Several things happened for the good:

1. I think we have a viable impound system that will benefit us for future events. I want to thank all the pilots for their cooperation.
2. There were 21 pilots that paid landing fees; this is only 30% of our roll. Even though many did not fly, they recognized the cause and wanted to participate.
3. Brad Otts and Dwain Mayhew really had the field trimmed to perfection; Bill Womble had previously killed the grass along fences.
4. Fox Manufacturing, Hobby Town, Modeltronics and Josh Price donated items that were sold, raising additional funds for MDA. 5. There was only one major crash with two minor tree grabbing plane accidents.
5. Although this is not a totally accurate record, there were over 60 flights recorded Monday. Several times there were 3 in the air at one time, when this happens, each pilot needs a spotter.
6. Ken Lawson introduced us to model rockets by doing six or seven launches with each proceeded a countdown by Dwain Mayhew.
7. Danny Maes and Dennis Mayberry gave helicopter demonstrations that were impressive; one smooth one radical
8. Randy Tucker flew numerous times in front of the crowd and while others were flying. He is pretty new at this sport as is Bill Womble and Ken Lawson; they performed well in front of the crowd.
9. Our top pilots really put on a show with their high performance planes: Rodney Darling, Tom and Kevin Minton, Brad Otts and Terry Rollins.
10. What can you say about Dwain Mayhew with his two Cubs and his Stearman? Exceptionally entertaining and great scale flying by the big blue Cub and the Stearman.
11. Then there is Gina Barker with her large plane with two engines and two wings. It has one engine in front to pull, one engine in back to push, with the front wing freewheeling. It doesn't look like it will fly, but when it does, it is very impressive in it's flight appearance and sound.
12. Even Danny Dewitt, our former president, gave a demonstration by flying around in his full size power parachute rig.
13. The weather cooperated each day. Ask Bill Womble how it was pouring down rain while driving back to field from Greenwood; it stopped just as he approached Treece Road. Praise the LORD for that.
14. As far as I know, there were no flying encroachments over Hwy 71, the pit or crowd area, that says a whole lot for the skills of our pilots.
15. Last but not least, we wrote MDA a check for $500.00. Jeffery Mayhew delivered the check to them and they were very appreciative.



These are just a few of the high lights, there were more and if I omitted any one, I apologize, assuring you it isn't intentional. We all need to thank several for sharing their canopies.

What can we do to improve as we plan future events? All registered pilots were our own members, no pilots were from other clubs. To encourage their participation, we need to attend events given by other clubs. Doing this by paying their landing fees and seeing how they handle things and participate when possible. So far as I know, Terry Rollins is the only one doing this.

What do you think about getting T-shirts, jackets and caps to identify us as members of the Fort Smith FlightMasters? Someone needs to step up to the plate and be our Public Relation person, even asking others to be on the PR Committee to help promote future events. Our events need to be settled early on, and then we can get them on the AMA magazine calendar and in E Fort Smith magazine. An event that is for the MDA, we need promotion from TV 5, The Times Record and Press Argus Newspapers by mingling our Fly-in with their other MDA fund raising events like the Firemen's boot campaign. Advertisements need to be sent to other MAC clubs around our area. Also to the Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs so they could help Jeffery collect MDA money from the crowd. Wouldn't it be great if we could write MDA a check for $1000? Sounds like a lot of work. Rewarded only by the satisfaction of knowing you did a job that is well done. The enjoyments of knowing others get to see and enjoy you do your thing, whether it is planes, helicopters, rockets or dropping bombs/parachutes.


Giles Helbling