This is an online exclusive column for District X. Each month there is too much information to fit into the limited space in the magazine. This month alone there are over 200 photos that you will not see anywhere else except here. In addition there are links to the clubs and organizations listed in the column so you can learn more about them. It takes a lot of work to bring you this bonus material but I believe it is worth it. I hope you enjoy it.

Best wishes,

Lawrence Tougas

AMA District X Vice-President

Greetings once again. It’s Memorial Day as I’m writing this and I wanted to share with you 3 events my daughter and I attended over the three-day weekend. The first was the International Miniature Aircraft Association’s IMAA West Coast Festival and Fly-In. IMAA is the AMA special interest group that promotes large model aircraft operations. This fly-in is a major event here in district X and this is the fourth year in a row that I have attended. The event is hosted at Castle municipal airport in Atwater, CA. and is made possible because Scott Malta (D10 AVP) is the airport manager. This event is put on by a number of hard working people with special recognition to Ken Shapiro, Tom Moore, Rick Maida, and Denny Baker. I have over 170 photos from the event that you can view right here.

The next event was 400 miles away in Coachella, CA. where the Coachella Valley Radio Control Club was celebrating their 10th anniversary. Dan Metz, Dick Knapp, and the rest of the CVRCC should be proud of a spectacular facility. They are a proactive club that is plugged into their community and have just received their 7th straight gold leader club award. They have a long smooth paved runway, plenty of covered pit area; a separate paved 3-D/helicopter/control-line area, and year round clear skies. If you’re in an area that makes winter flying a challenge CVRCC offers part-time memberships for visitors so pack up your planes and head out to a first rate facility and enjoy yourself. Please enjoy these online exclusive photos of the event right here.

The last stop on this triple serving of aeromodeling delight was in Chino, CA. for the Pomona Valley Model Airplane Club’s scale aerobatic competition. It’s well known that PVMAC President Phil Goodwine and his members put on one of the best IMAC events in the country. They offer $200, $100, and $50 gas cards for placing 1, 2, or 3 in all classes of competition, a delicious catered meal enjoyed at the Chino airport alongside a full-scale P-51, and a great raffle that benefited the Donnie Leseberg Memorial Trust www.donnielesebergmemorial.com. This really brought the best in the west to Chino to compete. D10 AVP and Southwest IMAC director Tim Attaway was there to serve as Co-Contest Director of the event. I was there for the Sunday free style competition and awarding of trophies. All involved gave the event a big thumbs up. Check out the photos of the winners right here. I also have a youtube video of Kyle Goodwine’s Freestyle routine right here.

By the end of the three days we had traveled over 1,100 miles and met a lot of wonderful people. Sometimes this job requires long hours and this weekend was one of them, but I couldn’t think of a better way to have spent my holiday.

I want to remind everyone that we have a special account to contribute to the development of a West Coast AMA facility. You can either make a direct contribution or arrange in your will, or trust to leave a portion of your estate to the project. I would be happy to discuss this with anyone interested in donating to the cause, so please contact me and I’ll be happy to go into details with you.

District X is by far the largest district in the AMA. We cover a lot of territory from the eastern border of Arizona and Utah out west across the International Date Line to Guam. It’s from there I received a report from Scott Robertson the Secretary/Treasurer of the Guam Aero Modeler Club (GAMC), AMA 1414. Scott and his members pitched into fight cancer, they participated at an event to raise money to fight this scourge. The event was hosted by United Airlines Micronesia, and involved teams pulling a full size 737 in timed competition. The GAMC members put on a public display with lots of models and RC simulators. The GAMC has two paved, intersecting runways and a safe, covered seating area. Last year, the club erected a fence/gate as well as signage to identify the field to the general public. They host "fun flies" every year, and are continuing to increase their club roster. Their standing invitation to AMA members is, “If you ever find yourself in Guam, come on out and spend your Sunday afternoon with us!” They are where the AMA’s day begins!

Finally I want to call you attention to this month’s, “In the Air” section of the magazine and the story on the Sonoran Desert Flyers Buy, Build & Fly event. This is a great chance to partner with a local hobby shop and build membership and community relations please take a look. Until next month, here's wishing you happy landings.