2024 AMA MODEL AVIATION HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
By Katie Perry, AMA Administrative Assistant | katiep@modelaircraft.org
THE AMA MODEL AVIATION Hall of Fame has recognized AMA members for their outstanding contributions to the hobby of model aviation since 1969. Members are nominated by their family and friends for this prestigious award. AMA evaluates these nominees on their developmental and administrative accomplishments, volunteering efforts, and presence at competitions.
AMA is excited to announce that the following six individuals were inducted into the 2024 AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame class: Bruce Tharpe, Curtis Kitteringham, Dr. Larry Fogel, Gordon Larson, Jim Monaco, and John Kukon.
Bruce’s full-scale designs, such as the Hauler and Super Hauler, even found applications in research at local universities, which showcased his impact on both the world of hobbyists and the academic community. Bruce garnered profound respect within the community, highlighting that his contributions extended far beyond mere kits; he fostered camaraderie and shared his passion with countless modelers. Bruce truly lived and breathed model aviation, leaving a legacy that resonates with aeromodeling enthusiasts everywhere.
Flyers showcased his dedication to youth engagement, when he collaborated with the San Diego Aerospace Museum to run summer workshops that covered everything from flying and building to simulator training and flight theory—even incorporating competitions to inspire young aviators.
As the national chairman of the U.S. Scale Masters Association since 2013, Curtis has worked tirelessly to uphold the traditions of competition, emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship alongside flying skills. His recognition as vice president of the Scale Masters in 2011 with the Harris Lee Award reflects his contributions and leadership in the community. Attending every Scale Masters Championship since 2003 highlights his unwavering dedication to the sport. Curtis’ efforts not only enrich the model aviation community but also ensure its vibrant future for aspiring enthusiasts.
Bruce Tharpe (1961-2024)
Bruce’s lifelong passion for model aviation was truly inspiring. From his earliest memory of drawing an airplane on butcher paper, he cultivated a deep love for sketching and designing models that evolved into a fulfilling career.
His fateful meeting with Maxey Hester and Hazel Sig-Mester in 1986 marked a pivotal moment, leading him to work as a designer at Sig Manufacturing. During his time there, he created several kits, with the Four-Star 40 being particularly well known and beloved among modelers. In 1993, Bruce took a bold step by founding his own company, Bruce Tharpe Engineering, where he continued to innovate and produce a variety of successful kits, including the Delta Vortex, Reaction 54, and Venture 60.
Curtis Kitteringham
Curtis’ journey in model aviation is a remarkable blend of passion and community engagement. Starting with Control Line (CL) flying in 1965 and transitioning to RC Scale in the early 1990s, he has been an active and dedicated member of various clubs throughout Southern California.
His commitment to promoting model aviation is evident through his roles in clubs such as the Miramar Flyers, where he organized displays for public events and educated newcomers about model building. His time with the Palomar RC
Dr. Larry Fogel
Larry’s complex life is a testament to his passion and commitment, both in aerospace engineering and the RC Soaring community. With a master’s degree in electrical engineering, he made significant contributions to projects with the U.S. Department of Defense and NASA, earning accolades such as the Frank Rosenblatt Technical Field Award in 2006.
His involvement in RC Soaring began in the 1960s as a founding member of the Torrey Pines Gulls (TPG) Radio Controlled Soaring Society. Winning the TPG Modeler of the Year trophy in 1973 was a highlight, and his competitive spirit shone through as he participated in various Soaring events across the US.
Larry’s dedication to preserving the Torrey Pines Gliderport, alongside his wife, Eva, and son, Gary, was instrumental in its recognition as a historical site, ensuring future generations could enjoy its legacy. Beyond his competitive pursuits, he devoted countless hours to teaching and mentoring others in the RC Soaring community, profoundly impacting many aspiring pilots. His contributions have left a lasting mark on the RC Soaring world, fostering a sense of community and passion that will resonate for years to come.
Gordon Larson
Gordon’s journey in the radio industry is truly inspiring. His collaboration with Frank Kagle, at Babcock Models, laid the foundation for innovative advancements in multichannel radio technology. Despite initial challenges with flight sustainability, their perseverance led to significant improvements with the help of Howard Bonner and Al Doig.
Gordon’s leadership in developing the digital signal modulation scheme was pivotal for the Digimite radio systems, enabling the creation of some of the smallest and most efficient servos and receivers of that time. His innovative double-pulse and double-tuned configurations showcased his dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology.
