As I wrote this, the weather in southwestern Ohio had turned cold and Thanksgiving was behind us. We were fortunate to enjoy some great, unseasonably warm, and light-wind flying weather in this area, but it looks like our luck has run out! I heard the northern part of District III got hit hard with snow just before Turkey Day.
District III Associate Vice President (AVP) Jeff Black, in New Oxford, Pennsylvania, shared the following two event reviews. For those who ask where is New Oxford, it is 50 miles northwest of Baltimore. Jeff is a member of the Blue & Gray Miniature Aircraft Squadron, which is located northeast of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
The club held its 21st annual Chili Fly-In on October 12-13, 2024, where 34 registered pilots enjoyed the sunny weather with mild wind. The spectators saw some great flying and enjoyed Saturday night-flying. They saw some cool night flights as Ronnie London flew his LED light-equipped model that left a trail in the night sky of various patterns. Contest Director Mike Brown and his fellow club members made sure that the event ran smoothly.
On September 21, 2024, the Blue & Gray Miniature Aircraft Squadron participated in a Boy Scout Jamboree at the Gettysburg Airport. The club was asked to be a part of the event to promote model aviation. There were 10 Scout troops in attendance. The club gave instructions on how model aircraft fly. Jeff said, "We had inquiries into helping with their aviation merit badges!"
Plans were put into place to help the Scouts work toward their merit badges at the club field in 2025. Club members in attendance were James Demes, Mike Brouse, Mike Brown, Brian Colledge, Scott Griffis, Jeff Black, and Dave O’Leary.
District III AVP Mark Feist is spearheading the effort to strengthen the membership of AMA so that we can continue to have [strength] in numbers. A strong membership provides the clubs and AMA with the ability to have a voice at many levels of government.
This year, you will see a lot of information from AMA Headquarters about resources to help your clubs recruit new members and strengthen by retaining longtime as well as new members. Membership growth in your clubs and AMA are the keys to our modeling future.