District I—Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Andy Argenio
Vice President
brandshobby@gmail.com
3 Sheila Ln., Smithfield RI 02917
Tel.: (401) 231-6901; www.amadistrict-i.org
The Fairfield League of Yankee Radio Controllers (FLYRC) club members in Southbury, Connecticut, participate in a variety of activities each year to interest young people in aeromodeling. They hold programs with science and technology departments in local schools and the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) to introduce students to aeronautics through learning to build and fly RC model airplanes. The students also learn about the AMA, its clubs, and the rules for safe flying. The following reports were submitted by Ron Faanes describing two of this year’s events.
Pomperaug High School, in Southbury, offers students a Transportation course with a segment in aeronautics. For the past 15 years, the class built trainer models with little guidance. The culmination of their efforts was flying their creations at the FLYRC field with AMA Intro Pilots.
Seldom did an airplane take flight, much to the discouragement of the class.
This year, Caren Carpenter, a new faculty teacher, approached Cliff Becker the president of FLYRC for assistance. Club members Paul Ivey, Ken Blau, Bob Milanese, and Ron Faanes volunteered to help the students build and fly their RC airplanes. The project started in February, and finished for the first time with five successfully built and flown model airplanes in June. The club’s mentoring and the teacher’s efforts contributed to the students’ learning and enjoyment of RC flying.
On October 28, 2017, CAP Cadets from Connecticut Squadron 042 and New York Squadron 033 met members of the FLYRC club at the flying site for an introduction to RC model aircraft. FLYRC member Mike Herrick presented the cadets with a build demo of a model aircraft, accompanied by aerodynamic flight operation and theory from 1st Lt. Mike Nolan. Club members performed flight demos with a gas-engine-powered Edge 540, an electric-powered Yak 55, and a hand-launched glider.
The highlight of the day for cadets was learning to fly RC airplanes on a buddy box, with the assistance of club members Deepak Elias and Ron Faanes on the master controls. By day’s end, cadets agreed that flying RC model aircraft required their full concentration, but was great fun!
Aerospace Education Officer and event organizer, Maj. Ralph Langham, said that this was a fantastic day for the CAP aerospace education program, and the cadets were thrilled to learn about RC airplanes and experience RC flying.
Thanks Ron and all of the FLYRC members who volunteer each year to introduce youngsters to the AMA and the sport of aeromodeling.
Happy and healthy New Year to all!
