District II Report - 2003/05
Contact
Dave Mathewson Vice President 7271 State Fair Blvd. Baldwinsville, NY 13027 Tel.: (315) 727-4275 Fax: (315) 635-1039 E-mail: [email protected] District II Web page: www.amadistrictii.org
Note: For a listing of district volunteer workers, please consult the previous issue of Model Aviation or the above web address.
World Miniature Warbird Association (WMWA)
Interested in warbirds? The World Miniature Warbird Association (WMWA) is an international organization that got its start in District II not that long ago. Today WMWA boasts more than 500 members, not only in the United States but also throughout the world.
WMWA is dedicated to building and flying radio control (RC) models of aircraft, from any era, used for combat and defense around the world. Camaraderie and friendship are the bonds that tie this group together, and this is obvious when you attend one of their events.
If you'd like to learn more about WMWA you can visit its Web site at http://www.wmwa.org.
WMWA participates in several events throughout District II during the year. In 2002, WMWA held its annual Warbird Classic in conjunction with the Warbirds Over New York event, run by contest director (CD) Bill Steffes, in Selkirk, New York.
Warbirds Over New York
Bill and his crew have made this event an activity modelers in the area look forward to and an event that gives back to the community in which it's held. For several years, Warbirds Over New York has donated proceeds from the event to the local Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program.
This year they raised nearly $6,000 for this important cause, bringing the amount donated through the years to a total in excess of $25,000. More than 100 pilots participated in this year's event, making it one of the largest warbird fly-ins held in our district.
The quality of some of the models flown can only be described as exceptional. World Miniature Warbird Association Wing #117 was there in force. From Long Island, the wing brought a total of 40 aircraft. They had a spectacular variety of outstanding warbird models that added significantly to the event.
Unfortunately, I recently heard from Bill Steffes that the 2003 version of Warbirds Over New York has been canceled. Let's hope this asset to model aviation in District II soon gets back on track.
Warbirds Over Brooklyn Fly-In (PARCS)
I was in Brooklyn last August 4 for the Pennsylvania Avenue Radio Control Society's (PARCS) annual Warbirds Over Brooklyn Fly-In, another event with a WMWA presence. Jim Peterkin, current PARCS president, sent me some photos and text about the fly-in I want to share with you.
"The first international airport in New York City was Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn and it is the site of many historic achievements including the famous flights of Amelia Earhart. Now, this entire 1,750-acre facility has been turned into a national park and it is the home of the 320-plus-member PARCS.
"The weather could have been cooler but not better and the sun shining over the 60-plus airplanes on the tarmac made you feel like it was a full-scale airport. The main focus of this unlimited warbird event was to introduce and promote the hobby to the public and that is exactly what we did.
"The spectators, more than 1,000, were treated to an air show filled with class, excitement, and speed. There were museum-quality airplanes built by some of the best builders on the East Coast. We also witnessed flights of Almost Ready-to-Fly aircraft (ARF), including an ARF turbine jet. We decided to keep it interesting by giving out prizes for the most modified or best built ARFs.
"Some of the finest propjets were also on hand for the propjet contest. We gave the spectators and the pilots every opportunity to witness and participate in just about all aspects of this hobby of ours.
"I think that one of the best things about this event was the intro pilot program segment of the show. Jon Gerber, PARCS treasurer, and his crew had four trainers flying for more than an hour. Those guys had many, many kids expressing their glee after experiencing five minutes of flight.
"Jon said the transmitters were shut down to cool them off. He told me that they used up two gallons of fuel. Now that's something I will never forget.
"Our masters of ceremony, Scott Schultz, Vincent Pacella, and Jon Gerber did a masterful job of entertaining, informing, and educating the spectators as well as keeping the show flowing.
"We were proud of the representation and presence of AMA at this event and I'm sure they will be pleased to know that we signed up quite a few new members that day.
"I could never write about that day without mentioning the fact that there were more than 100 club members who volunteered their time and effort and helped transform a good idea into a spectacular event.
"Yeah, this is Brooklyn and we have fun all the time."
Closing
See you next time.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
