District I
Contact
Andy Argenio — District I Vice President [email protected]
States
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
Propsnappers R/C Club — ACE Academy Camp participation
In keeping with its mission to promote and encourage the hobby of building and flying model airplanes, the Propsnappers R/C Club (PRCC) of Portland, Maine, took part in the Aviation Career Exploration (ACE) Academy Camp program on July 27.
ACE Academy Camps are summer educational programs for middle and high school students that last up to a week and are co-sponsored by the FAA along with other organizations. The ACE Academy Camps provide a hands-on aviation experience that allows young people to explore a variety of aviation-related careers. Professional, military, and civilian experts introduce students to aviation history, the principles of flight, flight simulators, and more. Young Eagle flights, flown by pilots of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), often provide rides for students.
PRCC club member Frank Maguire described the contribution his club made to the ACE Academy program:
"Working with Marcia Wescott, who is both the director of the ACE program in Maine and a flight instructor at the International Jetport, we hosted 10 boys and girls at our club field in Scarborough, Maine. Club members Bill Reeve, Elliot Randall, Ed Estabrook, and I first gave the students a ground school session on RC aircraft, explaining how the model aircraft are built, the basic components, functions, and operation.
"We reviewed safety guidelines involved in flying RC airplanes and covered our flying site boundaries and rules. Then each of the students had a turn at flying the club trainer under the tutelage of instructor Bill Reeve. Afterward they were awarded club flight certificates, along with information on the club and the AMA.
"We ended the session by having club members perform demonstration flights with a variety of aircraft that thrilled and engaged the students. The partnership with ACE Academy was so successful that we hope to participate in the program again next year."
The ACE Academy plan is to have at least one program in each state and U.S. territory. This program reaches approximately 2,000 students each summer. Dates, locations, cost, and age requirements vary according to sponsoring organizations.
The AMA applauds the Propsnappers club members for engaging in this collaborative effort to promote aviation with the younger generation. Other AMA clubs are encouraged to check the FAA web site at www.faa.gov/education/student_resources/ace_camps and consider participating in this worthwhile program.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
