February 2008 179
ONE OF our associate vice presidents
(AVP), Jim Martin, provided this picture of a
12-volt gel cell battery. The battery was
connected in reverse polarity during charging.
Luckily, the modeler disconnected the
swelling battery
before it
exploded.
We must
remind everyone
to be vigilant
when charging
all types of
batteries.
The Briar Creek R/C Flyers of Berwick,
Pennsylvania, utilize a field on public lands
owned by the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania and operated by the Columbia
County Board of Commissioners. The club
was chosen as one of the clubs to participate
in the AMA Take off And Grow (TAG)
program.
Approximately 50 people participated in
the successful program. A brief ground
school in conjunction with a simulator
answered the common questions. Trainers
then allowed the participants the “real”
experience.
AVP Matt Turowski with student Emily
Kowalski.
On September 15-16, the Hamilton Area
Wireless Kontrol Society (HAWKS) held its
25th annual Four Cycle Rally at Joyce Park in
Hamilton, Ohio. The Four Cycle Rally is cosponsored
by Great Planes and O.S. Engines.
Each year in September, four-cycle engine
enthusiasts gather for a two-day event packed
full of fun and flying under the Ohio skies.
The event concludes with O.S. four-cycle
engines given away as awards and a 160
Gemini complete with with engine and radio
is raffled off to lucky winners.
Right: Gary
Ebberhardt was
the freestyle
aerobatics at
the 25th annual
Four Cycle Rally.
Left: Stephen
Hill-Harriss won
Sport Scale with
his S.E.5A.
AVP Randy Adams (L) presents event
director Larry Corsetti the AMA Award of
Merit.
This year’s winners in the skilled events
were Stephen Hill-Harriss with a S.E.5A in
Sports Scale and Gary Ebberhardt and his
Christian Eagle in the freestyle aerobatic
competition.
AMA District III AVP Randy Adams was
in attendance to present an AMA Award of
Merit for 25 consecutive years of successful
four-cycle rallies from the AMA and Bob
Brown, District III vice president.
Check the HAWKS Web site at
www.hawksrc.org for club information and
pictures of the rally.
Twenty-three entrants from Canada,
Connecticut, New York, Ohio, Maine, and
Pennsylvania competed at the Valley R/C
Model Club’s (VRCMC) 35th annual
Competition Fun-Fly in Athens,
Pennsylvania.
Junior, Sportsman, and Expert Fun-Fly
classes completed many flights during the
weekend. Three Junior class entrants kept
the VRCMC tradition of promoting RC to
our younger fliers.
Matt Hunger won first place in Junior.
Good job, Matt, on your first try!
The event winners and all entrants
received Baron Engraved Awards, VRCMC
plaques (made by AMA), and prizes.
Sponsors included Lantz’s Hobby Shop in
Horseheads, New York; Baron
Technologies; Skipp Turner/TPP; VRCMC
members Carl Shay, George Brooks, Jim
Champion, and Dan Luchaco; BSI; Sullivan;
Master Airscrew; Sig; RTL Fasteners; Lone
Star Balsa; R/C Report; Model Airplane
News; Great Planes; Micro-Fasteners;
Propwash Video; Dremel; and Fly RC.
Please support these sponsors! The Saturday
picnic dinners were catered by Callears
BBQ.
Jim Champion CDed the contest.
VRCMC members and families covered the
duties during the contest.
Dean Luchaco was in charge of the cook
crew, which included himself and sons
Bryan and Kevyn, Jim Spencer, Paul
Buckthal, Ron Davidson, and Carl Shay.
Dan Luchaco, Steve Luchaco, Rob
Vandermulen and Bruno Mahonski were the
judges who scored the flights. Dan Luchaco
and Rob Vandermulen crunched numbers
for the scoreboard.
We look forward to our next chance to
visit and fly with our friends.
Valley R/C’s 35th annual Fun-Fly contest
participants.
Bob Brown
Vice President
35 Sanford St.
Bradford PA 16701
Tel.: (814) 368-7655
www.amadistrictiii.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Randy Adams, Fairfield
OH; (513) 858-3154;
[email protected]
Mike Barbee, Delaware OH;
(740)362-5545;
[email protected]
David H. Ellis, Cross Lanes WV;
(304) 776-1408
Nelson Gould, Macungie PA;
(610) 395-9159
Dan Luchaco, Sayre PA;
(570) 888-1856;
[email protected]
Jim Martin, Franklin OH;
(937) 260-0143
Leo Rodriguez, New Stanton PA;
(724) 925-0159;
[email protected]
Matthew Turowski, Drums PA;
(570) 788-0661;
[email protected]
Joseph S. Vislay, Monclova OH
(419) 878-8843;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator:
Ron Morgan, Scotland PA;
(717) 264-7425;
[email protected]
D i s t r i c t I I I Volunteers
District III
Bob Brown, District III Vice President; [email protected]
Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/02
Page Numbers: 179
