The outdoor flying season and AMA elections
View from HQ by Dave Mathewson, AMA Executive Director davem@modelaircraft.org
As we hit midyear 2016, the outdoor flying season is in full swing. AMA annually sanctions between 2,000 and 2,500 club events. These range from competitions to fun-flys and everything in between. A number of these club events have occurred for decades. There are clubs that have held traditional events for more than five decades and are still going strong.
Clubs put a lot of effort into hosting events. Many do it as a source of revenue for the club. Others, however, do it because they simply enjoy hosting these gatherings and welcoming AMA members from other clubs to come visit their sites.
If you’ve ever given thought to attending one of these get-togethers, this might be a good year to take the leap. There’s something special about sharing a common interest with others. The camaraderie and social aspect that accompanies these events is an added value to attending.
AMA’s sanctioned event calendar can be found online at www.modelaircraft.org and is printed in the back of each issue of Model Aviation. Take a look, find an event in your area that piques your interest, and plan to attend. Chances are you’ll be glad you did. And, remember to thank the host club for putting on an event for everyone to enjoy. Many spend months planning so that we can all enjoy a weekend of fun.
As this issue of Model Aviation reaches you, we will be in the middle of the 90th annual AMA National Aeromodeling Championships (Nats). The Indoor Free Flight Nats is taking place at a new facility this year in Rantoul, Illinois. The site is a former military base and large hangar, which should make for an outstanding flying venue.
The Outdoor Nats, of course, takes place in Muncie, Indiana, at the International Aeromodeling Center and includes several modeling disciplines such as Outdoor Free Flight, Control Line, and a number of RC contests.
Even if you’re not registered to fly this year, many of the competitions have great spectator appeal. If you’re looking for a way to get a “modeling fix” and see what the Nats is all about, consider visiting one of these two venues. A Nats schedule and list of events can be found on the AMA website.
AMA will again have a presence at this year’s EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Introduction to model aviation and educational outreach through model aircraft will be a large focus of our participation at the fly-in. If you’re attending AirVenture, stop by the AMA booth in the EAA Museum, or look for the AMA RC Mobile Experience trailer out on site. There will be RC flying in the evenings behind the EAA AirVenture Museum. Last year was the first time for this activity and it was hugely successful. We anticipate a similar, if not better, result in 2016. If you’re looking to spend a relaxing evening on site, stop by to visit. If you have something electric powered with you to fly, all the better—bring it along.
By now many of you are aware that District V Vice President Kris Dixon resigned his position because of personal reasons. Former District V Associate Vice President Andrew Griffith has been appointed to fill the open slot until Kris’ current term ends on December 31, 2016. Many of you already know of Andy from his work writing for a couple of popular model aviation publications, including Model Aviation and Park Pilot. If you need to get in touch with him, his contact information can be found elsewhere in this issue with his District V column. Andy will do a great job in this interim position, and I know he looks forward to hearing from you and seeing you at events.
AMA elections this year will include electing representatives in districts I, V, IX, as well as electing an AMA president. All positions will serve for the next three years beginning January 1, 2017. As we get closer to the elections, information about the candidates will be available in Model Aviation, online, and included with your ballot. Please take a few minutes to review the candidate statements and vote for the person you feel can best help lead AMA for the next three years.
See you next time …
