2013 news

[Curtis Kitteringham]

The AMA EXPO and the Gunsmoke Qualifier are behind us now.The EXPO went well for us, we had a number of members renew, we also had a number of new members signup including Lawrence Tougas and Jerry Neuberger from the AMA.As in last year the USSMA sponsored the awards for the static display models. Now with the new scoring in place for the Qualifiers, Gunsmoke was the first time I could see and talk with the contestants. All were in favor of the scoring due to it opening the door for those lower pilot count classes. But the fact they needed to make a Qualifying score gave a new twist to the competition level at the Qualifier. At Gunsmoke we had from 100% in Team,50% in Advanced to 33% in the other classes to me this was a great outcome. The end result should lead to more pilots Qualified for the Champs. Now just to start bringing you up to date on the 2013 Champs. After two and a half years of work on getting us the Champs held on the Alameda Naval Air Base, we lost it due to construction moving up the start date up from November to March/April of this year. I did learn a big lesson from 2011 Champs, that is to have a back up plan. So within days we had the WoodLand Davis Club step up to take over.The group is working hard  to put everything in place for the Champs. Come this May I would like to see as many as possible show for the WoodLand Davis Qualifier to show support for what they are doing for us. I would like to Thank George Ellison for all he has done and is doing for us. Also a Thank You to the WoodLand Davis Club and Jeff Lovitt for picking up the Hosting of the 2013 USSMA Championship.
See you at the Champs if not sooner
Curtis Kitteringham
West Coast Vice Chairman