District II - 2015/04
Eric Williams
Vice President [email protected] 4242 Amanda Ln., Schenectady, NY 12303 Tel.: (518) 356-2057 www.amadistrict-ii.org
Members frequently ask how they can grow their club or bring new people into the hobby, especially young people. The answers are simple yet require time and effort. Publicizing your club and hosting events and activities that introduce model aviation to the general public are essential. One successful example is a program run by the Wing and Rotor of Western New York RC flying club. Richard Anderson, club vice president, sent the following report on the club’s program.
Wing and Rotor of Western New York — Building Program (Niagara Aerospace Museum)
The Wing and Rotor of Western New York RC flying club hosts a building program at the Niagara Aerospace Museum. Classes started January 10, 2015, and consist of eight students, ages 13–16, split into two four-person teams. The teams are building two Goldberg Eagle 2s. When aircraft construction is finished in spring, students will learn to fly their models through the AMA Intro Pilot Program.
- Instructor team:
- Doug Weaver (lead)
- Dwane Covert (Intro Pilot)
- Dan Warner (Intro Pilot)
- Ron Dunlap
- Rich Anderson
Instructors meet every Saturday for two hours with students, who paid $25 each to cover the cost of the kits. Other items, such as radios and engines, are donated by club members.
This is the first year we have conducted this class, but we hope to continue it in the years to come.
Kudos to the members of Wing and Rotor of Western New York. For more information, visit the Niagara Aerospace Museum’s website at http://wnyaerospace.org.
Levittown Flea Market
Sunday, January 25, 2015, was the site of the 30th annual Levittown Flea Market in Levittown, New York. Archie Defendini and the Nassau Flyers put on another great event. I had the opportunity to speak with many modelers who traveled great distances and took advantage of the buying and selling. If you’ve never made the Levittown event, put it on your calendar next year!
Brownie’s Hobby Shop Visit
On Friday, February 6, 2015, AMA President Bob Brown, Executive Vice President Gary Fitch, and I visited Brownie’s Hobby Shop at 124 Bennett St., Staten Island, New York. The occasion was presenting store proprietor George Brown and his family with a certificate commemorating an AMA Walk of Fame brick honoring George’s late wife, Mary Lou.
No relation to our AMA president, George Brown is a member of the AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame. Brownie’s Hobby Shop is a veritable wonderland of model aviation. Every inch of ceiling space is covered with hanging model airplanes. If you want to see a well-stocked, traditional hobby shop, visit Brownie’s.
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.
