District VI October 2020

The first report this month is from Kim Stricker.

The pressure to fly finally built to the point that the Breezy Hill Flyers just had to sling some castor and turn some circles. That was all fine and good, but this heat can make things a little dicey. Our solution was to arrive at 7 a.m., and bail before lunchtime ... a “Sunday Morning Fun-Fly.” When we showed up at Breezy Hill, it turned out to be a mostly Control Line day, with the exception of Billy’s wing-folding A.J. Interceptor and my Mavic Drone buzzing around. We had a big day, and scattered around 11:30.

Fred Cronenwett reported that the RC fixed-wing area at the pavilion at Buder Park in St. Louis has a new roof!

When it floods at Buder Park, the roof and the entire pavilion structure is under water for weeks at a time, so some of the wood was rotting and starting to have problems. Portions of the primary structure needed new beams and the entire roof got new plywood. The original 1 x 6-foot boards that were beneath the shingles were replaced with the CDX plywood. The labor was done by a construction crew from St. Louis County Parks Department and the materials were provided by the Greater St. Louis Modeling Association.

The runway and the pit area asphalt was resealed in 2019 so the flying site is in good condition now. In 2018, the engine run-up stands were repaired, so now all of the major faciltity items have been either replaced or repaired.

Tom DeVincentis reported that on July 25, the Mid-Missouri Radio Control Association (MMRCA) hosted its annual Buddy Pack Charity Event, benefitting the Central & Northeast Missouri Food Bank Buddy Pack Program. The Buddy Pack Program provides food to Missouri children who rely upon free or reduced lunches during the school year. Buddy Packs (bags containing meals) are provided so that the children have a source of nutritious food when not at school.

This year, the hardships associated with the response to COVID-19 have been particularly difficult for the food bank. The AMA sanctioned event saw 29 registered pilots. The flightline had almost constant activity.

Pilots showed up with everything from small foamies to Giant Scale warbirds, and a few turbine-powered jets. Club members donated airplanes, engines, and accessories to be raffled off; proceeds benefited the Buddy Pack Program.

The following weekend (August 1), MMRCA hosted an informal Pattern Plane Contest with donations to be added to the proceeds of the previous weekend’s charity event. With many official contests canceled because of COVID-19 restrictions, a handful of Pattern pilots were finally able to get together and test their skills.

The two events brought in more than $2,350 for the Buddy Pack Program. MMRCA thanks all of those who supported this charity that helps children in our community.

Remember, to see your club in the magazine, email a submission to amadistrictvi.modelaircraft.org with the word “magazine” in the subject line. I promise to get each one into the magazine! I end by asking you to introduce someone to model aviation, even if it is on a buddy box or on your simulator!