The launch of Larson Electronics and the introduction of the Real Small (RS) radio not only highlighted Gordon’s ingenuity but also contributed to a significant evolution in the radio industry. Even after selling the company, his legacy continues to influence modern radio technology. It’s fascinating to see how his work has shaped the field!
Jim Monaco
Jim’s contributions to the RC Soaring community throughout the past 30 years are truly exceptional. His dedication to model aviation and, more specifically, RC Soaring, has shaped the sport, making it more accessible and competitive. As a member of the Rocky Mountain Soaring Association, he has held multiple officer positions and played a pivotal role in the club’s success. Jim’s achievements in F3J and F5J are remarkable; he managed three US teams and led them to gold and silver medals, pioneering the first nationwide US F5J Tour.
He currently chairs the US F5J Selection Committee and has helped author and edit the official Blue Book contest guide, ensuring that the sport evolves with safety and fairness. Additionally, Jim’s development of vital scoring software for RC Soaring contests has been a significant change, and he offers his tools free to the community.
Jim’s tireless commitment, technical expertise, and mentorship have left a lasting impact on the sport, inspiring future generations of RC Soaring enthusiasts.
John Kukon (1938-2024)
John’s love for model aviation began at 7 years old when his uncle returned from World War II and introduced him to the world of model airplanes. This spark ignited a lifelong passion, and John became a top competitor, winning more than 300 trophies and setting national records. While pursuing his passion, he earned an aeronautical engineering degree and worked at Princeton University, where his career and model aviation success flourished together.
John’s skills led him to Aereon Corporation, where he played a pivotal role in the development of the company’s deltoid-shaped, lifting-body aircraft, which contributed to successful manned flights. Later, he explored lightweight Free Flight models and innovative designs. Upon retiring in 2000, John dedicated himself to mentoring and inspiring future aviators, sharing his knowledge with everyone eager to learn.
In 2018, John, along with his son and grandson, founded a Control Line circle at Western Carolina Radio Club, greatly increasing the club’s participation in the Ringmaster Fly-A-Thon. His dedication to teaching, maintaining the flying field, and providing weather data strengthened the entire community.
John’s passion, mentorship, and generosity led to his well-deserved induction into the AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame, where his legacy will continue to inspire.
SOURCES:
AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame
www.modelaircraft.org/museum/history-recognition/ama-model-aviation-hall...
RECOGNIZING THE AMA EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
By Steve Haston, AMA Foundation Executive Director | email: stephenh@modelaircraft.org
DESCRIBING THE DONORS and supporters of AMA and the AMA Foundation in one word, as well as the hobby as a whole, would be impossible. But let’s give it a try: dedicated, awesome, exciting, passionate, innovative, loyal, exhilarating, detailed, giving, driven, friendly, and helpful. You know where this is going—you are all of these and so much more. My team and I at the AMA Foundation are deeply honored and grateful to have the privilege of serving you and the model aviation community.
Now, enough with the mushy stuff. As many of you know, before I became the executive director of the AMA Foundation, I was a firefighter and emergency manager for 34 years, so I’m a straight shooter. With that said, there are many great departments and people here at AMA who are working tirelessly on your behalf and for the hobby we all love.
I want to shine a spotlight on the Education department. The AMA Foundation works closely with Education to support the department wherever we can. Here is a snapshot of the incredible accomplishments of the AMA Education team in 2024, which they provided.
2024 Education Department in Review
Thanks to the unwavering support of the AMA Foundation, AMA’s Education team was equipped to expand many important initiatives in 2024.
Some of the most rewarding support that we provide is to individual AMA members and clubs that share our hobby, sport, and career pathways in their communities. We provide physical materials, such as balsa gliders, ARCONIC educator kits, AMA ALPHA and AMA BETA aircraft, brochures, and magazines directly to modelers in support of their events and activities.
We also love sharing how-to resources with clubs for hosting community events. Additionally, the Education team hosts a wealth of free online projects and activities at www.amaflight school.org to use before, during, and/or after events. We are humbled by the great work that AMA members accomplish and are honored to support these efforts.
The AMA Education team is building the visibility and credibility of AMA on a national stage. Investing in relationships with other aviation organizations is core to this effort.
