District II — New Jersey, New York, Europe
New Year's events
Numerous District II clubs rang in 2013 with New Year’s Day chili fun-flies and winter picnics. There were so many I couldn’t share them all.
For many clubs, these events are long-standing traditions where die-hard modelers mark the start of the flying season. For others, it’s an opportunity to show off that wonderful airplane or helicopter they received during the holidays, or the latest project gracing their workbench. Whatever the reason, when modelers get together they do what they do best: they share with others.
Besides having the courage to brave the cold, wind, and snow, clubs are inventive in naming their New Year’s events. Examples include:
- “Freeze-In”
- “Penguin Day”
- “Frosty Finger Fun-Fly”
Pilots in the Northeast certainly earn their All-Season patches. Some New Jersey clubs enjoyed green runways, while many in New York bolted on skis after fresh snowstorms on New Year’s Day. For heli pilots, it made little difference either way.
To the clubs that flew on January 1, 2013: congratulations! For those of us who didn’t, let’s make a New Year’s resolution to start this holiday tradition.
Community outreach
Our hats are off to the Babylon Flyers of Long Island, New York, and visiting clubs for their successful December 23, 2012, fun-fly supporting Long Island Cares. The event collected numerous food donations for Long Island’s first food bank, which was instrumental in helping families after Hurricane Sandy. Many people in the community were exceptionally appreciative of the clubs’ efforts. Every AMA club can benefit from this kind of community involvement.
RIT Aero Design Team Indoor Fun-Fly
AMA President Bob Brown and I attended the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Aero Design Team’s Indoor Fun-Fly this past November. Held on the RIT campus, the event is open to all AMA members and partners with RIT’s RC Car Club, and includes an indoor car track.
The RIT Aero Design Team students participate in all aspects of designing, building, and competition. This year, students will focus on airplane design and unmanned aerial vehicle electronics.
Many thanks to AMA member and RIT student Phil Nguyen for leading this event.
Social media and club connection
Many District II clubs are catching on to social media and forming their own Facebook groups. In these public or private groups, club members can share photographs, stories, questions, or comments, and ask who is at the flying field directly from their cell phone or computer.
This marvelous technology keeps clubs continuously connected. Ask your club’s Facebook expert to show you how it’s done or demonstrate it at the next club meeting. Don’t forget to visit AMA District II on Facebook, too.
Remember, it’s not about what we fly, it’s about the people and the friends we make.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
