District News
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.
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; rplabonte@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, Newinton CT; (860) 978-5353; n1cnv@icloud.com
Ted Wojcik, Fremont NH; (603) 479-3799; tedwojcik@comcast.net
TECHNOLOGY AND SAFETY OFFICER
John Wassen, 5 Quarry Rd., Nashua NH 03062; (603) 321-8442; jyassemedis@comcast.net
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR
David Surwell, 24 Norwich Rd., Nashua NH 03062; (603) 888-2020; davidsurwell@comcast.net
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 ch@hotmail.com
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; 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/FPV/EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR
AMA Headquarters, Competitions Department; (800) 435-9262, Ext. 252; cpierce@modelaircraft.org
On September 6-10, 2023, the Mid-Hudson RC Society held its 56th annual Rhinebeck Jamboree at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Red Hook, New York. Jamboree aircraft must be Scale models of aircraft built before December 31, 1939. Models of aircraft used in World War II combat situations are ineligible.
Although numerous modelers attend early and camp at the aerodrome, the main events are on the weekend. Saturday and Sunday commence at 8 a.m. with the Cole Palen Memorial rubber-powered Scale aircraft mass launch. During the morning and early afternoon, pilots fly model aircraft for spectators. At 2:30 p.m., the full-scale air show begins, featuring numerous original and replica aircraft.
During its many decades, the Rhinebeck Jamboree has been well-noted for both the unique models and the master modelers who attend. Although the event is easy-going and certainly fun, several awards are presented for Best of Show, Best Civilian, Best Golden Age, the Spirit of Rhinebeck, and a Best of Show for Juniors. Mission Event contests are held for bomb drops, spot landings, and a balloon burst competition. Most Jamboree aircraft are large or Giant Scale; however, Mission Event aircraft are limited to .61 cu. in. two-stroke or 1.2 cu. in. four-stroke engines, or an equivalent electric displacement.
Cole Palen, the aerodrome’s founder, was an avid historic aircraft collector and restorer. He purchased the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome property for back taxes with help from money received for his work on the movie Lafayette Escadrille.
The Aerodrome’s historic aircraft include a 1909 Blériot, the oldest regularly flying airplane in the Western Hemisphere, a Fokker Dr. I Triplane, and a precise replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, the first aircraft to fly from New York to Paris in 1927. Modelers, aviators, and the general public are fortunate to have the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, and we owe it to the hard work and vision of Cole Palen and his wife, Rita. The venue is always worth a visit!
Thanks to Tim Haggerty for photos here, except where noted.
