Author: Dave Mathewson
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/07
Page Numbers: 162

District II Report - 2004/07

Region

New Jersey / New York / Europe

Contact

Note

For a listing of all district volunteer workers, please consult the previous issue of Model Aviation or the District II Web site listed above.

Flying sites

Flying sites are becoming a scarce commodity in some parts of District II. While some areas of the district are blessed with multiple sites—I have 16 different model-airplane fields within a one-and-a-half-hour drive from my house—the situation is on the verge of becoming critical in the northern New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island areas.

Three years ago the Central Long Island Aero Modelers (CLAMS) lost its site on Long Island. CLAMS president Rich Leonard began the search for a new site and contacted the New York State Parks Department about gaining permission to use an area at Sunken Meadow State Park. With the help of AMA, and much effort on Rich's part, New York State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro finally granted a use permit as part of a pilot program in New York State to determine the compatibility of modeling activities in the NYS Parks System. Only then did we realize we had a problem.

The Islip Model Aviation Society's (IMAS) club field was considerably less than two miles from the new field at Sunken Meadow. Frequency testing proved that a definite problem existed and negotiations began to try to reach an arrangement that would allow the use of both sites.

As you can imagine, modelers are very protective of their flying sites. The clubs worked hard to try to reach a compromise but it just wasn't happening. Finally IMAS president Ed Carty asked if I would come to a club meeting, explain AMA's position regarding frequency-management agreements, and listen to members' concerns.

The meeting was an eye-opening experience for everyone. The discussion was certainly lively at times, but it was obvious that everyone understood that some type of agreement would have to be worked out. The meeting ended with a proposal that IMAS was comfortable with, as were the members of CLAMS who were in attendance. Shortly thereafter, a formal agreement was drawn up and signed by officers of both clubs.

The moral of the story? It's in every modeler's best interest to take advantage of an opportunity to gain the use of a new flying site, whether you fly there or not. Sometimes concessions need to be made for the good of all. That's what happened here. Neither club got everything it was looking for and each gave up more than it wanted.

The end result is the use of a new site in a state parks system. It gives us the opportunity to show government officials who control these properties that AMA members are a responsible group and can be an asset to the community when given the opportunity.

Museum donation

Anyone who was flying RC models in the late 1950s and early 1960s would certainly be familiar with the name Don Steeb. Don's company, Don Steeb Inc., produced and marketed the popular line of Atlas servos. Recently, Don graciously donated the original patents he held on two of his servos—more commonly known as actuators back then—and his travel sales display case to the National Model Aviation Museum in Muncie, Indiana.

The donation is unique in that very few RC actuators were ever patented. Don traveled to Muncie to make the presentation and made this observation about the museum: "The museum is an outstanding achievement by AMA. I hope that every member could visit in person to see what has been accomplished there."

Don, it's contributions such as yours that make the museum as good as it is. Thank you for your generosity.

Notable members

#### Myron Carey Most clubs have at least one member who is a good ambassador for our hobby/sport. There are none better than Myron Carey. I've known Myron since I was a teenager and I'm in awe of the energy and enthusiasm he has for a man who is 76 years old. Myron is an active downhill skier and spends much of his free time volunteering in his community. Hardly a club event goes by in which he doesn't participate, taking on any job that needs to be done.

Myron can wear the AMA All-Season patch, too. For some of us who live in the northeast United States, that's an accomplishment, but Myron has taken this one step further. On February 1, 2004, he flew an RC model for the 470th straight month. That's 39 years and two months without a miss!

#### Bob Dunn Bob Dunn is another well-known modeler who calls District II home. Bob's history goes all the way back to World War II. He became a P-40 fighter pilot and later flew P-51 Mustangs in the European Theater. After the war, Bob returned home and married Esther. Becoming a family man and raising 11 children, Bob wasn't able to continue his full-scale flying, so he turned to RC.

With people like Jim and Bill Messer, Bob Brown (AMA District II vice president), George Privater, and others, Bob helped to develop the Giant Scale movement. They designed and constructed some of the first 1/4-scale aircraft in existence in the 1970s. They used geared .60s for power and experimented with different designs to get their craft airborne.

When the Roper engines came on the scene, they found the power plant needed to fly their 1/4-scale Bristol Scouts. Bob and the others traveled far and wide demonstrating the simultaneous flight of six Bristol Scouts. Bob attended every rally and fun-fly within 300 miles to fly his large-scale models.

District II Associate Vice President Gary Fitch said, "Bob Dunn is the epitome of my idea of a modern-day hero and a man to be looked up to."

Web site

If you haven't visited the AMA District II Web site, swing by and take a look at www.amadistrictii.org. Webmaster Doug Crawford has done a remarkable job and has turned our Web site into a significant asset for the district.

See you next time.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.