Bob Film is the Wine Country Flyers Neil Taylor recipient for 2009. The Neil Taylor award is given annually to a club member for outstanding service to the club and Bob is no exception. On receiving the award, in characteristic fashion, Bob graciously thanked his sous chefs, Bob Rose and Ralph Grella. From Back East, Bob grew up in New Jersey and moved to California after spending time here while in the service. He lives in Santa Rosa with his wife Janet, and no doubt a house full of RC sailplanes. Bob worked as an electrician for many years and is now retired.
His main interest in modeling centers around building and flying large RC sailplanes. He competes in sailplane events throughout the State. In 2004 he became the Kitchen Commander and has served Wine Country Flyers many, many burgers and dogs. His efforts are truly appreciated by us all.
New Solos for October
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Please welcome Donny Buttke (left) and Rodney Collamer (right) to WCF. Both soloed on October 4th on the Hangar 9 Alpha with instructor Jon Stychno. Both recently joined WCF and have been having a blast learning to build and fly RC airplanes.
WCF Board endorses Lawrence Tougas for District X VP
Wednesday, 07 October 2009
A couple of days ago you received your 2010 AMA membership application. Included in that envelope was an election ballot. Our district comprises of Arizona, California, Guam, Nevada, Utah, and Hawaii; has approximately 27,000 members and is the largest district in the AMA. There is an election in District X this year so please consider casting your ballot.
Lawrence Tougas is one of the two candidates in the race and he travelled from Fairfield last evening to pitch his case for our support. While this has been our only contact with Lawrence he certainly presented as a great candidate. As VP his top three issues will be:
help clubs find and keep flying fields
improve the AMA website
raise the visibility of District X
For more information on Lawrence’s campaign visit http://ama-district-x-election.blogspot.com.Email Lawrence at
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or just give him a call at 707-480-2053.Full candidate statement here.
ELECTION DEADLINE 11/13/2009
If you’ve tossed out your ballot call the AMA at 800-435-9262 select extension 290 and speak to Shawn Grubbs, Shawn will mail out a new one.
Reno 2009
Monday, 21 September 2009
From the left: Voodoo(P-51, Will Whiteside), Strega(P-51, Steve Hinton Jr.), Ridge Runner III(P-51, Dan Martin), Rare Bear(Bearcat, John Penney), Dreadnought(Sea Fury, Matt Jackson), Riff Raff(Sea Fury, Hoot Gibson), Czech Mate(Yak 11, Sherman Smoot), Fury(Sea Fury, Nelson Ezell) and Bearcat(Bearcat, Howard Pardue). Steve Hinton Sr. in the pace plane on the far right. Note the strobe effect, video shot at 24fps.
Our very own Will Whiteside was in pole with Voodoo but was forced to retire on lap 5. It looked like Strega was taking out ~2s/lap over Voodoo, race speed was >490mph. While I only made it to Reno for Sunday it was great to be there especially with our local air race hero in with such a great chance to win in unlimited.
Strega with Steve Hinton Jr. took home the gold in unlimited followed by Rare Bear and Czech Mate. Here he lets that victory sink in; lifting the gold trophy above the wings of Strega.