2026 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING DATES ANNOUNCED
THE AMA EXECUTIVE Council (EC) has approved the 2026 meeting schedule. The dates are as follows:
• January 10 • April 25 • June 28 • October 24
The agenda, motions, and meeting minutes for each meeting are posted to the AMA website at modelaircraft.org/about-ama/ama-organization/executive-council as soon as they are available. You must be logged in as an AMA member to access this portion of the website.
The EC also set the AMA Annual Membership Meeting for May 14, 2026, during Joe Nall Week at Triple Tree Aerodrome in Woodruff, South Carolina. All members are welcome to attend!
DATE SELECTED FOR NATIONAL MODEL AVIATION DAY 2026
By Clarissa Poston, AMA Foundation Chief Communications Officer | clarissap@modelaircraft.org
THE AMA FOUNDATION is excited to announce that the date for National Model Aviation Day 2026 has been selected! While it might seem early in the year for this announcement, we know that AMA clubs across the country want to plan their National Model Aviation Day events well in advance.
The 2026 National Model Aviation Day will be held on Saturday, August 22. This day of aviation celebration is a great opportunity to share the joy of flight with those in your communities. Whether you choose to host a training event, put on an air show, or hold an open house, we encourage you to join us in celebration on this special day!
If you and your club are planning on hosting an event, please register it at the link found in “Sources.” Doing so will ensure that traveling hobbyists, or those unassociated with a club, know where they can visit for an aviation-filled celebration.
On behalf of the AMA Foundation, we’re looking forward to seeing all of the exciting events that AMA clubs host for this year’s National Model Aviation Day! If you have any questions, please email foundation@modelaircraft.org.
Sources
- National Model Aviation Day Event Registration: amablog.modelaircraft.org/modelaviationday/register-your-event
- National Model Aviation Day Event Map: amablog.modelaircraft.org/modelaviationday/find-an-event
Editor’s note: To celebrate the 100th Nats, AMA will be running the “Nats Rewind” series showcasing the history of the event. The following is an article that was originally published in a 2011 supplemental edition of Model Aviation that celebrated AMA’s 75th anniversary.
Am I the best? For those aeromodelers who ask themselves this question, competition is the key. Facing an opponent, and besting him or her, is the only true way to know.
Aeromodeling contests began almost as soon as two people could fly a model airplane. In the early days, competitions were regional affairs with exchange clubs, parks, businesses, and Young Men’s Christian Associations sponsoring many events.
This changed in 1915 when the Aero Club of America sponsored the first national aeromodeling contest. The contest was divided into three separate events: distance—launching from hand; duration—launching from water; and duration—launching from ground. Cash prizes were awarded to the individuals achieving the best scores each month, and the Henry S. Villard Trophy was awarded to the club with members who had the highest collective scores.
The Illinois Model Aero Club (IMAC) won the three years it was awarded, retaining the cup in 1919, and ending the only national aeromodeling event.
The IMAC recognized the need for a national event and encouraged the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) to hold an aeromodeling event. In 1923, Bernard Mulvihill, vice president of the NAA, agreed to offer prize money and a trophy if the St. Louis Air Board and the Air Race Contest Committee added the event to the schedule. After much work, Event No. 6, Mulvihill Trophy Duration Race for Model Airplanes, was added to the National Air Race Program.
For the next few years, it was a matter of who would sponsor the event as numerous groups came and went, including the Playground and Recreation Association, the American Association of Model Aero Clubs with the First National Indoor Model Airplane Contest, and the Airplane Model League of America (AMLA).
When the Great Depression hit, the Nats seemed done for, but again, interested modelers prevailed. With the leadership of Lt. H.W. Alden, chairman of the NAA Model Airplane Committee and financing from Model Airplane News magazine, the Nats survived. Radio control joined Free Flight in 1937, and following a brief halt during World War II, the “Victory” Nats were back in 1946 with almost 1,000 contestants flying in 23 events, including Control Line.
For many contestants, it was the Navy Nats, held from 1948 to 1972, that represented the glory years of the event. Each summer, a different naval air station would host the grand event, providing food, housing, manpower, and, most importantly, the great building hangars, with hundreds of tables set up for 24-hour repairs.
