District II - 2011/06

142 MODEL AVIATION
AS I WRITE THIS it is still March with
snow on the ground but by the time that you
read it, hopefully we will have forgotten
about this unending winter and be flying
under warm, sunny skies.
As of April 1, AMA modified our
insurance program. Associate vice
presidents, CDs, contest coordinators, team
mangers, etc., will now have primary
liability insurance coverage when they are
acting in their official capacities. This is one
way to thank our members for volunteering
for these positions.
By now nearly everyone who is a helicopter
enthusiast knows of world-famous Kyle
Stacey. His dad, Ray, sets up Kyle’s
helicopters, but what is less known is that
Ray is also an accomplished helicopter and
fixed-wing pilot.
I mention Ray not because of his or his
son’s flying ability, though; it is because of
the way he helps promote our hobby. At
many events Ray purchases—at his own
expense—multiple arm lengths of modelrelated
raffle tickets to give away. He
doesn’t give them away to just anyone; he
looks for youngsters with that special gleam
in their eyes when they are watching the
flying events and he surprises them with free
tickets.
You should see their faces when they
learn that they have a chance to win a flying
machine! What a great idea for the rest of
us, Ray. You are a true ambassador of our
hobby!
Ray Stacey with raffle tickets to give to
youngsters.
Creating smiles with free tickets. Look at
those faces.
Ray’s club, the Rochester Aero Modelers
Society (RAMS) holds a well-attended funfly,
then one week later, the club hosts
District II’s premier helicopter event. Pilots
from several states and Canada attend and it
is a great time with relaxed flying, worldclass
flying demos, friendly people, and
great food!
The field is located in rural Macedon, New
York. It’s not a large city, but the club does
draw spectators at these impressive events!
Look at the number of spectators watching
the show.
Sandy Jaffe from State College,
Pennsylvania, with his R22 helicopter.
Helping a young trainee on the buddy box.
I received a nice letter from Patrick Rizzuto,
president of the Top O’ New Jersey R/C
Club of Great Meadows, New Jersey. Pat
said that the club’s membership is most
appreciative of what AMA is doing on its
behalf and for all of model aviation, in our
dealings with the FAA.
The club members sent letters to their
elected officials and, in an effort to help
offset the cost of this effort, the club donated
$150 to AMA for our FAA efforts! To all of
the Top O’ New Jersey R/C Club members,
thank you for setting the pace and helping
out!
The Pine Barrens of Barnegat, New Jersey,
sent along notice of the passing of William
R. (Bill) Kramer. Bill was a lifelong builder
of radio-controlled aircraft and was actively
involved in his club, always at meetings, and
willing to lend a hand. Bill was 83 and will
be missed by all.
Help secure our hobby. Take a youngster
flying.
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
Frank Granelli,
Rockaway NJ; (973) 625-
4995; [email protected]
Tom Murray, Basking Ridge NJ;
(908) 766-5656;
[email protected]
Tony Rossi, Somerset NJ; (917)
320-2665; [email protected]
Peter Seiffert, Baldwinsville NY;
(315) 635-6370;
[email protected]
Terry Terreniore, Endicott, NY;
(607) 748-8246; amad2terry@
stny.rr.com
Eric Williams, Schenectady NY;
(518) 356-2057;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator:
Kevin Coleman, Middletown NJ;
(212) 975-2988; kcoleman@
cbs.com
CL and FF Contest
Coordinator: Dave King, South
Plainfield NJ; (908) 769-5149
Webmaster: Ray Kappes,
Clifton Park NY; webmaster@
amadistrictii.org
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
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