District II - 201209

In my travels throughout the district
I’ve learned plenty about our AMA
clubs. While some modelers prefer
to fly with wires, others with radios,
and some use neither, all of us have
something in common; more than we
may realize. Flying together, sharing
our hobby, and helping others are what
we all do best.
A great example of our fellow
District II clubs is the Plattsburgh
Radio Aeromodelers (PRAM). This
past June PRAM held its 10th Annual
Hospice/Make-A-Wish Fun-Fly, raising
more than $3,300 for the two charities.
During the event club members and
visiting pilots flew everything from
foamies to turbines.
Many spectators received the handson
experience of flying a trainer, and
they were invited to come back for
another lesson. The nicest part was
having a fun time and bringing new
people into our hobby.
The PRAM club was busy this
spring. As a prelude to the charity
event, several club members visited
with second graders from the Ausable
Valley Central School and talked with
students about aeromodeling.
To widen interests at the flying
field, PRAM installed an RC car track.
The new facility has increased club
membership, brought new families to
the field, and offered a new dimension
for modelers.
In my travels throughout the district
I’ve learned plenty about our AMA
clubs. While some modelers prefer
to fly with wires, others with radios,
and some use neither, all of us have
something in common; more than we
may realize. Flying together, sharing
our hobby, and helping others are what
we all do best.
PRAM members (L-R) Mike Croghan, John
Yaniro, Jack Hoskins, Nate Caner, and Roy
Perry with Ausable Valley Central School
second graders.
A great example of our fellow
District II clubs is the Plattsburgh
Radio Aeromodelers (PRAM). This
past June PRAM held its 10th Annual
Hospice/Make-A-Wish Fun-Fly, raising
more than $3,300 for the two charities.
During the event club members and
visiting pilots flew everything from
foamies to turbines.
Many spectators received the handson
experience of flying a trainer, and
they were invited to come back for
another lesson. The nicest part was
having a fun time and bringing new
people into our hobby.
The PRAM club was busy this
spring. As a prelude to the charity
event, several club members visited
with second graders from the Ausable
Valley Central School and talked with
students about aeromodeling.
To widen interests at the flying
field, PRAM installed an RC car track.
The new facility has increased club
membership, brought new families to
the field, and offered a new dimension
for modelers.
PRAMs members at the Hospice Make-a-Wish
Fun-Fly.
District II was fortunate to have
the Binghamton Aeros host the
International Miniature Aircraft
Association’s (IMAA’s) national Rally
of Giants June 21 to 24, 2012, at the
Chenango Bridge Airport in Chenango
Bridge, New York.
IMAA President Frank Fels, various
IMAA officers, and AMA AVPs from
several districts were on hand. The
weather cooperated with the big
aircraft flying all four days.
With more than 100 registered
pilots, approximately 300 airplanes
were at the event. It was great to see
the high level of participation, as well
as a renewed interest in large-scale
model aircraft.
Ken Wilson (L) and Spanky Mckay announcing
at the IMAA Rally of Giants.
Modelers admire the Chritain Eagles of Chris
and Bruce Finck at the IMAA Rally of Giants.
The Syracuse Thunderbirds Aero
Radio Society (STARS) once again
held the CNY Heli Jam in Phoenix,
New York, on June 30, 2012. In its
fourth year, the western New York
event attracted pilots from several
states and Canada. The event could
be viewed on the Internet via the
Thunderbirds live webcam, and the
club provides Wi-Fi access at the field.
STARS is one of a few clubs that
offers both fixed-wing and helicopter
training programs. These are all
great ideas for using technology and
ingenuity to welcome new people to
our hobby!
Club vice president Phil Morgan (R) welcomes
new Syracuse Thunderbirds’ and AMA member
James Losey, signed-up at the CNY Heli Jam!
Until next month, visit District II’s
website for extended photo coverage of
these and other events, and remember
to view “AMA-District-II” on Twitter
and “like us” on Facebook!
Remember, it’s not about what
we fly, it’s about the people and the
friends we make.District II was fortunate to have
the Binghamton Aeros host the
International Miniature Aircraft
Association’s (IMAA’s) national Rally
of Giants June 21 to 24, 2012, at the
Chenango Bridge Airport in Chenango
Bridge, New York.
IMAA President Frank Fels, various
IMAA officers, and AMA AVPs from
several districts were on hand. The
weather cooperated with the big
aircraft flying all four days.
With more than 100 registered
pilots, approximately 300 airplanes
were at the event. It was great to see
the high level of participation, as well
as a renewed interest in large-scale
model aircraft.
The Syracuse Thunderbirds Aero
Radio Society (STARS) once again
held the CNY Heli Jam in Phoenix,
New York, on June 30, 2012. In its
fourth year, the western New York
event attracted pilots from several
states and Canada. The event could
be viewed on the Internet via the
Thunderbirds live webcam, and the
club provides Wi-Fi access at the field.
STARS is one of a few clubs that
offers both fixed-wing and helicopter
training programs. These are all
great ideas for using technology and
ingenuity to welcome new people to
our hobby!
Until next month, visit District II's
website for extended photo coverage of
these and other events, and remember
to view “AMA-District-II” on Twitter
and “like us” on Facebook!
Remember, it’s not about what
we fly, it’s about the people and the
friends we make.