March 2006 153
IT IS a well-known fact that our AMA
modeling community attracts a higher
percentage of its members from those who are
or have been involved in some facet of fullscale
aviation than from other vocations.
With this thought in mind, the Southern
New Hampshire Flying Eagles R/C Club
decided to set up an exhibitor’s booth at the
Daniel Webster College (DWC) Aviation
Heritage Festival, September 24-25, 2005.
DWC has long been distinguished as one
of the nation’s leaders in professional aviation
education. Its festival appeals to people of all
ages and features up-close viewing of dozens
of legendary aircraft from all eras, guest
speakers, aerobatic flight demonstrations,
military fly-bys, and airplane rides.
The Flying Eagles president Jay Francis
and club member Norman Ellis organized
the exhibit. With the help of other club
members, they staffed the booth for the
weekend. Norman sent me the following
report.
The Flying Eagles’ booth at the Daniel
Webster College Aviation Festival.
“The festival weekend was blessed with
perfect weather and a huge crowd. We spoke
with people from throughout New England
and some from as far away as New York,
Indiana, Michigan, and North Carolina.
“We had as many as five people working
the booth daily, answering questions about the
AMA, RC flying, and club locations. We
handed out more than 400 club business cards
and AMA literature packs. We referred
people to the AMA Web site and described to
them how to search in the club locater page
for a club near them.
“From the very young to very old, eyes
would light up and big smiles would break out
when they saw the scale models we had on
display. On a local level, we have already
seen the fruits of our labor with visitor activity
and new membership.”
On behalf of AMA, I want to thank the
club and its members. This was a wonderful
way to promote AMA membership growth
and the $150 table fee will be paid from the
AMA District I budget.
Ashuelot Valley Flyers president Scott Blair
assembling his beautiful 1/3-scale J-3 Cub.
The following float-fly event report was sent
to us by Patrick Libby, District I associate
vice president from Vermont.
“On September 25, 2005, the Ashuelot
Valley Flyers held its annual fall float-fly in
Keene, New Hampshire, at the Otter Brood
Dam. The club’s president Scott Blair invited
members of clubs in the area to attend what
has become a must-not-miss event. I have
been attending this meet for four years. I was
hooked the first time I saw this beautiful,
expansive lakeside site, especially with its
colorful fall foliage and the wonderful
hospitality of the local fliers.
“Mother Nature can be rather unforgiving
in the Northeast this time of the year. In spite
of the chilly, overcast day with some drizzle,
the 14 registered pilots flew more than 20
Scale and Aerobatic aircraft including
floatplanes, amphibious airplanes, and flying
boats. Power sources ran the gamut from
glow and gas to electric motors. All who
attended had a great time and warmed
themselves with free coffee and donuts, good
conversation, and a noon speedboat
demonstration.”
Kurt Forauer with his excellent scale de
Havilland Otter.
Howard Hill’s electric-powered Jodel D.9.
Steve Belletsky’s one-of-a-kind Swiss Cheese.
This is one of the locations being considered
for a future AMA District I-sponsored floatfly.
The Ashuelot Valley Flyers look forward
to better weather next year and hope to see
more attendance at this spectacular floatflying
event. It’s all about fun, flying, and
friendship.
District I
Andy Argenio, District I Vice President; [email protected]
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Associate Vice Presidents:
Position Open: AVP for New
Hampshire
Ed Faria, Somerset MA;
[email protected]
James Gilliatt, Concord MA;
[email protected]
Ray LaBonte, Standish ME;
[email protected]
Patrick Libby, Ascutney VT;
[email protected]
Frank Ponteri, Westerly RI;
[email protected]
Bob Wallace, Avon CT;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinators:
Kevin Richards, Attleboro MA;
[email protected]
Joel Chappell, Milford NH;
[email protected]
Educational Coordinator:
Ed Spidell, Chepachet RI;
[email protected]
Webmaster:
Paul Costa, Attleboro MA;
[email protected]
Contest Coordinator:
Barry Schubert, Portsmouth RI;
Barry_N_Schubert@
raytheon.com
District Safety Coordinator:
Les Watson, Riverside RI; lesleslie@
cox.net
District News Editor:
Steve Berhm, Jamestown RI;
[email protected]
District 1 Web Site:
www.amadistrict1.com
D i s t r i c t I Volunteers
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/03
Page Numbers: 153