The 2015 Westchester Radio Aero Modelers (WRAM) Show, February 20-22, 2015, is in the books. Even with an ominous weather forecast and 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.
The AMA Mobile RC Experience trailer returned for its second year and the model boat pond returned after being absent last year. RC military tanks and indoor flying were popular and there were dozens of beautiful boats and aircraft in various static display competition categories.
The annual District II Membership Meeting at the WRAM Show was standing room only Saturday afternoon. 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, and me. Many associate vice presidents were also in attendance.
Members received national updates and information on 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 too. Members of the UAV club at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology in East Elmhurst, New York, put on a demonstration. The student’s project is a humanitarian UAV to detect abandoned landmines throughout the world’s former war zones.
The membership meeting is traditionally a time to recognize achievements. Retiring District II RC Aerobatics Contest Board member Ron Lockhart received a Distinguished Service Award for his service. Eight members of the Bergen County Silent Fliers of New Jersey received their All-Season Flying patch for flying each month in 2014. Numerous audience members received free giveaways in the model aviation speed trivia game, including Paul Rozek of the Meroke Radio Control Club in Seaford, New York, who won the Futaba 10J transmitter raffle.
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 Jonathan 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 ground seed for full-scale aviators.
Remember, it’s not about what we fly, it’s about the people and the friends we make.
