PHIL HOOPER

Tornado Alley Model Aviators
MEMBER OF THE YEAR FOR 2007

       Many of us remember Phil losing his Slow Poke as it dove below the edge of our field unseen into the valley below.  Poor Phil hung his head for a moment and turned his back and started walking away.  Next thing we heard was excited yells and laughter. Phil turns back around and sees his Slow Poke gently climbing out of the valley climbing gracefully into the blue sky above.  Phil regained control and brought it in for a safe landing as we all cheered and laughed. 
    Phil is one of our founding members and has been with the club since its conception in 2002.  Phil introduced the first helicopter flown on our field when we were still at our old location in Dearing.
     He has built numerous models and kits over the years and has been among the first to offer his encouragement and help to all of us and has been an outstanding member of our group.
     Phil's zeal for trying new things and experimenting with new models has resulted in introducing us all to new designs and a few of his new planes such as the Funtana have become favorites with a number of our members today.
     Phil has been instrumental in introducing others to our hobby and has been an inspiration to us all.

 But most of all Phil has taught us all a little about courage, honesty and integrity by the examples he has set for us in the way he lives his daily life as a friend, father and husband in spite of the many trials he has had to face these past few years.  Thank you Phil from all of us here at the Tornado Alley Model Aviators, that you helped to build.  Thank You..

     Monday March 14th was a beautiful spring day and brought a few members to the field.  Yogi and David G. entertained us with a 3D show including David's New Ultimate Bipe.  David demonstrate the first smoke equipped plane our field has experienced.

      New member Mike Archer tutored son Max on his new LT40 while wife and kids enjoyed seeing Max show his skill in handling the new bird.