April 2009 161
HISTORY WAS MADE at the January
2009 Executive Council meeting in Ontario,
California. For the first time, term limits for
AMA president, executive vice president, and
all district vice presidents were adopted. This
is significant because sitting vice presidents
voted to establish the date when they have to
step down to allow new people to step into
these volunteer positions.
New people, new ideas—no ivory tower
or good ol’ boys club in our association. This
will have to be approved by the Leader
Members, but I’m sure that will be a given.
We are working for the benefit our members.
Dan Mergalia, president of the Richmond
Model Flying Club in Brooklyn, New York,
and his club members fly at the Gateway
National Recreation Area. They have a deal
with the parks department there that they
have to put on one flying event each year, and
what a job they do.
Bringing in a professional sound system,
the club members, together with the Staten
Island Radio Control Flying Club, put on
quite a demonstration of flight, offering
everything from Combat with Stryker’s,
military warbirds, 3-D Aerobatics, to CL
Speed and Aerobatics. There was no delay in
the action with this well-organized event. A
crowd of hundreds gathered to take in the
great demonstrations.
The spectator line at the Richmond Model
Flyers event.
Arthur Graziani and his G38-powered Fleet.
The Richmond event flightline.
The Binghamton Aeros hold the club’s
annual International Miniature Aircraft
Association (IMAA) Fun-Fly in Chenango
Bridge, New
York, in
August. This
event is
always well
attended
with
outstanding
aircraft and
pilots. The
2008 event
was no
exception
and the
venue at the
Chenango Airport is one of the best.
Club president Chris Descano has this
event organized and running smoothly. Wellknown
designer Dick Allen was there with
his own design Miles Sparrowhawk and
Terry Terrenoire, District II associate vice
president, flew the aircraft for Dick.
President Chris Descano talking with some of
the pilots.
Ken Hall’s Hellcat touching down.
Ken McCaughin, vice president of he
Hoosick Aeromodelers in Hoosick Falls,
New York, sent this report. As on most New
Year’s Days, we look to ring in the New Year
with at least one if us getting in a flight. This
year, two of us
were able to
get in a very
enjoyable first
flight of 2009.
Pictured are Ray
Wrubleski, club
secretary, with
his powered
glider and club
vice president Ken McCaughin with his Zagi.
Chris Descano sent word of the passing of
two of the club’s members: Bill Underkofler,
an expert on fiberglassing, painting, and
building, who gave many seminars in the area
on these subjects; and Dick Wilson, a fullscale
pilot with a 20-year career as chief
corporation pilot for Maines Paper & Food
service, and an avid RC pilot who attended
many area fun-flys. Bill and Dick will be
missed.
Until 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 Dick Allen and Terry
Terrenoire with the Miles
Sparrowhawk.
04amanews:11amanews.qxd 2/24/2009 11:37 AM Page 161
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/04
Page Numbers: 161