As I write this in February, we have had some very bad weather along the East Coast, resulting in several states declaring a state of emergency. If your flying site was damaged in one of those states, don’t forget that AMA has Disaster Relief Grants available to help repair your flying site. Contact Foundation Deputy Director Rachelle Haughn at rachelleh@modelaircraft.orgor (765) 287-1256, ext. 221 to get an application started.
I’m always looking for event reports from around our district for my column in Model Aviation. This is a great way to advertise your event and let us know what we can look forward to. You can send your report and pictures directly to me. Because of the lag between submission and publication, your report might not be published right away, but it will be used to advertise your event for the next year.
There couldn’t be a kickoff to the new year without a Freeze Off event. Retired District IV Associate Vice President David Trogdon sent us the following report.
Once again, to kick off the new year, the Sanford Model Airplane Club (facebook.com/sanfordmac) in North Carolina hosted its annual Freeze Your Tailfeathers Fly-In on January 17. Typical weather didn’t disappoint, with stiff wind (that at least blew straight down the runway), along with heavy, overcast clouds and temperatures in the low 50s that felt much colder with the wind chill, but without rain. The clouds eventually broke later in the day. The 31 registered pilots from various surrounding clubs brought a varied assortment of aircraft and skills to the field. There were a few crashes, with one leaving the wing, engine, and fuel tank in a very tall pine tree.
The traveling group of professionally trained chefs once again prepared their signature hot dog meal that draws pilots from miles away every year. In fact, some come only for the meal!
The prize drawings ended the day with the always-lucky A.J. Lambert and Richie Lattier taking home many of the prizes. It’s always a good day in Sanford; whether it’s T-shirts and shorts weather or rainy and cold and you’re dressed like an arctic explorer, fun and fellowship are always the order of the day. Adam and Mark Cline always plan a great event and, regardless of the weather, everyone looks forward to the kickoff event of the year.
Go fly and have fun safely.
