District II - 2006/02
Dave Mathewson, District II Vice President
[email protected] New Jersey, New York, Europe
I hope everyone had a nice holiday season.
New Year's Day 2006 has come and gone and, for many of us in our district, we're now deep into the indoor flying season. Indoor RC modeling has grown exponentially in the last several years, thanks in part to advancements in technology. The batteries, motors, and speed controls we use in our indoor models were virtually unheard of a few short years ago. Today this technology allows those of us in the colder climates to continue to enjoy our sport indoors in spite of the sometimes less-than-comfortable conditions outside.
This very same technology is creating another phenomenon of sorts. By all accounts, sales of small electric radio-control models for outdoor flying are at record levels. While internal-combustion power is still going strong, it's becoming clear that electric power does and will play an important part in the future of modeling.
It's not unimaginable to think that there may be thousands of novice modelers in our district who own new electric RC airplanes. The interesting thing is that the majority of these new modelers are likely either teenagers or young adults. Some of them are going to be looking for help to get their new model airborne. Some of them are going to be looking for a more conventional place to fly other than a local park or empty field, and eventually some of them are going to want to try their hands at something slightly more advanced.
These new modelers present an opportunity for our clubs not only to increase their membership, but in doing so most likely also reduce the median age of the club's members. Reaching out to these new modelers could be the key to our future.
Club community efforts
AMA District II clubs do a great job of contributing to their local communities. Two of our clubs have made their local hospice organization the recipient of the clubs' charitable efforts.
Roy Perry, Plattsburgh Radio Aeromodelers (PRAM) vice president, wrote that his club held its annual fly-in in June 2005. Roy said that the event was well-attended and, as a result, the club was able to present a check for $1,000 to the Hospice of the North Country in Plattsburgh, New York. This is the third consecutive year that PRAM was able to donate $1,000 to Hospice.
PRAM's Roy Perry sent another short note that described a nice idea. "Members of the Plattsburgh Radio Aeromodelers wanted to honor the deceased members of our club. Thanks to John Yaniro, who donated an old Sensenich propeller from a Piper Cub, the club created a memorial plaque."
Tom Shortell, John Yaniro, and Gary Dumas worked on this project and created a beautiful tribute to the members who did so much for the club. Because of the efforts of these members and others, PRAM purchased 38 acres of land and developed a flying site that has gotten rave reviews from the many RC pilots who come to fly with us.
"There are 13 names on this plaque and it is on display in our new pavilion for all to see. The members of PRAM extend an open invitation to any and all RC pilots to come and visit our field and fly with us."
The Leatherstocking RC Buzzards, another District II club, held a fly-in to benefit its local hospice. Buzzards member Al Kanser wrote that on July 15–17, 2005, the Buzzards, with the assistance of some members of the Oneonta R/C Flyers, hosted their annual charity fundraiser. All profits from this event go to aid the Catskill Area Hospice. This was the club's second year hosting the event and the amount donated was almost double that of the previous year.
This giant-scale event drew pilots from all across the Northeast. Both officers of the AMA and the International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) attended, and the event ran so well that the Buzzards have been asked to host the 2006 IMAA District II Minifest.
See you next time.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
