August 2007 159
FOR THE LAST few years it has become
almost common for clubs in our district to be
contacted by the local news media about
doing a story on model aviation. One would
think that this would present a tremendous
opportunity to promote what we do as modelaviation
enthusiasts. What we have found is
the result of these contacts has not always
turned out as we would have hoped.
Recently, a club in District II was
contacted by a local television station and
asked if a crew could visit the field to film
some modeling activities. Without knowing
the true intent of the TV crew—and there was
no way that they could have known—the
club members invited them out.
Those who were there did a great job of
flying, describing their models, and
explaining to the reporter all about model
aviation. A week later when the piece ran, it
was heavily edited with the intent of
portraying model aviation as a threat to our
national security.
There probably isn’t a lot we can do to
stop this kind of “reporting.” We certainly
don’t want to miss a chance to showcase
model aviation when presented with the
opportunity. However, a wrong word here or
there can be taken out of context and used in
a less-than-complimentary way if the intent
of the reporter is to try to sensationalize what
we do as a public danger.
AMA deals with these issues on a daily
basis. If your club is approached about doing
an interview about our hobby and you have
any question at all about the true intent of the
contact, it might be beneficial to call Jay
Mealy at AMA Headquarters.
Jay has years of experience in dealing
with these situations and is AMA’s liaison to
several government agencies including the
Federal Aviation Administration and the
Department of Homeland Security. Jay can
be reached at (765) 287-1256, ext. 270 or by
E-mail at [email protected].
Ron Lockhart sent the following about a
visit by a world-class Precision Aerobatics
pilot to the United States.
“Singapore FAI-F3A Pattern Champion
Tze Law Chan occasionally visits the United
States on business trips. On a recent trip he
was able to add a weekend to visit with
District II F3A Pattern flier Dave Lockhart
in central New Jersey.
“Tze Law enjoyed his first flight on an
F3A electric model. The model is Dave’s
Prestige, currently using a Hacker A60-20S
outrunner, Castle Creations Phoenix HV85
ESC, and Thunder Power 10s1p 4600
Extreme Lipos. The propeller is an APC
18.1 x 11.
Ron Lockhart (L) on master transmitter
(Mode 2), center is Tze Law (on a Mode 1
transmitter), and Dave Lockhart (R) calling
the current F3A PO7 pattern sequence.
“When darkness falls, Tze Law and the
Lockharts usually head for a steak dinner and
talk of F3A Pattern activities in the world.
We all enjoy the camaraderie of model
aviation and Pattern. Adding an international
flavor enhances it even more.
“Tze Law has represented Singapore as a
pilot at F3A World Championships, has been
the CD for the Continental Asian Oceanic
Championships, and judged at the F3A
World Championships.”
Dozens of clubs in our district annually visit
schools in their communities to introduce
model aviation to students. Members who
have participated in these events will tell you
that it’s a fun experience and they get as
much enjoyment out of as the students do.
On Friday, June 1, 2007, members of the
Oneonta R/C Flyers and the Leatherstocking
R/C Buzzards put on an RC aircraft
demonstration for more than 40 sixth-grade
students of Morris Central School. Students
listened intently as club members described
an RC model airplane and how it flies.
Al Kanser explains the workings of a Foamy
model while Dave Dewey shows a
servo/receiver setup to the students. In the
foreground, Mike Spreutels gets ready to
demonstrate a model helicopter and Don
Corbett and Jan Gorshack prepare to put on
a flight demonstration.
Clearly, the
highlight of the
day for the kids
was when they
each had the
opportunity to
fly a trainer
model.
It turned out
to be a great
day for club
members and
the students who
showed a great
deal of interest
and enthusiasm.
Earlier this year I was privileged to present
AMA’s Distinguished Service Award to my
friend Walt Throne. Walt’s list of
contributions to the hobby locally and
nationally is impressive. In addition to acting
as a CD for nearly 40 years and running
virtually every type of event including funflies,
Soaring, Pattern, and Pylon, Walt twice
served as RC Pattern Event Director at the
US Nationals.
He was instrumental in forming The
Central New York Model Aircraft
Association, an association of clubs in central
New York, and was its first president. For
two different periods he volunteered his time
as a District II Associate Vice President.
As a hobby shop owner, Walt became
heavily involved in the industry serving on
the board of the Radio Control Hobby Trade
Association (RCHTA) as well as serving a
past president of the National Retail Hobby
Stores Association (NRHSA).
Walt has received several other accolades
for his efforts including being a recipient of
the Carl Goldberg Vital People Award.
My friendship with Walt began when we
met as kids at the flying field. Forty-five
years later we’re still flying together and still
belong to the same club. Of all the people I
have met through model aviation, I can’t
think of anyone more deserving of this
award. Congratulations Walt!
Dave Mathewson (L) presents Walt Throne
AMA’s Distinguished Service Award.
See you next time.
Dave Mathewson
7271 State Fair
Blvd., Baldwinsville
NY 13027; Tel.:
(315) 727-4275;
Fax: (315)
635-1039
For a complete listing of
district officers, please see
the District I1 Web site at
www.amadistrictii.org/.
D i s t r i c t I I
District II
Dave Mathewson, District II Vice President; [email protected]
New Jersey, New York, Europe
Don Corbett (L) helps a
student through his first
RC flight while Al Kanser
operates the master
transmitter.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/08
Page Numbers: 159