District I
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
The AMA District I Outreach Team of aviation ambassador volunteers not only participates in air shows and educational school programs to introduce people to the benefits of AMA, aeromodeling, and aviation, but it also supports fundraising for charities. One of our outreach team members, Rich Little, invited us to participate in Flight4CF, which he started after the birth of his daughter, Piper, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF).
We participated in the 2017 and 2018 Beverly Airport events, which led to a great partnership with Rich that provides us with a venue for aeromodeling that also helps contribute to research for new therapies for people with CF. The following column was submitted by Outreach Team member Doug Thompson.
On August 26, 2023, AMA Outreach Team members Andy Fagen, Wayne and Carol Watjus, and Bob Sgroi joined me in Eliot, Maine, for the Seacoast Airfield Aviation Day with Flight4CF. It was a beautiful and unexpectedly perfect summer day for the event, which resulted in a turnout of more than 400 spectators throughout the five-hour gathering. This was the first event at this field under new ownership, so we did our best to make it a success for the owner and for Rich and his quest to conquer CF!
We set up in the parallel grass area between the taxiway and the runway. The AMA Outreach Team had five pop-up shelters and a trailer, which provided areas where attendees could acquire free handouts and magazines about AMA and aeromodeling, talk to AMA members, or try their hand at RC flying on simulators. We had static display areas showing a variety of model aircraft flown by modelers.
I had my 155cc Kolm three-cylinder engine with all of its electronics and plumbing labeled that I ran while explaining how it was used to power large-scale model aircraft. We engaged attendees in buddy-box flying, which went very well thanks to Bob, Wayne, and their trainer model airplanes.
We also did some flight demonstrations with a variety of model aircraft and one of my drones. Everyone had a blast, especially the youngster who was so thrilled at winning the AeroScout model airplane raffle.
We couldn’t have asked for more fun and such good feelings after participating in another Flight4CF event.
Thanks, Doug, for doing an outstanding job as a new contest director (CD). Thanks to Wayne, Carol, Bob, and Andy for a great outreach effort. Please consider donating to CF at https://flight4cf.com/donate.
AMA District I Outreach Team member Douglas Thompson was CD of the Seacoast Airfield Aviation Day event to support AMA Outreach Team member Rich Little, who organizes these Flight4CF events to fund research for a CF cure.
Andy Argenio
Vice President
amadistrict1@modelaircraft.org;
brandshobby@gmail.com
3 Sheila Ln., Smithfield, RI 02917
(401) 231-6901
www.amadistrict-i.org
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Steve Brehm, Jamestown RI; (401) 423-1085; stbrehm@yahoo.com
Jim Cyr, Madison CT; (203) 421-2145; cardenpro6@gmail.com
Andrew Figlar, Shelton CT; (203) 513-8546; safiglar320@gmail.com
Steve Goler, Salem MA; (617) 373-0884; nipmuck2@comcast.net
Daren Hudson, Greenland NH; (603) 674-5809; dh7@comcast.net
Ray LaBonte, Standish ME; (207) 892-7994; rplabon@aol.com
Tom Lavoie, N. Smithfield RI; (401) 824-6134; d2tw4all@yahoo.com
Joan Liska, Middletown CT; (860) 347-0257; jliska9000@sbcglobal.net
Mark Montella, Falmouth, MA; (508) 457-4984; montellamj@comcast.net
Thomas J. Puma Jr., North Clarendon VT; (802) 558-4439; usakingcat@aol.com
Tom Rocheleau, Wethersfield CT; (860) 280-1701; trocheleau@cox.net
Joel Rosenzweig, Marlborough MA; (508) 667-3720; joel@helitronix.com
Tom Siwek, Shrewsbury MA; (617) 893-5249; trsiwek@gmail.com
William Unghire, Newtown CT; (860) 978-5353; n1cnv@icloud.com
Ted Wojcik, Fremont NH; (603) 479-3799; tedwojcik@comcast.net
TECHNOLOGY AND SAFETY OFFICER
John Yassmedis, 5 Quarry Rd., Nashua NH 03062; (603) 321-8442; jyassmedis@comcast.net
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR
David Surwell, 24 Norwich Rd., Nashua NH 03062; (603) 888-2020; davidsurwell@comcast.net
