AMA Convention 2004 - 2004/05

34 MODEL AVIATION
CoAnMveAntion
o long, Pasadena! Hello, Ontario! The annual AMA
Convention was held for the first time at its new venue—the
Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, California—January 9-
11, 2004. And from all indications from those who attended, it was a
resounding success.
There is more than just a bit of history involved with this show.
In 1999 AMA purchased the rights to the show from modeling
legend Bill Northrop and his wife Anita. Their vision for a modeling
trade/consumer show translated into the successful International
Modeler Show (IMS).
For 21 years the IMS brought the best of our hobby/sport to West
Coast modelers. The venue was the chic Pasadena Convention
Center in Pasadena, California. This facility served all of the IMS
shows and its first five years under AMA management/ownership
extremely well.
However, times and circumstances do change; the Pasadena
venue had become restrictive to required growth, and there were
nagging logistical problems. Without going into too much detail,
let’s just say that it was time for a move.
Show manager Jay Mealy wanted me to convey here how
appreciative he is for the many years of wonderful service provided
to AMA—and to the Northrops—by the people who manage the
Pasadena facility. It was a great association.
The site at Ontario is much larger and is situated only a couple
blocks from the Ontario International Airport. The parking areas are
bigger and more convenient than those at Pasadena, and building
access for exhibitors and attendees is much better.
Perhaps the Ontario venue’s most attractive feature is the
capability to expand the show in the years to come. This is an
enormous and virtually new convention center, and it has several
spacious exhibit halls. The show used the 70,000-square-foot
primary exhibit area this year, but AMA has already begun
negotiations to allow for an additional 20,000 square feet next year
in an adjacent hall. More about that later.
More than just a trade/consumer show where visitors can see and
purchase new modeling products, the annual AMA Convention is a
place where new modelers can come to learn about our hobby/sport
in a friendly, helpful environment.
One of the AMA Conventions’ most popular features has been
the Education Resource Area, where those who are learning can
have their questions answered, receive a few minutes of RC
simulator stick time with an instructor, and/or participate in the
Build & Fly program staffed by volunteers from the Black Sheep
Exhibition Squadron.
In the Build & Fly program, a new modeler—young or old—can
sit down with a knowledgeable, experienced model builder and
construct a simple rubber-powered model. He or she can then learn
the rudiments of flight trimming while having fun flying the new
S
by Bob H unt
May 2004 35
Above: The main show floor at
the Ontario CA venue has much
more room than the Pasadena
Convention Center. Wider aisles
make for a relaxed, enjoyable
atmosphere. There’s plenty of
room to grow! Left: There was a
great deal of activity at AMA’s
booth; modelers renewed their
memberships and asked
questions.
creation. Afterward, the student can take the model home for even
more learning and fun! There is no charge for this program, and it
has become one of the most fun areas to visit while at the show.
For the first five years of this program, the Frank Ehlingdesigned
Delta Dart was the model chosen for construction in the
Build & Fly area. Because of past years’ long waiting lines, this
year a modified Guillow’s Skystreak was used as the training model.
The Skystreak is an all-sheet-balsa design that builds in five to 10
minutes. It seems sturdier than the Delta Dart and will hold up to the
inevitable training accidents.
AMA Education Coordinator Jack Frost headed up the education
area, and it was staffed by Education Assistant April Hathaway,
National Model Aviation Museum Curator Michael Smith, and
Education Committee members Gordon Schimmel and Art Ellis.
District VII Vice President Bill Oberdieck helped in the education
booth for almost the entire show.
These dedicated individuals have worked hard to make this
program a resounding success, and we need to thank them for the
considerable number of new modelers that they are directly
responsible for bringing into the hobby/sport.
There were also a number of symposiums on a variety of
subjects that were conducted by expert modelers. Truly, this is as
much a learning-and-information-exchange environment as it is a
trade/consumer show.
AMA staff was concerned that since this move took the Convention
farther from downtown Los Angeles, fewer modelers would make
the trip to take it all in. Our fears were unfounded; each of the three
days of the Convention broke all records for attendance that had
been set for each of those days at the Pasadena venue. The modeling
public was clearly happy to see this gathering in a new home as
well.
Whenever I had the opportunity to get out of the Model
Aviation/Sport Aviator booth for a while, I made it a point to ask the
exhibitors and attendees what they thought of the new location and
the Convention in general. Almost everyone I spoke with agreed
that this was a big improvement.
The exhibitors especially liked the spacious entry doors, which
allowed for easy and unhurried load-in of their booths and products.
The attendees liked the spacious aisles, the parking, and the fact that
everything was in one big room. In Pasadena you had to walk down
a very long hall to get from the main exhibit area to the Education
Resource and demonstration-flying areas.
This year, as in the past, the Black Sheep Exhibition Squadron,
headed by Dave Gee and Don Buttman, provided many exciting,
36 MODEL AVIATION
A father helps his son at the popular Build
& Fly area staffed by Black Sheep
Exhibition Squadron volunteers.
Many gorgeous models were on display in the static-competition area. Lester Espolt of
Hesperia, California, built this Stinson SR-9 Reliant.
Crew members at the Hitec booth are happy because they won
the raffle for a free booth space at next year’s show.
