Aero Mail
If you have a letter to the editor, please submit it to MA Editor-in-Chief Jay Smith at 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302, or email to jays@modelaircraft.org or at www.ModelAviation.com/editor
Science Olympiad
The following was sent to AMA Education Director Bill Pritchett.
Dear Bill,
The Academy of Model Aeronautics has played a huge role in the Indiana Science Olympiad for many years. Here at Indiana University in Bloomington, we frequently host the Science Olympiad State Tournament; in fact we’ve hosted it for the last four years consecutively and were just awarded the 2016 tournament as well.
When I think of all the people involved in making the state tournament a huge success, the first person and group that comes to mind is Tom Sanders and the AMA. Tom has for 20+ years put together a team of AMA enthusiasts to run the flying competitions at the state tournament. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I can count on the AMA folks to run competitive flying events that are fair for each student participating.
This group of people gives approximately 20 hours of their time on tournament weekend to provide trim flights and run the competitions. I simply cannot imagine doing this tournament without this group. The impact they make on young flyers is amazing! Hundreds of students arrive early and stand in line just to get flying tips and help from Tom Sanders and his crew. They always leave learning something new that will help them in the world of flying.
The state tournament is just one Science Olympiad event [where] you’ll find the AMA. They also help at several invitational and regional tournaments, IUPUI’s [Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis] Build It Day, and this December will offer a flying clinic in December.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you and the many members of the AMA for all you do for children of all ages and for Science Olympiad.
—Tina Gilliland
Outreach Liaison
Indiana University
College of Arts & Sciences
July Gems
After looking at the latest issue of Model Aviation, I realized there are little additions buried within that greatly encourage us amateurs.
Things as simple as the picture list of the most common connectors are a great help. It’s something to tack on the shop wall. These little things, along with the articles giving the “basics” of different subjects, need to be occasionally repeated as new people come into the sport every day.
—Eugene Arnold
