One proven way to protect a flying
field that is on public land is through
community involvement. This
month, Associate Vice President Greg
Clemensen discusses a day of model and
full-scale aviation in Las Vegas.
General aviation joined with model
aviation at the Fifth Annual Clark
County Aviation Association open
house. The event attracted more than
1,000 people to the North Las Vegas
Airport on March 31, 2012.
Members of several Las Vegas-area
AMA clubs participated. Retired
American Airlines pilot and Las Vegas
Radio Control Club member Gil Terzo
displayed his 40% Extra. Gil said, “It is
easier for a radio control pilot to learn to
fly full-scale aircraft than the other way
around.” He added that many people
develop an interest in general aviation
after being involved in model aviation.
Richard Ranney of the Vegas Aces
showed off his 2.5-gram indoor FF
model. Las Vegas Circle Burners club
members displayed and explained their
CL airplanes, including Skip Horstman’s
beautifully finished Ares.
More than 100 kids enjoyed
receiving a free blue foam glider. Rebel
Squadron’s Bill Allen, John Stockwell,
and Bob Connell did final assembly
on-site, demonstrating for the kids the
essence of aeromodeling. Two flight
simulators were constantly in use by
adults and children.
Many other organizations
were involved in the open house.
Representatives of the FAA, as well as
flight school instructors, were on hand
to inform the public on aviation safety
and flight instruction. Commercial
sightseeing carriers promoted tours.
Members of the EAA displayed and
explained an airplane being constructed.
Angel Flight was on hand to discuss its
mission of providing air transportation
for medical needs. Representatives of
the United States Air Force and the
Civil Air Patrol answered questions.
I observed this open house as a
perfect illustration of the convergence
of full-scale and model aviation, and
was honored to be a part of it.
Young guests try their hand at an RC simulator.
Guests queue up to build their own gliders.
My job as a structural engineer at
United Airlines frequently has some
crossover with modeling. I recently
completed a project to add blended
winglets to the 767 fleet. This involved
strengthening the wing with new
stringers, and ribs from the pylons, out
to the end of the wing. I then joined
11.5-foot-tall winglets to the wing.
The wing rework had to be done with
minimal weight addition, or the benefits
of better fuel economy would be lost. I
have included some pictures from the
project; I hope you enjoy them.
Here rib and stringer replacement is taking
place.
Marrying the winglet to the wing.
The finished product.
Associate Vice Presidents: Tim Attaway, Chula Vista CA; (619) 427-6392; trattaway@cox.net; Denny Baker, Brentwood CA; (925) 513-1224; race690@aol.com; Forrest
Barton, Woodland CA; (530) 383-9019; cbarton328@aol.com; Duke Chung, Honolulu HI; (808) 421-1094; duke@hawaiijets.com; Greg Clemensen, Las Vegas NV; (702) 870-
6242; electricgreg@cox.net; Kevin Houser, Oro Valley AZ; (520) 490-7657; khouser@rocketfarmers.com; Tim Johnson, Downey CA; (562) 965-4288; hobbyman.tj@ca.rr.
com; Mike Lee, Redlands CA; (951) 733-8621; mlee8249@msn.com; Rick Maida, Morgan Hill CA; (408) 778-6885; mrcorsair@usa.net; Scott Malta, Merced CA; (209) 617-
5789; scottmalta@sbcglobal.net; Todd Sheridan, Pleasant Grove UT; (801) 358-8345; sheridan.todd@gmail.com; Roger Willis, Buckeye AZ; (760) 604-6773; willisasoc@aol.
com. Contest Coordinators: Tim Attaway, Chula Vista CA; (619) 427-6392; trattaway@cox.net; Ellis Hall, Fair Oaks CA (North); (916) 217-6302; ellisdhall@aol.com; Howard
Kennedy (Arizona and Utah), Phoenix AZ; (602) 361-8475; bushpilot1443@yahoo.com; Christopher Sullivan, Waipahu HA; (808) 953-8863; rccombat808@yahoo.com.
District X—Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah
