District II-2011/07

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WHEN AMA’S Education Director Bill
Pritchett and I were asked to attend Science
Day at Ridgewood High School in New
Jersey, on March 11, we couldn’t say no.
The theme was flight! This was an offshoot
of our attendance at the New Jersey Science
and Engineering festival last fall.
Unfortunately neither Bill nor I could be
there on that date, so I asked Richard and
Dan Landis and Associate Vice President
(AVP) Frank Granelli and his wife, Ann, if
they could work the one-day event. Without
hesitation they accepted the responsibility.
Richard and Frank are excellent pilots,
and Dan has world-class skills, so I knew
the teachers and youngsters would be
impressed. Richard sent this report:
“There were a lot of people and everyone
enjoyed the planes. There were several
school principals in attendance and we gave
out at least eight AMA DVDs and
promotional packs to them.
“The head of the Board of Education was
there and was very impressed with the
presentation. Everyone loved the flying.
Great Planes donated two airplanes to give
away and we raffled one off after each flight
demonstration. As you can see from the big
smiles on the faces of the two children who
won the planes, they were very well
received.
“Franklin Institute of Science was in
attendance and made a flight presentation
and we followed with ours. The kids and
parents were very impressed with our
demonstration and the AMA has been
invited back to participate in this event again
next year! The school was extremely pleased
with the outcome of this year’s presentation.
“John Caputo, one of the members of the
Rockland County RC Club (RCRCC), is
going to spearhead AMA’s new Model
Aviation School Club (MASC) Program,
and was at this event with a sign-up sheet
for those interested in joining.
“I would like to thank Frank and Anne
Granelli who are always a tremendous help.
Barry Yarkon of RCRCC was very helpful
with the children as well as with crowd
control.”
(L)This young lady
is the ARF winner.
(R) The proud
winner of the
Albatros.
Dan Landis demonstrated his foamy before
the crowd.
People in the crowd asked many questions of
the modelers.
Frank, Richard, and Dan with Dan’s 40%
Extra.
AVP Peter Seiffert has been spearheading
the effort of Syracuse clubs working with
the Museum of Science and Technology
(MOST). Peter reported that they hosted 100
Girl Scouts who were very attentive and
asked some very good questions about our
aircraft and flying.
Three clubs participated in the event:
Syracuse Thunderbirds, Aero Radio Club of
Syracuse, and the Central New York Indoor
Flying Society. The participants flew Vapors
and various indoor helicopters.
Chuck LeVine took the photos at MOST,
gave a talk, and did some flying for roughly
100 Girl Scouts. District II model aviation is
really reaching out to our communities!
AVP Peter Seiffert explained how airplanes
fly.
The Girl Scouts had many questions.
Until next month, help secure our future
and take a youngster flying.
MODEL AVIATION
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
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