AMA at Oshkosh AirVenture and KidVenture 2006
The Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture 2006 was held at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 24–30, 2006, and AMA had a presence at what is called the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.”
The Academy had a booth staffed by Programs Director Jay Mealy and Bob and Rae Underwood in Hangar A of the main exhibit area. Also in attendance were world-class aeromodelers Rémi Béringer of France and Erik Olson of the U.S., who had just competed in the CL World Championships in Spain July 16–24. Rémi won the F2B (CL Precision Aerobatics) title, and Erik placed third in the F2A (CL Speed) Junior class.
KidVenture highlights
The Northern Aces AMA air-show team was set up in the large KidVenture booth and displayed an RC model that was under construction. The team also gave park-flyer demonstrations outdoors with support from Horizon Hobby. New this year was an opportunity to learn aircraft riveting and practice under the supervision of an experienced volunteer. This was successful, as evidenced by the long line. There was also a Piper J-3 Cub “link trainer,” and NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) had an exhibit.
KidVenture is a daily event at AirVenture in which kids can participate in dozens of aviation-related activities. A youngster could build a rubber-powered balsa airplane, a model rocket, or a kite, and craft a propeller and get the EAA logo burned into it. The propellers made nice souvenirs on which to get celebrity signatures at the “Hero Stage,” which featured famous full-scale pilots.
At the outdoor CL area, 1,678 individuals got the opportunity to fly a SkyBaby aircraft under the guidance of an instructor, some of whom were AMA members. More than 140 kids went home with complete RTF models, courtesy of Sig Manufacturing and Cox Models. Thanks to them for their support, and thanks especially to all the volunteers who truly make this happen. AMA and its partners look forward to even grander participation in KidVenture 2007.
MA — AMA HQ Staff
Renew Your AMA Membership and Vote!
It will soon be time to renew your AMA membership for 2007. The Academy plans to mail each member’s renewal notice and voting ballot separately the week of September 18. The ballots will be sent—in postcard form via standard mail—to adult members in districts II, IV, VI, VII, and X, so they can cast their votes for vice president. Several days later each member’s renewal notice will be sent using nonprofit mailing rates. Look for your ballot in the mail; duplicates cannot be sent. If you don’t want to wait until September to renew your membership, you may do so online at www.modelaircraft.org/preapp.aspx.
Take note: if you know someone who would like to join AMA, any new adult member who signs up after September 18, 2006, will receive his or her membership for the balance of 2006 and all of 2007 for one fee of $58.
MA — Joyce Hager Acting Executive Director
2006 Team USA FAI Challenges
For every sport there is a world championship dedicated to welcoming all titleholders from various countries to compete against each other. The competition system encourages development in the sport and maintains good relations among the different people and cultures around the globe. Aeromodelling is considered a sport much in the same way as motor and cycle racing. The governing world organization over all aviation is the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Its list of special interests is ever expanding and becoming more diverse every year; a semiannual competition schedule was structured since there are so many FAI classes.
AMA is the governing body of aeromodelling competitions in the U.S. The Special Interest Groups (SIGs) within our association organize and determine who will represent the U.S. at the world-class level.
If you’ve ever looked at the “Contest Calendar” section of MA and read “Team Selection,” those are the events that determine the team members for the following World Championships. The honor of competing in the Team Selection contests is a major achievement; but from those trials, usually only the top three competitors are asked to join.
These team members are enthusiasts in the hobby just like you and me. Their initiative and determination drives them. The reward is a shot at the world title, but they often sacrifice their own time and money in the process.
AMA applauds these competitors’ passion for the sport and is proud to recognize the following teams and the events they have competed in, or will be competing in, during the 2006 season.
F1 — Free Flight
At the 2006 FAI Junior World Free Flight Aeromodelling Championships in Borne, Germany, August 21–26, the F1A (Glider) team was represented by:
- Brian Bauer
- Tyler Secor
- Kyle Jones
In the F1B (Model Aircraft with Extensible Motors “Wakefield”) class, Team USA consisted of:
- Paul Shailor
- Evan Simon
- Taylor Gunder
The third U.S. team competed in the F1P (Power Model Aircraft) class. Fliers were:
- Cody Secor
- Anthony Ferrario
- Allan Eck
At the 23rd FAI World Aeromodelling F1D Championships (Indoor Model Aircraft) in Slănic Prahova, Romania, October 2–7, Team USA will be represented by:
- Fred Tellier
- Vladimir Linardic
- Colin Raymond-Jones
- Peter Olshefsky
F2 — Control Line
The 2006 FAI World Aeromodelling Control Line Championships in Valladolid, Spain, took place July 16–24.
In F2A (Speed), Team USA pilots:
- Carl Dodge
- Todd Ryan
- William Naemura
- Erik Olson (Junior member)
In F2B (Precision Aerobatics), the Senior team:
- David Fitzgerald
- Paul Walker
- Robin Hunt
The team landed the U.S. on the third-place podium. Also in attendance and flying under the U.S. flag were Junior representative Chris Rud (the defending Junior F2B World Champion), Robbie Gruber, and defending Senior World Champion William Werwag.
