District I - 2008/09

September 2008 157
THE MOST popular AMA club activities
are non-rule book fun-fly events that are
open for flying all types and categories of
aircraft. There are clubs whose members
seek to spice up their fun-fly events by
providing competition-type activities. These
fun-fly competitions involve flying tasks
that are timed or tasks to complete missions
for scoring points.
Most all of us are familiar with the timed
tasks of trying to perform the maximum
number of loops, rolls, touch-and-gos, spins,
under the limbo ribbon, climb-and-glides, or
any combination of the above. Mission tasks
include spot landings, table landings, bomb
drops, and balloon bursts.
More information on having these types
of fun-fly events can be found on the AMA
Web site at www.modelaircraft.org/events/
rulebooks/specialevents.pdf.
While at the Westchester Radio
AeroModelers (WRAM) show I spoke with
Ray Capobianco, an AMA event coordinator
and instructor for his club. Ray showed me
some interesting pictures of the Middlesex
County R-C Fliers Annual Construction
Derby. Ray developed this unique event
which I had the privilege of attending on
June 8, 2008.
I arrived at the club’s flying site at 8 a.m.
while club members were setting up for the
event. Construction tables were under shade
structures with packages of building
materials on each table for constructing RC
airplanes.
Materials included foam board, control
horns, two 36-inch rulers, a metal coat
hanger, screws, pins, pencil, packing tape,
cyanoacrylate glue and activator, rubber
bands, 2-56 threaded rods, assorted balsa
and spruce, and a 2 x 43-inch mailing tube.
Contestants arrived at approximately 9
a.m. to register and members of the teams
were randomly selected from the registration
slips. Each team supplied its own radio, four
servos, battery, a .15-.30 two-stroke glow
engine, propeller, spinner, and fuel tank with
tubing, along with some basic tools.
At the start of the competition the teams
were given 15 minutes to look over the
building materials and plan the design and
construction of their aircraft. Teams were
given 90 minutes to complete the aircraft.
The less time to build, the fewer points (1
point per minute) charged against a team.
Following the construction period, a
barbecue and drinks were provided for all in
attendance. Airplanes were inspected before
each team demonstrated which of 12
maneuvers their aircraft was able to fly
successfully. The points given by the judges
for each team’s flying were subtracted from
their construction scores and the team with
the lowest total points was awarded $100 for
first place, $75 was awarded for second
place, and $50 for third place.
This was a fun event! Each team’s
airplane was unique yet all flew quite well.
Think about doing something different for
your club’s next fun-fly or better yet, try a
proven event such as this.
Ray Capobianco can provide you with all
the details for having a Construction Derby
event. Contact him at (781) 944-6056.
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
For a complete listing of
district officers and volunteers,
please visit the District 1 Web site
at www.amadistrict1.com.
D i s t r i c t I
Second-place Quickie Team: (L-R) Jim
Orsborn, John Caci, and Frank Sullivan.
Slo ’N Steady Team members (L-R) Ruane
Crummet, Greg Sullivan, and Dan Fisher
placed fourth.
The Heat Stroke Team of (L-R) Dean Reed,
Jeff Ward, and Jim Dawe was the third-place
winner.
The Overdrive Team of (L-R) Rob Carter,
Tim Smith, and Alex Lob won the event.
Jeff Ward accepts the third-place team check
from event coordinator Ray Capobianco.
Middlesex County Flyers’ members building
airplanes at the 14th Annual Construction
Derby.