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; gmfit[email protected]
Gene Gavin, Staten Island NY; (718) 967-0558; 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) 572-6727; hotrodsbymax@charter.net
Alexander Szemere, Kendall Park NJ; (732) 821-5641; drszemere@aol.com
Michael Wong, Mahwah NJ; kingmwow@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
Flying model aircraft at our local club fields is not the only aspect of our hobby. Those who have been in model aviation for any length of time quickly learn that camaraderie, friendship, mentoring, and education are integral to the hobby—things that add up to community involvement.
One District II club that has a history of community involvement is the Hempstead Harbor Aeromodellers Society (HHAMS) in New York. HHAMS was founded in late 1991 by seven individuals. Within a short time, membership grew to roughly 20 members. Today, the club has nearly 100 members.
The HHAMS website states: “Our goal is to be beginner-friendly and accommodate all those who wish to learn about our great hobby. Many fliers have learned their basic flying and building skills from our experienced members and have gone on to teach the new generation of modelers. Visitors are all welcome to the Field.
“We fly at the Town of North Hempstead Aerodrome, the HHAMS are the official operators of this facility. For you to fly at our field, you will need to become a member, maintain membership with the AMA, and obtain a town of North Hempstead Aerodrome permit. We embrace all forms of RC flying …”
The HHAMS crew.
HHAMS community event.
Member camaraderie at HHAMS.
The waiting line at a HHAMS community event
The HHAMS has hosted well-attended community days and other events to promote model aviation and bring new people into the hobby. The club’s website does a good job of illuminating the club and inviting people to try flying. All AMA clubs should be working to increase their membership numbers and promote their involvement as a community organization.
AMA has a long-standing program called Take off And Grow (TAG). Any AMA club can apply for a TAG grant of up to $1,000 for an open-house-type event. While 2023 TAG Grants have already been awarded, the next TAG Grant application deadline is February 1, 2024. For more information about AMA’s Grant Programs, visit https://amafoundation.modelaircraft.org/grants.
Remember, it’s not about what you fly, it’s about the friends you make.
