District XI Report - 2004/01
New Associate Vice Presidents
I am pleased to announce that we have two new Associate Vice Presidents (AVPs) for District XI.
Dave Legard has agreed to become one of our new AVPs. Dave is a native of Silverton, Oregon, and began flying free flight with his father at the age of six. At age ten he began flying control line and graduated to a single-channel escapement radio in 1966. After graduating from Oregon State University in 1974, Dave began his career as a pilot with the Air Force. He has competed in pylon racing, pattern, and International Miniature Aerobatics Club (IMAC) events. Dave has been flying helicopters for the past four years. A former president of two model clubs, he has served a total of five years in that capacity. He retired from the Air Force after spending 26 years in the cockpit and now enjoys the hobby on a full-time basis.
Mike Mosbrooker of Oak Harbor, Washington, has agreed to fill the other open AVP position. Mike built his first model at the age of five with a lot of help from his mother. He designed and built models through his school years until, like so many of us, he discovered cars and girls. While in college, Mike returned to aeromodeling. His first radio-controlled (RC) model was guided by a single-channel Heathkit radio. Mike was in a model club in Germany, and after retiring in 1995 he settled into some serious aeromodeling. He is a member of the Whidbey Island Radio Control Society, Skagit County RC Club, and the North Puget Sound Big Birds, an International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) chapter. Mike is a contest director, has managed many contests in that area, and has held several offices within various clubs.
I am pleased to have both Mike and Dave on board as AVPs.
Retirement of Mike Hazel
Mike Hazel, who has been an AVP for some time, has decided it was time to retire. Mike cited other responsibilities that needed his time. I thank Mike for his years of service; he has done an excellent job.
The Role of an AVP
Being an AVP is like being a cop on a beat. It is hard to measure the value of an AVP being there, but his or her mere presence can have many positive effects. Often I contact an AVP to get his or her slant on a problem. An AVP may know the people involved if this is a personal issue and can offer an unbiased appraisal. This person is a contact for the area and can answer questions or give direction to members with problems. AVPs know the issues that are important to the fliers in their area and, in many cases, can offer advice or even become part of fixing the problem. The AVPs are an important part of our hobby, and I appreciate their willingness to take on the responsibilities of the job. Again, I thank Mike Hazel for a job well done.
Photos
Claude Tanner from Boise, Idaho, sent shots of the Thursday float-flying crowd at Sawyer's Pond in Emmett, Idaho.
Whidbey Island R/C Society — All-Bird Event
The Whidbey Island R/C Society (WIRCS) held an All-Bird event in August. Mike Mosbrooker sent in this information about the event.
Saturday, August 9, dawned sunny and clear with a beautiful sunrise; then the event started, and the rain came with it—again. We haven't had rain in quite a while, so lots of folks enjoyed the novelty of the situation—for a short time. Some of us tried to fly anyway, but radios were getting wet so that wasn't ideal. Patience paid off as the rain stopped around noon and we had a wonderful afternoon of flying for 27 registered pilots and 52 aircraft. This ties the record for number of pilots and exceeds our old mark for aircraft by 20%.
We had pilots from all over Washington as well as from Nevada and Arizona. We had students getting introductory flights using one of the YES (Youth Education Stipend) program Sig Kadets and a buddy box.
What a variety of aircraft!
- Dan Simenson had a scratch-built 6.3-ounce electric biplane.
- Chuck Bower brought his 140-inch C-47.
- Chris Barker had a 35-pound Corsair.
- Ted Hendrickson flew a 1/3-scale Cub.
- Roy Holt showed off his turbine-powered Av8tor.
- Many others flew a wide range of models, including numerous electrics.
Each pilot received an embroidered hat and lunch prepared by Quizno's in Oak Harbor. We had a drawing for prizes purchased from Performance R/C in Burlington; pilots who attempted to fly were eligible. Results included:
- Ken Woblick: first draw (chose a lesser prize because he won a Zagi last year).
- Roy Holt: won a Zagi 400X.
- Doug Gunter: won the Great Planes Old-Timer 40.
- Roy Burrell: won a jug of fuel.
- Walt Gerfen: received a fuel pump for his field box.
Thanks for sending the WIRCS information, Mike. The rest of the photos will run next month. Until next time!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
