Modelers share hospitality mile after mile
Bob Brown
bobbb@modelaircraft.org
My travels have included numerous states and several thousand miles this summer. I am always amazed at the number of friendly modelers who are involved in our hobby. Your hospitality is much appreciated. Thank you!
FliteFest is an activity created by Flite Test (www.flitetest.com). Each year, the festival grows with new activities and the number of participants increases.
If you wonder what entices families to enjoy model aviation, FliteFest can show you. Rumor has it that in 2017 the event will be held at multiple venues in the US. I suggest that you attend if you can. Watch the Flite Test website for more information.
The 2016 Nats is history. I want to thank all of the people who made it possible. It takes a special kind of person to volunteer his or her vacation time to help produce a successful event for the competitors.
This year I visited several disciplines. Nearly everyone was enjoying the various contests.
The unknown heroes of the Nats are the members of the AMA maintenance crew—especially Josh Green and Greg Messer. For many years, these men have made the logistics possible.
The focus on aeromodeling at this year’s EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, included six venues. I was happy to present the AMA President’s Award to the people who staff the Control Line (CL) circles year after year. Co-chairs of the CL volunteers, Geri MacArthur and Melissa Olson, have spearheaded this effort for the past 20 years, and the program has accrued more than 30,000 flights. Flying in the hot sun for several days takes dedication.
Other aeromodeling areas included RC buddy-box flying, a STEM program display in the “drone zone,” RC simulators in the EAA AirVenture Museum, and an evening fly-in.
AMA District III Vice President Mark Radcliff was responsible for the fly-in. Chris Thomas of MultiGP and Noah Katsma and the Bladed Fury FPV Racing club, ran a new activity—an FPV race/demonstration. Considering that these people had less than a week to organize and produce the events, the results were terrific.
AMA member Matt Chapman thrilled the Oshkosh crowd with his Extra 330 LX that is sponsored by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (www.mattchapman.com/about-erau). EAA published a great article about Matt in its July issue of Sport Aviation. If you read it, you’ll know that he is also a great modeler. Thanks, Matt, for your wonderful remarks about the AMA.
While I was in Oshkosh, I went to an extremely friendly club in Wisconsin, called the Fond du Lac Aeromodelers Association. Dave Elsinger, the club president, and the other members certainly have a facility to be proud of. Thanks for the great hospitality you exhibited to AMA Associate Vice President Randy Gibson and me.
The IRCHA Jamboree continues to be a great event for model helicopter enthusiasts. A special thanks goes to Monte Brock for his efforts throughout the past several years. Monte is one of the people responsible for the International Radio Controlled Helicopter Association (IRCHA).
I was impressed with several of the Scale helicopters that were present. They are definitely some super models!
This year, FPV racing generated a safe, enjoyable venue for those who were interested.
By the time you read this, your ballot for the AMA election should be in your hands. Please review the candidates’ campaign statements and vote for the person whom you think is best suited for the position being contested.
Up for election this year is the office of AMA president, and if you live in District I, District V, or District IX, you also should cast your vote for your district vice president. Being able to vote for your representatives on the AMA Executive Council is one of the benefits of membership. Please exercise it!
