District II
Dave Mathewson, District II Vice President; [email protected]
New Jersey, New York, Europe
DOES YOUR CLUB participate in AMA’s
Introductory Pilot Program? Are you an AMA
Introductory Pilot Instructor? If you’ve
answered yes to either of these questions,
you’ve probably noticed that there have been
some major changes to this longtime program.
The Introductory Pilot Program has long
been a resource that our clubs have used to
reach out and help new modelers have a
successful first experience flying model
aircraft. In many cases, the end result of a
club’s involvement in the program has meant
new members for the club.
AMA has implemented several changes
which we believe makes the Introductory
Pilot Program easier to implement. Changes
include less labor-intensive record keeping,
online access to registration and reporting,
lengthened introductory period (from 30 to 60
days), and more recognition for the
instructors, clubs, and students participating.
If you or your club already participates in
the AMA Introductory Pilot Program, thank
you. If not, you might consider it as a way
your club might attract new members and as a
means to reach out to your community to
offer help to the many new modelers out there
looking for a little guidance and support. The
end result is that you will looked upon as an
asset to those you have helped and that almost
always ends up paying dividends to the club.
You can find more information on the
revised Introductory Pilot Program on the
AMA Web site at www.modelaircraft.org.
Thanks to Ron Chizek, president of the Lazy
Eight Radio Control Club, for sending the
following information.
“For well over 30 years the Lazy Eight
Radio Control Club has been holding model
airplane air shows for the public to help
promote awareness and interest in our hobby.
In the past two years this effort has also been
turned into a charity event that has raised over
$1,300 for the James L. Brennan Memorial
Humane Society. This new tradition will
continue to be a part of our Giant Scale air
show for 2006 and in the future.
(L to R) Board member Mike Riska holding his
Omega E 1.8-meter electric glider; club
treasurer Fran Reed standing behind his
scratch-built P-26 Peashooter; board member
Bo Ziroli; and club president Ron Chizek
presenting a check to Humane Society
president Joan Nehrbauer.
Club members are eager to head out to clean
up our two miles of New York State Rt. 29.
“Each year we offer to let the Sir William
Volunteer Fire Department, which is a
neighbor to our flying field, run the food
concession at our Giant Scale air shows. This
has turned into one of their largest fundraising
events. The relationship that we have
with the fire department has resulted on at
least one occasion with its support in helping
squelch a noise complaint by a resident close
to our field.
“Every year, we hold a club breakfast
prepared by our officers and board members.
We hand deliver invitations to all of our
flying-field neighbors to attend this free
breakfast and serve roughly 80 people. We
bring our airplanes to fly after breakfast. This
is a great opportunity for the club to show our
neighbors what we are about and it opens the
door for communication about any concerns
that they might have.
“Our club’s civic mindedness doesn’t stop
there. We have started donating a food basket
to a needy family at Thanksgiving through the
church where we hold our club meetings. In
addition to all of this, The Lazy Eight RC
Club has been part of the New York State
Adopt-A-Highway program for the last 12
years, cleaning two miles of the state highway
adjacent to our flying site twice a year. This
civic expression by the club has brought
praise on numerous occasions from the
residents who live along the highway that we
are responsible for.
“We have approximately 65 members and
although we are not a social club, most of our
members support these efforts to benefit the
local community.”
Thanks, Ron. It’s being proactive that
results in community support when clubs need
it the most. Often this can mean the difference
when the issue on the table is keeping or
losing a flying site.
Meet Bob Bender. Bob is a modeling icon
whose lives in the Minneola area of District II.
Bob is 81 years old, a veteran of World War
II, and a retired New York City policeman.
Bob’s passion is rubber-powered FF models.
By anyone’s standard, Bob’s creations
are magnificent. In this picture, taken by
District II associate vice president Ray
Juschkus, Bob is shown at the annual Nassau
Flyers Swap Meet displaying a number of
models in his “fleet.”
Dave Mathewson
7271 State Fair Blvd.,
Baldwinsville NY 13027;
Tel.: (315) 727-4275; Fax:
(315) 635-1039
www.amadistrictiii.org
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;
(845) 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 i s t r i c t I I V o l u n t e e r s .
158 MODEL AVIATION
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/07
Page Numbers: 158