Potential employment and youth leadership
Bob Brown
bobb@modelaircraft.org
In early May, I attended the AUVSI Xponential 2016 symposium in New Orleans. This show is considered a mecca for anyone professionally involved in the UAS industry and includes commercial and avocational interests.
The highlight of the show was a presentation by the Administrator of the FAA, Michael Huerta. His primary focus was the relaxation of FAA mandates toward education. The administration will allow UAS operations by students and faculty members for educational and research purposes, provided that they follow the FAA’s rules for model aircraft.
At the AUVSI event, several well-known aerospace companies were diligently looking for qualified employees. If you are in a quandary about what type of professional career to pursue, consider the various positions in the aerospace industry. A college degree in this field could certainly offer lifetime success.
The AMA created the Youth Leadership Award to recognize Youth members who spread the love and fun of aeromodeling. The winner of the 2016 AMA Youth Leadership Award is Adam Enggasser of Greenville High School in Greenville, South Carolina.
Adam is an outstanding student with a passion for aviation. He has participated in the school’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program. His academic efforts also include being named Student of the Year by the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina and an invitation to compete internationally in the VEX World Robotics Championship.
Adam belongs to EAA Chapter #249, the Western Carolina Skyhawks, and the Upstate South Carolina Youth Aviators Association. Adam believes that the natural problem-solving aspects of RC aviation and one’s ability to effectively design, build, test, refine, program, and compete with airplanes and sUAS, promote important life skills and develop positive friendships.
National Model Aviation Day will be August 13, 2016. This year, the charity of choice for the AMA is the Disabled American Veterans (DAV; www.dav.org), or clubs can choose another charity.
The following description was taken from the DAV’s website:
“DAV is a nonprofit charity that provides a lifetime of support for veterans of all generations and their families, helping more than 1 million veterans in positive, life-changing ways each year. The organization provides more than 700,000 rides for veterans attending medical appointments and assists veterans with more than 300,000 benefit claims annually. In 2015, DAV helped attain more than $4 billion in new and retroactive benefits to care for themselves and for veterans, their families, and survivors. DAV is also a leader in connecting veterans with meaningful employment, hosting job fairs, and providing resources to ensure they have the opportunity to participate in the American Dream their sacrifices have made possible.
“With almost 1,300 chapters and nearly 1.3 million members across the country, DAV empowers our nation’s heroes and their families by helping to provide the resources they need and ensuring our nation keep[s] the promises made to them.”
The AMA has more than 20 Special Interest Groups (SIGs), representing various facets of aeromodeling. One of the leading groups is the National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA).
Congratulations to this SIG as 2016 marks its 50th anniversary. The enjoyment the NMPRA has created in local, national, and world-class competition has certainly been appreciated.
If you have an interest in Pylon Racing, check out the NMPRA website at www.nmpra.net.
