District II - 2006/10
In my July 2006 column I wrote about the newly revised AMA Introductory Pilot Program and how we hoped that this new program would help our clubs become proactive in promoting model aviation in their local communities.
Meroke RC Club — Cedar Creek Aerodrome
In late July, the Meroke RC Club on Long Island used the Introductory Pilot Program to do exactly what we had envisioned. Written by Mark Klein, the following paragraphs describe the Merokes’ effort.
On Friday, July 28, the Introductory Pilot Program of the Meroke RC Club met the challenge of instructing a large group of trainees at the Cedar Creek Aerodrome in Wantagh, New York.
Mr. Y. Reiter of the Chabad of Roslyn Day Camp contacted Charlie Lando and asked if we could arrange a program for 36 children ages 11–14. Charlie presented the proposal to the club and the concept was approved.
Charlie forwarded Introductory Pilot forms to the camp in sufficient quantities and asked that the forms be completed by July 25. As lead Intro Pilot, I contacted Mr. Reiter and made arrangements to demonstrate the trainer. After a brief lesson on flight and the various control inputs that would be necessary for successful flying, the transmitter box was passed around and all the campers were given stick time to acclimate them to the complexities of the “pull back or down on the stick and the plane’s elevator goes up” routine.
Having to work with such a large number of students, it was important to have the hands-on basics before the first flights.
The Merokes fly from the Cedar Creek Aerodrome, a Nassau County Park facility located on the grounds of Cedar Creek Park and the Cedar Creek Sewage Treatment Plant. We are extremely fortunate to have the cooperation and backing of our park officials and our field is one of the best in the region.
As a public field we didn’t want to monopolize the flying stations, so we chose to use two of the five available. When the other clubs and independent fliers learned of our intentions, we were allowed full use of the field to give the students sufficient stick time to get the feel of flying.
July 28 came and the weather was perfect. When the school bus rumbled down the dirt road, the volunteers were ready and waiting. The One Fly Aero Star and the PT-40 were fired up, trimmed, and after placing the campers into groups of five, we were up and flying.
We were surprised that some of the campers took well to the controls and were flying smooth circuits after a minute or two. The campers left with big smiles and some expressed a desire to pursue the hobby.
My thanks to my fellow Intro Pilots Bob Reynolds and Doug Frie and our helpers Al Cagan, Ron Berg, and Charlie Lando for volunteering for such a large undertaking and for sacrificing other commitments.
The new Introductory Pilot Program has undergone several revisions which make it an ideal program for events such as this. For more information, visit the AMA website at www.modelaircraft.org. Club officers can now enroll their club Intro Pilot instructors online and instructors can register their students quickly by visiting the Members' Only section of the website.
Somerset Signal Senders — Camp Okee Sunokee
Somerset Signal Senders (SSS) member Ray Jajko wrote the following about his club’s visit to Camp Okee Sunokee.
As one of the television credit card commercials tells us, some things in life are “priceless.” Sharing one’s joys and experiences with others is one of those priceless things and is incredibly rewarding.
So it was for the Somerset Signal Senders (SSS) on Friday, June 30, when representatives of our club shared our hobby with roughly 40 kids at Camp Okee Sunokee. The SSS was represented by Ken Hoeg, Ray Jajko, Marc Julius, Rich Negran, Tony Rossi, John Samtak, Tom Teel, and Jim Vigani.
Camp Okee Sunokee is one of the Somerset County Park Commission programs, conducted in the headquarters building adjoining our flying field in Bridgewater. Our contingent was welcomed by our good friend Karren Newman and by Ms. Lee Shahay, Senior Program Coordinator, and the children ranging in age from 6 to 13.
To say that all of the children had a grand old time would be an understatement. Their faces reflected how much they liked our presentation—everything from intent interest and curiosity to bright eyes while giggling and laughing. Ken Hoeg did a superb job narrating the PowerPoint presentation projected on a wall for all to see.
Jim Vigani was handling the sticks on a flight simulator. His flying skills brought out a lot of oohs and aahs from the audience. For show and tell, Jim brought an electric Mobius and Rich had a beautiful glider. Ken used Ray’s Mustang to show everybody how the control surfaces on an airplane actually move in response to transmitter signals.
Finally, the kids were given their own gliders to assemble and take outside to fly! They really loved it. Some were surprised that the gliders were theirs to keep and take home. In helping the younger people with their assembly projects, I think our guys had as much fun as the kids. It certainly appears we will be invited back next summer for us to take part in another great experience.
See you next time ...
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
