COMPETITION IN 2023
By Chad Budreau, AMA Executive Director | chadb@modelaircraft.org
COMPETITION IS IN AMA’s DNA. After all, serious discussions to form AMA were first held during the 1935 Nats. Although competition within AMA might not get the attention it used to, AMA has committed to making a more meaningful efforts to promote and celebrate competition. Following are a few accomplishments in 2023 as it relates to competition.
Nats and the Competition Regulations Manual
Special Interest Group (SIG) and Nats leaders participated in a series of virtual meetings with staff and Executive Council (EC) members to revise how we manage the Nats, a process that hadn’t been done in more than a decade. The workgroup identified and revised outdated content, created efficiencies, and made amendments to many of the processes.
Thank you to everyone who helped!
100th Anniversary of the Nats
2023 marked the 100th anniversary of the first National Aeromodeling Championships, or Nats, as we know it today. AMA promoted the 2023 Nats more, resulting in a 12% increase in attendance from the previous year. We celebrated our competitors in social media, Model Aviation, and in video, to inspire the next generation.
We made improvements at the International Aeromodeling Center (IAC) by adding more signage, fresh paint, flowers, new flags at the entrance, winners podiums, and more. AMA staff went above and beyond to ensure that every competitor had the chance to eat on-site every day. When a food vendor was not available, staff rolled out the grill and cooked hot dogs or offered pizza during lunch.
AMA Bluebook
The AMA Bluebook outlines the procedures for world championship teams through the global aeropsort governing body, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). For nearly four months, a small army of volunteers worked with staff and the EC to make significant updates to the book, which hadn’t been updated in more than a decade. It is estimated that 300-plus volunteer hours went into updating the AMA Bluebook with staff. Thank you! The EC approved and adopted the AMA Bluebook in July 2023.
World Championships
AMA members represented the US through FAI in many events around the globe, including Pylon Racing, Free Flight, Control Line, and drones. Here in the US, we hosted events, including a helicopter world championship at the IAC in Muncie, Indiana. We were honored to support and celebrate all of our members and teams, with a big thank-you to our SIGs.
UAS4STEM
In 2023, AMA committed to increasing programming and participation in our student drone engineering competition challenge. Thanks to partners such as Skydio, EAA, and the AMA Foundation, we introduced new STEM curriculum and helped hundreds of students in middle schools and high schools across the country. We added new partners this year, including NASA, FAA, the U.S. Army, and Utah State University, who served as judges and supporters during the championship competition that was held during EAA’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
FAI General Conference
In October 2023, the FAI hosted the FAI General Conference in Dayton, Ohio. The last time the conference was hosted in the US was nearly 40 years ago! AMA staff and EC members attended, collaborated with peers from around the world, and advocated on behalf of our members to FAI.
We celebrated our members during an awards ceremony, including nine AMA members who earned the prestigious FAI Aeromodelling Commission Legends award. Additionally, I was invited to speak during an evening dinner about our community and how aeromodeling competition is the best path forward to inspire the next generation of aviators, engineers, educators, and scientists.
We are honored to help foster and grow competition. Although many of you might not compete, I encourage you to learn more about aeromodeling competition. Attend a local event or contact an AMA SIG.
Stay safe.
