District I
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
For the second consecutive year, AMA District I proudly exhibited at the Massport Aviation & Marine STEM Expo on May 29, 2025. Held in Boston Logan International Airport’s Delta hangar, the event drew more than 2,000 middle and high school students from the Boston area, immersing them in 40-plus engaging exhibits showcasing diverse career opportunities across aviation, maritime fields, and transportation.
My day began bright and early when I arrived from Rhode Island at 6 a.m. Soon after, Associate Vice Presidents Daren Hudson and Doug Thompson joined me and together we transformed our 28-foot space into a dynamic display. We commandeered tables, set up the AMA tent, positioned flight simulators, video monitors, and banners, and arranged handouts alongside a variety of affordable RC model aircraft and drones.
We were thrilled to introduce the new, small drones that were provided by the Know Before You Fly FAA grant. These free kits, offered to local schools, are hands-on STEM drone projects that students can build and fly, but can be easily modified for different tasks and missions. The kits are a welcome addition to the AMA District Outreach Team’s (ADOT) toolkit for collaborating with educators and students.
Our latest ADOT business card made its debut. Designed with a single QR code, it links users directly to a website landing page that is tailored for various audiences such as those interested in the hobby, new members, or longtime members, and providing them with valuable resources for their aeromodeling journey.
The RC simulators were the hit of the Expo, with students occupying them all day. We conversed with numerous educators, many knowing little about the AMA, who expressed significant interest in our STEM materials, club flying sites, and opportunities for mentoring and flight training for students.
This Expo highlights the immense potential for growth and engagement of students within the AMA aeromodeling community.
Andy Argenio
Vice President
amadistrict1@modelaircraft.org;
brandshobby@gmail.com
3 Sheila Ln., Smithfield, RI 02917
(401) 575-6215
www.amadistrict-i.org
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Steve Brehm, Jamestown RI; (401) 423-1085; stbrehm@yahoo.com
Jim Cyr, Madison CT; (203) 421-2145; cardenpro06@gmail.com
Edward W. Deming, North Stonington, CT; (860) 884-3222; edwardwdeming@gmail.com
Andrew Figlar, Shelton CT; (203) 513-8546; sarfiglar320@gmail.com
Steve Goler, Salem MA; (617) 373-0884; nipmuck2@comcast.net
Daren Hudson, Greenland NH; (603) 674-5809; dth7@comcast.net
Ray LaBonte, Standish ME; (207) 892-7994; rplabonte@aol.com
Tom Lavoie, N. Smithfield RI; (401) 824-6134; d2twal4@yahoo.com
Joan Liska, Middletown CT; (860) 347-0257; jliska9000@sbcglobal.net
Mark Montella, Falmouth, MA; (508) 457-4984; montellamj@comcast.net
Joel Rosenzweig, Marlborough MA; (508) 667-3720; joel@helitronix.com
Kevin Ryan, Yarmouth Port, MA; (508) 680-3741; ryans.capecod@comcast.net
Doug Thompson, Eliot ME; (508) 838-4874; doug@doug drones.com
William Unghire, Newington CT; (860) 978-5353; n1cnv@icloud.com
Ted Wojcik, Fremont NH; (603) 479-3799; tedwojcik@comcast.net
TECHNOLOGY AND SAFETY OFFICER
John Yassemedis, 5 Quarry Rd., Nashua NH 03062; (603) 321-8442; jyassemedis@comcast.net
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR
Michael Fiorito, 42 Hayden Circle, Hampton NH 03842; (603) 770-3130; mfiorito61@comcast.net
