Roger began his stick and tissue building in 1994 in San Diego, when he joined the Scale Staffel Squadron (FAC 41). He attended the FAC Nationals in 2000, 2002, and 2004 where he saw a potential for a similar event in the Western U.S. With the help and encouragement of Lin Reichel and Ross Mayo, he developed the concept of a regional Flying Aces event which would rotate through various Western venues. This would be intended for builders and flyers in the West who found it difficult and expensive to come to the Nats. This event became WESTFAC.
He has now organized five successful WESTFAC regionals. The first WESTFAC was held in California in 2007. The next two were held in Texas then Colorado, before returning to California. The most recent, WESTFAC V, was held on a new flying site he and the Condor FAC Squadron established in Arizona.
In addition to the WESTFAC activities, Roger has been busy organizing model building and flight trimming classes at Active Adult Communities, where he believes the demographics are optimum for FAC-type free flight activities. His concept was to channel the new builders and flyers into new Flying Aces squadrons. The first squadron, the Condors (FAC 72), was created in Arizona. More recently, a new squadron has been formed in California - the Oasis Flyers (FAC 20). Between the two squadrons, seven separate building/flying classes have been taught, with each student completing, then trimming a Flying Aces Moth model. Roger has just started his newest class (number eight), bringing yet another crop of new stick and tissue modelers to the FAC family. His efforts have added over 35 new modelers to the Flying Aces community.
As an AVP for AMA District X, Roger has been working to develop new free flight and RC flying sites in Arizona through meetings with local mayors and city councils. The results to date have been the 600+ acre Rovey Farms WESTFAC site and a new RC site for a local Arizona RC Club.
As a final note, Roger is a holder of the Blue Max.
Written and Submitted by Robert (Bob) Hodes - Thanks Bob!
