The Unlimited class delivered intense anticipation, with several of the fastest aircraft on the field lined up for the finals. Unfortunately, a takeoff mishap kept Doug Killebrew from entering the race. At the start, Jon Jacobson surged across the line first, with Tom Keating and Tom Easterday in hot pursuit. A mid-air collision between Tom K. and Tom E. left Jon alone to maintain a clean, confident flight, securing a commanding win and the top podium spot.
The Unlimited Gas class’ competition remained tight. Scott Baker, flying a well-tuned Corsair with Doug as his caller, demonstrated sharp pylon work and consistent speed. Although Tom E. launched with the early advantage, Scott captured the lead by the end of lap one and held firm. The excitement continued behind him as Chris Justis and Phillip Waul crossed the finish, separated by a little more than half a second.
Known for razor-close finishes, Formula 1 GT didn’t disappoint. Early rounds saw a strong pack led by Mark Zeal and Doug, with Ricky Davis and others pushing hard. A late-round aircraft loss sidelined Scott Manning, adding drama to the final heat. In the end, Mark held off a fast-closing Doug by a blink-worthy 0.062 seconds.
A brand-new format this year, Mini Unlimited quickly became a pilot favorite. Shortened heats and a slightly extended course kept tension high. Mark Sumich claimed the inaugural victory, followed by Jason Vernon and Gerald Maux, after a race full of lead changes and tight battles.
As engines cooled and canopies closed, one message was clear—Gila Bend continues to be a premier proving ground for Giant Scale Racing talent, and pilots are already looking forward to returning next year.
Enjoy everything you build and fly.
District XI
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
Hi all. It’s the day after Thanksgiving as I write this and things are a little bit slow in this part of the country. I did get out earlier in the month and talked to a club in Oregon about hosting the AMA Northwest Jamboree.
The Umpqua Valley Modelers has offered to host the Jamboree this year, so Associate Vice President Joe Miller and I went to visit the club and to see the field in Yoncalla, Oregon. The field looks great and has a lot of room for RVs, with good parking, a nice-looking runway, and plenty of room to fly. We’ve set the date of this year’s AMA Northwest Jamboree for July 10–12. I think it’s going to be a fantastic event. Make sure that you put it on your calendar, and watch for more information to come out soon. Here’s some pictures from the field.
We also stopped at the Eugene RC Aeronauts’ nice field, just outside of Eugene, Oregon. Here’s a picture from there.
Brian Kelly sent in the following report:
The training program at Marymoor RC Club (MaR/C) in Redmond, Washington, enjoyed another record-breaking season, bringing new and returning pilots into the fold. This year featured the club’s youngest-ever new pilot, 10-year-old Olivia, seen here with her brand-new HobbyZone AeroScout.
She joined 20 fellow students—many not that much older and others who no longer care to state their age—who gained their solo proficiency certificates during the summer season of three-hour weekly sessions. A pool of 12 instructors at five pilot stations worked with 10 students each evening, May through August.
Nervous starters made use of a set of simulators, taking to the air once they got their orientation down and mastering a few key fundamentals. Support volunteers handled battery management and inevitable in-flight mishaps to help keep airplanes airworthy. This year, the club benefited from an AMA donation that boosted its fleet of Carbon Cubs, replenished the battery supply, and provided an additional RealFlight simulator.
Great work by the MaR/C! I challenge all of you to do some training—you will find out it is fun and rewarding.
That’s all for this month. I’m starting a new jet project and making plans for this year. I’ll have more information on both next month. Keep building and flying!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
