AMA Convention 2001
By Bob Hunt
Norm Rosenstock manned the National Model Aviation Museum History Program booth. His goal is to collect and publish significant modeler biographies.
Rocco Ferrario instructed a newcomer on the radio control flight simulator at the AMA Education Committee booth.
Jack Frost demonstrated the RCAD he and Michael Smith designed to teach newcomers about the correlation between transmitter-stick movements and surface movements.
Most modeling trade and consumer shows have evolved in the past few years from simple showcases of new industry products to gatherings where all sorts of hobby- and sport-related subjects and issues are addressed.
That has happened with the long-running Pasadena, California-based International Modeler Show (IMS). The 24-year-old tradition is in its third year of Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) ownership and guidance. Its official name this year was the Academy of Model Aeronautics Convention 2001.
More than a place to go and see, it is now a place to also go and learn, discuss, inquire, acquire, and enjoy the hobby and sport and those who participate in it.
The dates for this year's show were January 19–21, and the site was the Exhibition Building at the Pasadena Center.
Characteristically, these shows are attended by the more serious modeler who wants to see new products firsthand and speak with those who are offering them. But something has been happening lately that has changed the face of many of these events, including this year's gathering: there were more newcomers to the sport at this Convention than I can remember seeing at almost any modeling-oriented show I've attended.
Or maybe it just seemed that way because of all the educational and instructional aspects that were featured. This being the Newcomers Issue, I'm going to focus on those aspects of the Convention.
It would be impossible to give a complete rundown of all the new products that were on display, so I won't even try.
Thanks to all of the manufacturers who attended. If you have an interest in new products (and who doesn't?), attend the hobby trade/consumer show closest to you. It is your best chance to get to know those who produce the items we depend on and see all the new goodies up close and personal.
In the entry hall at the Convention was an Education Resource area where several booths were set up to educate and inform newcomers to modeling. Among the stations was AMA's Education Committee booth, manned by Education Committee Chairman Gordon Schimmel, science teacher and Education Committee member Rocco Ferrario, and AMA Education Coordinator Jack Frost.
Visitors to that booth were offered a chance to try their hand at the Remotely Controlled Airplane Demonstrator, or RCAD. This unique device was designed and developed by Jack Frost and Michael Smith, the AMA National Model Aviation Museum curator. The RCAD's purpose was to familiarize newcomers with the man–machine interface (transmitter) used to fly radio-control (RC) airplanes. It allows for uninterrupted training.
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