Nice to see another SPA member coming on board! Welcome Rob! Looks like the Spring season is going to be fruitful!

FB

When SPA came along, I jumped back in, and first time flying any kind of pattern since 1973. Good luck up there, move to south Florida when you retire, fly year round. Weather nicest in the winter. First SPA contest Dec. 1 & 2. BPA and SPA combined.
I stopped working on a couple of nice 86" Yak's to devote my time to this right now.
Vince
Hobe Sound, FL

AMA 52779
SPA 366

Vince:

Sure would enjoy that Florida weather. Wifey and I are really thinking about the western Virginia area. A whole lot less snow but still 4 seasons. Hard for a Yankee to lose that 4th season (that would be BUILDING season). That 30% still starts good when its cold out.

Peace and Happy Thanksgiving

Mark O
SPA 337

Hey MadMan - I agree about the Yankee weather. Moved here from NC 6 years ago. Going back to SC in about 3 years, or western NC. Went thru 5 hurricanes in Wilmington, NC, then 3 here. Very close to the beach, and the intra-coastal right down the street. Tired of the storms. The area in Virginia you are talking about is very nice. My brother is moving up there next year.

I go to the flying field during the week, no one ever there.

Vince

Hi Guys

My name is John Palestro from Staten Island N.Y. I am a NSRCA and SPA member, I have been working with Jim Hamilton on getting the NE chapter off the ground. Because of his busy schedule he has asked me to reach out to you to better organize our chapter. We want this chapter to succeed as I am sure you do also. My first goal is to find out who is out there and develop active list of members. I would like to establish a line of communication so that we can discuss our furture plans, contests etc.

JPal - You should hear from some of the organizer' down here soon. BPA/SPA contest this weekend, 2 day contest. They are probably a little busy right now, weather here is great.
Vince
Hobe Sound, FL
SPA 377
AMA 52779

hey there, Rob, Mark, Rick - send this guy a PM with your contact info and let's get rolling!

Thanks guys, I have the PM's from the CT crowd, now lets hear from NJ and NY. How about a meeting at he WRAM show in Westchester County. any thoughts?

Now that sounds like a winner!

I usually go to the WRAM show - so I'm in!

I have started a list, only 2 people at this time, I have atleast 5 from my club here on Staten Island. If everyone agrees then the Wram show it is. Talk it up,

Yes, WRAMS ftw!

John:

The WRAM Show sounds good. Usually too cold to do much flying at that time Count me in for the meeting. Normally go on Saturday AM Can't stay too long , not enough money. Hope to meet Jim Hamilton there too. I fly with WEDJ and FREEBIRD in Salem, CT.

See You There.

Peace

Mark O

Nice looking Intruder, how do you like it. I am looking for plane to fly in the SPA. I have been looking at the Skylark 70 does anyone have an opinion?

Skylark 70 is a good plane, but limited in performance for the upper classes. JMHO

Regarding WRAMS - It is February 22-24.

I can go either w/e day, Mark wants Saturday morning, which is fine with me.

Jpal101, pick a time and location, we'll be there. Bring a sign. Perhaps we can think about an agenda to discuss?

Saturday is also my peferred day. I usually don't attend the show on Sunday.

You and Larson are still just as ugly as I remember you, but with just a bit more gray of course<g>

Joe:

Hell yes. It is hard to improve on perfection. You got your choice flying or UGLY got to be good at one or the other.

Your just another GRUMPY OLD FART from Jersey.

See you at the WRAM.

Peace

Mark O

NE Chapter update!
Hey Guys,
It has been several weeks since I posted any new info, the last month and a half has been quite busy for me. But I have some really great news to share:
First off: There is a new Vice President of the NE Chapter. I asked John Palestro if he would serve as VP, and I am very happy he said yes! John is very motivated about our chapter, and in the shortest period of time he has already setting things in motion to grow our chapter.
So what is brewing next for us?
Well first off, John and I agreed we should all meet up together at some point or time in the future. By going through the last couple of posts I can see the interest has not faded one bit. The weather cancelled the scheduled Fly In in October and that was set up so that we could all meet up and fly SPA. Now, the hopes are slim to have a fly in until the weather warms up, but even still that is not that far away either.

For the present, I would like to get a contact list together of anyone who is interested in participating in the NE chapter. I would like to assign a secretary/ and or treasurer to our chapter as well as a chapter events coordinater. Initially the Secretary/Treasurer would handle any records keeping and any monetary funds for the chapter (at present there are no monetary funds as of yet and not a lot of records so this job may be fairly easy...?) The chapter events coordinater would simply be the one that clubs and contest directors could communicate with for information and scheduling of contests/events. Other positions would and could be added in the future as things get rolling. Here is the thing: You do not need to be an expert on SPA flying or other aspects, simply an interest in helping out and motivation is really is what is needed. A good majority of SPA rules and guidelines cover quite a bit, and believe me there is a lot of support backing us up from the SPA, and this will be quite a helpful to us. Our biggest asset that we have, is us! We are the ones that want to start flying SPA up here and I cannot wait until we have our first SPA event in the NE.

One thing that I am getting very excited about is the WRAM show, not because it is a great show (it is a great show!) but from the last couple of threads people have been talking about meeting up there to talk about SPA and our chapter. I have not been to the WRAM show in a long time, but I will definitley be there if you guys show up!

Please email me personally at [email protected] if you are interested in participating in the NE chapter. Some folks already have and if you did please don't be shy to do it again. John and I are presently working on a contact list so that we can all stay in touch. 2008 is the year to look forward to as far as our chapter grows and develops and every effort we put into it will be worth the fun and good times we get out of it, I promise you that.

I look forward to hearing from everyone and until then take it easy!
Jim Hamilton
SPA282

HEllllllo anyone out there. As I said before I am trying to gather a list of interested pilots. Anyone that has any interest in the SPA please contact me with your info. I am building a data base so that I can contact everyone with any new news. You can post here or e-mail me at [email protected]

Need to keep this thread alive. After reading through it again, it appears that a meeting of the minds at the WRAM show on Saturday is what has been voiced. So, we need to choose a time and place to meet. Also, my club (Central Connecticut Radio Control Club, CCRCC) is willing to host an SPA fly-in, tune-up or whatever we want to call it in June '08. The 3rd and 4th weekends are available. We need to gage interest in the area for future events, as we can host a full-blown contest down the road if warrented.

So lets hear from you guys! Lets make SPA in the Northeast come alive!

FB

Rick, I couldn't wait for you to make the announcement. That's great news.

It's really up to Jim, but I think 2.00 pm in the display room is a good gathering place.

I know Nic, just trying to get the ball rolling!

Hey Guys:

WRAM's on Saturday at 2:00 sounds good. June 08 sounds better, by then this blankity blank winter stuff will be just a memory.

The tune up idea is great. It will most likely spur some more members into trying SPA stuff out.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and good holiday season.

Peace

Mark O