On October 31, 2025, FLYRC club members successfully introduced 60 fifth-grade students, while dressed in their Halloween costumes, to the POF Program at the Pomperaug Elementary School in Southbury, Conn.
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
The Fairfield League of Yankee Radio Controllers, known as FLYRC, has two of its 2025 events highlighted in this column, featuring insights from Associate Vice President Andy Figlar, Ron Faanes, Ph.D., and myself.
In November 2021, Ron shared that he and several FLYRC members were developing a Principles of Flight (POF) program to promote STEM education in elementary schools. Through engaging slideshow lectures, videos, and hands-on build projects, students explored aviation and aeronautics. I previously covered the program’s introduction in a 2022 District I column.
Ron recently informed me that they now conduct POF programs at seven or more schools annually. During the October 31, 2025, event, professional pilot Tim Nunes delivered an inspiring presentation about his flying experiences, which resonated with the students. Topics included the history of flight, the essentials of fixed- and rotary-wing flight, and the mechanics of jet and rocket engines.
Students divided into two groups: one in the gym, where club members coached them in drone or airplane flying and used RC flight simulators, and the other group was at the athletic field, where they launched Estes rockets and flew gliders and AMA ALPHA rubber-powered airplanes.
The program’s success was evident from the engaged and smiling youngsters, along with teacher Frank Battaglia, who is eager to have us back in 2027.
Vice President
amadistricti@modelaircraft.org;
brandshobby@gmail.com
3 Sheila Ln., Smithfield, RI 02917
(401) 575-6215
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
Edward W. Deming, North Stonington, CT; {860) 884-3222; edwardwdeming@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; dth7@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
Joel Rosenzweig, Marlborough MA; (508) 667-3720; joel@helitronix.com
Kevin Ryan, Yarmouth Port, MA; (508) 680-3741; ryans.capecod@gmail.com
Doug Thompson, Eliot ME; (508) 838-4874; doug@dougsdrones.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 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
Andy Figlar also provided the photos that are featured in this column from the 5th Annual Joint FLYRC & New Milford Model Airplane Club (NMMAC) Swap Meet. For details about the 6th Swap Meet, to be held on June 5, 2026, visit the FLYRC website at flyrc.org.
I would like to extend my gratitude to FLYRC members, especially Bill Josiger, for his outstanding leadership as club president over the past seven years. His accomplishments include increasing membership by 40%, receiving awards for two AMA Flying Site Improvement Grants, achieving AMA Gold Leader Club status, donating $2,000 for AMA scholarships, conducting the Civil Air Patrol Learn to Fly program, and supporting Ron’s POF STEM program.
Welcome to Bill Schrull as the new FLYRC president for 2026!
