October 2006 167
District II
Dave Mathewson, District II Vice President; [email protected]
New Jersey, New York, Europe
IN MY July 2006 column I wrote about the
newly revised AMA Introductory Pilot
Program and how we hoped that this new
program would help our clubs become
proactive in promoting model aviation in their
local communities.
In late July, the Meroke RC Club on Long
Island used the Intro Pilot Program to do
exactly what we had envisioned. Written by
Mark Klein, the following paragraphs
describe the Merokes’ effort.
“On Friday, July 28, the Intro Pilot
Program of the Meroke RC Club met the
challenge of instructing a large group of
trainees at the Cedar Creek Aerodrome in
Wantagh, New York.
“Mr. Y. Reiter of the Chabbad of Roslyn
Day Camp contacted Charlie Lando and asked
if we could arrange a program for 36 children
ages 11-14. Charlie presented the proposal to
the club and the concept was approved.
“Charlie forwarded Intro Pilot forms to the
camp in sufficient quantities and asked that
the forms be completed by July 25. As lead
Intro Pilot, I contacted Mr. Reiter and made
arrangements to demonstrate the trainer. After
a brief lesson on flight and the various control
inputs that would be necessary for successful
flying, the transmitter box was passed around
and all the campers were given stick time to
acclimate them to the complexities of “pull
back or down on the stick and the plane’s
elevator goes up” routine.
“Having to work with such a large number
of students it was important to have the handson
basics before the first flights.
“The Merokes fly from the Cedar Creek
Aerodrome, a Nassau County Park facility
located on the grounds of Cedar Creek Park
and Cedar Creek Sewer Treatment Plant. We
are extremely fortunate to have the
cooperation and backing of our park officials
and our field is one of the best in the region.
“As a public field we didn’t want to
monopolize the flying stations so we chose to
use two of the five available. When the other
clubs and independent fliers learned of our
intentions, we were allowed full use the field
to give the students sufficient stick time to get
the feel of flying.
Campers arrive at the Cedar Creek
Aerodrome.
Meroke Intro Pilot Instructor Bob Reynolds
briefs campers before their first flight.
“July 28 came and the weather was perfect
when the school bus rumbled down the dirt
road the volunteers were ready and waiting.
The One Fly Aero Star and the PT-40 were
fired up, trimmed, and after placing the
campers into groups of five, we were up and
flying.
“We were surprised that some of the
campers took well to the controls and were
flying smooth circuits after a minute or two.
The campers left with big smiles and some
expressed a desire to pursue the hobby.
“My thanks to my fellow Intro Pilots Bob
Reynolds and Doug Frie and our helpers Al
Cagan, Ron Berg, and Charlie Lando for
volunteering for such a large undertaking and
for sacrificing other commitments.”
The new Intro Pilot Program has
undergone several revisions which make it an
ideal program for events such as this. For
more information, visit the AMA Web site at
www.modelaircraft.org. Club officers can
now enroll their club Intro Pilot Instructors
online and instructors can register their
students quickly by visiting the Members’
Only section of the Web site.
Somerset Signal Senders (SSS) member Ray
Jajko wrote the following about his club’s
visit to Camp Okee Sunokee.
“As one of the television credit card
commercials tells us, some things in life are
‘priceless.’ Sharing one’s joys and
experiences with others is one of those
priceless things and is incredibly rewarding.
“So it was for the Somerset Signal Senders
(SSS) on Friday, June 30, when
representatives of our club shared our hobby
with roughly 40 kids at Camp Okee Sunokee.
The SSS was represented by Ken Hoeg, Ray
Jajko, Marc Julius, Rich Negran, Tony Rossi,
John Samtak, Tom Teel, and Jim Vigani.
“Camp Okee Sunokee is one of the
Somerset County Park Commission programs,
conducted in the headquarters building
adjoining our flying field in Bridgewater. Our
contingent was welcomed by our good friend
Karren Newman, and by Ms. Lee Shahay,
Senior Program Coordinator and the children
ranging in age from 6 to 13.
“To say that all of the children had a grand
old time would be an understatement. Their
faces reflected how much they liked our
presentation—everything from intent interest
and curiosity to bright eyes while giggling and
laughing. Ken Hoeg did a super job narrating
the PowerPoint presentation projected on a
wall for all to see.
SSS member Ken Hoeg explains the four
forces of flight.
“Jim Vigani was handling the sticks on a
flight simulator. His flying skills brought out a
lot of oohs and aahs from the audience. For
show and tell, Jim brought an electric Mobius
and Rich had a beautiful glider. Ken used
Ray’s Mustang to show everybody how the
control surfaces of an airplane actually move
in response to transmitter signals.
“Finally, the kids were given their own
balsa gliders to assemble and take outside to
fly! They really loved it. Some were surprised
that the gliders were theirs to keep and take
home. In helping the young people with their
assembly projects, I think our guys had as
much fun as the kids. It certainly appears we
will be invited back next summer for us to
take part in another great experience.”
Everyone assembles their gliders before going
for that first flight.
See you next time …
D i s t r i c t I I
For a complete listing of
District II officials and
volunteers. please see a
previous issue of MA or check
out the District II Web site.
Dave Mathewson
7271 State Fair Blvd.,
Baldwinsville NY
13027;
Tel.: (315) 727-4275;
Fax: (315) 635-1039
www.amadistrictiii.org
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/10
Page Numbers: 167