HAVE YOU VISITED the District II Web
site lately? The site’s URL is
www.amadistrictii.org.
Features include a virtual District Event
Calendar. Members can enter their own
event information directly to the calendar.
Unlike the AMA Contest Calendar, which is
limited to only AMA-sanctioned events, the
district calendar is available for posting
information regarding any event—
sanctioned or not.
The District II Forum is a place where
AMA and District II information—as well
as general information—is shared with our
members.
As a benefit to the clubs in our district,
webmaster Doug Crawford has created two
features that may be of interest to you. We
are able to offer Web space to District II
clubs at no charge as a subdomain of the
district site. Clubs that are now using free
sites—at the expense of having to tolerate
pop-ups or forced advertising—may find
this a better solution. Clubs that now pay a
fee for their Web space can also benefit.
Doug has made available to all District II
clubs the ability for each club to have its
own (private if you wish) online forum.
Club members may find this useful as a
communications tool within the club. Our
plan is to make our district site and our
District II E-mail news list the primary
means of communication within the district.
If you haven’t visited in awhile, swing by
and take a look.
Associate Vice President Ernie Nikodem
attended the Flying Knights of Hamburg
Scale Rally on August 7 and 8, 2004. This
popular event in our district draws
participants from throughout western New
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Canada.
More than 60 pilots put in 130-plus flights
on Saturday alone.
Al Mantelli flew this Top Flite Bonanza.
Powered by an ST .90, the model weighs
15 pounds.
Walter Ernestberger brought this 24-
pound Pica P-51. Walt's G-62-powered
Sopwith Pup is behind him.
Saturday’s
activities ended with
the traditional
Knights Pilot Dinner.
Excellent weather
brought out so many
spectators that the
concession—stocked
for the weekend—
sold out early
Sunday.
Ernie also attended
the John Grigg
Memorial Sailplane
Contest on
September 29, 2004,
in Lockport, New
York. As many of
you will remember,
John Grigg was a
former AMA District
II vice president and
AMA president. He
was also an avid
Sailplane enthusiast.
The Niagara County Model Aircraft Club
sponsored the event. While the weather that
day was cool with light winds and sunny
skies, muddy conditions created by
unusually wet weather earlier actually
prevented the field from being useable for
powered models. Fortunately, the Sailplane
pilots were able to work around the
conditions and the contest was a success.
Standard Class winners at the Grigg
Memorial included (L to R) Roman Paryz,
third; Lyn Perry, second; and Jim Roller,
first.
Unlimited Class winners at the Grigg
Memorial were (L to R) Roman Paryz,
third; Marty Timm, second; and Jim
Roller, first.
I completed this column on February 10,
2005, and I received word at that time that
we have lost a true modeling legend. Former
District II member Hal deBolt passed away
earlier today in Florida at the age of 86.
Hal reached a level as a modeler that few
of us will ever see. During his career, he was
the recipient of virtually every major award
and recognition a modeler could receive.
Hal was a tenacious individual who wasn’t
afraid to fight for what he believed in. He
was a strong supporter of AMA, yet wasn’t
afraid to knock heads with AMA leadership
if he felt the organization needed a little
nudging in a different direction.
Hal will be remembered for his countless
contributions to modeling during his
lifetime. He leaves this world with the
respect of those of us who realized that his
primary concern was for the well-being of
the hobby that was his life.
A more-detailed description of Hal’s life
outlining his accomplishments, begins on
page 171.
See you next time.
Many clubs in our district hold events on New Year’s Day. It’s a
great way for members to get together, get in a few flights, and
celebrate the beginning of another new year.
Roger Chillemi wrote that this year the Suffolk Falcons held
its 10th annual New Year’s Day Fly-In Breakfast at the club’s
field in Westhampton, New York.
Members of the club turned a group photo into a get-well
card for member Ken Langsdorf who was unable to attend. I’m
sure the card and picture put a smile on Ken’s face.
April 2005 173
District II Report
New Jersey/ New York/
Europe
Dave
Mathewson
Vice President
7271 State Fair Blvd.,
Baldwinsville NY 13027
Tel.: (315) 727-4275
Fax: (315) 635-1039
E-mail:
[email protected]
District II Web page: www.amadistrictii.org
Note: For a listing of regional AMA officials, please
consult the above District II Web site or a previous
issue of this publication.
Members of the Suffolk Falcons offer get-well wishes
to member Ken Langsdorf.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/04
Page Numbers: 173