District IV

Author: Jay Marsh

Edition: Model Aviation - 2026/05
Page Numbers: 100

Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland,
North Carolina, Virginia

In case you haven’t heard, our membership numbers have declined over many years, not because we haven’t attracted new members, but because of our aging membership and retention of those who join.

For new members to stay in our hobby, they must find a safe place and enjoy the experiences and challenges that are offered by participating. Every member and every club needs to act on this and make all members, new and old, feel welcome and wanted. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is by hosting and going to flying events and having fun with your fellow members. Be sure to sanction your event and post a flyer on our main Facebook page at facebook.com/amadistrictiv or our group page at facebook.com/groups/amadistrictiv.

The following report is from Associate Vice President Nic Burhans and will give you a feel for the 2026 Fauquier Aero Recreation Modelers (FARM) Spring Float Fly, which will be held on June 13.

Last year, FARM (farmclubrc.com) celebrated 17 years of charity float-fly events at its Lake Ritchie Pavilion flying site in Bealeton, Virginia. Originally, the spring-only event raised money for the Pilots for Christ support program. In 2010, the club expanded its charity float-fly events to a semiannual schedule, exclusively in support of the Fauquier Food Bank and Thrift Store in Fauquier County, Virginia. Throughout the years, FARM has conducted 30 of these charity float-fly events and expanded them to include all kinds of RC aircraft and boats.

The sanctioned event included an FAA Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) designation and associated AMA-waivered altitude and Remote ID restrictions. The Lake Ritchie Pavilion flying site includes a covered eating area, kitchen, inside bathrooms, and unlimited parking. Aircraft pilots, boat captains, and their required spotters all operated from a single launch area to allow for constant communication.

We had new and old aircraft from Virginia; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; and Delaware. FARM provided a picnic lunch that was followed by a raffle and 50/50 drawings. The new speedboat configurations that allowed self-righting boats were very helpful, requiring the club’s rescue boat captain to make far less runs. There were no major aircraft crashes or boat sinkings recorded by recovery captain Ralph Graul.

The 26 pilots/captains and 13 observing guests donated 15 pounds of non-perishable food and raised $800 for the Fauquier Food Bank and Thrift Store. It was a very pleasant and successful day at the FARM Spring Float Fly, and this year promises to be even better.

Vice President

amadistrictiv@modelaircraft.org
3227 Pine Needles Rd.,
High Point NC 27265
(336) 687-0973
amad4.org
facebook.com/amadistrictIV
facebook.com/groups/amadistrictiv

Associate Vice Presidents

Winston Brown, NC; (323) 243-6146; wbnme01@yahoo.com
Nic Burhans, VA; (540) 219-9646; nic@amad4.org
Bob Burnett, Washington, D.C. SFRA; (703) 742-9682; bobburnett40@gmail.com
Jack Hamilton, NC; (828) 206-5281; scorpionjacks@hotmail.com
Rusty Kennedy, VA; (757) 812-2812; rustyk716@gmail.com
Richard “Rick” Moreland, MD; (301) 261-7366; rmoreland1@verizon.net
Mark Smith, NC; (704) 798-2776; marksmithsmitty@yahoo.com
Terry Terrenoire, VA; (412)760-4593; amad2terry@juno.com
Mark Weiss, DE; (302)547-4917; ama82824@yahoo.com