AMA News District II - 2009/04
Gary Fitch, District II Vice President; [email protected]
Term Limits Adopted
History was made at the January 2009 Executive Council meeting in Ontario, California. For the first time, term limits for AMA president, executive vice president, and all district vice presidents were adopted. This is significant because sitting vice presidents voted to establish the date when they have to step down to allow new people to step into these volunteer positions. New people, new ideas—no ivory tower or good ol’ boys club in our association. This will have to be approved by the Leader Members, but I’m sure that will be a given. We are working for the benefit of our members.
Gateway National Recreation Area Demonstration
Dan Mergalia, president of the Richmond Model Flying Club in Brooklyn, New York, and his club members fly at the Gateway National Recreation Area. They have a deal with the parks department that requires them to put on one flying event each year, and what a job they do.
Bringing in a professional sound system, the club members, together with the Staten Island Radio Control Flying Club, put on quite a demonstration of flight, offering everything from combat with Strykers and military warbirds to 3‑D aerobatics, CL speed, and aerobatics. There was no delay in the action with this well-organized event. A crowd of hundreds gathered to take in the great demonstrations.
Binghamton Aeros IMAA Fun-Fly
The Binghamton Aeros hold the club’s annual International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) Fun-Fly in Chenango Bridge, New York, in August. This event is always well attended with outstanding aircraft and pilots. The 2008 event was no exception, and the venue at the Chenango Airport is one of the best.
Club president Chris Descano has this event organized and running smoothly. Well-known designer Dick Allen was there with his own design, the Miles Sparrowhawk, and Terry Terrenoire, District II associate vice president, flew the aircraft for Dick.
Hoosick Aeromodelers — New Year Flights
Ken McCaughin, vice president of the Hoosick Aeromodelers in Hoosick Falls, New York, sent this report. As on most New Year’s Days, we look to ring in the New Year with at least one of us getting in a flight. This year, two of us were able to get in a very enjoyable first flight of 2009. Pictured are Ray Wrubleski, club secretary, with his powered glider and club vice president Ken McCaughin with his Zagi.
Club Obituaries
Chris Descano sent word of the passing of two of the club’s members: Bill Underkofler, an expert on fiberglassing, painting, and building, who gave many seminars in the area on these subjects; and Dick Wilson, a full‑scale pilot with a 20‑year career as chief corporation pilot for Maines Paper & Food Service, and an avid RC pilot who attended many area fun‑flys. Bill and Dick will be missed.
Closing
Until next month, Keep ’em Three in the Green.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
