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FLYING SITES are becoming a scarce
commodity in some parts of District II. While
some areas of the district are blessed with
multiple sites—I have 16 different modelairplane
fields within 11/2 hours’ drive from
my house—the situation is on the verge of
becoming critical in the northern New Jersey,
New York City, and Long Island areas.
Three years ago the Central Long Island
Aero Modelers (CLAMS) lost its site on
Long Island. CLAMS president Rich Leonard
began the search for a new site and contacted
the New York State (NYS) Parks Department
about gaining permission to use an area at
Sunken Meadow State Park.
With the help of AMA, and much effort
on Rich’s part, New York State Parks
Commissioner Bernadette Castro finally
granted a use permit as part of a pilot
program in New York State to determine the
compatibility of modeling activities in the
NYS Parks System. Only then we realized we
had a problem.
The Islip Model Aviation Society’s
(IMAS) club field was considerably less then
two miles from the new field at Sunken
Meadow. Frequency testing proved that a
definite problem existed and negotiations
began to try to reach an arrangement that
would allow the use of both sites.
As you can imagine, modelers are very
protective of their flying sites. The clubs
worked hard to try to reach a compromise but
it just wasn’t happening. Finally IMAS
president Ed Carty asked if I would come to a
club meeting, explain AMA’s position
regarding frequency management
agreements, and listen to members’ concerns.
The meeting was an eye-opening
experience for everyone. The discussion was
certainly “lively” at times but it was obvious
that everyone understood that some type of
agreement would have to be worked out.
The meeting ended with a proposal that
IMAS was comfortable with, as were the
members of the CLAMS who were in
attendance. Shortly thereafter, a formal
agreement was drawn up and signed by
officers of both clubs.
The moral of the story? It’s in every
modeler’s best interest to take advantage of
an opportunity to gain the use of a new flying
site, whether you fly there or not. Sometimes
concessions need to be made for the good of
all. That’s what happened here.
Neither club got all it was looking for and
each gave up more than it wanted.
The end result is the use of a new site in a
state parks system. It gives us the opportunity
to show government officials who control
these properties that AMA members are a
responsible group and can be an asset to the
community when given the opportunity.
Members of the Islip Model Aviation
Society.
Anyone who was flying RC models in the
late 1950s and early 1960s would certainly be
familiar with the name Don Steeb. Don’s
company, Don Steeb Inc., produced and
marketed the popular line of Atlas Servos.
Recently, Don graciously donated the
original patents he had on two of his servos—
more commonly known as actuators back
then—and his travel sales display case to the
National Model Aviation Museum in Muncie,
Indiana.
The donation is unique in that very few
RC actuators were ever patented. Don
traveled to Muncie to make the presentation
and made this observation about the museum:
“The museum is an outstanding achievement
by AMA. I hope that every member could
visit in person to see what has been
accomplished there.”
Don, it’s contributions such as yours that
make the museum as good as it is. Thank you
for your generosity.
Don Steeb (L) presents his travel display
case to museum curator Michael Smith.
Most clubs have at least one member who is
a good ambassador for our hobby/sport.
There are none better than Myron Carey. I’ve
known Myron since I was a teenager and I’m
in awe of the energy and enthusiasm he has
for a man who is 76 years old.
Myron is an active downhill skier and
spends much of his free time volunteering in
his community. Hardly a club event goes by
in which he doesn’t participate, taking on any
job that needs to be done.
Myron can wear the AMA All Season
patch, too. For some of us who live in the
northeast United States, that’s an
accomplishment, but Myron has taken this
one step further. On February 1, 2004, he
flew an RC model for the 470th straight
month. That’s 39 years and two months
without a miss!
Whether it’s Indoor FF or Giant Scale RC in
the New York southern tier, it’s a good bet
that Myron Carey will be there promoting
model aviation.
Bob Dunn is another well-known modeler
who calls District II home. Bob’s history goes
all the way back to World War II. Bob
became a P-40 fighter pilot and later flew P-
51 Mustangs in the European Theater. After
the war, Bob returned home and married
Esther. Becoming a family man and raising
11 children, Bob wasn’t able to continue his
full-scale flying so he turned to RC.
With people like Jim and Bill Messer,
Bob Brown (AMA District III vice
president), George Privateer, and others, Bob
helped to develop the Giant Scale movement.
They designed and
constructed some
of the first 1/4-scale
aircraft in
existence in the
1970s. They used
geared .60s for
power and
experimented with
different designs to
get their craft
airborne.
When the
Roper engines
came on the scene,
they found the
power plant needed
to fly their 1/4-scale
Bristol Scouts. Bob and the others traveled
far and wide demonstrating the simultaneous
flight of six Bristol Scouts. Bob attended
every rally and fun-fly within 300 miles to fly
his large-scale models.
District II Associate Vice President Gary
Fitch said, “Bob Dunn is the epitome of my
idea of a modern-day hero and a man to be
looked up to.”
If you haven’t visited the AMA District II
Web site, swing by and take a look at
www.amadistrictii.org. Webmaster Doug
Crawford has done a remarkable job and has
turned our Web site into a significant asset
for the district.
See you next time.
District II Report
New Jersey/ New York/
Europe
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 all district volunteer workers
please consult the previous issue of Model
Aviation or the above Web address.
District II AVP Gary
Fitch presented Bob
Dunn with AMA’s
Award of Merit.
04july.qxd 4/22/04 1:47 pm Page 162
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/07
Page Numbers: 162