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September 2025 - District V

District News
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands

Welcome back everyone! I had the pleasure of attending HeliStorm 2025, a Scale RC helicopter event that took place on the front lawn of the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. The event brought nearly 100 registered pilots together with full-scale industry professionals, STEM-program schools, and the public to showcase our hobby.

Regular readers will know my thoughts on sharing our hobby with the public, so I considered this an excellent opportunity to highlight the sport. The industry professionals acted as judges for the various competitions that took place, including Best Military Flight, Best EMS Flight, and best Team Flight.

Man in red shirt holding an award, with a space shuttle in the background.
District V Associate Vice President Tim DiPeri won the Precision Hovering award at HeliStorm with his Bell 206 Jet Ranger. This was no mean feat, considering there was 20-plus-mph wind all day long.

The North Georgia Model Aviators club is doing a fantastic job with its school system, bringing students to the field for demonstrations and buddy-box flights. Newly elected Club President April Sledge is doing a great job of integrating flight training and STEM outreach.

Three men pose on a runway with a model jet, giving thumbs up.
Congratulations to Brandon Drummer, from Powell TN, for achieving his AMA turbine waiver.
Person holding a remote, standing behind a large model airplane on grass.
Our featured youth this month is Wesley Anderson, from Enterprise AL, who flies on the US Junior Fédération Aéronautique Internationale AI F3A RC Aerobatics team.
Family fun! April Sledge (bottom R) with her daughter, Evlyn. Standing (L-R) are Crystal Barr, Denisa Coblentz, Jayden Barr, and April’s dad, Richard Barr.

Until next month, stay safe!

 

District V