District II

Edition: Model Aviation - 2021/10
Page Numbers: 100

District II

New Jersey, New York, Europe

On July 30-31, 2021, I went to the second annual AMA National Fun Fly in Muncie, Indiana. It included the AMA membership meeting. On August 1, I attended the AMA Executive Council meeting.

The National Fun Fly is quickly becoming a landmark event, with growing attendance and increased participation. Virtually everything was flown at the event, from tiny electric airplanes to exciting turbines and other large aircraft. The event is truly living up to one of AMA’s old slogans, “Bringing Modelers Together.”

New at the 2021 fun-fly was a swap meet tent that housed many tables and hundreds of model aircraft items for sale. Longtime AMA supporter, Ralph Warner, traveled from the Chicago area to deliver a load of airplanes and other items donated from the estate of an AMA member. The proceeds were given to the AMA Foundation.

Items for sale at the AMA National Fun Fly swap meet — A batch of items donated to the AMA Foundation for sale.

Toledo RC Swap Meet manager Henry Rauhaus was in attendance and brought so many items to sell that a special tent was added for his collection. Plans are already in the works for an enlarged fun-fly and swap meet at the 2022 AMA National Fun Fly.

District II Associate Vice President (AVP) Mike Wong has been working on behalf of AMA members for many years. Before he became an AVP, Mike served as the District II web/server administrator. In that capacity, Mike assisted district clubs that had websites located on the district’s web server.

When the universal nature of free website hosting emerged, that district service and the role were sunsetted. Mike then became a District II AVP, primarily serving clubs and members in northern New Jersey, but also working on district and national efforts.

As an AVP, Mike works not only with club matters, but also behind the scenes. In his capacity as an AVP, Mike has worked with New Jersey law enforcement, as well as with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal organizations. His efforts have helped carve ongoing relationships with government representatives.

If it were not for Mike’s work, these officials would not be as aware of the importance of AMA clubs and their members. We are now closer partners with officials in keeping the sky safe and supporting recreational aeromodelers. For his various efforts, Mike was awarded a well-deserved AMA Superior Service Award during the membership meeting.