Edition: Model Aviation - 2017/10
Page Numbers: 120
Portrait of Andy Argenio

District I—Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont

Portrait of Andy Argenio

Andy Argenio
Vice President

brandshobby@gmail.com
3 Sheila Ln., Smithfield RI 02917
Tel.: (401) 231-6901; www.amadistrict-i.org

The Maine Annual International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) Challenge at the Skystreakers R/C Club in New Gloucester, Maine, has been run by Contest Director (CD) Tom Chabot, and sponsored by Associate Vice President (AVP) Ray LaBonte of Ray & Robbins Hobby Center, for the past 22 years. This longest-running IMAC event in New England lived up to its reputation in the following report submitted by AVP Daren Hudson.

Contestants and model airplanes at the flying field
The July IMAC Challenge was held at the Skystreakers R/C Club in New Gloucester ME.

What a pleasure it was to be a contestant and AVP reporting on the July 14-16, 2017, Maine IMAC Challenge. Upon arriving at the Skystreakers’ flying site, attendees were greeted by a sign highlighting the IMAC event.

A dirt road opens out to a 160-acre oasis with a large area for RVs and camping, a huge grass runway, and a paved runway atop a gentle hilltop with clear flying airspace. The latest club on-site investment is an expansive solar-powered charging station. The site has all the amenities an RC pilot could want.

Contest participants came from throughout the district as well as New York, Pennsylvania, and Montreal and Quebec. Participants were welcomed by officers and members alike. The contestants commented on what a good time they had and how well the event was organized and run.

I was surprised at the number of spectators who made the trek through the woods to see the action at the field. I managed to do some buddy-box flying during breaks in the competition. I

Contest winner holding an award
(L-R) The competition IMAC classes and winners are as follows: Unlimited first place, Ty Lyman; Unlimited second place, Tyler McCormack; Unlimited third place, Tom Maharis; Sportsman third place, Mark Sullivan; Sportsman first place, Juan Valasquez; Advanced second place, Jim Cyr; and Basic first place, Don Snyder.
Contest winner holding an award
(L-R) The competition IMAC classes and winners are as follows: Unlimited first place, Ty Lyman; Unlimited second place, Tyler McCormack; Unlimited third place, Tom Maharis; Sportsman third place, Mark Sullivan; Sportsman first place, Juan Valasquez; Advanced second place, Jim Cyr; and Basic first place, Don Snyder.
Contest winner holding an award
(L-R) The competition IMAC classes and winners are as follows: Unlimited first place, Ty Lyman; Unlimited second place, Tyler McCormack; Unlimited third place, Tom Maharis; Sportsman third place, Mark Sullivan; Sportsman first place, Juan Valasquez; Advanced second place, Jim Cyr; and Basic first place, Don Snyder.
Contest winner holding an award
(L-R) The competition IMAC classes and winners are as follows: Unlimited first place, Ty Lyman; Unlimited second place, Tyler McCormack; Unlimited third place, Tom Maharis; Sportsman third place, Mark Sullivan; Sportsman first place, Juan Valasquez; Advanced second place, Jim Cyr; and Basic first place, Don Snyder.
Contest winner holding an award
(L-R) The competition IMAC classes and winners are as follows: Unlimited first place, Ty Lyman; Unlimited second place, Tyler McCormack; Unlimited third place, Tom Maharis; Sportsman third place, Mark Sullivan; Sportsman first place, Juan Valasquez; Advanced second place, Jim Cyr; and Basic first place, Don Snyder.
Contest winner holding an award
(L-R) The competition IMAC classes and winners are as follows: Unlimited first place, Ty Lyman; Unlimited second place, Tyler McCormack; Unlimited third place, Tom Maharis; Sportsman third place, Mark Sullivan; Sportsman first place, Juan Valasquez; Advanced second place, Jim Cyr; and Basic first place, Don Snyder.
Contest winner holding an award
(L-R) The competition IMAC classes and winners are as follows: Unlimited first place, Ty Lyman; Unlimited second place, Tyler McCormack; Unlimited third place, Tom Maharis; Sportsman third place, Mark Sullivan; Sportsman first place, Juan Valasquez; Advanced second place, Jim Cyr; and Basic first place, Don Snyder.

spoke with the club’s vice president, Ed Alonso, secretary, Dave Field, field marshal, Dave Snowman, and members of the Skystreakers. These people and the club president, Joe Pobe, are proud of their club, which has been on this site since the 1960s.

I met the landowners who are very engaged in supporting the club. It was great to see them enjoying burgers and drinks under the professionally constructed shade structure while watching the competition. The club has been operating successfully with a working relationship with the landowners as well as the added challenge of being located beneath the approach to Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport.

Through effective club communications, during pilot meetings each day at events, in the pits, and on the flightline, several full-scale traffic situations were handled professionally and safely. As a commercial pilot and an officer at Plum Island Airport RC Flyers, an active club at a full-scale airport, I was impressed at the Skystreakers’ operational performance.

Thanks to Tom Chabot, Carissa Parent, Ray LaBonte, the Skystreakers R/C Club, and all of the participants for a truly wonderful modeling experience. You all exemplify the mission of AMA and our community-based organization—operating safely, supporting and promoting the hobby, cooperating with landowners, handling full-scale aircraft interaction, supporting Special Interest Groups within AMA, and welcoming modelers and spectators alike to the Skystreakers’ events.

Thanks Daren, for this fine event report.

Two men with an award at the event
(L-R) CD Tom Chabot congratulated AVPs Daren Hudson and Ray LaBonte on their wins.
Man holding an award at the event
(L-R) CD Tom Chabot congratulated AVPs Daren Hudson and Ray LaBonte on their wins.
Solar-powered battery charging station
The club has a solar-powered 10-terminal battery charging station.