District I Report
Jim Semonian
I have received word that Jim Semonian passed away in March. It was quite sudden and unexpected. Jim had been in the hobby for many years and was one of the first to manufacture a line of mufflers and tools, Semco Products. Jim served as an Associate Vice President (AVP) for many years and will be missed.
AVP
Because of Jim's passing, there is an opening for an AVP for Massachusetts, and there has also been an opening for one in Vermont. If anyone would like to be considered for one of these vacancies, let me know.
Scale Fly-In
Mike Doucette sent the following material to me.
On September 29, 2002, the Central Massachusetts R/C Modelers Inc. hosted an AMA‑sanctioned Scale Fly‑In at the club field in Westborough, Massachusetts.
The weather was as good as one could hope for—sunny and not too warm, with a light breeze blowing down the runway. What a great day for reviving this event that had been in hiatus for the past three years or so.
Seventeen pilots registered, entering 16 handsome airplanes. Not a bad turnout for an event planned on short notice and not heavily advertised.
Jim Sbrogna served as Contest Director, with able assistance provided by Tom Kozewski and Harvey Thomasian. They reported no complaints, and everyone present had a good time. No crashes occurred, and only two aircraft suffered minor damage.
A canteen service was provided by Janice Lindvig, Cheryl Buckley, and Nancy Buckley. There was plenty of food and beverages, all well prepared. Many spectators came to watch and partake of the canteen. The good weather allowed everyone to get in plenty of flying time; the pilots showed exemplary skills and the aircraft flew in a scalelike manner.
The registered pilots did the judging after all flying was done. Categories were civilian and military.
Contestants and aircraft included:
- Mark Hamilton, J-3 Cub
- Alberto Vasquez, Aeronca Champion
- Jim Sbrogna, Gee Bee Y
- Gus Deltwas, Cessna 210
- Mitch Buckley, Cessna 210
- Mitch Buckley, P-47 Jug
- Tom Kozewski, Fleet PT-6A
- Jack Buckley, Texas Hurricane
- Jack Buckley, Hawker Sea Fury
- Ron Sivonen, P-51 Mustang
- Ron Sivonen, F4U Corsair
- Ron Sivonen, P-47 Jug
- Ruane Crummett, Texas Hurricane
- Russell Miller, J-3 Kitten
- Pete Hadamovsky, Bristol
- Frank Bove, Supermarine Spitfire
- Gerard Perreault, Curtiss JN-4 Jenny
Winners in the Military category:
- First: Ron Sivonen, P-51
- Second: Tom Kozewski, Fleet PT-6A
- Third: Ron Sivonen, P-47
Winners in the Civilian category:
- First: Jim Sbrogna, Gee Bee
- Second: Russell Miller, J-3 Kitten
- Third: Mitch Buckley, Cessna 210
First through third-place finishers in each category were presented with handsome certificates and a gallon of fuel. All contestants took home a bottle of CyA adhesive, though fortunately none needed to use it right away.
Ultimate RC Warehouse in Franklin, Massachusetts, contributed prizes.
Text and pictures by Mike Doucette.
This column is being written on April 7. The weather is cold and a snowstorm is predicted for later today. There has been some flying done so far this year, but conditions have not been very good because the fields are still muddy.
I hope that this cold spring will transition to a very nice summer and that you all have a successful and enjoyable flying season.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
