AMA News: District I-2007/12

THE 2007 outdoor flying season has come
to an end and most of us are focusing on
building that something new for next year or
flying indoor aircraft at some of the
available facilities. If your club has an
indoor site and would welcome other AMA
members to fly at the facility, send me an Email
with the location, dates, and times for
flying.
One of the nice things about being the vice
president of District I is having contact with
the many famous builders and fliers who
reside in New England. These people are
willing to share their knowledge with other
AMA members and direct our popular flying
events.
One such individual, Gerry Yarrish, has
had a lifetime of experience in modeling,
has authored books targeted to those
wanting to learn all aspects of our sport, and
has reviewed numerous aeromodeling
products.
This month Gerry, who is also the senior
technical editor for Model Airplane News,
has sent the following event report from the
popular sixth annual Central Connecticut
Radio Control Club (CCRCC) Big Biplane
Bash.
“September 22, 2007, was the best day
CCRCC has ever had for its annual biplane
event. Having been rained on for the last
three years (while scheduled in June), CD
Gerry Yarrish decided to move the event to
the fourth Saturday in September making
sure not to have any localized conflicts with
the annual N.E.A.T. Fair or the big
Rhinebeck Early Bird Jamboree. Thus, the
old CCRCC Multi-Wing Fly-In became the
Big Biplane Bash and the rain missed its
target!
“The event was very successful and had
46 registered pilots, more than 100 models,
and several hundred spectators over the
course of the day. The event also earned
CCRCC four new members and everyone
had a super great time.
“The $10 landing fee included a hot
lunch ticket for the pilots and a free raffle
ticket for the big bounty of prizes donated
by the many generous sponsors of the event.
Model Airplane News sponsored the
impressive award plaques for the six main
Best of Class awards and the Best of Show
awards. Prize bags filled with merchandise
were given out with several Certificate of
Achievement awards.
“FX Models of Terryville, Connecticut,
also donated two laser-etched acrylic
trophies for the Big Biplane Bash’s rubberpowered
FF Spirit of Modeling event.
HobbyTown USA of New Milford,
Connecticut, donated more than 75 balsa
fliers to be handed out to all of the pilots to
compete with and many of the pilots’
children were the mechanics and pilots for
this popular event. The cash value of the
prizes with radios, engines, kits, and
hardware came close to $4,000.
“Pilots came from Connecticut,
Massachusetts, New York State, Long
Island, New Jersey, Vermont, Virginia, and
even one hearty soul from the United
Kingdom, making the Big Biplane Bash an
international event!
“Gerry Yarrish, his family, and of staff
helpers wish to thank everyone who helped
make the event such a resounding success.”
The CCRCC is dedicated to the
preservation of aeromodeling and the
training of new modelers. Its field is located
in Farmington, Connecticut, approximately
15 miles west of Hartford. Visitors are
welcome.
Next year plan to attend this great
specialty big biplane event. Check out the
club’s Web site at www.ccrcclub.org.