Author: Dave Mathewson
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/03
Page Numbers: 166

District II Report - 2004/03

Region

New Jersey / New York / Europe

District II Vice President

Note: For a listing of all district volunteer workers, please consult the previous issue of Model Aviation or the above web address.

Several clubs in our district are involved with introducing model aviation to members of their communities, young and old alike. Many include not only programs to teach someone to fly but to build as well.

Programs such as these are often a source of new members for the club or provide a vehicle by which the club contributes something back to its community. This month’s column focuses on District II clubs that have such programs.

Union Model Airplane Club (Stu Baron) — RC Workshop for Children

Stu Baron of the Union Model Airplane Club sent the following about a program he helped organize.

He contacted the recreation department in his town about having a radio control (RC) workshop for children ages 7–10. The idea was to teach them the aerodynamics of flight while helping them build almost-ready-to-fly (ARF) trainers.

As they worked on the control surfaces, the instructors taught the kids their functions and the effects they have on the airplane. The models were Super Kraft 40-size Astro Trainers. The engines were Tiger Shark .52A, 2-cycle glow.

The airplanes and engines were supplied to the club at distributor cost by Kangke USA in Deer Park, New York. Stu provided four-channel Hitec radios with buddy cords at his own expense.

The Union Model Airplane Club provided the building instructors, and the Springfield Recreation Department provided the space and printed and distributed flyers to all area grammar school students.

Ten students signed up for the workshop. Accompanied by their parents, they completed their airplanes in six evening sessions. Five of the students have soloed and joined the club.

Stu noted that there are about 2,100 RC clubs in the AMA. If 500 clubs provided similar workshops and retained five students each, that could mean 2,500 new members per year. He emphasized that our hobby is aging and this is a great way to attract young members and provide a closer bond with their parents. He offered to provide more information to anyone who needs it.

Ithaca Radio Control Society (IRCS) — Winter Building Project (Carl Smith)

Carl Smith wrote about the Ithaca Radio Control Society (IRCS) and their annual winter building project to help new members learn proper building techniques. At each session, experienced builders show correct methods to achieve high-quality results. Participation varies from year to year.

The club has 75 members, and some fly year-round, including the winter months. They developed what they call "The Nut Club." If a member is nuts enough to fly all year, he or she is awarded a trophy at the annual banquet. (Last winter they had approximately 100 inches of snow.)

Throughout the year the IRCS holds several activities, including:

  • Sno-Fly
  • Mall Show
  • Open House
  • Club Picnic / Swap Shop
  • Fly-In Brunch
  • Bus trip to the Westchester Radio Aeromodelers (WRAM) show

Jersey Coast Sport Fliers (JCSF) — Community Programs

The Jersey Coast Sport Fliers (JCSF) is one of District II’s largest and most active clubs. Members know the value of being involved in their community. Over the years they have worked with several local Scout groups and charitable organizations. They are also part of the local Adopt-A-Road program, maintaining a section of highway near their field.

In the fall of 2003, JCSF organized and ran a successful six-week program as part of the Monmouth County Park System to introduce model aviation to young people in the community. The program was limited to 16 students and filled up quickly.

The course syllabus included the history of flight and basic aerodynamic theory, coupled with the building of several RC models. The program culminated at the JCSF field on October 16, when the class gathered to witness the maiden flights of their models and get in some much-anticipated stick time.

The parks department was so pleased with the results that they asked JCSF to run the program again.

New Jersey Pine Barons — Field Visits by School Groups

The New Jersey Pine Barons’ club field is located across the street from the South Jersey Regional Airport, home of the Air Victory Museum. The museum attracts large numbers of middle- and high-school students who visit on field trips several times a year. Often the students are invited over to observe and participate in some of the modeling activities.

Introducing young people to model aviation is a goal shared by many clubs in the district. The Pine Barons and the other clubs mentioned above are doing their part.

Does your club have a program to introduce modeling to youth in your community?

This issue of Model Aviation should arrive a few weeks before the annual Westchester Radio Aeromodelers (WRAM) show. I’ll be in White Plains, New York, from late Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. If you get a chance, swing by the AMA booth and say hello.

See you next time.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.