Members frequently ask me how can they grow their club or bring new people into the hobby, especially young people. The answers are simple yet require some time and effort. Publicizing your club and hosting events and activities that introduce model aviation to the general public are essential. One such program is conducted by RC flying club Wing and Rotor of Western New York. Richard Anderson, club vice president, sent the following report on the club’s successful program.
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-man 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.
The instructor team is headed up by Doug Weaver with instructors Dwane Covert (Intro Pilot), Dan Warner (Intro Pilot), Ron Dunlap, and 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 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.
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 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!
On Friday, February 6, 2014, I visited Brownies Hobby Shop at 124 Bennett St., Staten Island, New York, along with AMA President Bob Brown and Executive Vice President Gary Fitch. 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 Hall of Fame. Brownies 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 Brownies.
Remember, it’s not about what we fly; it’s about the people and the friends we make.