District II Report - 2004/05
Region
New Jersey / New York / Europe
Vice President / Contact
- Name: Dave Mathewson, Vice President
- Address: 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 all district volunteer workers, please consult the previous issue of Model Aviation or the above web address.
Community outreach and events
Most AMA clubs in our district do a good job promoting what we do to our neighbors and introducing model aviation to younger members of our communities. Efforts such as these become a significant advantage when we face the loss of a flying site. When we return to our neighbors asking for their support, they often remember the positive aspects of aeromodeling and can become some of our strongest advocates.
On October 4, 2003, the Delaware Valley Federation of Model Airplane Clubs hosted the Scouts to the Skies Camporee. More than 800 Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts participated in this event, which was held at Lakehurst Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey.
Member clubs of the Federation include:
- East Coast Indoor Modelers
- Scale Old Timers Society
- Washington Crossing Radio Control Club
- Philly Flyers
This is a diverse group that flies a little of everything, including Free Flight, Indoor RC, Control Line, and Radio Control.
Jim Gallagher of Washington Crossing RC helped organize a first-class static display for the Scouts who attended the Camporee. Members of the Philly Flyers Control Line Club brought along a trainer and gave many of the Scouts and Scout leaders an opportunity to fly a Control Line model.
Having participated in a Camporee like this one at Lakehurst, I can tell you that you will never find a nicer group of young people to work with than those associated with Scouting.
Mohawk Valley Radio Control Modelers (Firebirds)
The Mohawk Valley Radio Control Modelers (Firebirds) put a lot of emphasis on community relations. Each year the club staffs a booth at the local county fair and organizes an airshow, inviting members of the community to come out and enjoy a day of model flying. The show is structured to give spectators a good overall idea of what model aviation is all about. Demonstrations include flying sport models, electrics, scale models, and even a couple of rounds of Control Line Combat.
Joe Petro's flights with his flying lawnmower were probably the biggest crowd pleasers.
The Firebirds run a raffle during the county fair and hold the drawing during the airshow. First prize in the raffle is a complete, ready-to-fly radio control trainer. The winner of this year's raffle was Matt Hauf. From the look on Matt's face, it seems the Firebirds have a new junior member.
Town of Brookhaven recognition
The Town of Brookhaven on Long Island, New York, provides two flying sites in the town for modelers to enjoy. To show their appreciation, the Long Island Aero Radio Society (LIARS) recently presented a plaque recognizing the town's support of model aviation to Town of Brookhaven Supervisor John LaValle and Town Council board members. Salvatore Anthony Calvagna and his cousin Mario Calvagna presented the plaque. Both boys are active junior members of LIARS and the Academy of Model Aeronautics.
RC Combat at Defense Hill
Bob Reynolds sent the following regarding some of the RC Combat activity taking place at the Defense Hill Flying Site on Long Island:
On September 6, 2003, we had another Combat event at Defense Hill in New York. The fliers in the picture are both Defense Hill and Meroke members who meet once a month to compete and, best of all, eat!
On this day we started with 17 fliers. All contestants flew a total of three rounds each, and in between we had a barbecue that was not only for contestants but for spectators as well.
Some of the members who deserve recognition are Ed "The Baron" Kaers, Ray "Curly" Chiroux, Richie "Midair" Melnik, and George "The Treeman" King. These members have been promoting Combat and, as a result, the turnouts are growing. What started out with only a few participants not long ago has now topped 17.
Hats off to all of these people as well as all the fliers.
See you next time.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
