District III—Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
Mark Radcliff
Vice President
mradcliff@suddenlink.net
199 Heron Dr., St. Marys WV 26170
Tel.: (304) 684-2133
www.amadistrict-iii.org
www.facebook.com/ama.district.iii
There is an insurance company that has a jingle that goes “Like a good neighbor … is there.” I believe the same jingle can be used when it comes to our model clubs.
The Vienna Sky Sharks Model Airplane Club of West Virginia is an excellent example of this principle. The club recently performed two projects to support its community. The first project was Paint the Jet.
In the 1980s, the National Museum of the United States Air Force loaned the city of Vienna an F-84F jet for static display in the city’s park. Throughout the years, harsh winters and hot summers took their toll on the airplane, so the Sky Sharks asked the city if they would like the jet painted.
The park superintendent not only approved the request, but supplied all
Sky Sharks club members hard at work painting the jet for the city park in Vienna.
Club members proudly display the freshly painted F-86F jet.
The final finished aircraft complete with new USAF decals supplied by the city of Vienna WV.
The F-84F sits proudly at the entrance of the Vienna City Park.
the paint and equipment necessary to get the job done. A Boy Scout working on his Eagle badge volunteered his time and energy to help as well. Another area club, the Flying Wing Nutz of St. Marys, West Virginia, volunteered its services too.
Utilizing a high-pressure washer and several gallons of paint, rollers, and brushes, the job was finished in an efficient manner. The painting concluded with a cookout with everyone satisfied and feeling good about utilizing their time and talents to help their community.
The details of the jet painted by the Vienna Sky Sharks.
Another “good-neighbor” moment for the Sky Sharks came when the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County in Marietta, Ohio, asked the club to teach the kids about models. The Sharks sprang into action with a make-and-take of AMA-supplied FPG-9 gliders.
A friendly indoor competition was held with the gliders so that the kids could see their creations fly. The Sharks took the kids outside and demonstrated a multirotor with FPV so they enjoyed the thrill of seeing a drone fly.
Sky Sharks members help members of the Boys and Girls Club build FPG-9s.
A few days after the demonstration, the Sky Sharks received a letter from the Boys and Girls club thanking them and expressing a desire to visit the club’s flying field so the kids could experience our hobby even more.
“Like a good neighbor, the Sky Sharks are there!” I encourage your club to be a “good neighbor” so your community will view your organization as a valuable asset.
Until next month, fly safely—fly AMA.
