NOVEMBER 2005 DISTRICT 1 REPORT:
Andy Argenio, District I Vice President

ON SUNDAY, August 21, Ed Faria, associate vice president in District I and Steve Berhm, district newsperson, joined me for the 95-mile drive to the Scale fly-in hosted by the Hampshire County RC (HCRC) club at its flying site in Hadley, Massachusetts. Although it was humid and raining, we were looking forward to a nice ride through the picturesque area of northwestern Massachusetts and of course the breakfast stop.

This is a yearly noncompetitive flying event at one of the finest flying sites in the district. The site has a 1,200-foot grass runway, a club-run food concession, and primitive onsite camping.

This was a well-coordinated event. A specific area was provided for spectators. The announcer stand was raised 10 feet off

the ground providing safe viewing of all the flight activity. Unique pilot station barriers were made from PVC and lattice fencing. There was a good showing and flying of Scale warbirds, civilian, and aerobatic aircraft.

Each time I visit a club or attend an event, I try to find those things that the club or members do that deserve praise. The HCRC club is one of the district’s most active clubs, hosting many flying events each year including; North East Pylon Racing Organization (NEPRO) meets, Pattern and Scale meets, and club fun-flys and picnics. The club is also involved in demonstration-type activities that help to promote the sport and ensure our future.

On July 27, club members Dave Lavigne, Ed Kopec, and Fran Mitchell gave a flying demonstration at the Wilbraham Academy in Wilbraham, Massachusetts and on August 27-28, other club members displayed World War II aircraft at the Barnes Air Show.

I was most impressed with the club’s student pilot training program. Its program is the best I have come across. Let me quote from the first page of the club’s 16-page instruction manual.

“You are about to become a part of the best radio control flying club in Western Massachusetts. We acknowledge that our field is also one of the busiest. For that reason, our goal is to not just teach you to solo an aircraft, but to become a proficient pilot and more importantly we want you to be a safe pilot, for yourself, your fellow club members, and the sport itself.”

Wow! This is serious approach to training and from what we were told; much of the credit for this successful program goes to club member Fran Mitchell. Fran has been modeling since the 1950s and held records in CL contests and Navy Carrier events.

The students receive both written and verbal instruction in the following areas: ground school, flying site safety rules, flying site operational rules, frequency management, and hands-on pilot proficiency testing.

How successful is the training program? Very—and with much positive feedback from the current class of 25 student pilots who are less than 20 years old. I don’t know of any other clubs that can boast of having that many young people involved in aeromodeling.

We left this event knowing that with the right attitude and dedicated club members, a club can tip its membership scale toward the future through programs that interest and cultivate younger active flying members. Get in touch with club president, Andre Bouchard, or Fran Mitchell through the club’s Web site at www.hampshirecountyrc.org. I am sure they can give us all pointers on developing similar student pilot training programs for our clubs.