In 1973, AMA took over responsibility for the entire Nats, and with the help of numerous groups and sponsors, put the show on the road. For the next 23 years, the Nats would stop in 16 cities across the country. Finally, in 1996, the Outdoor Nats found a home at AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center, and the Indoor events landed at the Mini-Dome in Johnson City, Tennessee. For the last 16 years, aeromodelers from around the world have gathered at these sites to continue the quest to see who is, indeed, the best.
—Michael Smith, National Model Aviation Museum Director
SOURCES:
- Flying, p631, August 1915
- Flying, p29, February 1916
- International Air Meet program, 1923
- Detroit Educational Bulletin, Volume 10, No. 6, February 1927
- Model Airplane News, July 1933
SOURCES: The First 75 Years Model Aviation supplemental edition, 2011 modelaviation.com/thefirst75years
1936 Nats Winners National Model Aviation Museum Collection, 2025.01.01, Muncie IN
IN THE AIR Membership News & Updates From AMA
David Andersen
David P. Andersen has spent a lifetime elevating model aviation through his unmatched creativity, craftsmanship, and commitment to education. Throughout the decades, he has designed, drawn, and built an extraordinary collection of Scale aircraft plans—ranging from sport models to Giant Scale masterpieces—that have graced the pages of RC Modeler, Model Aviation, High Flight, Model Airplane News, and numerous international publications. Known for their precision, clarity, and impressive flight performance, David’s plans are beloved by builders around the world, many of which he generously shares online at no cost, reflecting his desire to give back to the hobby he loves.
His influence can be seen not only in the workshop but also on the flightline. David’s designs have earned top honors at the AMA Nats, U.S. Scale Masters Championships, and the Toledo Show: R/C Model Expo, among others, while his expertise as a Top Gun and Toledo Show judge has helped set impressive standards for craftsmanship and authenticity in Scale modeling.
Beyond his competitive success, David has been a driving force in the modeling community. He co-founded the Scale Flyers of Minnesota, served as president and vice president of the Twin Cities Radio Controllers, and has led educational seminars that have inspired generations of builders and fliers. A three-time recipient of the Walt Billet Award, he continues to share his passion through articles, construction guides, and books that blend technical knowledge with storytelling. Professionally, David’s engineering work with Lockheed and the FAA mirrors the same ingenuity and precision that defines his lasting legacy in model aviation.
Earl Aune
Earl Aune’s story is one of passion, craftsmanship, and dedication to the art of Scale modeling. His journey took flight in the early 1980s when his natural flying skill and keen eye for realism first drew attention at a local club contest, earning him a first-place win and sparking what would become a lifelong passion for Scale aviation.
Blending his background in electrical engineering with his boundless creativity, Earl quickly gained recognition for his innovative mechanical designs: functional folding wings, automatic cowling flaps, retractable tailhooks, and even working radar scopes. These intricate, realistic details became highly sought after by modelers across the country and were eventually marketed through Bob Holman Plans.
Earl’s impact reaches far beyond his workshop. As contest director (CD) of the Evergreen Scale Rally for nearly a decade, he helped to elevate the event into one of the nation’s largest and most respected qualifiers. His leadership continued to shine when he and his wife, Josie, took the helm of the U.S. Scale Masters Association, guiding it through a golden era of growth and participation. Under their direction, the organization introduced lasting improvements, including a standardized scoring system that remains in use today.
For more than 40 years, Earl has been a cornerstone of the Fern Prairie Modelers, serving as president, board member, mentor, and friend. Known for his generosity, technical mastery, and tireless efforts to preserve the spirit of true Scale modeling, Earl stands as a craftsman, innovator, and leader whose influence continues to shape and inspire the world of model aviation.
Gary Fogel
Few individuals have contributed to the world of RC Soaring and model aviation with as much passion, intellect, and generosity as Dr. Gary Fogel. Introduced to the hobby at an early age by his father, Larry, Gary’s fascination with flight took hold almost immediately. By the age of nine, he had already soloed his first sailplane—a sign of the extraordinary journey to come. Since then, Gary has become one of the most accomplished and respected figures in RC Soaring, holding 40 national and 12 world records, achievements that reflect both his technical mastery and deep love for the sport.
Beyond his personal success, Gary has dedicated himself to growing and preserving the Soaring community. As vice president and historian of the Torrey Pines Gulls RC Soaring club, he has championed outreach programs, inspired new members, and worked tirelessly to protect the rich legacy of one of the world’s most iconic flying sites. Professionally, Gary serves as the CEO of Natural Selection, Inc., and is a Ph.D. scientist, acclaimed author, and adjunct professor.
