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; dennisb6536@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; gm fitch@hotmail.com
Gene Gavin, Staten Island NY; (718) 967-0558; Gavin1957@aol.com
Frank Granelli, Rockaway NJ; (973) 625-4995; granellifl@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) 572-6727; hotrodsbymax@charter.net
Alexander Sz emere, Kendall Park NJ; (732) 821-5641; drszemere@aol.com
Michael Wong, Mahwah NJ; kingmew@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
Many in Central New York will recall the Central New York Model Aircraft Association’s (CNYMAA) Symposium Model Show at the New York Statefair Grounds. Held for many years in the 1980s and ’90s, the event attracted as many as 40 exhibitors and included indoor helicopter flying, a boat pond, and hands-on flying. The event was hosted by 15 clubs from CNYMAA and managed by show director Walt Throne. Throughout the years, CNYMAA has awarded more than $15,000 in youth scholarships.
The original CNYMAA event would eventually be succeeded in the late 1990s by the Model Aircraft Forum (MAF) in Syracuse, New York, where area modelers come together to share information and ideas about what they’re building, flying, or creating. The MAF event is held at the Syracuse Academy of Science, a charter school in the Syracuse school district. The annual event was held this year on March 25, 2023.
This year’s MAF also represented the event’s 25th anniversary. The event was hosted by several area clubs, including the Aero Radio Club of Syracuse, Syracuse Thunderbirds Aero Radio Society (STARS), Camillus Indoor Aviators, Voltaires, Central New York Indoor Flying Society, and the Oneida Lake Flyers.
In keeping with past events, this year’s MAF included indoor flying, static displays, raffles, and model aircraft information sessions. A special session was held with AMA’s Tyler Dobbs, director of government affairs who attended via the internet. Tyler discussed FAA and various governmental topics, as well as answered the questions of attendees.
The Syracuse MAF is about modeling, but it’s about giving back as well. All proceeds from the event were donated to the Syracuse Academy of Science. Throughout the years, modelers have donated more than $12,000 to the school. It’s obvious that Syracuse-area clubs have always done a great job in giving back to their community. Great job everyone.
Remember, it’s not about what you fly, it’s about the friends you make.
