I AM THE AMA
JERRY
THORNTON
Former club president
By Jay Smith | jays@modelaircraft.org
Jay Smith: How did you become involved with model aviation?
Jerry Thornton: When I was a kid, I built a number of stick models and the old, solid-wood airplanes. I lived by the Akron Naval Air Station in Ohio and admired the blimps, Corsairs, PBYs, and SNJs. Aviation was in my blood. My mother helped build F4Gs in the blimp hangar for Goodyear. My favorite airplane was the Corsair.
A friend of mine flew RC and I went with him to the field and was hooked. I started with a Kadet LT 40 and went on from there. I also had 50 hours of full-scale instruction, but I decided it was too expensive to go on.
JS: How has model aviation impacted your life and/or career?
JT: I started flying model airplanes when I retired in 2000 and it has filled in my spare time. Nearly every morning, I have the opportunity to be around a great bunch of people, and it gives me the challenge of solving problems and helping others solve theirs.
JS: What disciplines of modeling do you currently participate in?
JT: Mostly I fly scale aircraft. I have more than 20 airplanes and 90% are military. I like to “play in the wind,” as I call it, with the UMX Beast or a Stick. We’ve had a lot of wind lately.
JS: What other hobbies do you have?
JT: Drawing from my experiences playing in the 2nd Marine Division Band, I played tuba and string bass in two concert bands, a Dixieland band, and a dance band. I do some target shooting. I also get up in the morning and play senior league softball then go fly. So, my mornings are busy. I also like to fix things.
JS: Who or what has influenced you the most?
JT: First is my wife, Jackie, who encourages me in anything I really want to do.
I give a lot of credit and appreciation to all of the members at the South Pinellas Aeronautical Radio Kontrol Society (SPARKS) Club in Pinellas County, Florida, for putting up with me in my sometimes-unusual endeavors.
JS: As a former club president, what is one piece of advice you would share with other clubs?
JT: As a club president, you must listen to the members and their concerns. I would consult with the board of directors to come up with the most workable solution. Then, as president, I would follow through and “git ’er done.” I had a great board of directors.
