AMA News: District II-2011/12

HAPPY HOLIDAYS District II members!
I received this report from Associate Vice
President (AVP) Tom Bickford of Tupper
Lake, New York, concerning two events in
which he participated.
“July 2 and 3 you could hear the thunder
of airplanes over the quaint village of
Westport, New York—a small village near
Lake Champlain in upstate New York. The
airshow, Valley of the Giants, was put on by
[the] Champlain Valley Flyers.
“It was the 10th International Miniature
Aircraft Association (IMAA) event that had
a break of 10 years between the ninth and
10th. Forty-two pilots from across the
Northeast came, enjoying the great weather
and flying. Spectators lined the safety fence
with wide eyes watching the large airplanes
and the pilots put on a great show.
“The Adirondack Cloud Splitters,
Malone, New York, held their fun-fly July
23 and 24. The field was in perfect shape
and had five new electric 30-amp camper
hookups.
“They had a good show of pilots, which
flew both Saturday and Sunday. Jason
Finley put on a great show with his 33%
Extra and Brian Douglas with his large
selection of electric and nitro models. Gary
Vaillancourt came all the way from Old
Forge, New York, to put on a show with his
fast Control Line model. He also helped
mow the grass with his Toro mower, but to
the amazement of the crowd, it took off and
flew.”
Gary Valliancourt with his Toro.
Preparing to fly at Adirondack Cloud
Splitters event.
Dick Perry, CL Navy Carrier Contest Board
Chairman, told me he approved an AMA CL
Endurance record for District II’s own, Walt
Gifford.
Walt achieved this at a Middlesex
Modelers contest. Walt, flying a Sig Sky
Ray, started the flight, but a storm quickly
rolled in. Walt pressed on. He kept his lines
tight, flew through the inclement weather,
and finished his record flight. Afterward, the
sun came out.
Walt appreciated the Middlesex
Modelers sticking with him through the rain!
Walt Gifford with his Sig Sky Ray.
The 2011 edition of the Northeast Electric
Aircraft Technology (NEAT) Fair was held,
although the area had previously flooded.
The property owner and the Silent Electric
Flyers of Long Island (SEFLI) club worked
to get the site in great shape. CD Tom Hunt
and the SEFLI members had things running
well and the weather, although a little cool,
cooperated.
The highlight for me was presenting
three of our members with awards. John
Maggs of the Albany, New York, area and
Dick Allen of the Binghamton, New York,
area both received District II Service
Awards for their outstanding commitment to
our members and this hobby.
AVP Ray Juschkus of Long Island, New
York, received AMA’s highest honor, the
Fellowship Award. Ray is stepping down
after 32 years of volunteer service with the
Academy as an AVP. Thank you, Ray, for
everything you have done for us!
Dennis Andreas has been named as
Ray’s replacement and I don’t think there
are many on the Island who don’t know
Dennis.
Thanks for volunteering, Dennis. You
have some very big shoes (and a camera) to
fill!
John Maggs, Ray Juschkus, and Dick Allen.
AVP Eric Williams, John Maggs, Ray
Juschkus, Dick Allen, new AVP Dennis
Andreas, and AVP Peter Seiffert.
Until next month … Help secure our hobby
and take a child flying.