July 2007 179
MIKE MOORE sent the following report
detailing an event held in Syracuse, New
York.
“On January 27, 2007, the Aero Radio
Club of Syracuse (ARCS), the Syracuse
Thunderbirds Aero Radio Society (STARS),
and the Central New York Indoor Flying
Society (CNYIFS) joined forces to host the
11th annual Central New York Model Forum
and Electric Fly-In.
“This year, again using proceeds from
the event, we were able to make a
considerable donation to the charitable
concerns of our Syracuse Academy of
Science, which is where we have held the
event the last two years. This year our
donation to the school was slightly less than
$1,000! The school generously allows us
use of its entire facility including the 80 x
60 x 24 gymnasium.
“Attending were pilots from throughout
New York. In addition to much indoor
flying, vendors displayed a large array of
products and building supplies. A static
display of high-quality models numbered in
the dozens.
“To help keep
visitors from
getting hungry,
the Syracuse
Academy’s
Parent Teacher
Organization ran
a full galley
featuring burgers,
dogs and chili,
donuts, coffee,
chips, and soda.
On the flight
deck, the
organization and
impound control
was first class. There were helicopters and
foamies of all kinds flying during the day.
“One pilot flying a Silverlit Picoo Z
helicopter was demonstrating to me how to
have a lot of fun with her dad looking on
and offering encouragement. Victoria
Poyneer has been flying simulators and her
helicopter for slightly more than six months
and enjoys flying her Park Shark outdoors.
Victoria controlled her Picoo Z with
precision and control, performing dips,
turns, spins, and nice landings.
“All I can say is Kyle Stacy watch out.
Victoria is only five years old.”
Victoria Poyneer flew her Picoo Z like a pro.
The Mercer County Radio Control Society
(MCRCS) flies from Warren Krause Field,
located in the Assunpink Wildlife
Management area near Imlaystown, New
Jersey.
MCRCS is an active group hosting
several
events each
year. Two
of the
club’s
better
known flyins
are the
MCRCS
Jumbo
Jamboree,
held every
year on
Memorial
Day
weekend,
and
Warbirds
Over Jersey
held the
third
weekend in
September.
MCRCS is also heavily involved in
community activities, conducting an annual
Aviation Merit Badge course. Throughout
the years, the club has donated more than
$10,000 to the Sunshine Foundation, a
charity for permanently or terminally ill
children.
Partnering with the Mercer County
Library System, MCRCS began conducting
free model airplane ground school classes to
introduce members of the community to
model aviation. The three two-hour sessions,
include an overview of RC modeling, basic
aerodynamics and flight procedures, radio
control systems, engines and motors, how to
build a model from a kit, and preparation for
first flight.
MCRCS member Dave Vale directs the
ground school program and says that it is
exceeding everyone’s expectations.
Thanks to Dave Reid for sending the
following about his club’s recent mall show.
“On March 10, 2007, the Sky Rovers
Flying Club of Phelps, New York, put on a
mall display at Eastview Mall in Victor,
New York. Fifteen members of the club
brought a large array of models from small
electric-powered models to gasolinepowered
Giant Scale airplanes.
“Spectators were able to view the
spectrum of modeling and to observe the
fine work and craftsmanship that goes into
our aircraft.
The Skyrovers’ display is set up and waiting
for mall shoppers to arrive.
Dave Reid (L) explains features of the flight
simulator to a show visitor.
“In addition to the models on display, two
flight simulators were set up for the spectators
to use. One simulator featured RC models and
the other full-scale airplanes. Lines formed in
front of the simulators all day long. By the
end of the show, we hadroughly a dozen
prospective new members. Others who were
not necessarily interested in joining the club,
went away with a better understanding of our
hobby and sport.
“The Sky Rovers club has been in
existence since 1965 and has put on many
mall shows, flight demonstrations for youth
groups and air shows. Several other events
are scheduled for the balance of 2007.”
AMA’s Take off And Grow (TAG) program
is off and running. We received nearly 190
applications from AMA clubs to participate
in TAG this year. By the time you read this
at least one club in our district will have
held its event. I’ll let you know how it went
in a future column.
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
This is one of the
dozens of high-quality
modes on display at the
annual Syracuse Model
Airplane Forum and
Electric Fly-In.
C. David Vale (L), MCRCS
Ground School Director, also
edits the club’s newsletter,
Propwash. In December Dave
received an AMA Merit
Award and a congratulatory
handshake from District II
Associate Vice President Dr.
Alexander Szemere for his
contributions.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/07
Page Numbers: 179