In January, I attended AMA Expo2015 and the AMA Executive Council meeting. During this year’s event, Jim Rice spoke about safety. Jim did his presentation on the main stage.
In 2008, AMA established a Standards Workgroup as part of the sUAS regulatory process. Since that time, members of the group have devoted hundreds, if not thousands, of hours to the project.
The results of the group’s work are seen in the passage of Section 336, the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, AMA’s extensive safety programming submitted to FAA, and in other areas of the regulatory effort. At the general membership meeting, members of the group were honored with Fellowship awards.
On December 6, 2014, Alvin R/C Model Airplane Association in Alvin, Texas, held a fun-fly, open to all local AMA members. The only conditions were that all AMA and club flight and safety requirements applied. There were no landing fees and food (breakfast tacos and lunch hamburgers) was free, but donations were accepted.
For a week before the event, it rained off and on and the day of the event, shortly before daylight, it continued to rain. As the sun came up, the rain cleared, and magically it became a flyable day. Participation was not quite what had been hoped for, but despite of the bad weather expectations and Christmas shopping, more than 30 pilots and spectators attended.
It was a lot of fun with local RC friends and spectators, and everyone got their share of flight time either on the field or on the simulator in the clubhouse.
Jack Matlock has stepped down as associate vice president (AVP) in San Antonio, Texas, so he can improve his golf game and spend more time with Jim Rice building in the shop. Thanks for all of the support that Jack has provided District VIII and AMA thoroughout the years.
Ed Valls has volunteered to take over as AVP in the San Antonio area. Ed served in the Air Force and worked in the government for many years. He has been an avid modeler for many years starting with RC in 1973. His father served as a AVP under Sandy Frank.
Ed flew competitive Free Flight from 1964 until 1983. Then he flew Control Line Aerobatics. In 1973 he began flying RC aircraft using a homemade radio kit from Heathkit, a Goldberg Falcon 56, and a K&B engine.
He has competed at the Nats in Free Flight, and most recently RC Precision Aerobatics. Ed has flown nearly every kind of RC model and his current interest is in warbirds, RC Pattern, and RC jets (both turbine and electric-ducted fans). He has lived and flown models in Texas, Colorado, and California.
At the Executive Council meeting during AMA Expo 2015, we also approved another National Aeromodeling Heritage Historic Site. Congratulations to the Fort Worth Thunderbirds for being the second site in District VIII. I will be traveling to the club later in the year for the plaque unveiling at the flying site.
Hope to see you all at the field!