District II
New Jersey, New York, Europe
Eric Williams
Vice President
rcpilot@nycap.rr.com
4242 Amanda Ln., Schenectady NY 12303
(518) 356-2057
www.amadistrict-ii.org
www.facebook.com/DistrictIIAMA
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Dennis Andreas, Freeport NY; (516) 379-0135; danandreasdqhsg@juno.com
Frank Costello, Somerset NJ; teams3fpv@gmail.com
Chuck Davis, Sayville NY; (631) 589-7690; cjdavis60@verizon.net
Gary Fitch, Delevan NY; gmfitch@hotmail.com
Gene Gavin, Staten Island NY; (718) 967-0598; Gavin1957@aol.com
Frank Granelli, Rockaway NJ; (973) 625-4995; granelliff@aol.com
Bill Hauth, Hamburg NY; (716) 649-8582; toolmkr2000@msn.com
Tony Jensen, Binghamton NY; (607) 644-6873; tjravenpilot@gmail.com
Ron McGrath, North Chili, NY; ronmcgrath@rochester.rr.com
Anthony Rossi, Somerset NJ; (917) 320-2665; p510851@gmail.com
Leonard Max Smart, Morrisonville NY; (518) 563-6878; hotrodsym[email protected]
Alexander Szemere, Kendall Park NJ; (732) 821-5641; drszemere@aol.com
Michael Wong, Mahwah NJ; kingmeow@verizon.net
Herb Ziegler, Baldwinsville NY; (315) 857-6266; herbz1957@yahoo.com
RC EVENT SANCTION COORDINATORS
Tony and Trish Jensen; 23 Clarendon Dr., Binghamton, NY 13901; (607) 644-6873; tjravenpilot@gmail.com
CL/FF EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR
AMA Headquarters, Competitions Department; (800) 435-9262, Ext. 252; cpierce@modelaircraft.org
On March 1, 2022, I made the trek to the Georgia Aircraft Modelers Association (GAMA) swap meet in Perry, Georgia. Accompanying me was Phil Michaels, District II AMA Leader Member from New Jersey. The trip was not just about Perry because we made several stops at museums and flying fields along the way.
Day one of the Perry trip was about visiting the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles International Airport. The center is the companion facility to the Smithsonian’s U.S. National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Hundreds of historically significant aircraft and spacecraft, along with thousands of small artifacts, are on display. Steven Udvar-Hazy gave a $66 million grant that allowed the Smithsonian to build the annex at Dulles Airport. The annex houses more than 120 aircraft and 140 space-exploration exhibits and includes the space shuttle Discovery.
Day two included a stop at the Keystone Truck and Tractor Museum in Colonial Heights, Virginia. Keystone is loaded with hundreds of antique vehicles. Virtually every vehicle is either expertly restored or in its vintage condition. The museum, its gift shop, and restaurant make for a wonderful stop for anyone interested in mechanical things.
Day three included a visit to the Pecan Patch Airfield, operated by Mark and Judy Murdock. The airfield has hosted numerous model aircraft and full-scale aircraft events. A retired machinist with United Airlines, Mark is a genius inventor of various artistic things, not to mention the owner of hundreds of neat RC aircraft.
Later that day, we arrived at the Perry National Fairgrounds and prepared for the GAMA event. That evening, modelers enjoyed a little float flying in the large fairgrounds pond.
Numerous District II members, snowbirds, or southern transplants were at Perry. I had the great experience of catching up with Dino DiGiorgio, the owner of Meister Scale Aircraft in Fort Pierce, Florida. Formerly from Oakland, New Jersey, Dino has significant roots in District II. I owe my interest in large-scale RC aircraft to Dino’s late dad, Dean Sr., and I spoke with him at various district events decades ago.
I met Bob Krull, manager of the former Westchester Radio Aero Modelers (WRAM) Show, who relocated to enjoy the sunny southern warmth. Bob didn’t seem to mind missing the Northeast’s snowstorms and frigid weather.
Traveling home from Perry, I had hoped to visit the Crosswinds RC club in Westhampton, New Jersey. Although I was a little pressed for time, and no one was at the field, the view of the field along the New Jersey Turnpike was very inviting! Nothing excites a modeler as much as seeing a flying field or a model airplane!
Remember, it’s not about what you fly, it’s about the friends you make!
