District II - 2010/11

November 2010 165
THIS MONTH’S COLUMN is dedicated
to the same people who bring model
aviation to the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
every year in September.
John and Whitney Philbrick, of the Mid
Hudson Radio Control Society (MHRCS),
sent this great message of how two clubs got
together and introduced model aviation as
part of a Scouting celebration.
MHRCS and Mid Hudson Modelmaster
members.
“Approximately 3,200 Scouts and
leaders, plus family members and friends,
celebrated the 100-year anniversary of Boy
Scouting in America, and the Mid Hudson
Radio Control Society, supported by the
Mid Hudson Modelmasters, also
participated.
“Held at the Dutchess County
Fairgrounds on a windy Saturday, we were
given a 60 x 20-foot building with at least a
14-foot height in which we showed various
kinds of model aircraft and let the Scouts
enjoy flight simulators or fly rubberpowered
planes. We were busy answering
questions and talking to Scouts and parents
from 9 a.m. until 4:30.
“Fourteen members of MHRCS and Mid
Hudson Modelmasters clubs turned out,
bringing quite an array of models. The hit of
the show, as far as the kids were concerned,
were the planes they could fly. Jim Wood
and Jesse Aronstein (members of both
clubs), and Modelmaster member Chris
Hutton were kept busy all day.
“Jim had both hand-launched and ROG
models. Jesse had a hand-launched plane
that would circle its way to the ceiling, then
gradually ‘wind’ down. Even more fun was
his ‘indoor slope soaring,’ as he’d help a
Scout keep a glider floating along by
pushing a large board through the air,
generating an upwards air current that would
keep the glider flying!
“Craig Domonkos demonstrated indoor
and outdoor RC flying, with a variety of
craft. He had tiny helicopters as well as
various-size 3-D foamies and ARFs that
wowed the crowd. Jesse Aronestein flew a
Hobby Lobby Bleriot that seemed to float in
the air. Whitney Philbrick flew a small J-3
E-flite model, doing touch-and-gos from the
smooth floor.
Craig Domonkos putting on a flying demo.
Jesse Aronstein showing a Scout how to
indoor slope soar.
Leo Sampson working with Scouts.
Scouts enjoying the flight simulator.
Whitney Philbrick showing his Nieuport
N11.
“Flavio Ambrosini, a dual club member,
demonstrated the power of his electric
ducted-fan Phantom. Warren Batson,
MHRCS president and also a Modelmaster
member, and Leo Sampson, Assistant
Scoutmaster and MHRCS member, talked
about their models to fascinated Scouts. Bill
Bolitho, another Modelmaster member,
showed model-building techniques as he
carved out a hand-launched glider.
“One Scout loudly declared that this was
his favorite activity and didn’t want to leave.
His father convinced him to leave after
about an hour, but we noticed his
reappearance (without his father at first)
about a half hour later. His persistence was
rewarded with an ‘all-access pass’ behind
the table barriers to see and touch the largescale
models several club members had
brought along. In all, it was a great time!”
This is just one of many real success
stories by District II clubs, promoting model
aviation and helping their community at the
same time.
Until next month, Keep ’em Three in the
Green.
District II
Gary Fitch, District II Vice President; [email protected]
New Jersey, New York, Europe
Gary Fitch
1298 Slab City Rd.,
Franklinville NY 14737;
Tel.: (716) 341-2813
www.amadistrictii.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Tom Bickford, Tupper
Lake NY; (518) 359-2218;
[email protected]
Sal Calvagna, Holbrook NY;
(631) 737-6327; ncalvagn@
suffolk.lib.ny.us
Gene Gavin, Staten Island NY;
(718) 967-0598;
[email protected]
Bill Hauth, Hamburg NY;
(716)649-8582;
[email protected]
Ray Juschkus, St. James NY;
(631) 862-5589;
[email protected]
Joe Sarbello, Woolrich Township
NJ; (856) 491-8481;
[email protected]
Alexander Szemere, Kendall
Park NJ; (732) 821-5641;
[email protected]
RC Contest Coordinator:
Jim Goodemote, Allegany NY;
(716) 372-1137
Safety Coordinator: Al Kanser,
New Lisbon NY; (607) 293-7974;
[email protected]
For a complete listing of
district officers and volunteers,
please visit the District I1 Web site
or see a previous issue of MA.
District II Volunteers