174 MODEL AVIATION
District II
Dave Mathewson, District II Vice President; [email protected]
New Jersey, New York, Europe
I HOPE everyone had a nice holiday season.
New Year’s Day 2006 has come and gone
and for many of us in our district we’re now
deep into the indoor flying season. Indoor RC
modeling has grown exponentially in the last
several years, thanks in part to advancements
in technology.
The batteries, motors, and speed controls
we use in our indoor models were virtually
unheard of a few short years ago. Today this
technology allows those of us in the colder
climates to continue to enjoy our sport indoors
in spite of the sometimes less-thancomfortable
conditions outside.
This very same technology is creating
another phenomonen of sorts. By all accounts,
sales of small electric radio-control models for
outdoor flying are at record levels. While
internal-combustion power is still going
strong, it’s becoming clear that electric power
does and will play an important part in the
future of modeling.
It’s not unimaginable to think that there
may be thousands of novice modelers in our
district who own new electric RC airplanes.
The interesting thing is that the majority of
these new modelers are likely either teenagers
or young adults.
Some of them are going to be looking for
help to get their new model airborne. Some of
them are going to be looking for a more
conventional place to fly other than a local
park or empty field, and eventually some of
them are going to want to try their hands at
something slightly more advanced.
These new modelers present
an opportunity for our clubs not only to
increase their membership, but in doing so
most likely also reducing the median age of
the club’s members. Reaching out to these
new modelers could be the key to our future.
AMA District II clubs do a great job of
contributing to their local communities. Two
of our clubs have made their local Hospice
organization the recipient of the clubs’
charitable efforts.
Roy Perry, Plattsburgh Radio
Aeromodelers (PRAM) vice president, wrote
that his club held its annual fly-in in June
2005. Roy said that the event was wellattended
and as a result the club was able to
present a check for $1,000 to the Hospice of
the North Country in Plattsburgh, New York.
This is the third consecutive year that PRAM
was able to donate $1,000 to Hospice.
Roy Perry (L), PRAM vice president, is
presenting a check for $1000 to Ken Lucia
who is a volunteer for Hospice of the North
Country.
The Leatherstocking RC Buzzards,
another District II club, held a fly-in to benefit
its local hospice. Buzzards’ member Al
Kanser wrote that on July 15-17, 2005, the
Buzzards, with the assistance of some
members of the Oneonta R/C Flyers, hosted
its annual charity fundraiser.
All profits from this event go to aid the
Catskill Area Hospice. This was the club’s
second year hosting the event and the amount
donated was almost double that of the
previous year.
This Giant Scale event drew pilots from all
across the Northeast. Both officers of the
AMA and the International Miniature Aircraft
Association (IMAA) attended and the event
ran so well that the Buzzards have been asked
to host the 2006 IMAA District II Minifest.
President of the Catskill Area Hospice, Lesley
Deleski, presents a Giant Scale Big Stik ARF,
donated by Greatplanes, to raffle winner Mike
Spreutels.
PRAMS’ Roy Perry sent another short note
that described a nice idea.
“Members of the Plattsburgh Radio
Aeromodelers wanted to honor the deceased
members of our club. Thanks to John Yaniro
who donated an old Sensenich propeller from
a Piper Cub, the club created a memorial
plaque.
“Tom Shortell (left), John Yaniro (center)
and Gary Dumas (right) worked on this
project and created this beautiful tribute to the
members who did so much for the club.
Because of the efforts of these members and
others, PRAM purchased 38 acres of land and
developed a flying site that has gotten rave
reviews from the many RC pilots who come
to fly with us.
“There are 13 names on this plaque and it
is on display in our new pavilion for all to see.
The members of PRAM extend an open
invitation to any and all RC pilots to come
and visit our field and fly with us.”
Tom Shortell (L), John Yaniro (C), and Gary
Dumas (R) display the PRAM memorial plaque
recognizing the club’s deceased members.
See you next time.
Associate Vice Presidents:
Roy A. Brown, USAE AFCENT
CMR 460 BOX 585 APO AE
07903; [email protected]
Sal Calvagna, Holbrook NY;
(631) 737-6327; ncalvagn@
suffolk.lib.ny.us
Gary Fitch, Franklinville NY;
(716) 676-2498;
[email protected]
Ray Juschkus, St. James NY;
(631) 862-5589;
[email protected]
Eric Henderson, Marlton NJ;
(856) 988-9184;
[email protected]
Jim Lewis, Ogdenburg NY;
(315) 393-2580
Tom Murray, Basking Ridge NJ;
(908) 766-5656;
[email protected]
Ernie Nikodem, Lockport NY;
(716) 434-8350;
[email protected]
Bill Poythress, Saugerties NY;
(914) 246-8850
Adam Sattler, Latham NY;
(518) 783-8929;
[email protected]
Peter Seiffert, Baldwinsville
NY; (315) 635-6370;
[email protected].
Alexander Szemere, Kendall
Park NJ; (732) 821-5641;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator:
Dan Williams, Liverpool NY;
(315) 652-7740;
[email protected].
Webmaster: Doug Crawford,
Oswego NY; webmaster@
amadistrictii.org. D
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Volunteers
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/02
Page Numbers: 174