In F2C (Team Race), pilots are matched with a pit man. Representing the U.S. were the pilot/crew teams of:
- Larry Dziak / Bob Oge
- Tom Fluker / Dick Lambert
- Jason Allen / Bob Whitney
In F2D (Combat), the U.S. was represented by:
- Michael Willcox
- Holden Hill (Junior member)
- Andrey Nadein
- Chuck Rudner
F3 — RC Gliders
The 5th FAI World Aeromodelling Championships for RC Gliders—class F3J—was held in Martin, Slovakia, July 30–August 6. Team USA Senior pilots:
- Joe Wurts
- Skip Miller
- Tom Kiesling
Junior pilots:
- Joseph Newcomb
- Cody Remington
- Casey Adamczyk
The F3J competition is unique; to launch the models, two people at the end of the towline pull the 3-meter gliders into the sky. That vital Team USA crew was:
- Craig Greening
- Phil Barnes
- Chris Keller
- Franklin Burnoski
- Bob Vixie
- Barry Kennedy
F4 — Scale Aeromodelling
At the 19th FAI Scale Aeromodelling Championships in Norrköping, Sweden, RC and CL events were held July 13–23.
In F4B (CL) the U.S. team consisted of:
- Chuck Snyder
- Dale Campbell
- Ralph Burnstine
- Rick Byron
In F4C (RC) Team USA was:
- Hal Parent
- Gary Parenti
- Charles Baker
F5 — R/C Electric Gliders and Racers
The FAI World Aeromodelling Championships for R/C Electric Gliders and Racers was held August 17–26 in Pitești, Romania. This competition included F5B (Motor Gliders) and F5D (Pylon Racers) classes. The U.S. team consisted of:
- Jeff Keesaman
- Steve Neu
- Thomas Pils
- David Pitcairn (alternate)
The Academy—members and staff—owes these individuals and the SIGs a debt of gratitude. Their dedication to the sport of aeromodelling will be a benefit to everyone in our hobby. Thank you!
MA — Michael Ramsey MA Associate Editor
Model Aviation and Our National Security
Since questions have recently been directed to the Academy from various sources, following are advisories regarding dealing with law-enforcement agencies and the media when asked about model-aviation activities and our national security.
It is important to remind our members, clubs, and industry partners how to best represent our sport under such circumstances. First and most important, cooperate. Once the representatives have established their identity—any legitimate officer or investigator will do this—cooperate by answering all questions honestly, politely, and with care.
Please take these inquiries seriously, and don't forget the impact your answers and attitude could have on your flying privileges, not only locally but nationally. These are the times to give factual information and not the time to brag on your "modeling exploits."
Even though you are answering questions to determine the security risk model airplanes may pose, you may also be answering questions being asked by people who have never experienced our sport. You may be teaching them about the activity they are investigating; if that is the case, you want them to be well informed so they can fully appreciate what our activity is about.
Second, always remember to direct investigators or officers to the Academy of Model Aeronautics—your national organization—for any additional information they may need. We have a good rapport with the agencies responsible and will be more than willing to assist at any level necessary.
Establishing a good working relationship with such agencies is important not only to our national security, but to the efforts put forth to maintain our privilege to continue participating in the sport we all cherish.
Media Advisory (issued April 2003)
If you are approached by members of the media, please keep the following points in mind.
"We are sending this advisory as a result of recent events involving the news media making contact with local AMA Chartered Clubs, or individuals.
"In today's tense atmosphere of terrorist threats, possible military actions, etc., there appears to be an exuberance on the part of news agencies and individual reporters to gather information concerning the use of model aircraft as possible security risks. Many times, in an effort to take advantage of the opportunity to garner some public exposure for their local flying activities, the members are surprised when the news release does not resemble what they had assumed would be published. This results in negative press for the sport and local participants, and may spread misinformation.
"As a service to all AMA Chartered Clubs, we are suggesting that if you or your club is contacted by TV, radio, newspaper, or internet reporters for interviews, other than coverage of such activities as fly‑ins, mall shows, airport awareness days, etc., you direct them to the AMA Headquarters for information. If in doubt please err on the side of caution.
"Our main purpose for the 'Advisory' was to bring the matter to the attention of our members and remind them of how important it is to be cautious when giving interviews during these times. We are all aware of how communications can be misunderstood or misinterpreted and how reporters can sometimes inject their own perceptions. All we can ask is that anyone speaking on behalf of our modeling activities be aware of what the consequences of their words might be.
"At any time please contact [Programs Director] Jay Mealy at AMA Headquarters with questions, comments, or concerns:
- Office: (765) 287-1256, extension 270
- Cell: (765) 749-4841
- Email: [email protected]."
MA — Programs Department
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
