District I
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
When I attend AMA specialty events, the nicest thing for me is meeting and talking with the pilots. Such events often draw pilots from multiple states, who represent AMA’s most passionate, skilled modelers flying their best model aircraft. The following report was submitted by Mike Bergerson, from Maine, after we met and had a great time at the Rhode Island Soaring Club’s F5J event in 2021.
“The Downeast Soaring Club (DSC) of Maine held its third annual Altitude Limited Electric Soaring (ALES) competition in conjunction with the Eastern Soaring League (ESL) the weekend of July 24, 2021. We had pilots travel from four New England states to participate in the event.
“Saturday’s competition was blessed with temperatures in the 70s and a clear sky. Pilots found enough lift in a light breeze to complete the 10-minute flight task, but it proved challenging as the day progressed. Precision landing scores were plentiful, but the thermals were spotty and at times violent, tossing sailplanes about the sky.
“Mounting a skilled comeback, Jim Rochette, from Maine, found enough buoyant air during the final rounds to move up several spots to claim the third-place (Expert class) Downeast Trophy and ESL award plate. Mike Bergerson, from Maine, placed second, with the top honors going to George Hill, from Connecticut, who placed first.
“Sunday had a forecast of rain for the entire day. As the contest director (CD), I arrived at the field early. The forecast proved correct with a bit of a drizzle and light rain. Enough pilots decided that the light drizzle was acceptable and we completed the necessary three rounds of the contest.
“Sunday’s winners featured the same pilots, but in a different order, with Mike Bergerson in first, Jim Rochette finishing second, and George Hill in third place. George had enough points from both days to claim the coveted Weekend Champion DSC Moose Trophy!
“Thank you to Browne Goodwin for managing the scoring operations, and Mark Higgins, who was co-CD. Congratulations to the winners and kudos to the competitors who traveled long distances to join us for summer thermal chasing!”
Thank you, Mike. I appreciate your event report and would welcome any future reports on events you attend in the great state of Maine.
Andy Argenio
Vice President
brandshobby@gmail.com
3 Sheila Ln., Smithfield, RI 02917
(401) 231-6901
www.amadistrict-i.org
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Steve Brehm, Jamestown RI; (401) 423-1085; stbrehm@yahoo.com
Andrew Figlar, Shelton CT; (203) 513-8546; safiglar32@gmail.com
James Gilliatti, Concord MA; (978) 369-9796; jegilliatti@cs.com
Steve Goler, Salem MA; (617) 373-0884; nipmuck2@comcast.net
Daren Hudson, Greenland NH; (603) 674-5809; uth7@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; n1clnv@icloud.com
Ted Wojcik, Fremont NH; (603) 479-3799; tedwojcik@comcast.net
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
