July 2006 157
AMA FUNDS allocated to districts are
used by the vice presidents to pay for
traveling expenses to district clubs, flying
sites, events, and any activities that
promote and ensure the status and growth
of AMA within the district.
Last year, as part of the revitalization
plan for District I, the district associate
vice presidents (AVPs) and I decided that
the best way to promote the AMA, the
sport of aeromodeling, and to improve
members’ attitudes would be to sponsor
yearly district flying events. The host
clubs receive $300 to $500 from district
funds. For this payment, the clubs agree to
open the events to all AMA members at no
cost for site entry and flying fees.
The hosting clubs may earn additional
money from food concession and raffles.
The AMA district officers will help the
club members run the event and set up
areas for parking, impound, static display,
selling, and vendors. The district officers
will sanction and CD the event as well as
handle the promotion and advertising. The
officers will also write an event report for
publication.
Host club officers will receive AMA
screen-printed t-shirts and be invited to a
Saturday night dinner with the district
officers.
We had our first district-sponsored funfly
and air show during September 2005,
in Gardner, Massachusetts. As most of you
are aware, it was a tremendous success.
Many members have written or spoken
to us about how much they enjoyed the
event and how pleased they were to see
AMA funds being used for the enjoyment
and benefit of the district members.
In keeping with what we hope becomes
a tradition, we have been talking and
working with many clubs throughout the
district to find hosts for two flying events
during 2006.
It was decided that one event each year
would be a general fun-fly and air show
open to all types of aircraft flying and
allowing for times during the day to
showcase special categories.
The second event would be a specific
event category (float plane, large aircraft,
Scale, warbirds, jets, helicopters, electrics,
Soaring, FF, or CL event) and the category
would change each year.
This year, two district-sponsored events
will take place in Connecticut. The first
event is the AMA District I Big Bird Fun-
Fly and Air Show. This event will be at the
Woodstock Airport in Woodstock,
Connecticut, August 4-6, and the
Woodstock R/C Flyers will be the host
club.
The second event will be the AMA
District I Fun-Fly and Air Show. This
event will be in Salem, Connecticut,
September 22-24 and hosted by the RC
Propbusters.
Please mark these events on your
calendar and plan to attend. Many of the
celebrity fliers from throughout the district
and your district officers will be in
attendance.
District AMA charted clubs interested
in hosting an event may complete an
event-hosting application form. This form
will be reviewed by the district officers
who will make the host selection based on
location, availability of non-conflicting
dates with other traditional events, and
suitability of flying site (size, runway type,
noise restrictions, parking, etc.) for the
type of event being considered.
Only two clubs per year can be
selected; however, applications will be
filed for future consideration.
For friendships, flying, and fun, I hope to
see you at the next district event.
District I
Andy Argenio, District I Vice President; [email protected]
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Andy Argenio
3 Sheila Ln.,
Smithfield RI 02917;
Home: (401) 231-6901;
Work: (401) 231-5380
www.amadistrict1.com
Associate Vice
Presidents
Edward Grossheim,
New Hampshire;
[email protected]
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 V o l u n t e e r s .
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/07
Page Numbers: 157