We Have Moved

That's right, it's a New Year and time for a new website to celebrate District X's accomplishments. The good news is that it is only one click away. It is right here. Come along for the fun.

Merry Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the model room

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the building board with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of new planes danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and me and my Zap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out at the engine test stand there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a kit bash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-airs to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature C-17, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old pilot, so lively and windy,

I knew in a moment it must be Lucky Lindy.

More rapid than Christen Eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Basher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the model trailer! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of models, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his shoe,

And his clothes were all tarnished with nitro and glue;

A bundle of models he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a hobby shop owner just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks shown like glo-plugs, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it loopdy-looped his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Former AMA Executive Director Passes Away

Former AMA Executive Director James Ashley Cherry died unexpectedly at his home on December 2nd.

Our President Dave Mathewson, had the following to say about Jim, “During his nearly four years as the Academy’s Executive Director beginning in 2006, Jim launched a number of important initiatives for AMA. The entire model aviation community will miss him, and all of us at AMA extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Lynn, and his family.” I certainly echo Dave's sympathies, and want to add that the times I spent interacting with Jim were all positive.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to the Homeless and Hunger Coalition of Northwest Florida, Inc., P. O. Box 549, Panama City, FL 32402-0549. Ph: 850-819-2173.

The Election Results

Its been a long time coming but the election results are in. The final tally is Michael Brown 1,428, and 2,057 for myself. I am honored that the membership has chosen me to be the next District X Vice-President.

My hat is off to Michael for running a good campaign and filling in as our interim Vice-President after the untimely death of his close friend Jim Giffin.

I want to thank all of the clubs that supported my campaign, they ran information in their newsletters and reminded their membership to vote which I am grateful for.

I'm looking forward to hitting the ground running in January my first undertaking as DVP will be to attend the AMA Expo in Ontario January 7th through the 10th, I hope you can make it and if you do please stop by the AMA booth I would love to meet as many members as possible.

Best in the West Jet Rally

I attended the Best in the West Jet Rally last weekend. The event was held at the Antelope valley Tailwinds field in Lancaster California.



To say that there was a large assortment of beautiful jets would be an understatement.



This BVM Ultra Bandit put on quite a show. He really put it through its paces at some of the lowest heights I had ever seen.



I wasn't quite quick enough to capture one of the lowest inverted passes I have ever seen so you'll just have to enjoy the ones I did get.



There were some jets at this meet I had never seen before and some I had just read about in magazines, there was something for everyone.



This A-10 pilot is ready to do some tank busting.



This F-14 was particularly interesting. It had two engines and articulating wings.



Here's a closer look at the wing mechanism.



The CD's Joe Castelao, and Lowel Wexler put on a great show. If you fly jets or would like to see the best in action you have to come to this event it was fantastic.

Results from the Bud Garric Pattern Classic

We had a great time at the Bud Garric Pattern Classic two weeks ago. Everyone involved said it was one of the highlights of the season, and I would have to agree. Frank Capone and Robert Obregon put on a great show.



Frank and Bob made the trophy's themselves and they were some of the nicest ones I had seen


NSRCA President Derek Koopowitz is putting his Neptuno through its paces.



Bill Sneed brings in his Integral for another 10 point landing.



Bob Obregon made a special presentation to FAI pilot Don Atwood. Don's nick name is Woody so the hat fit him well.

Here are the results;

Sportsman

Lawrence Tougas 4000

Jerry Hays 3918

Mark Alexander 3892

Dave Shirley 3765




Intermediate

Jacob Boracca 4000

Dave Wick 3466

Ron Davies 2972



Advanced

Dale Olstinske 4000

Bjorn Lenhardt 2338



Masters

Chris Fitzsimmons 4000

Bill Sneed 3771

Luke Peng 3750

Jon Carter 3675

Dick Belden 3558



FAI

Don Atwood 4000

Derek Koopowitz 3957

Robert Obregon 3576

The event was truly fantastic and in some once in a lifetime alignment of the planets I manged to score a Hanger 9 Phoenix 7 in the huge raffle that was the end cap to the event.

All I can say is Frank and Bob did a great job and this will be a must attend event for me in the future.

Best in the West Jet Rally

The Best in the West Jet Rally 2010 will be held this weekend at the Antelope Valley Tailwinds field in Lancaster California. Event organizers Joe Castelao and Lowell Wexler invited me down to attend the event which I happily accepted. If you are anywhere near Southern California this weekend you owe it to yourself to attend this mammoth jet meet.

Here's a map to help you find the Tailwinds field. Click on the view larger map link to get a new window that you can put your starting point in and receive driving directions. Hope to see you there.


View Larger Map