AMA News District I - 2007/10
The District officers and I have had a busy flying season sponsoring and directing four AMA District I fun-fly and air show events. Finding host clubs, choosing non-conflicting dates, sanctioning and advertising, preparing and setting up flying sites, and organizing and directing the air show events involves the work of many AMA members.
All of the clubs, workers, and those who attended and participated in this year’s district events are to be commended and congratulated for providing something that brings AMA members together for what it’s all about: friendship, flying, and fun!
As I write this, we still have the September District Fun-Fly in Gardner, Massachusetts, to attend. In future MA columns, I will write about and include photos of each of the AMA District I–sponsored events for 2007.
This month I have an event report and photos that were sent to me by Tony DiFinizio, an AMA club officer from the 495th R/C Squadron. You will recall me featuring the 495th R/C Squadron in this column before. This AMA Gold Leader Club is one of the district’s larger clubs with more than 200 members who fly at the Captain John A. Ogonowski Memorial Flying Field in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.
Art Alfano Annual Invitational Scale Show
It is my pleasure to pass along this event report and photographs from the Art Alfano Annual Invitational Scale Show. Art Alfano, scale aficionado, has been doing this static scale show for 18 years and, because of Art’s many friends within the New England scale community, you can be sure to expect to see some of the best scale model builders in the world and the finest in scale aircraft on display.
This year the show was held on Wednesday, April 4, at the Tewksbury Congregational Church. It started at 5 p.m. and, despite the rain, there was a large turnout. Model aviation enthusiasts, young and old, came from throughout the district to view the many superbly crafted model airplanes.
The show provided an excellent opportunity for those in attendance to talk with the scale builders about their aircraft, building, and finishing techniques. One of the many nice things about our hobby is the willingness of the enthusiasts to share the knowledge they have to help others achieve the same level of success.
Thanks to all who came early to set up and stayed late to break down. Special thanks to all the craftsmen and to Ralph Dionne, who donated all the food and drinks and ran the canteen.
I have attended Art’s shows in the past and recommend that you mark your calendars and don’t miss this awesome scale show next year. The club’s website history page reads: "The success of any club is totally dependent on the efforts made by individual members to enhance the club for the membership. In the 30-year history of the 495th R/C Squadron, the club has benefited from the efforts of many fine individuals who have given generously of their time and energy. In those 30 years, the club has given special recognition to a number of individuals, in the form of life memberships, for exemplary service to the 495th R/C Squadron."
Three members have reached that status to date:
- Ralph Dionne
- Ed Westbrook
- Art Alfano
The future of our clubs continues to rest in the hands of members such as these who step up to the plate and find the time that others can’t to do the work those others won’t. Visit the club’s website at www.495thsquadron.org to see these aircraft and others at the show in color.
District I Contact
Andy Argenio, District I Vice President [email protected]
District I includes:
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
