District II - 2015/05
WRAM Show Overview
The 2015 Westchester Radio Aero Modelers (WRAM) Show, held February 20–22, 2015, is now in the books. Even with an ominous weather forecast and a snowstorm Saturday afternoon, the weekend event was well attended. New exhibitors were present this year, including a booth staffed by several tri-state-area Control Line aircraft clubs.
Exhibits and Attractions
- The AMA Mobile RC Experience trailer returned for its second year.
- The model boat pond returned after being absent the previous year.
- RC military tanks and indoor flying were popular attractions.
- There were dozens of beautiful boats and aircraft in various static display competition categories.
District II Membership Meeting
The annual District II Membership Meeting at the WRAM Show was standing-room-only Saturday afternoon. Members received national updates and information about various District II initiatives and events. The upcoming District II Fly-In on August 15, 2015, in Canandaigua, New York, was highlighted. Updates on the district’s website, Facebook, Twitter, and social media channels were provided.
Members of the UAV Club at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology in East Elmhurst, New York, put on a demonstration. The students’ project is a humanitarian UAV to detect abandoned landmines throughout the world’s former war zones.
#### Presentations Presentations were given by:
- AMA President Bob Brown
- Executive Vice President Gary Fitch
- AMA Executive Director Dave Mathewson
- Director of Public Relations and Government Affairs Rich Hanson
- Flying Site Assistance Coordinator Tony Stillman
- District I Vice President Andy Argenio
- District II Vice President (author)
Many associate vice presidents were also in attendance.
Awards and Recognitions
The membership meeting is traditionally a time to recognize achievements.
- Ron Lockhart, retiring District II RC Aerobatics Contest Board member, received a Distinguished Service Award for his service.
- Eight members of the Bergen County Silent Fliers of New Jersey received All-Season Flying patches for flying each month in 2014.
- Numerous audience members received free giveaways in the model aviation speed trivia game.
- Paul Rozek of the Meroke Radio Control Club in Seaford, New York, won the Futaba 10J transmitter raffle.
Notable Attendee
One of the more inspiring attendees at the WRAM Show was District II’s Jonathan Elie. Jonathan is a Camp AMA graduate from a few years ago. Not only has he obtained his full-scale pilot’s license, he has a commercial rating and is working on becoming a full-scale instructor — all at the age of 19. Jonathan proves that model aviation is the seed for full-scale aviators.
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.
