President

Hello, I am Mike Troje, your club president.  I work as sales manager for a broadcast transmitter manufacturer called Continental Electronics.  In my job I travel quite a lot and have had the pleasure of seeing much of the U.S.  Prior to getting in to sales, I was a broadcast engineer and have designed and built several FM radio stations in the Upper Midwest. 

In a previous life, I spent 3.5 years as a flight instructor/charter pilot for a company in St. Paul, MN called Wings, Inc.  I have logged just under 2500 hours, most as pilot in command, in single and small multi-engine aircraft.  Most of my multi-engine time was in a Cessna 310, Cessna 340, and a Beech Baron.  For fun, on days off, I used to fly the company’s aerobatic Citabria.

I have been building model airplanes since I was around 10 years old.  My first plane was a u-control that my older brother crashed on it’s first flight.  I began building again after getting out of the Air Force in 1968.  I started flying RC while in Maine and belonged to a club just outside of Portland for almost two years.  I then got out of the hobby until I moved to Dallas about four years later.  My instructors here were Bill Vasallo and Terry Hibben.

Vice President

I am John Barnett.  This is my second year serving as the club’s Treasurer.  I have been a club member for four years.  My favorite plane is my Tiger 60 because it makes me look good!

 

 

 

Secretary/Newsletter Editor/Weekend Safety Officer

Hello, my name is Roberto Short.  In addition to the titles I’ve been given above, I am also a Club Instructor on fixed wing aircraft.  I joined the Rockwall RC Sport Flyers in January of 2006.  I became a pilot in the spring of that same year.  This is my second year serving as  the Club Secretary/Newsletter Editor.   I earned my Instructor rating in 2008.  Since receiving my Instructor classification, I have successfully trained three students that have become excellent pilots, one of which has since become an Instructor himself.

When asked which one of my aircraft is my favorite, I replied by saying that none of them are.  You may ask why.  The truth is that I prefer to fly my students’ aircraft as this allows me to pass on the skills necessary to enjoy the hobby for which I have a tremendous passion!  For me, one of the most rewarding feelings is when a student earns his or her wings.  That is the point at which the real learning begins!  Hopefully we’ll see you at our field soon!!

Weekday Safety Officer

My name is Mark Zabolotny.  I am the Weekday Safety Officer.  I have been a member for 2 years.  I am a Helicopter Instructor Pilot and love to fly 3D fixed wing aircraft.  My goals as a club member are to promote safety and introduce more people to the rush of flying RC helicopters.

I am a Professional Pilot for American Airlines (10 years), and a retired Navy Commander/Aviator (F/A-18, A-6, T-45) with over 8,000 hours of flight time, 500 carrier arrested landings and 35 combat missions (Iraq).  I am a University of Colorado alum.

My  Favorite flying machines: Heli is the TREX 500.  For fixed wing; anything from 3dhobbyshop.  Come on out to the field.  You will be impressed at the friendly/warm atmosphere of the club and it’s members! 

Field Marshal

Hello, my name is Nicholas Helge.  As the club’s Field Marshal I am in charge of keeping the field in the best possible condition.  My job duties include monitoring the condition of the field and the maintenance equipment, coordinating any repair work and scheduling periodic field maintenance.  I am primarily here to delegate these activities, so please feel free to ask me what needs to be done and I’m sure we can line you up with something.  I have been in the club for about 2 years now and love to fly sport fliers and scale.  I have just recently started exploring foamies and 3D flight.

Program Director

I’m Bob Leserve.  I’ve been building and flying model airplanes for as long as I can remember.  I have experience with gliders, rubber powered models, control line and finally radio control.  My first solo flight was in 1973.  I was out of radio control for a while and felt confident enough to solo again in 1985.  I’ve been flying ever since.  I’ve competed in Combat events, Pattern competitions and Scale contests along the way.  Most of the flying I’ve done took place in Lubbock, TX.  I moved to Dallas in 1997 and settled in Rockwall in 1999 when I chose to join the Rockwall RC Sport Flyers.  Although I really enjoy building and flying scale models, turbine powered aircraft have taken over my life.

Webmaster

My name is Joe Stevens.  Although I have previous RC experience, I quit for quite some time and recently reaquainted myself with the hobby.  I’ve been a member of the club for two years.  I began my flight training on an Avistar trainer.  However, I performed my first solo flight using a Big Stik.  It was easier for me to re-train my mind due to my previous experience with radio controlled aviation. 

My RC experience is helping me earn my private pilot license in real aircraft also.  The concepts that apply to model aviation apply to full size aircraft as well!  I honestly feel that real aircraft are easier to fly than their smaller counterparts.

My occupation is in the computer/software sector.  The webmaster we’ve had until my appointment has been doing a fantastic job at keeping up with the website.  However, I thought, that with my experience, I could give him a much needed break.  This is my first year as the Webmaster.

 

To e-mail all club members click here.

 

To e-mail the club officers:

President : Mike Troje

Vice President : David Hoye

Treasurer : John Barnett

Secretary/Newsletter Editor/Safety Officer (Weekends) : Robert Short

Safety Officer (Weekdays) : Mark Zabolotny

Field Marshal : Nicholas Helge

Program Director : Bob Leserve

Webmaster : Joe Stevens