Although spring has arrived and outdoor flying is increasing throughout District III, I want to highlight several notable events that I attended during the winter months.
On February 28, the Kanawha Valley WV Regional RC Swap Meet took place at Coonskin Park in Charleston, West Virginia. It stands out as the only dedicated swap event in the state of West Virginia, attracting a strong turnout with participants actively buying, selling, and trading. Special recognition goes to Mike Eden and the area clubs for their efforts in organizing the event and providing an opportunity for enthusiasts to break free from the winter blues.
The next event, the annual Mad River Flying Association Swap Meet at the Champaign Aviation Museum in Urbana, Ohio, occurred on March 7. This swap meet is remarkable for its unique setting of vendors and swappers stationed among historic full-scale aircraft. The sight of selling wares beneath the wings of a B-25 and other vintage airplanes adds to the experience.
Alongside the swap meet, the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) hosted a Scale static display competition that featured beautifully crafted models. For those who have never attended, this event is a mustsee and deserves a spot on any aviation enthusiast’s bucket list.
Continuing with swap meets, the annual Dayton ModelRama, hosted by the Dayton Wingmasters, was held March 20-21 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Dayton, Ohio. Paul Stimmel and his team should be commended for their dedication to making this event one of the largest swap meets in the Midwest—it keeps growing year after year.
District III hosted an AMA information table and provided an RC flight simulator, offering modelers a chance to refresh their skills for spring flying. The show concluded Saturday afternoon with its always popular auction. Kudos to all for another successful event!
The events I attended represent only a fraction of the swap activities in District III. Other notable events included the Central Penn Aeromodelers Annual RC Expo in Lebanon, Pennsylvania; the Fairfield Ohio Radio Kontrol Society in Lancaster, Ohio; and many others. I will make every effort to participate in these and other swap events moving forward.
Until next month, stay safe and fly safe!