District II—New Jersey, New York, Europe
Vice President
rcpilot@nycap.rr.com
4242 Amanda Ln., Schenectady NY 12303
Tel.: (518) 356-2057
www.amadistrict-ii.org
www.facebook.com/DistrictIIAMA
District II is the home of numerous aeromodeling firsts, historic accomplishments, and major events. Two such events are the Rhinebeck R/C Jamboree and the Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology (NEAT) Fair. Both events are nationally noted and each has carved its respective place in aeromodeling history.
On September 11-13, 2015, the 49th annual Rhinebeck R/C Jamboree took place at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Red Hook, New York. The Rhinebeck R/C Jamboree is one of the country’s foremost Scale model airplane fly-ins for pioneer, World War I, and Golden Age aircraft. The facility is home to one of the world’s largest collections of pre-1939 full-scale “aeroplanes,” engines, and memorabilia.
Only three weeks before this year’s event, a fire destroyed the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome’s gift shop and model museum. The collection of model airplanes owned by the Aerodrome’s late founder, Cole Palen, was lost, as well as other memorabilia. The only artifact recovered from the fire was Cole’s heavily charred AMA Distinguished Service Award, for his exceptional support of model aviation. An AMA Pioneer Award, presented to District II modeler George “Bill” Poythress, was also lost in the fire.
Recognizing the significance of model aviation at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, and with only a few days’ notice, AMA’s Custom Products department created replacements of the awards. These replacement awards were the first artifacts contributed toward the rebuilding of the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome’s model museum collection.
Scheduled for September 9-11, the 2016 Rhinebeck R/C Jamboree will celebrate the event’s 50th anniversary. Many AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame members, world-class Scale modelers, and other Jamboree participants from the past five decades are invited. You are too! If you’ve never been to the Rhinebeck R/C Jamboree, it’s a bucket-list event.
The NEAT Fair has rapidly earned its place in aeromodeling history. Intended to carry on the Keystone Radio Control Club’s (KRC) KRC Electric Fly, the NEAT Fair, held in the Catskill Mountains, has become known as the nation’s largest gathering of electric model aircraft. Officially scheduled this year from September 17-20, many call the event “NEAT Week” because modelers come earlier to enjoy the event’s location at Peaceful Valley Campgrounds in Downsville, New York.
The NEAT Fair would not exist if not for the efforts of Tom Hunt and the Silent Electric Fliers of Long Island. In his years of modeling, Tom has accomplished a great deal. Tom is an aeronautical engineer. He is the founder of the model manufacturing and design company called ModelAir-Tech, a high-points winner at the AMA Electric Nats, and the recipient of the Electric Grand National Championship Award.
In 2001, Tom headed the Cross-Sounder design team. The history-making aircraft made a 30-mile, nonstop round trip from Long Island, New York, to the shores of Connecticut with a single battery pack. For his various accomplishments as a designer, builder, author, and leader in our hobby, Tom was presented with an AMA Fellow Award at the NEAT Fair on September 19.
Mark your calendars for next year’s NEAT Fair: September 15-18, 2016.
Remember it’s not about what we fly, it’s about the people and the friends we make.
Associate Vice Presidents: Dennis Andreas, Freeport NY; (516) 379-0135; danandreasdghsd@juno.com; Fred Backhaus, Medford NY; (631) 987-7122; fbackhaus@aol.com; Reid Condon, Greenville NY; (518) 966-8329; rcarinforce@live.com; Chuck Davis, Sayville NY; (631) 589-7690; rcdavis60@verizon.com; Gene Gavin, Staten Island NY; (718) 967-0598; Gavin1957@aol.com; Jon Gerber, Staten Island NY; (718) 984-5013; taxman846@aol.com. Frank Granelli, Rockaway NJ; (973) 625-4995; granellif@aol.com; Bill Hauth, Hamburg NY; (716) 649-8582; toolmkr2000@msn.com; Thomas Murray, Basking Ridge NJ; (908) 766-5656; Anthony Rossi, Somerset NJ; (917) 320-2665; p510851@gmail.com; Joe Sarbello, Woolrich Township NJ; (856) 491-8481; donnajoe244@msn.com; Peter Seiffert, Baldwinsville NY; (315) 635-6370; pseiffert2@aol.com; Leonard Max Smart, Morrisonville NY; (518) 563-6878; hotrodsbymax@charter.net; Alexander Szemere, Kendall Park NJ; (732) 821-5641; drszemere@aol.com. CL/FF Coordinator/AVP: David King, (732) 672-1783; clmodelpilot@comcast.net. RC Contest Coordinator/AVP: Jim Goodenote, Allegany NY; (716) 372-1137; goody8@roadrunner.com. Safety Coordinator/AVP: Al Kanser, New Lisbon NY; (607) 293-7974; akanser@hughes.net. Webmaster: Chuck Levine, webmaster@amadistrictii.org.
