District II
New Jersey, New York, Europe
Eric Williams
Vice President
amavpd2@aol.com
4242 Aldama Ln., Schenectady NY 12303
(518) 356-2057
amadistrict-ii.org
facebook.com/DistrictIIAMA
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Dennis Andreas, Freeport NY; (516) 902-8207; dennis66536@aol.com
Eaton Bryce, Brooklyn NY; (917) 749-3125; subundergroundny@gmail.com
Sal Calvagna, Holbrook NY; (631) 737-6372; rcgiants@optonline.net
Chuck Davis, Sayville NY; (631) 589-7690; cdavis60@verizon.net
Ed DeRossi, Johnstown NY; (518) 322-5172; ederossi@nycap.rr.com
Gary Fitch, Delevan NY; gmfitc
h@hotmail.com
Gene Gavin, Staten Island NY; (718) 967-0598; 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; p51085@gmail.com
Leonard Max Smart, Morrisonville NY; (518) 572-6727; hotrodsbymax@charter.net
Alexander Szmere, Kendall Park NJ; (732) 816-1810; drszmere@aol.com
Michael Wong, Mahwah NJ; kingmeow@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
From September 8-14, Tom Hunt and the Silent Electric Flyers of Long Island (SEFLI) held the 26th annual Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology (NEAT) Fair at Peaceful Valley Campgrounds in Downsville, New York. As usual, the event did not disappoint.
A member of the AMA Hall of Fame and an aerospace engineer, Tom Hunt is one of the pioneers of electric flight! Tom has been working with electric-powered model airplanes since the early days of NiCd batteries and brushed motors, and he has several significant records to his credit. The NEAT Fair has not been stuck in years past, however; the event always features some of the latest in technologies—with a noted emphasis on fun! In fact, one post-event internet observation stated,
“The social aspect of it is the whole point,” and that is certainly true!
Perhaps the two most popular activities at the NEAT Fair are night flying and the Lobster Combat competition. I’m not sure where the title comes from, but the Combat event never disappoints. Each pilot is required to wear a helmet. Given the creativity of modelers, Lobster Combat pilots have taken the idea of a helmet to a whole new level. Fanciful themes and costumes now accompany most pilots’ helmets, and participants now dress as everything from a Viking to Darth Vader and beyond. It makes the event more fun and creative year after year.
Another internet comment probably put it best: “Thank you to Tom and all his helpers for another year of fun flying and all the great people at NEAT.”
The 2026 NEAT Fair dates have already been announced. Be sure not to miss next year’s event on September 14-20, 2026. For more information, visit neatfair.org.
Remember, it’s not about what you fly, it’s about the friends you make.
