District III
Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
The year was 1962. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was President, U2 spy planes discovered missile bases in Cuba that could strike the US, the Beach Boys released their hit single record, side A, “Surfin’ Safari” and side B, “409,” and a new model airplane club was formed in Pennsylvania.
On April 26, 2022, the Johnstown RC Club held its annual spring banquet to celebrate the club’s 60th year in existence. The club was formed in 1962 by 12 members and chartered with the AMA in the Richland Township area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Initial dues were 25¢ per meeting and they were held in Caleb Butler’s basement.
consecutive years! It’s no secret why the Johnstown RC Club has existed for 60 years: hard work by being active in the community. The members take great pride in everything they do to promote the love of the model aviation hobby. Congratulations to the Johnstown RC Club on your 60th anniversary, and I look forward to what the future brings for your group. For more information about the Johnstown RC Club, visit www.johnstownrc.org, where you can see current activities, read the monthly newsletters, and more.
The club has had six different flying sites throughout the past 60 years, with more than 45 years at its present field on Saddle Club Road near the Windber Country Club. This was the third banquet that I have attended in Johnstown in my past 10 years as the District III vice president and it is impressive to see that the club is still going strong despite changes in the economy.
One reason for the club’s current success is the leadership of the club officers, starting at the top with Sam Kaplitz, club president. Sam has been the president of the Johnstown club for the last 25 years, nearly half of the club’s existence! Throughout the years, the club has involved itself in the community by inviting Cub Scouts to fly at the field and setting up static displays at its local shopping mall, to name a few.
The club has had a monthly newsletter for more than 15 years, and most impressive is that it has been an AMA Gold Leader Club for 29 consecutive years!
Until next month, stay safe and fly safely.
