District I
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Andy Argenio
Vice President
brandshobby@gmail.com
3 Sheila Ln., Smithfield, RI 02917
(401) 231-6901
www.amadistrict-i.org
Last year saw many AMA clubs sanctioning annual events and new events. Associate vice presidents (AVPs) and I attended many AMA activities, helping to promote aeromodeling.
I appreciate the efforts of district officers and thank them for engaging in Zoom meetings with clubs, outreach for youth education and community initiatives, and submitting column reports.
District AVP Andrew Figlar submitted the following event report.
The East Coast Swamp Flyers (ECSF) club was established in 1968 in Connecticut and currently is one of the oldest RC flying clubs in the state. This year, the club decided to create a warbird fun-fly event, which it named Warbird Weekend at the Swamps. The event was scheduled to run from 10 a.m. Saturday, July 31, to 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 1, 2021.
Club directors Tim Maud and Brian Nowicki planned and coordinated the event activities, as well as the efforts and duties of club members and helpers. Saturday’s fun flying was limited to electric-powered warbird model aircraft, while Sunday was dominated by Giant Scale gas and glow-powered jets and World War I and II model aircraft. AMA Contest Director Jim Cyr sanctioned and ran the event with the assistance of club vice president, Dan Westfall.
New RC flying events always require deliberation from club members as to how much to budget for the event, what flying hours should be, how to attract AMA members to participate, and what fees to charge. The decisions that were implemented resulted in a huge success.
With more than 133 members, ECSF had plenty of help, even from members’ wives, who prepared outstanding homemade food that was served at noon each day. Marissa Diaz sang the national anthem, while Jim McEwen overflew his 200-mph Rafale twin-turbine jet with smoke pouring out as the anthem was completed. Pilots and attendees described it as an exceptionally enjoyable fun-fly weekend.
Thank you, Andrew, for another great event report, and thanks to all of the club members who contributed to the success of the new event. Check out the club’s website out at www.swampflyersrc.org for 2022 events.
