Competitions/Technical
BECOMING AN
EVENT MANAGER
OR CONTEST
DIRECTOR
By JC Zankl, Competitions and Technical Director | johnz@modelaircraft.org
What are event managers (EMs) and contest directors (CDs)?
EMs learn about the resources that are made available by AMA to ensure model aviation events, such as fly-ins, are conducted in a way that they are fun and safe for pilots and spectators alike.
CDs learn about event safety and conduct official AMA contests, sometimes referred to as AMA rule book contests, to ensure that the competition is fun, safe, and fair.
EM Eligibility
To become an EM, an AMA member must meet the following conditions:
- Must be a current Adult-class member
- Have at least one consecutive year of current membership
- Pass the AMA EM exam
- Submit a $25 EM application and processing fee
- Must be full-time resident of the US
CD Eligibility
To become a CD, an AMA member must meet the following conditions:
- Must be a current Adult-class member
- Have at least three consecutive years of current membership
- Pass the AMA CD exam
- Submit a $25 CD application and processing fee
- Must be full-time resident of the US
AMA EMs and CDs play important roles in supporting and promoting the sport and hobby of model aviation. If you meet the outlined AMA membership requirements, you can become an EM and organize sanctioned fly-ins or become a CD and organize official AMA competitions! Active EMs and CDs can also earn a 50% discount on their annual membership dues!
Visit www.modelaircraft.org/events/
become-an-organizer for more information about becoming an EM or CD.
Note: If you are already a CD, you don’t need to apply for the EM credential; you are already credentialed to do all of the things that an EM can do—plus more!
The 2025 FAI F3A World Championship
We have just wrapped up hosting the FAI F3A World Championship for Aerobatic Model Aircraft. I am pleased to say that Team USA won gold in both the Individual and Team categories. Congratulations to all of the competitors, and special congratulations go to all of the callers, mechanics, and team managers!
2025 Individual Champions
- Andrew Jesky: First place, USA
- Lassi Nurila: Second place, Finland
- Tetsuo Onda: Third place, Japan
2025 Team Champions
- USA: First place
- Japan: Second place
- Australia: Third place
2025 Junior Champions
- Seth Huntingford: First place, Australia
- Liu Yufei: Second place, China
- Sean Galloway: Third place, New Zealand
For more information about the 2025 F3A World Championship, visit www.2025wch.
usaf3a.org for photos, official merchandise, and the final results.
