District II Report - 2009/09

164 MODEL AVIATION
SAFETY: a word we often talk about, but
as I have personally seen at flying events,
not always followed. Many pilots don’t even
realize they may not be as safe as they could
or should be.
As we enter a new era of relationships
with governmental agencies, it’s key that to
the last member we demonstrate that we are
competent and safe, and that we follow the
AMA Safety Code and field guidelines. The
Safety Code, along with a good safety
record, is our primary defense against
burdensome governmental regulations.
This is part of the AMA Membership
Manual which can be easily downloaded
from the PDF Documents on AMA’s Web
site. Please read it, understand it, and follow
it! Our future depends on it.
The Ithaca Radio Control Society (IRCS)
of Ithaca, New York, was honored by AMA
for its 15th consecutive year as a Gold
Leader Club. I had the honor of presenting a
plaque to the club at its open house on June
20, in very soggy conditions. That didn’t
stop many of the members from being there.
IRCS has been active for many years in
promoting model aviation and AMA.
Congratulations to the IRCS members for
attaining this milestone.
IRCS club members with the AMA award.
The Mercer County RC Society holds its
annual Jumbo Fly-In event and it is always
well attended by Giant Scale pilots from
three states. This year was no exception and
it featured some outstanding International
Miniature Aircraft Association- (IMAA)
legal aircraft. All proceeds are donated to
the Sunshine Foundation. The venue is
terrific as is the gathering of friends. In all it
was a great event.
Hank Likes with a Piper Vagabond.
“Dr. 3-D,” Mark Ciglia.
IMAA noon lineup for the spectators.
Mike Marafioti’s Top Flite P-51 with a G-62
for power.
Paul Abati and his Spacewalker.
Associate Vice President Tony Rossi in the
center with some Mercer club members.
Increasing AMA membership is the key to
keeping AMA strong and influential with
the government. It allows us to bring forth
programs that benefit our clubs and
members and keep our dues low.
District II has lost a greater percentage of
members than any other district. If you
haven’t gotten involved in AMA’s
Membership Drive, please consider doing
so. All of us know about exposing our youth
to our hobby, but retiring baby boomers who
are looking for a new pastime and social
connection are a good resource for
immediate growth. Please help us reverse
the decline in AMA and District II
membership!
Until next month, Keep ’em Three in the
Green.
District II
Gary Fitch, District II Vice President; [email protected]
New Jersey, New York, Europe
Gary Fitch
1298 Slab City Rd.,
Franklinville NY 14737;
Tel.: (716) 341-2813
www.amadistrictii.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Frank Granelli,
Rockaway NJ; (973)
625.4995; [email protected]
Tom Murray, Basking Ridge NJ;
(908) 766-5656;
[email protected]
Tony Rossi, Somerset NJ; (908)
420-6901; [email protected]
Peter Seiffert, Baldwinsville NY;
(315) 635-6370;
[email protected]
Terry Terreniore, Endicott, NY;
(607) 748-8246; amad2terry@
stny.rr.com
Eric Williams, Schenectady NY;
(518) 356-2057;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator:
Kevin Coleman, Middletown NJ;
(212) 975-2988; kcoleman@
cbs.com
CL and FF Contest
Coordinator: Dave King, South
Plainfield NJ; (908) 769-5149
Webmaster: Ray Kappes,
Clifton Park NY; webmaster@
amadistrictii.org
For a complete listing of
district officers and volunteers,
please visit the District I1 Web site
or see a previous issue of MA.
District II Volunteers