District I
In 2009, the district officers and I chose three district members to receive our most prestigious AMA District I Appreciation award in the form of engraved plaques and $100 cash prizes.
2009 AMA District I Appreciation Award Recipients
- Art Alfano
- Irv Searl
- Bob Wallace
Art Alfano
Art Alfano was selected for providing years of service to the AMA by volunteering his time and energy to advance the mission of the Academy, its members, clubs, competitions, and the future of aeromodeling. Art’s contributions were written about in the August 2009 issue of MA.
Irv Searl
During the New England Scale Championships, it was my pleasure, on behalf of the AMA, to present Irv Searl with the second AMA District I Appreciation award. Irv has represented District I on AMA's Scale Contest Board since 1980 and served as chairman from 1982 to 1986.
Irv has been actively involved in building and flying numerous scale airplanes in competition events since 1946. Much of his early years were spent at sea during his Navy career; however, he still managed to build and fly scale CL airplanes and competed in the 1948 Control Line Nationals in Illinois.
From 1960 to 1963 he was a member of the San Diego R/C Club. In 1968 Irv returned to New England and since then has been an active member and officer in several clubs, including:
- Southern New Hampshire Flying Eagles
- Concord Aeroguidance Society
- 495th RC Squadron
Irv has competed in scale and pattern contests throughout the Northeast and on a national level at:
- Scale Nationals
- Master's Qualifier and Finals
- Top Gun
- WRAM Show
He has won six significant first- and second-place scale championships.
A measure of Irv’s character is found in this statement from his son: "My father would rather talk about all the special people he has had the privilege of meeting and counting among his friends through his experiences in the sport, than the awards he has received." Congratulations, Irv!
Bob Wallace
Bob Wallace, District I's longest-standing Associate Vice President (AVP), decided that it was time for him to step down and allow someone new to be appointed as Connecticut's AVP. Bob has served our district extremely well—always willing and able to respond to clubs’ and members’ issues and concerns. He has sent numerous event reports that have been published in MA district columns. The district officer team will be losing one of its most valuable members.
Few modelers have had such an illustrious career in aeromodeling. Bob competed in his first Nationals in CL Speed events at the age of 15. Once hooked, he never stopped competing, participating in, and occasionally winning regional, national, and international events, including FAI F3D pylon racing and RC scale combat competitions.
Notable achievements and roles:
- Manager of the 1987 US F3D Team that took the top three places at the World Championships in Australia
- AMA Life Member and recipient of the AMA Fellowship
- District I RC Combat Contest Board member
- Contributing editor for R/C Modeler magazine since 1977
- Designer and kitter of RC pylon racing and combat aircraft
In Bob’s words: "So many of the wonderful, exciting, rewarding, and unforgettable things that have occurred in my life would never have happened if it were not for my involvements in model aviation."
Bob will be receiving the third AMA District I Appreciation award and the title AMA Associate Vice President Emeritus. This honorary status will allow Bob to continue to attend AMA district events and activities as a guest of the AMA district team of officers. Congratulations, Bob!
The district officers and I wish all a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
