AMA News District II - 2009/03

155 MODEL AVIATION
AS MANY of you read in last month’s
Model Aviation, The Finger Lakes Air
Pirates (FLAPS) of Geneva, New York,
were commissioned by the Glenn Curtis
Museum of Hammondsport, New York, to
build a scale rendition of the 1908 June Bug.
This was a significant undertaking because
no drawings were available, only a full-scale
replica to scale. The Curtis Museum wanted
a flyable model to celebrate the 100th
anniversary of the flight of the June Bug on
July 5, 2008.
Dick Eaton and Bill Birkett put an
aggressive schedule together to design,
prototype a flying foamie, manufacture parts,
assemble, test, and debug the June Bug.
Manufacturing tasks were assigned to several
club members including Duane Picchi, Dave
Mayne, Joe Scott, Tom Kelly, Chuck
Hanzel, and others who built subassemblies
and then brought the aircraft together.
The schedule was so tight that they
received the electric motor and battery packs
to power the June Bug shortly before the
scheduled flying event. In fact this aircraft
was not successfully flown until the moment
of truth.
In front of literally hundreds of interested
parties and spectators, the FLAPS prepared
the June Bug for its maiden flight. The
Curtiss Museum even hired actors to portray
the people of that day, adding realism to the
occasion.
Pilot Bill Birkett took off and masterfully
flew the June Bug on its maiden scale flight
of some 200 yards before settling the large
model onto its landing gear. The applause
and roar of the crowd was incredible as they
recognized the FLAPS for this once-in-alifetime
accomplishment. The June Bug was
later successfully flown at the NEAT Fair in
September.
Congratulations FLAPS members for an
outstanding club effort and result! Your club
epitomizes the best of District II!
FLAPS members with the June Bug.
The June Bug rotates with Bill Birkett at the
controls.
Bill Birkett and the actor portraying Glenn
Curtiss after the flight.
Charles
“Charlie”
Scholeno was
honored in
October for his
service to pilots
and clubs in
western New
York. A member
of at least four
different flying
clubs, Charlie
founded and has served as president of the
Jamestown Flying Aces since its inception
in the 1970s.
I had the honor of presenting Charlie
with the District II Service Award for his
unselfish service to modeling. Thank you,
Charlie!
Bob Stinson and the Atlantic County
Skyblazers in New Jersey sponsored the
Heli Gathering September 6-7, 2008. The
turnout was good and the helicopter flying
great. Several vendors provided bargains
and good food for this fun event! Check out
this event in 2009!
The Atlantic County Skyblazers’ Heli
Gathering.
Griffith and his Avant Aurora with a YS .91
SR for power.
On a sad note, I’m reporting the passing of
two District II members. Tony Curcuruto of
the Top O’ New Jersey R/C sent word about
the passing of their 20-year radio impound
person and allaround
nice
guy Rocky
Leone.
Jim Messer,
2008 Model
Aviation Hall
of Fame
inductee and
personal friend,
passed away in
December. Jim
was
instrumental in
the Giant Scale
movement in
the 1970s. Both men will be greatly missed!
Until next month, keep ’em Three in the
Green.
District II
Gary Fitch, District II Vice President; [email protected]
New Jersey, New York, Europe
Jim Messer received the
Model Aviation Hall of
Fame award.
Charlie Scholeno with
his District Service
award.
Gary Fitch
1298 Slab City Rd.,
Franklinville NY 14737;
Tel.: (716) 341-2813
www.amadistrictii.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Roy A. Brown, USAE
AFCENT CMR 460 Box
585 APO AE 07903;
[email protected]
Frank Granelli, Rockaway NJ;
(973) 625.4995; [email protected]
Tom Murray, Basking Ridge NJ;
(908) 766-5656;
[email protected]
Tony Rossi, Somerset NJ; (908)
420-6901; [email protected]
Peter Seiffert, Baldwinsville NY;
(315) 635-6370;
[email protected]
Terry Terreniore, Endicott, NY;
(607) 748-8246; amad2terry@
stny.rr.com
Frequency Coordinator:
Kevin Coleman, Middletown NJ;
(212) 975-2988; kcoleman@
cbs.com
Webmaster: Ray Kappes,
Clifton Park NY; webmaster@
amadistrictii.org
Safety Coordinator: Al Kanser,
New Lisbon NY; (607) 293-7974;
[email protected]
For a complete listing of
district officers and volunteers,
please visit the District I1 Web site
or see a previous issue of MA.
District II Volunteers
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