To that end, 2024 was a year of incredible growth. The AMA Education team signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA, formalizing our longstanding relationship. This was conducted on the heels of our newly formalized partnership with the FAA Aviation and Space Education. We continue to work with other great partners, including the EAA, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Women in Aviation International, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, and the Civil Air Patrol.
This ensures that we can share not only the joy but the potential of aeromodeling. AMA is increasingly recognized as a subject matter expert, leading to increased opportunities to advocate for model aviation and aviation as a whole.
Regarding the potential of aeromodeling, it has been a great privilege to see a growing interest among students in building, flying, and competing using emerging materials and technology. Today’s drone technology is a direct result of lessons learned from the hard work and determination of modelers throughout history. Growing AMA’s membership has always meant embracing new approaches to model building, and we are happy to report that this is still true today.
Students and adults from across the nation are becoming AMA members to compete in our sanctioned UAS4STEM student drone engineering challenge. This officially sanctioned contest has been managed by AMA for more than a decade, bringing youth into model aviation with the challenge of using advanced drones to accomplish real-world tasks. Students build and fly model aircraft, complete a Part 107 preparatory ground school, and learn a plethora of skills that contribute to their future success. Most importantly, these students reported the following when asked about their favorite part of the competition: “We really love building and flying with our friends.” Most of us can relate!
The Education team is dedicated to providing as many quality resources as possible to current members and those who are just discovering the hobby of model aviation. We consistently seek and pursue funding outside of AMA member dues to support this mission. We appreciate the funding we receive and seek to expand our impact by mobilizing the variety of resources that are available to us, including sponsorships, grants, contracts, and in-kind partnerships. Through your generosity, we look forward to promoting, informing, and inspiring the love for model aviation across the nation.
I want to extend the AMA Foundation’s thanks to the Education team for their efforts and remarkable achievements. To our generous donors and supporters, your dedicated commitment makes all of this possible. We couldn’t do it without you.
Keep an eye out for some exciting new Education projects in 2025 and beyond, as well as several innovative programs from the AMA Foundation. Together, we are helping shape the future of model aviation and the future of the many youth we impact. Thank you for being a vital part of this journey.
aviation event. People from all walks are drawn to the beauty, complexity, and flight dynamics of RC Scale helicopters, so they will be center stage at an event designed to introduce students to both the hobby and the aviation industry at large.
HeliStorm, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, will be awarding cash scholarships to the top three schools based on each one’s proportional attendance. STEM students, administrators, and faculty will be able to meet with aviation organizations to learn about career and training paths.
In addition to all of the fun that you would expect from an event of this scale at a world-class venue, registered pilots (including those who cannot bring their models) will be treated to an after-hours tour of the museum, along with a fully catered banquet inside of one of the hangars.
The event will also feature a massive, air-conditioned pilot lounge stocked with complimentary refreshments, where seminars and workshops led by industry experts will be hosted. HeliStorm will also host four flight skills competitions, along with crisp flying demonstrations from Roban, MotionRC, Hitec, Vario, and others. RTF Models will head up an ongoing silent auction in the pilot lounge, and a large array of new merchandise will be up for bid at a live auction during the banquet.
For more information and to register, visit www.hel i storm.org.
IN THE AIR
Membership News & Updates From AMA
etc. that make up these collections). In time, these collections will become available online for our members, schools, the community, our stakeholders and partners, and the general public. Among the slides that I’ve scanned and entered into the museum’s database so far, a slew of photographed events have stood out to me. One of the first events that I encountered was the 1984 Mint Julep Scale Contest. I found this particular event interesting, simply because it relates to me in a way. As many times as I’ve been to Rough River State Park in Kentucky myself, I never knew that this long-standing tradition even existed. While I’m certainly enjoying my time in Muncie working at the museum, there are times when I miss home like most people do; however, coming across this event and learning about the ways that people still enjoy the hobby back home helps me feel like the connection is still there.
Although I’m already at a point where I’m able to identify certain airplane models based on their distinct characteristics (which is more knowledge than I came here with), I have much to learn about model airplanes and the hobby. I am hoping to learn more throughout the course of this project, and I’m looking forward to making this available to all of the readers out there. Feel free to check out the museum’s digital collections online as I continue to make slides available and stay tuned for more.
If you have questions about any of the aspects of this project or if you’re just curious to learn more, please feel free to send me an email at marissac@modelaircraft.org.
