186 MODEL AVIATION
HAPPY NEW YEAR and welcome to
2009!
Now is the time of year for club leaders
to check out AMA’s many programs that
assist clubs and individuals grow and
develop. Available programs include Flying
Site Grants, Take off And Grow (TAG), the
Intro-Pilot Program, Park Pilot Program,
Club Recognition Program, Scholarship
Programs, and the Leader Club Program.
Information and applications are on
AMA’s Web site. Pay close attention to the
deadlines that are required. If you have any
questions, contact AMA HQ, your district
associate vice president, or me.
The Western New York Sailplane and
Electric Flyers put on a relaxing event at
Erie Community College in Orchard Park,
New York. Where else can you go to fly,
sitting in your chair with feet up, as Event
Director Marty Timm did, enjoying his
electric-powered aircraft.
I had the privilege of taking the sticks of
Harold Becker’s highly modified ducted-fan
Zagi where the “duct” is a Comet can. It flew
well and was great fun! Enthusiasts from all
over western New York gathered to enjoy
this informal event.
Harold Becker's Comet ducted-fan Zagi.
Marty Timm flies and relaxes while Lyn Perry
looks on.
Group picture at the fly-in.
The Lazy Eight Radio Control Club of
Johnstown, New York, had its origins in the
1950s. Fran Reed reported on this great club.
“Community service has become part of
our mission. Two miles of state highway was
adopted about 10 years ago and members
clean up the roadside at least twice each
year. Our annual giant scale fly-in, which is
held the third weekend in August, has been
promoted as a charity model air show for the
last three years, with all gate receipts going
to a local animal shelter.
“Sponsors are also obtained from local
business and the amount raised, less
promotion expense, goes to the shelter. A
total of $2,300 was donated this year. The
shelter assists with promotion through its
weekly TV cable program. The club plans to
continue its relationship with the shelter.”
The group also holds several other fun-fly
events. Many clubs contribute to charities,
but few to the extent of The Lazy Eights.
Lazy Eights present a check to the local
animal shelter.
IMAA pilots at a Lazy Eights’ event.
When you think of Brooklyn, you generally
don’t think of model aviation. In fact, one of
the district’s largest and most active clubs
calls home Brooklyn’s Floyd Bennett Field.
The Pennsylvania Avenue Remote Control
Society (PARCS) has the largest contingent
of turbine fliers in the district and promotes
model aviation with everything from park
flyers to 40% 3-D aircraft.
PARCS president Michael Casey and he
and the club officers and board members
have guided their club through the politics
and reality of full-scale commercial traffic,
allowing PARCS to flourish and grow.
The club sponsors an annual jet rally, and
this year, for the first time, held a fun-fly
event inviting other clubs to fly with them.
There was an excellent turnout. This club has
its act together and a great flying venue.
PARCS president Mike Casey with the field
rules.
Attendees at the PARCS fun-fly.
Till next month, Keep ’em Three in the
Green.
District II
Gary Fitch, District II Vice President; [email protected]
New Jersey, New York, Europe
Gary Fitch
1298 Slab City Rd.,
Franklinville NY 14737;
Tel.: (716) 341-2813
www.amadistrictii.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Tom Bickford, Tupper
Lake NY; (518) 359-2218;
[email protected]
Sal Calvagna, Holbrook NY;
(631) 737-6327; ncalvagn@
suffolk.lib.ny.us
Ray Juschkus, St. James NY; (631)
862-5589; [email protected]
Ernie Nikodem, Lockport NY;
(716) 434-8350;
[email protected]
Joe Sarbello, Woolrich Township
NJ; (856) 491-8481;
[email protected]
Alexander Szemere, Kendall
Park NJ; (732) 821-5641;
[email protected]
Eric Williams, Schenectady NY;
(518) 356-2057;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator:
Kevin Coleman, Middletown NJ;
(212) 975-2988; kcoleman@
cbs.com
Webmaster: Ray Kappes,
Clifton Park NY;
[email protected]
Safety Coordinator: Al Kanser,
New Lisbon NY; (607) 293-7974;
[email protected]
For a complete listing of
district officers and volunteers,
please visit the District I1 Web site
or see a previous issue of MA.
District II Volunteers .
01amanews.qxp 11/25/2008 9:45 AM Page 186
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/01
Page Numbers: 186