District II - 2006/11
Dave Mathewson, District II Vice President
[email protected] New Jersey, New York, Europe
Camden Cloudbusters field dedication and Cub Scout introduction
On June 25, 2006, my wife and I were invited to attend the Camden Cloudbusters’ field-improvement dedication / club picnic / introduction-to-model-aviation day involving a local Cub Scout pack.
In late 2005, a severe storm passed over the club field, doing considerable damage and totally destroying the club storage facilities. A relatively small club, the Cloudbusters lacked the funds necessary to make all the needed repairs, which included building a new storage shed. Through the efforts of the club's members and the generosity of some members of the local business community, the field was returned to better-than-new, which prompted the day's celebration. As part of the activities, the club invited the local Cub Scouts to the field to try their hands at flying an RC model airplane.
After lunch the kids lined up and one at a time made their way to the flightline. In recognition of their flights, each Scout was presented with an AMA First Flight pin marking the occasion, and everyone went home with a smile.
Driving home, it struck me that this was a perfect example of how, when a club and a community contribute to each other, the result is a positive experience for all.
Oneonta R/C Flyers — new field
Al Kanser wrote that the Oneonta R/C Flyers club has finally moved into its new field after a more-than-four-year search. The field, with its 750-foot runway, will accommodate any size RC aircraft, allowing all the club members to fly together. It is close to the city of Oneonta and is large enough to accommodate ample parking.
After using the polo fields in Gilbertsville for most of the club's major activities for a number of years, the club hosted its first event at the new field on September 23–24, 2006. The success of the event has the club considering hosting the 2007 AMA District II Fly-In. It took much hard work and a substantial amount of time, but with dedicated members and the help of AMA, the members feel that they have succeeded. Thanks, Al, and congratulations on what looks to be an outstanding facility.
Meet John Cuomo
Meet John Cuomo. John lives in Whiting, New Jersey, in Ocean County, and is 88 years young. He is a World War II veteran and a life member of the Pine Barrens Radio Control Club. Also a member of the East Coast Indoor Modelers club, John flies electric models indoors in Hangar One at the Lakehurst Naval Base.
John shares his enjoyment of flying RC planes by teaching beginners how to fly electric-powered models at the local field. He builds all of his own model airplanes and uses them to introduce potential new modelers to our hobby. According to members of his clubs, John is a patient and encouraging teacher and fun to be with. John, thanks for helping promote our hobby.
Indoor flying and facility assistance
The outdoor flying season is beginning to wind down for most in our district. In spite of some unfortunate inclement weather at several events we attended, it was an enjoyable summer. It’s becoming common for many clubs in the Northeast to turn to indoor electric activities. For those who haven't tried it yet, indoor RC can be much fun and can break up those long winters for which we're so famous.
In some cases, getting the use of an indoor facility — a school gym, a church facility, etc. — takes little more than asking. Often the owners of these facilities only ask for the assurance that they be financially protected if an incident takes place. Just as we do with thousands of outdoor flying sites, AMA can help.
If you think we can provide you or your club with assistance in acquiring a new indoor site, contact me by any of the methods in the column header or give AMA Special Services a call at (765) 287-1256, ext. 250.
See you next time.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
