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) 902-8207; dennis66536@gmail.com
Sal Calvagna, Holbrook NY; (631) 737-6372; rcgiants@optonline.net
Frank Costello, Somerset NJ; teams3fpv@gmail.com
Chuck Davis, Sayville NY; (631) 589-7690; cjdavis60@verizon.net
Ed DeRossi, Johnstown NY; (518) 322-5172; ederossi@nycap.rr.com
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; granellif@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; hotrodsbymax@charter.net
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/FPV EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR
AMA Headquarters, Competitions Department; (800) 435-9262, Ext. 252; cpierce@modelaircraft.org
Nothing beats model aviation that is carried down from one generation to the next. Numerous AMA members are the sons or daughters of parents who had model aviation in their back-grounds. Such is the case of the Reibert family of Walworth, New York.
I first met the Reiberts at the Rochester Aero Modeling Society club field at the Northeast Model Helicopter Jamboree roughly 8 years ago. As a Scale heli modeler in years past, I took notice of the scale flying of Chris Reibert. Both Chris’ flying and his aircraft details were impressive and enjoyable to watch. Chris would expand his involvement and become the event’s contest director.
Throughout the years, Chris has been involved with not only helicopters, but also fixed-wing flying. Among his favorite experiences was getting his grandfather’s 1/4-scale Piper Cub restored and flying again after a long hibernation. Chris’ explanation of the experience several years ago speaks for itself.
“My 1/4-scale J-3 Piper Cub has been flown again after almost 30 years of sleeping. This was my Papa’s that he handed down to me 4 years ago. Papa has hit 92 years old this year. He has not seen it fly since 1988. This plane has been a part of my entire life since I was an eager, little, 6-year-old boy. I was grinning from ear to ear seeing her fly today. I am a third-generation RC pilot who has been in love with this hobby for 30 years.
“It was my Papa’s passion that my dad (Dave) and I grew to love, and I would not be where I am in the hobby today if it weren’t for Papa giving me my first nitro-powered trainer for my sixth birthday. If it weren’t for Papa’s passion for RC, my father and I probably would not have gotten into the hobby.”
Sadly, Chris’ grandfather, “Papa,” passed away a year after the Cub’s rebirth. More recently, Chris worked to hand down the hobby to his own
children. Hailey, age 8, and Logan, age 6, are fourth-generation RC pilots in the Reibert household who have been going to the field with Chris for events since they were babies. Under Chris’ guidance, a few simulator sessions, and flying their AeroScout, both Hailey and Logan took to the sky, logging their first buddy-box flights.
After hearing of Logan’s start in model aviation, Joe Vermillion, of Balsa USA, arranged for a Stick 40 Plus to be donated to the Reiberts to help the kids work on their building skills and progress in model aviation. Thanks to the Reiberts and Balsa USA for helping to keep the hobby alive and well.
Remember, it’s not about what you fly, it’s about the friends you make!
