An AMA First: A Chartered Park Pilot Program Club!
The Academy has enrolled its charter Park Pilot Program club: the Vegas Aces of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Founders
- Greg Clemenson
- John Storick
- Mark Rose
- Darrell Stubbs
- Ben Storick
These pilots — along with several others in the area — had frequently flown their park-flyer aircraft at Robert O. Gibson Middle School.
“There has been RC flying at the school yard for several years,” said Greg. “Once the Park Pilot Program was introduced, it was just a natural thing to start a club.”
Mark Smith, the District IX vice president, provided the inspiration for the Vegas Aces. He explained that the Park Pilot Program was created to reach out to those who fly electric-powered small airplanes at parks and school yards. That concept matched what this group of modelers was doing. Greg downloaded the charter kit from the AMA website, and the formation of the Vegas Aces began.
At the initial club meeting, the president asked attendees to share why they became interested in joining the Aces. Members listed many reasons, including:
- having people to fly with
- getting instruction
- obtaining permission to fly at the field
- the idea that more activities can be done as a group than individually
- and, most importantly, fun
The club grew quickly when word got out. The Vegas Aces' membership nearly doubled in one weekend. As of May 4, 2008, it had 23 members.
Greg said: “Individuals have been flying at the school yard ever since electrics became popular. A lot of people have come and gone because they crash, get frustrated, and quit. Now with Vegas Aces Park Pilot club, there is an avenue for newcomers to get the help they need.
“The Park Pilot Program was critical in starting the Vegas Aces. The Park Pilot Program provided the guidelines needed.”
Greg and the Vegas Aces have several plans for the club’s future: “The energy is tremendous! Working together makes all the difference. There will be a fun-fly and trainer day. The club is involving the students at the school. We expect the club to grow. Eventually, maybe a fundraiser.”
MA —Ashley Rauen AMA Communications Specialist
The Buzz About AMA’s Appreciation Day
You may remember the Homecoming event held each June at AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center (IAC) in Muncie, Indiana. It was a weekend of open flying for all members and included a Saturday-night picnic dinner and an AMA general membership meeting. Attendance declined in the event’s last few years, and Homecoming was discontinued in 2005. Since then, AMA received several requests to bring Homecoming back. That prompted a new, informal weekend of open flying at the IAC for members: AMA Appreciation Day.
AMA Appreciation Day will be held July 4–6, 2008. Details:
- All-day flying Friday and Saturday; event ends at noon on Sunday
- Free camping Friday and Saturday nights for all AMA members
- Low-key fly-in with no organized events — a weekend to visit, fly at your national flying site, and meet AMA members from across the country
- The National Model Aviation Museum will be open during the weekend
The museum is one of the premiere model-aviation museums in the world and holds many significant artifacts, including the Guff (Walt and Bill Good’s first RC model) and TAM 5 (the model flown successfully across the Atlantic from Canada to Ireland).
AMA Appreciation Day is a come-one, come-all event. No matter your special interest, you are welcome to join the fun. If things go well this year, AMA hopes to expand the get-together in the future.
More information: www.modelaircraft.org or (765) 287-1256, extension 200.
MA —AMA staff
Wings Across America 2008
Wings Across America 2008 (WAA-08) is an effort to fly a battery-powered RC airplane in each of the 48 contiguous U.S. states. The project kicked off Memorial Day weekend.
Frank Geisler of Gloucester, Virginia, conceived the idea. A passionate RC pilot who often visits online forums, Frank wanted to meet pilots across the country but could not travel solo because of job and cost constraints. He and a group of co-coordinators developed the plan to have one RC airplane flown in 48 states by as many pilots as possible. The airplane would be passed from pilot to pilot on a list, creating a "chain" that would, in effect, fly the model across the U.S.
Frank recruited pilots via RC forums (RCGroups and Wattflyer) and posted notices on RCUniverse and RC Hangout. More than 260 pilots signed up.
Participating pilots provided the equipment. Donations included:
- SQuiRT 400 trainer/park flyer — Bill Stevens, Stevens AeroModel
- Radio system — Horizon Hobby
- Batteries and charger — Common Sense RC
- Li-Poly sack for safe transport — Big Al's Hobby Supply
A WAA-08 requirement is that the SQuiRT must be hand-delivered from pilot to pilot; it is never mailed. To ensure safe transport, Steve Griffin of Victor, Idaho, constructed a custom travel box.
If successful, WAA organizers may run larger events in 2009 and 2010, possibly including pilots in Canada and Mexico and using a bigger model. WAA will visit the International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana, during its travels. Check MA throughout the year for updates on the SQuiRT’s progress.
To participate or for more information, contact Frank at [email protected].
MA —Information provided by Frank Geisler, District IV
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
