District II
New Jersey, New York, Europe
A long-standing tradition of AMA clubs is to celebrate a club fly-in on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. For many, it is an annual tradition that is frequently practiced. The fly-ins have proven to be a cold but fun way to share camaraderie with club members. These events also help AMA members who are working toward their all-season flying patch—a not-so-easy-to-achieve goal in climates that are often below zero in the winter.
In District II, the earliest of the New Year’s events recorded on film is the Aero Radio Club of Syracuse (ARCS) New Year’s Day Fly. That photo documents the ARCS event of January 1, 1980, at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, New York. Included in that picture happen to be two AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame members: Dave Mathewson, former District II vice president, AMA president, and AMA executive director, and well-known hobby shop owner Walt Throne, of Walt’s Hobbies in Syracuse. These two men have had large impacts on our hobby in ways that we still benefit from today.
One club that rang in 2022 was the Rochester Aero-Modeling Society (RAMS). Known for the club’s events and annual helicopter jamboree, the RAMS are exceptionally active and work hard to have a great relationship with the local community. The event was blessed with calm weather as the members celebrated the new year at the annual Freeze and Fly. The RAMS clubhouse, good food, and a nice fireplace made things a little warmer.
If your club had a 2022 New Year’s celebration, congratulations! If not, consider doing so next winter and enjoy the camaraderie on a special day.
Remember, it’s not about what you fly, it’s about the friends you make!
