AMA News District II - 2007/05
Gary Fitch
Gary Fitch is one of our most active associate vice presidents (AVPs) and travels extensively throughout his area of our district each season. What caught Gary's eye this year during his travels was the quality and craftsmanship of some of the models flown by members in our district.
Gary writes, "In my travels across the southern part of central and western New York, visiting AMA clubs, I am impressed with the modeling talents of AMA members. Almost anyone with fair hand-eye coordination can become an accomplished pilot, but not everyone can develop the skills required to become a master builder, myself included. Building that masterpiece is typically the result of a lifetime of secrets learned, and in some cases passed on from father to son.
"What is most amazing about these masterpieces is that they aren't put on shelves or hung in museums. The many months or years of work are risked when these aircraft take to flight. These works of art aren't limited to only scale aircraft. They can be sport aircraft or even self-designed electric or foamies for indoor flying. Regardless of what aircraft type, they represent a great deal of skill and art."
WASPS (Southern Tier, New York)
One club in the Southern Tier area of New York, the WASPS, is a relatively small but active club engaged in the community, participating in local events and promoting model aviation to friends and neighbors. These activities help ensure the long-term health of our hobby and sport. The group picture was taken at the club's August 2006 Fun Fly.
The WASPS hold reciprocal events with the SHARKS of Eldred, Pennsylvania; the clubs alternate visits to each other's fields for a day of flying.
Longtime members and volunteers
We are fortunate in our district to have a tremendous source of knowledge and talent found in some of our longtime members. We are even more fortunate that they are willing to share what they have learned in their lifetime of building and flying.
One such member is 80-year-old Reno Farinelli from South Jersey. Reno started his modeling career flying CL models with his buddies and began collecting trophies for his flying accomplishments in the late 1940s. Since then there has never been a time when Reno hasn't been helping others and giving back to the hobby that has been such a major part of his life.
Reno received AMA's Superior Service Award in recognition of his dedication and contributions to AMA and model aviation. Thanks, Reno!
District fly-ins
In next month's district column, I'll tell you about the 2006 District II Fifth Annual Fly-In held in Colts Neck, New Jersey, hosted by the Jersey Coast Sport Flyers. Those who made the trip already know what a resounding success it was.
In 2007, our fly-in will be held at the polo grounds in Gilbertsville, New York, and hosted by the Oneonta Radio Control Club. Contest director (CD) Don Corbett tells me plans are coming along nicely and the club looks forward to welcoming members of our district to the area later this September. I will provide updates and details throughout the summer.
See you next time.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
