February 2025 - District VIII

Check out the events in District VIII. There are many from which to choose. Visit www.amadistrict8.org. See you at the field.

Two people smiling in front of a "Helis Over Greater South" banner. — Alex Dean, an 11-year-old pilot entered his first AMA event. He, has only been flying for a year, and is following in the footsteps of his father, Alex Dean Sr. The drone event was at the Greater Southwest Aeromodlers Club. His home club is Sky High RC Club in McKinney, Texas. Alex Dean Sr. is the club president. Photo by Ron Wedel.

Four men outdoors, wearing casual clothes and hats, with tents and flags in the background. — At the Small Model Aircraft Society of Harlingen club fun-fly, the club donated the food and desserts. Coordinators of this event were (L-R): Joel Webb, Mark Self, Bob Galway, and Jeff Galway. Photo by Associate Vice President (AVP) Bruce Landsman.

Man with model yellow biplane on a wooden table outdoors. — Rick Davey and his Stearman were at the Austin Radio Control Association. The aircraft is 120 inches. He said that it flies like a feather. Photo provided by Rick Davey.

Man holding a yellow model airplane at an outdoor event with tents and grass. — Steve Farrior, with his yellow and black UMX WACO, was at the 2024 Memorial Day Fun-Fly, hosted by the Central Arkansas Model Aviators Association, and held in Bauxite, Arkansas. It is a welcoming club with an excellent group of pilots. Photo by AVP Jason Perry.

District VIII Sparkplug of the Month

Man stands with large model biplane on grass, tables and parked cars in background.

Ed Couch, known throughout the district and the country, started flying Control Line in 1960 and RC in 1963. He flies RC Scale, gliders, and drones, and was a pioneer in ducted-fan jets.

Ed is a member of many clubs, including the Greater Southwest Aero Modelers, Mid Cities RC Club, Fort Worth Thunderbirds, Texas Wings RC Flying Club, the Tidewater RC Club, the Fifth Air Force, One Eighth Air Force, Spartanburg Sky Knights, and the Golden Triangle RC club. Throughout the years, he has owned several hobby shops and has held every club officer position. Ed is always available with a helping hand.

He has competed at the AMA Nats, the Texas Scale Championship (from 1981 through 2024), and countless other events. Ed was one of the first to fly blimps indoors for the Dallas Cowboys, the Dallas Mavericks, and for several major universities.

He is known for his dedication to electric-powered airplanes, drones, and helicopters. If it flies—he has flown it!

District VIII