District I - 2010/12

December 2010 169
BESIDES THE events that I attend and
write about in this column, I receive event
reports from district associate vice
presidents (AVPs), club officers, and SIGs.
Most often we report on activities within our
district and occasionally national events that
we attend.
This month I received the first event
report from someone outside of our district.
The following report came from a District II
member, Henry Haffke, who was motivated
to write to me because he wanted to
compliment some of our District I members
who attended a District II air show.
“I attended an AMA event near my home
in Malta, New York, which had an unusual
situation which I must tell you about. The
meet was the Housick Aermodelers Fun-Fly
in the small town of Buskirk, New York.
With a forecast of bad weather and rain,
only one local RC pilot and I registered.
“This event would have been a disaster if
it were not for the group of members from
the Concord Aero Guidance Society and the
Concord Sky Hawks who attended and flew
in spite of the weather. The pilots were
members of both District I clubs. These
brave aviators arrived in a fleet of several
travel trailers, packed with giant scale
warbirds, the evening before the event.
“The first morning of the event started
with mist and a low ceiling but the rain held
off for a few hours, allowing time for pilot
registration and getting their planes ready to
fly. They came prepared with pop-up
shade/rain structures and covers for their
models.
“Check the event photos for a look at
what was a perfect site for these warbirds on
a full-scale grass air strip with a road
running parallel to it. A sign on the roadside
read ‘Free Air Show’ and attracted passing
vehicle occupants to stop and view the
flying.
“And did District I pilots ever put on an
awesome air show, sometimes continuing
their flights in the rain. During a noontime
break, the spectators were allowed on the
field for a closer look at these spectacular
model airplanes. The fun didn’t end even
when the pilots gathered under their trailer
awnings for lunch. They continued to fly
micro electric planes in the parking area.
Eventually the rain got heavier and flying
was stopped and replaced with good
conversation.
“Sunday morning was dry, but more rain
was on the way. Four of the large-scale
biplane pilots arranged to do some formation
flying which proved to be the biggest crowd
pleaser. We managed five good hours of
flying before the rain arrived and pilots
started to pack up.
“I have been flying in events for well
over 50 years and I can honestly say this
was one of the most enjoyable events I have
attended due to a great bunch of guys from
District I. We never heard one of them
complain about the weather; they just made
the best of it and created a memorable
weekend for all who participated or stopped
to watch.”
Thanks, Henry. I am pleased to hear that
District I members did us proud while
enjoying the event and hospitality of the
Housick Aeromodelers. The District I
mission is all about friendship, flying, and
having fun.
Happy holidays from the entire District I
team of officers. For all those AMA clubs
and members who organized, promoted, and
directed events during 2010, thank you. We
appreciate all that you do for the AMA clubs
and members.
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.amadistrict-i.org
D i s t r i c t I
(L-R) John Amsden, Doug Titilah, and Gerald Perreault set up for the big biplane mass fly.
Pilots from the Concord Aero Guidance Society and the Sky Hawks attended this District II
event.
Dave Perrone’s electric Fokker D.VI flew at the Hoosick Aeromodelers Fun-Fly in Buskirk,
New York.