156 MODEL AVIATION
THIS MONTH I want to share
correspondence I’ve received that may be
of interest to you.
Since I fly indoors and am familiar with
the activities at the Teaneck Armory and
have been instrumental in getting
permission for its use, I found the
following letter gratifying. Ron Kaplan
wrote this letter of appreciation for the
help he received from modelers. I
appreciate that he took the time and
initiative to write this letter of thanks.
“It is very rare that I write to any
publication to report on any activity good
or bad. But once in awhile something
really good comes along and I believe it is
worth mentioning. The club is the
Metropolitan Sport Squadron that flies out
of the Teaneck Armory in New Jersey.
“This was my second attempt to join a
flying club in the area. Boy, am I glad I
found these guys. They are the most
helpful, giving, and generally just a really
nice bunch of guys that I have come across
in a long time.
“I am new to the hobby of model
aircraft flying, whether it’s indoors or
outdoors. I had tried a gas trainer plane at
another club last summer, but to no avail. I
couldn’t get the hang of it and didn’t get
the proper support from the club members.
“One day surfing the Web, I went to
that club’s Web site and noticed a picture
of a friend of mine who was helping young
kids learn to fly. I called him and told him
of my problem and he invited me down to
his electric club the following Wednesday.
“Enjoying model planes of any type, I
was taken immediately by the electric
planes. Flying indoors you always have
great weather and no wind! I am now a
wonderfully pleased member of the
Metropolitan Sport Squadron and have not
missed a Wednesday in a year.
“If it were not for some really great
guys at this club, I would have given up
the hobby. Most particular to mention are
Tom Schiavone (whose picture I saw on
the Web) who literally hand-fed me into
the hobby and helped me greatly when I
built my first biplane from scratch. Paul
Conti, whom I believe has the patience of
a saint, has been wonderful to me and has
become an instant friend.
“Art Valand, club president and just
another really nice guy, has also helped
with his constant comments (mostly good)
and flying assistance. Others of importance
and very helpful, whom I will miss are
Frank Pisano and Paul (Frank) Tumminia
who have helped me with plans and
general knowledge. And of course, Leon
Shulman, my parts man whom I also
consider a friend. A special mention to
Ken Carchietta who builds like no other
modeler and flies as well as he builds. All
are class acts.
“This is what a club should be—a
bunch of guys getting together to fly and
help one another. Metropolitan Sport
Squadron deserves recognition. It is, in my
opinion, the best of the best.
“Unfortunately I am moving out of the
area soon and will sorely miss my
Wednesday flying and the friendships that
I have made in such a short time. Again,
congratulations to the guys who have made
Metropolitan Sports Squadron the club of
clubs.”
Tony Rossi, ardent AMA modeler and
employee of the Federal Insurance
Corporation, was interviewed by Edward
Ciocys. His views of the world of
aeromodeling were expressed in the
corporate newsletter. I’m sure you’ll find it
interesting.
“Tony Rossi has been interested in radiocontrol
(RC) flying since he was eight years
old. Says Tony, ‘I was in a hobby shop in
Newark, New Jersey, saw my first model
airplanes, and knew that someday I wanted
to build and fly them.
“‘A few years later, it was time. My
father took me to a hobby and toy store
called Tiny Tots in Greenbrook, New
Jersey. I saw a model airplane I had to have,
but couldn’t afford. My father said I could
get it once I’d saved enough money for it.
So, I saved for about six months, and bought
the plane.’
“Tony didn’t get off to an auspicious
start in the hobby, though. That first airplane
took off, flew over the trees, then over the
horizon, and was gone. When it came down,
it came down hard, crashing in a remote
field. It was then that Tony began saving up
for his second RC model airplane.
“With RC flying, it seems the biggest
problem isn’t projects that don’t get off the
ground, but what happens when projects
do get off the ground. Tony’s second
AMA News
Announcements, news, and information from the
Academy of Model Aeronautics and the elected district representatives.
Flying Site Assistance
Joe Beshar | [email protected]
Flying indoors you always have great weather and no wind!
Joe Beshar
Coordinator
Eastern Region
Districts I - VII
198 Merritt Dr., Oradell NJ 07649
Tel.: (201) 261-1281;
Fax: (201) 261-0223
E-mail: [email protected]
Wes De Cou
Coordinator
Western Region
Districts VIII - XI
202 W. Desert Flower Ln.,
Phoenix AZ 85045
Voice: (480) 460-9466;
Cell: (480) 296-9515
Fax: (480) 460-9434
E-mail: [email protected]
Finding—Preserving—Maintaining
This is what a club should be—a bunch of guys getting
together to fly and help one another.
... it seems the biggest
problem isn’t projects that
don’t get off the ground,
but what happens when
projects do get off the
ground.
Flying Site Assistance continued on page 168
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/08
Page Numbers: 156