Education Through Aviation
By Bill Pritchett, Education Director
“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.” —Albert Einstein
There are so many games we play. Some are fun—others not so much. To many, games are a way of life, and to a certain extent, some people expect participation in their game from those around them.
Fun games are accompanied by humor, laughter, and a good time with friends. A game might be an approach to something you choose to not take seriously—a way to make something less onerous. Games can also be offensive in their mission as a way to embarrass or otherwise insult another.
People games are what I’ve always thought Einstein referred to in this quote. I’m not talking about sports here. I’m talking about how we approach a challenge, being confronted, receiving bad news. Some might view these games as a display of being clever, or an opportunity to publically display intellect. For this month, let’s play a game called “Spin the FAA.”
Despite the thousands of calls, emails, blog posts, etc. that we received about registration, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), Section 336 (of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012), and all of the FAA topics, our game of Spin the FAA requires a positive outcome. Oh, and it has to be an outcome that we haven’t thought much, if any, about.
For example, it can’t be that we have a window of opportunity to fly in the Flight Restricted Zone. Nope, that could go away. Sorry, we won’t be able to use registration. If done when it was available at no cost, that was free! We’ve already talked about that.
So, how exactly do we spin this into something positive that we haven’t talked about? Here it goes …
Never in the history of model aviation in the US has so much media and other tools of communication been engaged to share information with modelers about the FAA. The FAA is the arm of the government that regulates the use of the national airspace. That’s where we fly!
During the process of actively sharing information regarding the FAA during the last five or six years, we have to assume that many are now aware of a few things that they had previously missed. Things such as see-and-avoid, FPV, NPRM, Section 336, etc. Suddenly, and without much warning, our organization has a new and heightened awareness of all things aviation!
Calls and emails during the last couple months have been enlightening. Our members now realize that we are a part of the aviation community, operate in the national airspace, and are keeping a watchful eye on both the FAA and legislative activities as they relate to model aviation. Spin it!
Well, here you go. As the 2016 flying season approaches, an all-time high level of awareness regarding safe operations will surround our hobby. Fliers will think twice, look twice, and ask questions just to be safe. What can possibly be bad about making sure?
In our area, there are motorcycle safety awareness signs by the hundreds: “Look Twice. Save A Life.” Our game is to know the rules. We do. In order to play better than anyone else, maybe looking twice is a pretty good idea … with or without the FAA regulating it.
One of the resources I’m fortunate to have available is the AMA Education Committee. We recently completed a complete reorganization and it’s been a pleasure to do so in a manner that pays the appropriate respect to our amazing partners. “Education Through Aviation,” our department motto, does not happen accidentally. In addition to our tremendous resource of AMA members and clubs, we are partnered with a list of like-minded organizations. Those members of the Education Committee are:
- Tim Jesky
Academy of Model Aeronautics
District VII Vice President - James Brough
FAA Department of Transportation
National STEM-AVSED Program Manager - Katie Pribyl
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Senior Vice President, Communications - Mark Atwood
Paragon Consulting
President - Rick Larsen
Experimental Aircraft Association
Vice President, Communities and Member Programs - Tom Sanders
Science Olympiad
National Supervisor - Jeff Montgomery
Civil Air Patrol
Deputy Director, Aerospace Education - Captain Albert Glenn
OBAP Board of Advisors
Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals - Al Bowers
NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center
Chief Scientist - George Pavey
West Michigan Aviation Academy
Dean of Students - Gordon Schimmel, Ed. D.
Academy of Model Aeronautics
Education Program Development - Bob Underwood, Emeritus
- Travis McGinnis, Emeritus
I would like to thank these individuals for their willingness to serve and to help the AMA develop more and better ways to deliver “Education Through Aviation.” I would also ask that you, as a member of AMA, look carefully at the organizations represented here. Take stock of the groups and individuals that have their eyes on model aviation. The use of models is not a secret to education and research communities.
As a member of the AMA, please know that we are a part of the aviation community at all levels. Modeling is truly the pathway to learning for many and it’s a pleasure to watch it continue to grow.
Since 1936, the AMA has used model flight to conduct engaging educational programs with hands-on activities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), to help students experiment with ideas, test hypotheses, predict outcomes, and document success. With the help of the AMA Education Committee, our future does look bright!
Fly and have fun!
