District I
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
The Rhode Island Aeromodelers Club (RIAC) president, John Pangborn, invited me to attend the club’s Recreational Flying Event that took place on Saturday, October 3, 2020, at the club’s flying site in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. To comply with the state’s COVID-19 recreational-gathering and social-distancing guidelines, RIAC limited attendance to club members for flying and invited non-flying guests.
RIAC was founded in 1936, the same year that AMA was. The club’s premier flying site is unique in that it has two crossed, elevated, grass runways, a lower-level pit area with picnic tables, aircraft stands, a huge parking lot, and has recently added AC power for charging RC gear. The club also has an indoor flying site at the Johnston, Rhode Island, Recreation Soccer Complex.
I have attended the club’s events and spoken at club meetings and can tell you that it has an
The club provides RC battery charging from multiple table receptacles connected to the main AC power line.
RIAC had a club meeting during its fun-fly event.
exceptional leadership that empowers the engagement of enthusiastic members in all of the club’s activities. RIAC has an open membership policy, welcomes all RC disciplines, and it continues to grow.
When I arrived at 8 a.m., a number of members were setting up and flying. At 10 a.m., a pilot safety briefing was held. I had an opportunity to say a few words and answer questions about AMA’s current status, as well as enjoy the company of many old friends throughout the day.
All types of aircraft, including scale, sport, and aerobatic, were flown, along with a noontime 3D helicopter demonstration by Mike George and a turbine jet demo by Associate Vice President (AVP) Tom Lavoie. The club provided a pizza lunch for everyone and we all had a good time watching the afternoon’s planned fun-fly challenges.
Thank you to the RIAC members for holding a safe and enjoyable event during these challenging times.
Andy Argenio
Vice President
brandshobby@gmail.com
3 Sheila Ln., Smithfield, RI 02917
(401) 231-6901
www.amadistrict-1.org
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Steve Brehm, Jamestown RI; (401) 423-1085; stbrehm@yahoo.com
Andrew Figlar, Shelton CT; (203) 513-8546; figlar335@att.net
James Gilliatt, Concord MA; (978) 369-9796; jegilliatt@cs.com
Steve Goler, Salem MA; (617) 373-0884; nipmuck2@comcast.net
Daren Hudson, Greenland NH; (603) 674-5809; dth7@comcast.net
Ray LaBonte, Standish ME; (207) 892-7994; rplabonte@aol.com
Tom Lavoie, N. Smithfield RI; (401) 824-6134; d2tw4all@yahoo.com
Joan Liska, Middletown CT; (860) 347-0257; jliska9000@sbcglobal.net
Mark Montella, Falmouth MA; (508) 457-4984; montellamj@comcast.net
Thomas J. Puma Jr., North Clarendon VT; (802) 558-4439; usakingcat1@aol.com
Tom Rocheleau, Wethersfield CT; (860) 280-1701; trocheleau@cox.net
William Unghire, Newington CT; (860) 978-5353; n1cnv@icloud.com
TECHNOLOGY AND SAFETY OFFICER
John Yassemedis, 5 Quarry Rd., Nashua NH 03062; (603) 321-8442; jyassemedis@comcast.net
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR
David Surwell, 24 Norwich Rd., Nashua NH 03062; (603) 888-2020; davidsurwell@comcast.net
