JIM MCCOY, newsletter editor and
webmaster for the Millis Model Aircraft Club
(MMAC), provided the following report on
this year’s model air show in Milford,
Massachusetts.
I have attended this event in the past and
can tell you that it represents the best
partnering between an AMA club and
officials from the Department of Parks and
Recreations. Talk about exposure, this event
is less than a mile from the center of town.
“The weather was far from the pictureperfect
fall day we had last year, but the 2007
Demonstration Day at Plains Park in Milford
was no less successful.
“When members started to arrive around
7:30 a.m. to begin setting up, the skies were
overcast but there was no rain and the wind
was quite calm. This changed rapidly over
the next hour as the American flag on the
other side of the runway began whipping
wildly and a damp, cold mist began to settle
over the field.
“All weather reports indicated that things
should improve over the course of the
morning, so we all kept the faith and were
rewarded by the worst being over by 9:30
a.m. Conditions gradually got better to the
point that the wind was practically
nonexistent by noon and the sun peeked out
by 1:30 p.m.
“Even with the questionable weather early
in the day, we were very pleasantly surprised
by the large number of interested folks who
came out to see some flying. Families and
individuals of all ages were excited to see the
large array of models we had assembled
along the flightline. I personally had several
conversations with spectators who asked
questions of all sorts. Many mentioned that
they had attended last year’s event and were
looking forward to seeing our models again.
“Other than open flying offered to
members and guests, we offered up John
Holcomb’s swing-dance flying routine and a
highly competitive tethered balloon bust
event that had John, Bill Lloyd, and Mike
Mauricio battling to an exciting three-way
tie. Brad Kaye and his daughter, Jade,
orchestrated the ever-popular ‘flying
lawnmower’ routine while Scott Annis
handled the PA system.
“Several members and guest pilots
showed off a little by performing aerobatic
routines with both fixed-wing craft as well as
helicopters. The extreme example was guest
Chane Spendlove (from Wrentham’s Lazy
Loopers club) performing crowd-pleasing 3-
D maneuvers with his 48% gas-powered
Edge—complete with tons of smoke and lots
of hovering.
“At noontime, we switched gears to offer
the audience a chance to take the sticks
themselves. After a short ground school
session, people who wanted to give it a try
were treated to buddy-box time provided by
MMAC instructors John Holcomb and Bill
Lloyd assisted by several club members.
“Students ranged from 7 to 70 with
several women stepping up to the flightline as
well. Although both John and Bill looked
exhausted after the training sessions, they
both spoke very positively about the
experience.
“Thanks to Bob Rice at Hobby USA in
Ashland, Joe Candela at Mendon’s Creative
Hobbies, and Andy Argenio at Brands Hobby
of North Providence, we were well stocked
with tons of raffle prizes for both the
audience and club members alike. Bill Lloyd
was the lucky winner of the pilot’s raffle,
earning him a 40-size Corsair ARF, which he
was very happy to squeeze into his car for the
ride home along with all the equipment he
brought for the day. The 50-50 raffle netted
over $100 with the club’s proceeds going to
the Milford Youth Center.
“A special ‘tip of the wing’ goes to Scott
Annis, Brad Kaye, and Bill O’Donnell and
their families for their time and effort putting
together the day’s program—especially for
making sure that the raffle and radio impound
ran smoothly. Thanks also to John Holcomb
and Bill Lloyd for offering their planes and
thumbs for the flight training as well as
Mickey Callahan, Charles Anamateros, and
others for helping out. Bill Costello once
again served as event CD. Thanks, Bill!”
Although the day got off to a questionable
start, the event itself accomplished exactly
what was intended by offering the
community a chance to see what our hobby is
all about while having fun in the process.
District I
Andy Argenio, District I Vice President; [email protected]
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Andy Argenio
3 Sheila Ln.,
Smithfield RI
02917;
Home: (401) 231-
6901; Work: (401)
231-5380
For a complete listing of
district officers and volunteers,
please visit the District 1 Web site
at www.amadistrict1.com.
D i s t r i c t I
Instructor John Holcomb (R) helps a youngster as
club member Charles Anamaterous (C) assists.
Jim McCoy demonstrates the
controls on an RC transmitter.
There was no shortage of models to admire. They
ranged from small to large—electric, gas, sport, and
scale.
Chane Spendlove performed crowdpleasing
3-D maneuvers with his 48%
Edge.
170 MODEL AVIATION
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/04
Page Numbers: 170