Edition: Model Aviation - 2023/07
Page Numbers: 110
Portrait of Greg Stone

District X

Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah

Portrait of Greg Stone

I had the honor of presenting the AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame Award to a longtime local modeler, Tony Frackowiak. This award recognizes modelers whose contributions to model aviation throughout the years have been outstanding, have improved the sport/hobby, and have increased its prestige and stature.

I was able to present the Hall of Fame plaque to Tony at the Eliminator Air Racing event held at the Pomona Valley Model Airplane Club in Chino, California, with the assistance of club president, Chuck Pozanac.

Greg Stone, Chuck Pozanac, and Tony Frackowiak posing with Tony’s Hall of Fame plaque
(L-R): Greg Stone, Chuck Pozanac, and Tony Frackowiak.

Here are some of the highlights of Tony’s many accomplishments and contributions:

  • Tony has been competing in RC Pattern competitions since 1975.
  • He is an RC aircraft designer and master builder.
  • He has been a club president, vice president, treasurer, safety officer, and is currently president of the Antelope Valley Tailwinds club in Antelope Valley, California.
  • He has mentored many expert class pilots.
Tony assisting fellow racer Jon Fukushima at an RC air-racing event
Tony assists fellow racer Jon Fukushima.
  • He has been a part of six US world teams for aerobatics, with three of them being winning teams.
  • He won US national competitions multiple times.
  • He promoted and represented model aviation and the AMA in the US, Netherlands, Australia, France, and Germany.
  • He designed and built models for NASA research.
Tony holding a model airplane at a Pylon race
Tony with his airplane for a Pylon race.

Some of his RC Aerobatics contest accomplishments include US Nats wins in F3A: 1987 and 1995; US Team Trials wins: 1985 and 1989; US F3A teams: 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1993, and 1997; Tournament of Champions: fourth in 1982 and 1988; sixth in 1984; and US Nats Masters wins: 2009 and 2010.

Before his plaque presentation, the Antelope Valley Tailwinds held a celebration for Tony at Las Margaritas to celebrate together, share tons of laughs, and enjoy some good food.

Tony wearing a celebratory crown in a restaurant

For anyone who thinks they might want to give model aviation a try, there’s a first-class person right in your backyard who is always willing to help. Again, congratulations to Tony from his friends and fellow fliers.

Congratulations Tony, and welcome to the AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame.

Feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, recommendations, or issues. There is much to share across the district. Enjoy everything you build and fly.