Conference vmszoo::rc

>                I guess  we  all  have the ambition of becoming respected
>        enough by the  1/8'th  AF  to get the coveted invitation to join.
>        Can you give us  some  examples  of deeds that made it happen, so
>        that we can all run off and one-up them?
        
>        Anker :-)

*  Do I detect a note of sarcasm there, Anker?  ;-}  Seriously, the candidate
is almost always someone who we've observed at various scale meets and fly-in's
who is enthusiastic about scale and who enjoys the "hunt" as much or more than 
the "kill" when it comes to competition.  This modeler will be an acive scale 
builder/flyer who obviously cares more about participating, helping others and 
being part of the camaraderie than he does about "winning at all costs."  He 
works hard at his craft but is not overwhelmed by [nor is he required to partic-
ipate in] competition.

The vast majority of our local and out-of-town mwmbership are sport-scalers with
no particular desire to compete but they love and support scale and are willing 
to work to promote scale within the hobby and to the public.  Those of us who do
choose to compete are definitely in the minority but everyone is equal within 
the group and carries an equal share of the load in pursuing the group's goals.

The thing that makes the group work [and, subjects us to some criticism] is the 
fact that the 1/8 AF cannot be "joined," in the classic sense of the word. You
can't pay an initiation fee and dues and become a member who doesn't want to be
bothered when there's work to be done.  There are, in fact, no dues, fees or 
assessments of any kind in the 1/8th.  The sole condition of continued member-
ship is your ongoing contribution to the group.  If that condition is defaulted,
you are "invited" to leave the group.  This assures us a 100% "working" organi-
zation and few [if any] conventionally structured "clubs" can make that claim.
This does, unfortunately, invite some to call us elitists, country-clubbers, etc
but we endure the criticism [which is, actually, very infrequent] because we 
know that the "invitation only" concept is what binds the group and makes it
one of the hardest working, most successful scale organizations going anywhere.

Adios,	Al

    Anker,
    
    Membership is certainly attainable to nearly any scale enthusiast
    though I should mention that it's not the ambition of the 1/8th
    to put every scale modeler in the world in blue-shirts.  We've been
    petitioned for membership from all over the US and several foreign
    countries.  To date, membership has been granted to modelers in
    all regions of the country, one in Alaska and one in Australia.
    These latter two were cases where the applicants initiated contact
    with us and maintained correspondence requesting membership criteria
    and relating what they felt they could contribute to the groups
    mission to promote scale modeling.  Persistance paid off and membership
    was bestowed when criteria had been met and the applicants' sincerity
    established.  The one gating criteria is that the candidate must
    have attended at least one 1/8th AF event and voluntarily helped out
    at same.
    
    While the name, One-Eighth Air Force, and the military-esque shirts
    suggest otherwise, there is no "preferred" scale type.  Members
    are more than free to pursue "any" avenue of scale that they happen
    to prefer...models of anything that ever flew qualify as scale and
    no biases of any kind exist.  It is a fact, however, that military
    fighter types traditionally do better in competition so most of
    us who compete prefer the WW-II fighter types.  A notable exception
    to this is Chuck Collier who has done quite well campaigning his
    Beech Staggerwing over the last couple years.
    
    Hope this helped, adios,	Al

    Well, I'd been waiting for the individuals involved to make the
    announcement but, off-line, they've indicated they'd prefer that I make
    it so here goes:
    
    I'm tickled to announce that, as of the last 1/8 AF meeting, our own
    Kevin Ladd and Kay Fisher have been accepted into and are shiney new
    Captains of the One-Eighth Air Force.  My congratulations to the two of
    you and welcome aboard!
    
    The 1/8 AF is not one of the easiest groups around to become part of. 
    I should explain that one cannot simply plunk down an initiation fee,
    first year's dues and join.  In fact, there ARE NO fees or dues and the
    only way to even submit an application for membership is to be
    _invited_ to do so by a member in good standing.  The application is
    then reviewed by a membership committee who determine whether or not to
    recommend the applicant for membership based on several criteria, not
    the least of which is the needs of the 1/8 AF.
    
    Kevin and Kay applied for membership at my invitation and, based upon
    travel/attendance to two consecutive March Fly-Ins and their
    willingness to participate and to _work_ during the meet, the
    membership committee approved their app.'s and recommended their names
    to the general membership for induction.  The recommendation was
    unanimously approved by the general membership and Kevin/Kay became our
    newest out-of-town 1/8 AF Captains.
    
