AMA News District II - 2007/10
Television outreach
We have a large number of members and clubs in our district that work hard to promote model aviation in their local communities. Clarence Ragland, a member of the Lake Ontario R/C Flyers, sent me a DVD of a recent television program in which he, club president Ross Niver, and club vice president Joe Bartholomew participated. Titled Western New York Tonight, it was broadcast on the local community television channel.
This type of broadcasting is available in many areas throughout the country. The half-hour show was totally dedicated to model aviation. Clarence, Ross, and Joe spent the entire time being interviewed by the show's hostess and Clarence even had the opportunity to fly a small electric RC helicopter for the viewing audience. Community television stations such as this are always looking for unique, community-related activities such as model aviation as topics for their programs. This presents a perfect, no-cost opportunity for us to make our friends and neighbors aware of what we do as model aviation enthusiasts. A call to your local community television station will get you more information—and more than likely, an invitation to participate. Give it some thought.
Community charity events
We are fortunate in our district to have dozens of clubs that give back to their local communities by hosting events that benefit a number of local charities.
Plattsburgh Radio Aero Modelers (PRAM) — Hospice fly-in
In June, the Plattsburgh Radio Aero Modelers (PRAM) held its annual fly-in for the benefit of hospice. The club gets tremendous support from area businesses in the form of donations. Additionally, local advertising guarantees a good turnout of spectators. This year PRAM was able to raise more than $1,000 for the local hospice.
This was the first year I was able to attend this event and visit the PRAM flying site. My first impression was that this is one of the best-kept secrets in our district. PRAM has developed the site into a first-class facility. A number of years ago the club had the opportunity to purchase the property; later this year a mortgage-burning party is planned.
The turnout of both club members who were there to support the effort and area modelers was impressive. Len Smart, the local turbine guru, passed on a major turbine event in the Northeast to support his club. Other modelers from throughout the New York North Country were there as well, making the weekend a great success. If you have an opportunity to visit the Plattsburgh area, consider attending one of the PRAM events. I think you'll enjoy yourself.
Radio Control Club of Rochester (RCCR) — Ray Edmunds Memorial Fun-Fly
The Radio Control Club of Rochester (RCCR) also held its annual Ray Edmunds Memorial Fun-Fly in June. What made this year special was that, in addition to this being the 20th annual edition of the fly-in, RCCR is also celebrating its 50th anniversary as an AMA-chartered club. This is always a well-attended event; this special year and cooperative weather made attendance higher than usual.
The club promotes the fly-in heavily in the local media and a large number of spectators came out to enjoy the flying. Although this is an open fly-in, the club presents several demonstrations, including flights by featured pilots Devin McGrath and Kyle Stacy, to give spectators a taste of almost every facet of RC modeling. Congratulations and thank you, RCCR, for 50 years of supporting model aviation and the AMA.
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cooperative program with local clubs
Earlier this year I sent a letter to all of our clubs in New Jersey about a cooperative program we are trying to establish between Civil Air Patrol (CAP) squadrons in New Jersey and AMA-chartered clubs.
The Mercer County Radio Control Society (MCRCS) and the Washington's Crossing RC Flyers Association jumped on this idea and have been working together, along with CAP Commander Captain Ulric Gordon-Lewis, to organize an encampment to be held at the MCRCS field in early September.
The three-day weekend included:
- Demonstrations of RC and control-line flying.
- Talks by members of the Washington's Crossing RC Flyers and MCRCS on the history and background of aeromodelling.
- A "star party" featuring a group of astronomers with high-powered telescopes.
- Ground school for cadets followed by buddy-box flying with experienced pilots.
- Final training and solo flight tests on the last day, with awards presented at the conclusion of the encampment.
A major goal of this program is to get CAP cadets involved with local RC clubs as potential members and lifetime RC enthusiasts. By the time this issue of AMA News reaches you the event will have been completed. I'll be updating everyone on the success of this project along with plans on how we'd like to build on this for 2008.
See you next time.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
