AMA News District III - 2012/10

flying road trip:
Since becoming District III vice
president, I have received newsletters
from various AMA SIGs. One
organization is CL, and one event that
is frequently mentioned is the annual
Brodak Fly-In.
I took a trip on Saturday, June 16, to
Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, to see what
all the hype was about. Upon entering
the town, I saw signs welcoming the
modelers and several businesses with the
name Brodak.
I followed the signs which went
through a wooded residential section
and began to hear a sound I hadn’t heard
for many years: model engines going in
circles. As I arrived, I saw a lovely home
and an amazing sight. CL airplanes of
all shapes and sizes were flying in a huge
backyard.
The Brodaks open their home and
grounds to host this spectacular event.
I met co CDs Alan Brickhouse and
Tom Hampshire, and these gentlemen
indicated attendance for the weeklong
event was typical with more 150 pilots.
Amazing! This event is not only a
competition for all facets of CL but is
also anticipated for the great fun and
camaraderie of CL pilots around the
world. I watched CL Stunt and saw a
P-51 performing the maneuvers with a
quiet electric setup. As in RC, electric
power is making its mark on CL.
Eventually I met the founder of this
meet, John Brodak, and he gave me a
tour of his facilities. Upon entering his
huge building complex, John showed
Associate Vice Presidents: Randy Adams, Fairfield OH; [email protected]; Mike Barbee, Delaware OH; (740) 362-5545; [email protected]; Jeff Black, New Oxford
PA; (717) 965-5634; [email protected]; Dave Brown, Hamilton OH; (513) 738-1576; [email protected]; David H Ellis, Cross Lanes WV; (304)776-1408; wdellis@
suddenlink.net; Nelson Gould, Macungie PA; (610) 395-9159; [email protected]; Tony Husak, Hartsgrove OH; (440) 283-7447; [email protected]; Dan Luchaco, Sayre PA;
(570) 888-1856; [email protected]; Jim Martin, Franklin OH; (937) 260-0143; [email protected]; Al Myers, Canfield OH; (330) 506-6194; ajm486@hotmail.
com; Leo Rodriguez, New Stanton PA; (724) 925-0159; [email protected]; Matthew Turowski, Nescopeck PA; (570) 379-2014; [email protected]; Joseph Vislay,
Monclova OH; (419) 878-8843; [email protected]. Frequency Coordinator: Ron Morgan, Scotland PA; (717) 264-7425; [email protected]. Webmaster:
Roger Luther, Johnstown, PA; (814) 266-2630; [email protected].
District III—Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
[email protected]
199 Heron Dr., St. Marys WV 26170
Tel.: (304) 684-2133; www.amadistrict-iii.org
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www.ModelAviation.com OctOber 2012 Model Aviation 145
PA flying road trip:
Since becoming District III vice
president, I have received newsletters
from various AMA SIGs. One
organization is CL, and one event that
is frequently mentioned is the annual
Brodak Fly-In.
I took a trip on Saturday, June 16, to
Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, to see what
all the hype was about. Upon entering
the town, I saw signs welcoming the
modelers and several businesses with the
name Brodak.
I followed the signs, which went
through a wooded residential section
and began to hear a sound I hadn’t heard
for many years: model engines going in
circles. As I arrived, I saw a lovely home
and an amazing sight. CL airplanes of
all shapes and sizes were flying in a huge
backyard.
The Brodaks open their home and
grounds to host this spectacular event.
I met co-CDs Alan Brickhouse and
Tom Hampshire, and these gentlemen
indicated attendance for the weeklong
event was typical with more 150 pilots.
Amazing! This event is not only a
competition for all facets of CL but is
also anticipated for the great fun and
camaraderie of CL pilots around the
world. I watched CL Stunt and saw a
P-51 performing the maneuvers with a
quiet electric setup. As in RC, electric
power is making its mark on CL.
Eventually I met the founder of this
meet, John Brodak, and he gave me a
tour of his facilities. Upon entering his
huge building complex, John showed me
his laser-cutting and kit manufacturing
abilities, printing equipment to print
plans and instructions, model product
distribution network, and his retail
hobby shop. If it’s CL models and
equipment, Brodak manufactures it for
the modelers. Who says nothing is made
in the US anymore?
I watched the awards ceremony and
saw how much the CL community
not only is passionate about its form of
flying, but also the love for Mr. and Mrs.
Brodak, and what they have done to
keep CL flying going not only in the US
but around the world.
By attending this great event, I learned
one thing. CL flying is alive and well and
will be for many years to come thanks to
the Brodaks and the CL community.
John Brodak in his kit assembly area.
CDs Tom Hampshire and Allen Brickhaus.
Mike Palko holding his electric P-51 stunter. Mike
won CL Stunt.
I received an invitation from the Butler
Area Modelers Society (BAMS) to
attend its annual model air show held
June 30, 2012. The proceeds benefit
the Pennsylvania State Police Trooper
Benefit Fund.
Event CD Dave Chioslm and club
president Matt Manier assembled an
all-star cast of fliers to not only entertain
the crowd, but educate the public on
all forms of RC model aviation. All
the pilots flying are invited and have
exceptional flying abilities.
Mac Hodges came from Georgia
and flew his fantastic B-29 show, along
with the young McCormick brothers
from Connecticut who displayed
their exceptional 3-D skills. The event
was again a huge success and several
thousand dollars was raised for this
worthy cause.