    Their permanent assignment will be in the P.R. capacity, wearing their
    war-suits (1/8 AF shirts) to scale events they attend and/or compete in
    and promoting scale at every opportunity.  They will also become our
    N.E. liaison for promoting 1/8 activities in their area.  Among the
    criteria for continued membership is also the proviso that they attend
    a minimum of one 1/8 AF event every two years.  So we've got 'em by the
    short hairs now!  They've gotta' come to Phoenix at least every other
    year.  :B^)  Of course, this provides a good rationale to present the
    wives when making a case for the trip too (if one is needed).  :B^) 
    
    Again, I'm very pleased to welcome these two burgeoning scale
    enthusiasts into the One-Eighth Air Force as new Captains and I hope
    they enjoy being had as much as we enjoy having them.  ;b^) 

      |
      | |      00	 Adios,      Al
    |_|_|      ( >o
      |    Z__(O_\_	(The Desert Rat)

>    I'm tickled to announce that, as of the last 1/8 AF meeting, our own
>    Kevin Ladd and Kay Fisher have been accepted into and are shiney new
>    Captains of the One-Eighth Air Force.  My congratulations to the two of
>    you and welcome aboard!
 
    My heartiest congratulations to both Kevin and Kay -- I'm sure you
    two can live up to the glowing description Al undoubtedly gave of
    you to get you into this hallowed sanctum (yes I spelt that right!)
    
    I hope the 1/8 don't expect all Deccies to be like Al -- you may
    have a problem emulating him! BTW, what on earth did you do to him
    to have him do this to you? I'm sure you will hate leaving family
    and friends for dusty, dirty trips to the desert where all you can
    do is fly, drink the local 'falling down water' and have FUN.
    
    All the best 
    
    Brian
    
    P.S. I have just realised what Al's ulterior motive is in having
    you guys on the 1/8 team -- he needs the new blood to give him some
    competition!
    

>    I'm tickled to announce that, as of the last 1/8 AF meeting, our own
>    Kevin Ladd and Kay Fisher have been accepted into and are shiney new
>    Captains of the One-Eighth Air Force.  My congratulations to the two of
>    you and welcome aboard!

I can imagine that a lot of you might wonder - WHY.
Why would you want to join a club 2,000 miles away.

Here's the answer.

The 1/8 Air Force Spring fun fly it the biggest scale 
meet flying the best scale planes in the most challenging way.

Once a year "the best of the best" gather in Arizona and bring
their planes.  You can meet the "Who's Who" in scale in one
day.  If you go to scale contests you won't see a whole lot
of planes and much less flying.  That is because each contestant
only flys when they are required to and they only fly the routine
that they have worked on for points.  No inverted low passes inches
off the deck - no flat spins, no ...  In Arizona in the spring they 
fly their planes with great abandon because they still have time to 
make repairs before the real competition season and because they
are just generally letting their hair down.  

Actually they do this twice a year but the Spring meet is the largest.

As a side benefit Phoenix is a terrific area to take a vacation
There is so much to do it is unbelievable.  During the last two
meets I have:

1.  Had a banquet in the Champlain Fighter Museum.
2.  Took a ride in a full scale glider.
3.  Took a ride in a full scale aerobatic glider (ASK-21).
4.  Took a ride in a full scale biplane (Navy N3N).
5.  Took a ride in a hot air balloon.
6.  Took a desert jeep tour.
7.  Flew Al's Yellar Peril.
8.  Flew my Berliner-Joyce in the fun fly (briefly).
9.  Checked out several excellent hobby shops.
10. Shopped at Cave Creek and Carefree for Indian Jewelry.
11. Went on a Grand Canyon tour.
12. Shopped at a Navaho Indian Reservation.
13. Went to the Pima Air Museum in Tucson.
14. Went to Old Tucson (where several cowboy movies have been shot).
15. Went to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
16. Toured Colossal Cave.

But - there is still more I want to do there.

This year I want better (longer) flights on the BJ.
A bus tour to Nevada to gambling.
Etc...

The climate is unbelievable and the R/C is at it's best.
While Kevin was asking questions about prop sizes and engines
for Jugs I was checking out interwing struts on all the Bipes.

The best part is my wife really looks forward to Arizona.
Guess I'll have to keep her happy and go again!

But I went off on too long a tangent - the bottom line is the 1/8 Air Force
puts on the best, most well run, fun fly you will ever see.  Anybody with
a scale plane can be a part of it and anybody can (and should) come and
watch.  If you like things that fly - you'll like model airplanes.  If you
like model airplanes you'll like scale.  If you like scale you'll like
the 1/8 Air Force Spring Fun Fly.  If you're tired of winter - you'll
love Phoenix Arizona.  If you like people with a warm heart and a friendly
smile - you'll like Al Casey and all his flying buddies.

Bye          --+--
Kay R. Fisher  |
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