Julie Parker
Few names in Free Flight (FF) embody passion, dedication, and leadership quite like Julie Parker. For decades, Julie has been a driving force in the hobby—both in the air and behind the scenes—shaping the future of FF through her skill, service, and unwavering commitment to the modeling community.
Julie began her journey in the 1980s and quickly became one of the sport’s fiercest competitors. Flying in the FAI F1S and F1Q FF model aircraft classes, she has earned top-five America’s Cup finishes, including three FAI F1Q championships, one FAI F1S title, and three Nats championships in FAI F1Q. Her impressive list of victories includes the MaxMen, Sierra Cup, Southwest Regionals, Kotuku Cup, and the Ike. In 2025, she made history as the first woman to represent the US on the inaugural FAI F1Q World Championship team.
Beyond competition, Julie’s impact as a volunteer and leader has been immeasurable. As the Outdoor FF Nats manager and coordinator, she has transformed event operations—recruiting CDs, training volunteers, managing scoring, and organizing the HOF banquet and Nats picnic—with precision and care. Her leadership as the National Free Flight Society (NFFS) treasurer and board member modernized the organization’s financial systems, strengthened investments, and expanded youth and scholarship programs.
Julie’s service continues as the NFFS Symposium director and vice president of the Texas Cloud Climbers, where her guidance uplifts everyone around her. Honored with the FAI Jean Batten Award and four NFFS Presidential Awards, Julie stands as a true ambassador for FF—an inspiring competitor, mentor, and leader whose dedication has elevated the entire community.
Larry Jolly
Larry Jolly was practically raised on the flying field, mentored by his father, Jim, and surrounded by the vibrant Orange County modeling community. From his earliest CL flights as a child to his first wins in FF and Soaring contests, Larry’s love of flight was clear—and unstoppable. By his teenage years, he was already a standout competitor, earning national titles and representing the US on the world stage in CL Combat.
As electric flight began to emerge, Larry became one of its true pioneers. His innovative designs—the Electra-Lite, Icarus, Meteor, and Pantera—set new standards for performance, efficiency, and accessibility, helping usher in a new era of model aviation. Through his company, Larry Jolly Model Products, he turned these groundbreaking ideas into some of the most beloved and competitive kits of their time.
Larry’s talents also took flight in Hollywood, where his precision and creativity brought RC aircraft to life in films and television shows such as Airwolf, Die Hard, Independence Day, Apollo 13, Interstellar, and Tenet. His artistry even earned him an Emmy Award and respect across the entertainment industry.
Despite his achievements, Larry has always remained grounded, serving as a mentor, leader, and friend to countless fellow modelers. Representing the US on 12 FAI world championship teams and helping shape new competition classes such as FAI F3L and F5J, Larry—affectionately known as “Captain America”—continues to inspire generations to dream big, build boldly, and fly higher than ever.
Ralph Warner
Ralph Warner’s lifelong journey in model aviation is a tale of passion, perseverance, and innovation that stretches across more than 70 years. Growing up in Chicago, Ralph discovered his love of flight early, entering his first model contest at just 14 years old in 1949. Although he didn’t win that day, the spark was lit, setting him on a path that would define his life.
In the following years, he competed in the Detroit Plymouth Internationals three years in a row and even earned recognition from air racing legend Roscoe Turner. As a dedicated member of the Model Nuts Free Flight Club, Ralph honed his skills, spending countless hours at Leonard’s Hobby Shop, where he rubbed shoulders with icons such as Carl Goldberg and Wally Simmers.
By 1956, Ralph built and flew his first RC airplane, ushering in a new chapter of his modeling career. His leadership in the Chicagoland Radio Control Modelers reflected both his technical skill and his commitment to growing the hobby for others. After retiring from a career in education, Ralph turned his hobby into a thriving business with RAM RC, developing the iconic Quickee 18 airboat and pioneering vacuum-formed RC kits and one of the first electric lighting systems in the hobby. As co-founder and six-year president of the Radio Control Hobby Trade Association, he helped shape the modern RC landscape.
Now, at 90 years young, Ralph remains a vibrant AMA member and a guiding light in the modeling community. His decades of innovation, mentorship, and dedication have left a lasting legacy, inspiring generations of modelers and proving that the love of flight knows no age. Ralph is, quite simply, a true pioneer of model aviation.
Sources
- AMA History Project modelaircraft.org/museum/history recognition/ama-history-project
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
