District I - 2006/12

176 MODEL AVIATION
SOONER OR LATER your club may
become involved in a struggle to retain its
most important asset: the flying site.
It doesn’t matter whether the site is on
public or private land; both may be subject to
loss from environmental issues, noise
restrictions, or ordinance changes. The
problem may start from a neighbor’s
complaint of noise, an accident involving a
model airplane, or a change in the use status
of the property as dictated or interpreted by a
public official.
Clubs that manage to overcome problems
of this type do so because they continue to be
proactive with activities that demonstrate
their value to the community. These clubs
readily act as caretakers of the property their
flying sites are on by maintaining, improving,
and protecting the property from vandalism.
They raise money for charitable
organizations at flying events and air shows
and conduct educational and recreational
programs that introduce the community to the
sport of aeromodeling and its many benefits.
The following write-up from club president
Carl Vogel describes a Youth Day activity as
an excellent example of the value an AMA
club may offer the community.
“For two years now our club, Discover
Flying R/C Club, on Cape Cod,
Massachusetts, has been striving to find ways
to include our community into our club
functions. We have extended invitations to
the general public to attend our field events
such as our cookout and we have been very
impressed by the attendance and participation
from the community. But our efforts to
actively become a part of this community
have been a little more challenging
considering the limited scope of our sport.
“The club has long felt that since our
flying field is owned by the Town of
Barnstable, we need to develop programs to
demonstrate that we are a viable benefit and
an asset to the community. We have also felt
that programs involving our youth were
extremely desirable and held tremendous
potential benefit.
“All of this changed last April when our
club was approached by the Town of
Yarmouth’s Department of Recreation. The
department was seeking a new activity for
summer camp and was hopeful that we
would have something that fit the
requirements.
“After contacting the town’s recreational
director, Joan Hogan, we explained that if she
could arrange a trip to our flying field, we
would be able to offer a program that
included flight demonstrations, hands-on
flight simulator use, training airplanes, and
buddy boxes for everyone to experience
flying, an explanation of model aircraft and
equipment, and an introduction to AMA and
our club.
“Ms. Hogan thought this would be
terrific. Many club volunteers stepped up and
offered their airplanes, computers, and most
valuable of all, their time.
“On Tuesday, July 11, 2006, local boys
and girls ranging from 12 to 15 years old,
arrived at our field with six Recreation
Department chaperones and were
immediately welcomed by our attending
members. Talk about enthusiasm! Our
members were as excited as the kids!
“Four training airplanes were made
available for the youngsters to fly. They
received instruction about all the facets of the
sport of model aviation including the many
different disciplines that are available and the
associated costs of getting started.
“Since this was a first attempt at a Youth
Day Event, it was a learning experience that
will enable us to offer an even better program
the next time around. We are currently
working with a Boy Scout troop and another
town’s recreation department to conduct
future programs.
“Many thanks to Charles Walkley, John
Strome, Jim Fournire, Bill Golliff, Kestutis
Bliudnikas, Bill Abrams, Bud Newton, Norm
Lague and everyone who helped. We could
not have accomplished this without them.”
By the time you read this column, the
holiday season will be starting and the district
officers and I will be working on event
planning for 2007. If your club has an interest
in hosting an event, please contact us.
Future columns will feature reviews of
the two 2006 district events. For now, enjoy
the gallery of 2006 event pictures on the
District I Web site.
Happy Holidays!
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 the
district officers listing.
Twenty-six boys and girls were at the Discover Flying R/C Club Youth Day learning about model
aviation. Here Bud Newton and Norm Lague explain safety, airplane operation, preflight, and
starting procedure as part of the Town of Yarmouth summer camp recreational activity.
Two club members aided each student. Instructor Chuck Walkley, helps the newcomer
control the airplane while the assistant, John Strome, explains control inputs to the student
and adjusts the trims when needed.