"Focus on Education" Column
Model Aviation Magazine
July 2004 

The following is a letter from Joseph Diaz of the Sanderson Field RC Flyers in Shelton, Washington. It is a letter of congratulations to his club. It sounds to me that this club put on a well-organized, well-staffed, and well-attended event.

“Wow! Very impressive. If there ever was a time for our club to step up and perform, it was Friday, September 26, and perform we did.

“On that Friday, Pioneer School held its annual Career Day. The school contacted the Port of Shelton last spring and asked if it would participate. The Port officials agreed and stated that they would contact the local businesses and get more people involved. The club was asked if it would participate and the club members generously agreed. What better way to display our involvement in the community?

“With a little planning and a couple of telephone calls, I had a ton of help lined up, which was really nice since the demonstration was going to involve 100 seventh-grade students and teachers, and Joetta Anderson, Port Secretary, and Henry Trussler, Port Commissioner.

“Anytime this club puts on an event there is always help, but this time the club went all out. The people who agreed to lend a hand were there to make a difference and no matter what I requested, the people quickly made it happen. I got to the field at 8:15 and members already had the airplanes out and were helping out while the Port was putting out a table for the demonstration.

“Together we quickly and proficiently set up our tent. (By the way, if we could just fit that tent into a little car and wear big red shoes and colorful clothes, people would pay to watch us set it up!) We prepared our gear and waited for the first bus.

“The bus showed up shortly after 9 a.m. and Jo and Henry were the first to greet them. They gave a small introduction about the history and future of the Port and the types of careers that were based there, and then they turned it over to us.

“I welcomed everyone and talked about the club and briefly how some of the skills acquired in RC flight could be used in an occupation. Then I turned it over to Dick Robb who related his 50 years of model-aviation experience to his job as an A&P mechanic.

“Then Brian Richmond spoke to the kids and related his RC experiences and how they influenced him to become an airline pilot. The kids really enjoyed it.

“When Brian was done talking he prepared his airplane for a demonstration while I went over the safety rules and explained what they were about to see. I explained that Brian would fly his airplane much in the manner he would fly his 737.


“I assure you there was no boredom when Brian did a snap role on takeoff roughly 30 feet off the deck. He had them mesmerized from that point on. It was one amazing performance.

“Following Brian’s flight demonstration, we had the kids line up in five groups and moved them to prearranged flight stations where they were able to get some air time themselves.

“Bob Andrew and John Tupper were on the first flight station. They were amazing with the kids. Chuck Kentfield and Daryl Casad were on the second flight station and they, too, were having a good time until the last flight of the day.

“Out of nowhere the tail parted ways with the fuselage, and of course it had to be a borrowed airplane. Our deepest apologies to Paul Slover; we’ll make it right.

“Bob Beatty and Joe Lewis were on the third flight station, and Bob did a good job. He flew the trainer and Joe was the spotter and kid handler. I have to give Bob a lot of credit because it was his first time putting people up, and he handled it like an old pro. You’d have thought he had been training people all along.

“Dick Robb and Brent Hymas were on the fourth flight station and they looked right at home. I think they could have done 100 more kids themselves. My daughter Amanda and I were on the fifth flight station. Amanda kept the line straight and coached each kid on what to do. It was a lot of fun only I didn’t see one face the whole time we were flying.

“The flying itself probably wouldn’t be described as precision or formation; it actually looked more like five mad hornets. However, Dick and Bob took the opportunity to show off their years of flying together by flying precision passes and last minute pull-ups just inches or maybe feet from each other. I’m sure it was all planned; you know some people just gotta show off!

“After the kids were done flying they had a chance to look at the static display where Lonnie Stuck was fielding questions. Then it was off to the snack table for cookies and punch that was provided by the Port and given out by Bob and Georgina Mason. Meanwhile Sharon Diaz and Brian were handing out glider airplanes and schmoozing with the Port people.

“The second bus was the same program as the first and it all went off without a hitch. The kids had fun, the Port was impressed, and we might even end up with a new member or two.

“This event turned out much better than I could ever imagine and I want to give a special thank you to the following people: Bob Andrew, Bob Beatty, Daryl Casad, Amanda Diaz, Sharon Diaz, Brent Hymas, Chuck Kentfield, Joe Lewis, Bob Mason,
Georgina Mason, Brian Richmond, Dick Robb, Lonnie Stuck, and John Tupper. “These are the people who really made the club look good.”