162 MODEL AVIATION
WHAT MAKES an AMA club great? The
answer is the few—as I like to call them—
“special members” who give their time to
address the challenges and issues that face
their club with a positive attitude and a
determination to do whatever it takes to
make their club the very best it can be.
These are the people who do the work,
take on the responsibility to be officers,
and provide leadership and motivation to
accomplish goals and objectives.
These people understand that flying
sites are not permanent and that to ensure
for the club’s future they need to be
proactive in promoting the value of their
club and sport to the community and its
citizens.
Special members are willing to
participate in mall shows, fund-raising
events, educational activities, and
enthusiastically welcome spectators and
new members to their flying site. They
know the importance of adherence to safety
guidelines and club rules and site
restrictions.
This month I want to honor the Northern
Connecticut RC Club (NCRCC) for being
one of District I’s great clubs blessed with
special members. Because of these
members’ efforts and accomplishments,
NCRCC continues to be an inspiration and
role model for other district clubs.
NCRCC was founded in 1962 and had
several flying sites until 2002 when,
through the efforts of special members, the
club was able to purchase its own flying
site.
NCRCC produces several of the premier
RC events in our district. These include an
electric fly-in, a World War II fly-in, the
Q-500 Two-Day Championship Race, an
International Miniature Aircraft
Association (IMAA) World War I Dawn
Patrol Fly-In, and New England’s largest
RC Auction and Swap Shop which
celebrated its 25th anniversary this year.
Having attended and purchased many
items at this auction throughout the years, I
highly recommend that you don’t miss the
one in 2007. Check the club’s Web site at
www.ncrcc.org for the latest information
on future flying events and activities.
Chauncey Dance and his scratch-built
Fokker D.VII at NCRCC’s Dawn Patrol
event.
I had planned to attend the NCRCC
Dawn Patrol Fly-In but my AMA schedule
had me traveling to Muncie, Indiana, for a
strategic planning meeting. Thanks to Bob
Wallace, associate vice president, who
supplied the following event report.
“July 9, the NCRCC flying field in
Ellington, Connecticut, was the scene of the
Dawn Patrol Fly-In which has become an
extremely popular annual event for earlyaviation
RC scale aircraft. While any scale
aircraft until and including the Golden Age
of aviation is welcome to fly; the emphasis
is on World War I aircraft.
“It was a perfect summer day with ideal
flying conditions that was enjoyed by all in
attendance. An excellent variety of finely
crafted scale aircraft was flown without any
serious mishaps throughout the day.
“In addition to a busy but not
overcrowded flightline, refreshments were
available, and the club raffled off a new
Futaba radio system and a large-scale ARF
World War I Fokker triplane. Dawn Patrol
2006 commemorative T-shirts were on sale,
and a pilot’s drawing was held. All who
entered were awarded a prize.
“Anyone who has an interest in vintage
RC scale aircraft—and especially World
War I types—should keep this highly
popular scale fly-in in mind when planning
2007 RC activities.”
Hank Riehl from Long Island, New York,
with his Balsa USA kit-built biplane.
Bill Glode’s 1/6-scale Curtiss Jenny. Photo by
Dave Clement.
Don Button’s Giant Bristol Scout. Dave
Clement photo.
Mike LaPierre’s scratch-built 1912 Sommer
Monoplane.
Great clubs such as NCRCC and its
special members, events, and activities are
our best promoters and ambassadors of
aeromodeling. NCRCC and other such clubs
will be the ones, despite obstacles, to ensure
the future and survival of our wonderful
sport of aeromodeling.
As you read this column, the New England
flying season will be coming to a close and
many of us will be looking to attend indoor
flying activities. Please send us information
about any activities for posting to the AMA
District I Web site and for future MA
columns.
District I
Andy Argenio, District I Vice President; [email protected]
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
D i s t r i c t I
Andy Argenio
3 Sheila Ln.,
Smithfield RI 02917;
Home: (401) 231-
6901; Work: (401)
231-5380
Please see the District I Web site at
www.amadistrict1.org for district
officers listing.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/11
Page Numbers: 162