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, Freenport NY; (516) 902-8207; dennis66536@gmail.com
Eaton Bryce, Brooklyn NY; (917) 749-3125; subunderground@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) 572-6727; hotrodsbymax@charter.net
Alexander Szemere, Kendall Park NJ; (732) 821-5641; drszemere@aol.com
Michael Wong, Mahwah NJ; kingmeuw@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
Three District II clubs held open houses and flying events this spring to invite the public and enjoy some early season flying. These clubs are the Flying Knights Model Aircraft Club of Ravena, New York, the Lazy Eight club of Johnstown, New York, and the Hoosick Aeromodelers of Hoosick Falls, New York. All three of these clubs have a great history of working with the public to illuminate our hobby and gain new members.
Based at the Van Etten Farm in Altamont, New York, the New Baltimore Antique Machinery and Agricultural Festival is a celebration of antique machinery, collector cars and hot rods, and many other mechanical and agricultural-based activities. Informally known as the AgFest, the Flying Knights have appeared at the event for several years, along with full-scale aircraft, at the farm’s private airstrip. Several leads for new members have been generated by the club’s participation.
Located at Chapin Field in Cambridge, New York, the Hoosick Aeromodelers participated in Aviation Day, along with full-scale aircraft. The club displayed various types of aircraft and staffed an information tent with model aircraft materials and magazines. The Hoosick club has a long history of public event and community participation.
The Lazy Eight club of Johnstown, New York, was the recipient of an AMA 2024 Take off And Grow (TAG) grant. The grant will assist the club in holding a public event(s) to invite the community to experience model aircraft and to attract new club members. As do the Flying Knights and the Hoosick Aeromodelers, the Lazy Eight club has an excellent relationship with local full-scale aircraft owners and operators. Full-scale flybys are a regular attraction at Lazy Eight events.
Although applying for AMA TAG grants is a simple process, clubs do not need a TAG grant to hold these events. Clubs should be holding these events on a regular basis as “open houses” to display our hobby and to attract new members. Don’t forget to invite local public officials, and other groups, such as car clubs and similar groups, to your event. You’ll find that there’s a great cross pollination between model aircraft and individuals who work on mechanical things!
Remember, it’s not about what you fly, it’s about the friends you make.
