AMA District II

High Flight
By John Gillespie McGee, Jr. (1922 - 1941)

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — and wheeled and soared
And swung high in sunlit silence.
Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along,
And flung my eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God

Will Be Missed ...

Never Forgotten ...

July 28, 2004

Ed Keck ~ Ed was a lifelong modeler beginning his career with Free Flight models. When Radio Control began to develop he gravitated toward RC and became a world class competitor, designer and builder. He was part of the famous Pro Line series of proportional radios. Arguably the best of their era. Eventually Ed returned to his roots, Free Flight, and was part of several World Championship Free Fight Teams including the team that took first place in F1C in Hungary in 2003. Ed was recognized for his accomplishments by being selected for the Model Aviation Hall of Fame in June 2004.

October 20, 2002

David Howe ~ Junior member of the Cortland Aeromodeling Society (CAMS). David was full of energy and always brought a smile to the faces of other CAMS’ members when he was around. David, a typical nine-year-old who loved baseball, trains, and playing the clarinet in addition to model airplanes. The highlight of David’s short modeling career was his first unassisted landing, a 10 that took place at his club field to the cheers and applause from the other members watching.

June 3, 2002

George Yatsko ~ AMA District II Education Coordinator passed away Monday, June 3, 2002. George was one of the most enthusiastic people I have ever met, and was totally engrossed with his efforts to introduce model aviation not only to the youth of his community, but to children throughout the District. George enjoyed teaching kids to fly as much as the kids enjoyed flying. George was actively involved in a program he created in Hillsdale NJ, to teach model aviation to children using Electric Control Line models. His efforts with this program made him and his club, the Hillsdale Flyers, the topic of a feature article, written by Bob Hunt that appeared in the May 2002 issue of Model Aviation.

April 22, 2001

Bob McKay ~ District II AVP passed away April 22, 2001. On March 27th I had the honor of presenting Bob with the AMA's Superior Service Award for his efforts on behalf of all of us connected with our sport and hobby. In addition to his being an Associate Vice President for our district, Bob was also a District 2 Director for the IMAA, giant scale being his passion. Bob set the standard for several years for AVP's in District 2 and will certainly be missed by his many friends in the modeling community.

January 15, 2001

John Byrne ~ Former AMA District II Vice President, passed away on January 15, 2001. John served as District II Vice President from 1974-1978 and then again from 1981-1988. An active modeler from the New York City – Long Island area, John was a charter member and past president of the Long Island Air Drone Society.