150
IN MID-FEBRUARY, I attended the
AMA Strategic Planning meeting. This
meeting was only the beginning of the
process to identify and explore areas of
focus for short- and long-term goals.
The goals discussed will be evaluated
by the executive committee and staff and
plans will be formulated to accomplish the
objectives. I will provide more specific
information on the District I Web site as it
becomes available.
I had the opportunity and pleasure to meet
and talk with many District I members at the
AMA booth during the Westchester Radio
Aero Modelers (WRAM) Show in White
Plains, New York, held the last three days of
February. Discussion revolved around plans
to have two district-sponsored events
sometime in September—one event on land
and the other a float-fly.
During March and April I will be looking
at possible sites that could accommodate
these district events.
I am pleased to announce the two newest
members of the District I team. Ray
LaBonte is the best choice as an associate
vice president (AVP) from Maine and Les
Watson has been named the District Safety
Coordinator.
Bob Wallace has served as an AVP
representing Connecticut for more than 20
years. For those who haven’t had the
pleasure of meeting Bob, I have asked him
to tell us a little about himself.
“My name is Bob Wallace and I will be
continuing as an AVP, representing
Connecticut. I am retired and have been
involved in
aeromodeling
since age 7
with 50 years
of competitive
flying. I have
been a
contributing
editor for RC
Model
Magazine for
27 years.
I am an AMA
Leader
Member and CD and I serve on the AMA
RC Combat Contest Board. While I was
Team Manager for the 1987 US FAI Pylon
Racing Championships in Australia, the
team finished 1-2-3. In 1999 I was the
RCCA 2105 Scale Combat Champion. I
have traveled to Europe on more than 30
occasions to compete in FAI Pylon and 1/12-
Scale Combat.
“I will continue to attend events
throughout the district and if you have
issues, questions, or need assistance, please
contact me.”
The first of what promises to be weekly
indoor flying sessions was held at the Sports
World Dome in East Windsor, Connecticut,
on Friday, January 14, 2005. Bob Wallace
provided the photos and story about this
northern Connecticut indoor flying site.
Frank Nys (R) answers questions about
his Doodle Bug that is powered with GWS
IPS motor and a lithium 200 mAh battery.
(L to R) Dell Major, George Gore, and Bob
Spooner.
“With only limited word-of-mouth and
an E-mail announcement that was issued just
days in advance, a surprising number of
modelers turned out for the event. Fliers and
spectators from Connecticut and
Massachusetts were treated to an indoor
flying site that has to be the premier indoor
site in the southern New England area, if not
in all of District I.
“The Sports Dome is a large, well-lit,
inflatable-type structure that houses three
soccer fields. The paved parking area
provides easy access, and the main entrance
area includes the service desk, a wellequipped
refreshment counter, and
restrooms.
“Future flying sessions will be held every
Friday afternoon from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., and
any modeler may attend and is welcome to
fly. The cost to fly is $10 per flying session,
and spectator admittance is free. Flying is
open to electric RC and rubber-powered
models. Large, outdoor-type electric models
and fast flying Zagi types are not permitted.
“By the time you read this column,
additional evening-hour flying sessions may
be scheduled, depending on modelers’
interest and participation. The two men
responsible for making these indoor flying
sessions become a reality are Bob Spooner,
South Windsor, Massachusetts, and Dell
Major of Monson, Massachusetts. Both are
certainly deserving of a huge ‘atta boy’ and
words of thanks from their aeromodeling
peers.
“Bob and Dell are both long-time
members of the Northern Connecticut Radio
Control Club (NCRCC), and have a variety
of interests that range from gasoline-fueled,
Giant Scale aircraft to indoor micro-flight
RC models, and even rubber- and CO2-
powered types.
George Gore readies one of his scratchbuilt
designs for its maiden flight at the
indoor soccer field.
“Thanks to their efforts, District I
modelers now have a wonderful indoor flying
site available. Anyone with an interest in
indoor RC electric or rubber-powered models
would be well advised to stop by one of these
flying sessions and see for themselves what is
happening. Better yet, bring a suitable model
along and join in the fun!”
There are no shortcuts to anyplace worth
going.
District I Report
Associate Vice Presidents
Ed Faria, Somerset MA 02725; (508) 678-6404;
[email protected]
James Gilliatt, Concord MA 01742; (978) 369-
9796; [email protected]
Ray LaBonte, Standish ME; (207) 892-7994
Robert Langlois, Concord NH 03301; (603) 225-
9759; [email protected]
Patrick Libby, Ascutney VT 05030; (802) 674-
2311; [email protected]
Frank Ponteri, Westerly RI 02891; (401) 322-
8358; [email protected]
Bob Wallace, Avon CT 06001-2230; (860) 673-
2000; [email protected]
Frequency Coordinators
Joel Chappell, 21 Billings St, Milford NH 06001
(603) 673-6240 [email protected]
Kevin Richards, (508) 699-0838;
[email protected]
District Safety Coordinator
Les Watson, Riverside RI (401) 437-1622
Educational Coordinator
Ed Spidell, Chepachet RI 02814; (401) 567-0344;
[email protected]
Webmaster
Paul Costa, Attleboro MA 02760; (508) 699-0838;
[email protected]
Connecticut / Maine /
Massachusetts /
New Hampshire /
Rhode Island / Vermont
Andy Argenio
Vice President
3 Sheila Lane
Smithfield RI 02917
Home: (401) 231-6901;
Work: (401) 231-5380;
E-mail: [email protected];
District I Web site: www.amadistrict1.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/05
Page Numbers: 150