District II — New Jersey, New York, Europe
Syracuse Thunderbirds Heli Jam — June 28, 2014
On June 28, 2014, I attended the Syracuse Thunderbirds Aero Radio Society’s Heli Jam in Phoenix, New York. Numerous helicopters from near and far were flown, including some piloted by our visiting Canadian neighbors. Scale, sport, and other machines flew for spectators.
Fresh off his second-place podium finish at the Extreme Flight Championship in Muncie, Indiana, District II’s Kyle Stacy flew impressive flights for everyone’s pleasure.
Rochester AeroModeling Society’s (RAMS) Chris Reibert also flew his scale helicopter in an attractive red-and-white color scheme. Chris is an active helicopter flier and the contest director for the club’s 12th Annual Northeast Model Helicopter Jamboree, held August 29–31 this year.
Champlain Valley Flyers — Valley of the Giants / Harry Cox Memorial Fly-In — July 5, 2014
On Saturday, July 5, 2014, I visited the Champlain Valley Flyers Club’s Valley of the Giants Harry Cox Memorial Fly-In. Harry Cox, a decorated World War II B-17 pilot, enjoyed aviation throughout his life. After a successful career as owner of Cox Chevrolet in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, Harry and his wife, Betty, retired to a summer home in Westport, New York. Harry purchased the Westport Airport and welcomed the Champlain Valley Flyers and guests to his airport.
After his passing last year, it was decided that the annual event should be renamed in his honor. There was an outpouring of love and friendship from friends and family at a memorial service in the airport hangar during the fly-in. Although the flying was limited by exceptional winds off nearby Lake Champlain, everyone enjoyed good company and memories.
Support for Roy Collins
Unable to attend the event was modeler Roy Collins, president of the Belmont Cloud Splitters and a resident of Malone, New York. Roy was seriously burned in a workshop accident in May and was initially given a small chance of survival. After several successful surgeries and therapy, it’s hoped that Roy will be home sometime in August.
A 50/50 raffle was held at the event to assist Roy and his family. In a further expression of modelers helping modelers, the winner, Eric Granger of National Balsa, donated his winnings back to the Collins family.
Remember, it’s not about what we fly; it’s about the people and the friends we make!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