Tucson, Arizona, resident Bill Hempel Jr.’s Pitts Challenger won
in the Aerobatics division of the static competition.
expert Indoor rubber-power and electricpower
FF and RC demonstrations.
Tamiya America’s Sam Wright and
Pegasus Hobbies owner Tom Macomber
provided an outstanding interactive RC
car track. It was a popular attraction.
There was also a setup for demonstrations
of scale boats and submarines and a neat
RC tank demonstration. These are not
usually associated with model-airplane
trade/consumer shows, but they were
interesting to watch.
There appeared to be fewer static
display models this year than in years
past. I fully expect that to change next
year because there will be an abundance
of space for presenting these gorgeous
airplanes. Those that were shown this
year were by and large magnificent.
Even as well as everything went at this
inaugural Ontario-based AMA
Convention, some lessons were learned
that will be addressed in the planning
for next year’s event. As I mentioned,
an additional 20,000 square feet of
exhibit area will be available. This space
will be mainly used for FF and RC
flying, RC wheeled-vehicle
demonstrations, and as the test area for
the Build & Fly models. Safety is
May 2004 37
At one end of the display hall (shown in the upper right), Black Sheep volunteers manned a demonstration flying area.
The AMA Convention staff is looking forward to a long stay at the Ontario Convention
Center. Make plans to be a part of next year’s event!
Photos by Mark Lanterman
paramount in our minds, and this area will
allow for safer flight demos.
Moving the demonstration flying to
another hall will mean additional booth
space. If you have missed out on reserving a
booth, please contact Jay Mealy soon about
reservations for AMA Convention 2005.
Many more manufacturers and/or
organizations will be accommodated.
For those of us who live in the East or the
Midwest, the opportunity to spend a few
days during the winter in beautiful, sunny,
warm California is a real treat. It’s also fun
to be able to visit with modelers that we
don’t often get to see in person.
Many took the opportunity to approach
the Model Aviation booth with ideas,
opinions, constructive criticism, and thanks.
We learn a great deal each year about how
you westerners view the hobby/sport, and
that is invaluable information to us in
forming a well-rounded magazine
presentation that reflects us all.
It’s also a plus to be able to visit with
manufacturers that don’t make it to the
Eastern-based trade/consumer shows and
see and discuss their new products. It
amazes me how the manufacturers can keep
coming up with great new stuff for us to use
in our modeling. Trade/consumer shows
such as the AMA Convention allow us all to
visit one-on-one with the manufacturers,
ask questions, and see new products up
close and personal.
On a strictly personal note, I must once
again tell Don Anderson of Great Planes
(the booth was next to MA’s) that I think his
company pirated the idea for the trim
scheme for its beautiful new Rapture ARF
design from my CL Stunt Caprice! Look at
the model in the header photo for my
“Modeling Spoken Here” column, and then
inspect the Rapture in Great Planes’
advertisements. I have a case, don’t I?
(Only kidding, Don.)
Jay Mealy asked me to convey his thanks,
and the thanks of everyone at AMA, to
those who exhibited at this year’s show and
to those who attended. Without both of
these groups, there would be no show. This
only works if we work together! We’ll see
you all again next year in Ontario! MA
Bob Hunt
Box 68
Stockertown PA 18083
[email protected]
Visit the AMA Education Committee
Web site at www.buildandfly.com.

34 MODEL AVIATION
CoAnMveAntion
o long, Pasadena! Hello, Ontario! The annual AMA
Convention was held for the first time at its new venue—the
Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, California—January 9-
11, 2004. And from all indications from those who attended, it was a
resounding success.
There is more than just a bit of history involved with this show.
In 1999 AMA purchased the rights to the show from modeling
legend Bill Northrop and his wife Anita. Their vision for a modeling
trade/consumer show translated into the successful International
Modeler Show (IMS).
For 21 years the IMS brought the best of our hobby/sport to West
Coast modelers. The venue was the chic Pasadena Convention
Center in Pasadena, California. This facility served all of the IMS
shows and its first five years under AMA management/ownership
extremely well.
However, times and circumstances do change; the Pasadena
venue had become restrictive to required growth, and there were
nagging logistical problems. Without going into too much detail,
let’s just say that it was time for a move.
Show manager Jay Mealy wanted me to convey here how
appreciative he is for the many years of wonderful service provided
to AMA—and to the Northrops—by the people who manage the
Pasadena facility. It was a great association.
The site at Ontario is much larger and is situated only a couple
blocks from the Ontario International Airport. The parking areas are
bigger and more convenient than those at Pasadena, and building
access for exhibitors and attendees is much better.
Perhaps the Ontario venue’s most attractive feature is the
capability to expand the show in the years to come. This is an
enormous and virtually new convention center, and it has several
spacious exhibit halls. The show used the 70,000-square-foot
primary exhibit area this year, but AMA has already begun
negotiations to allow for an additional 20,000 square feet next year
in an adjacent hall. More about that later.
More than just a trade/consumer show where visitors can see and
purchase new modeling products, the annual AMA Convention is a
place where new modelers can come to learn about our hobby/sport
in a friendly, helpful environment.
One of the AMA Conventions’ most popular features has been
the Education Resource Area, where those who are learning can
have their questions answered, receive a few minutes of RC
simulator stick time with an instructor, and/or participate in the
Build & Fly program staffed by volunteers from the Black Sheep
Exhibition Squadron.
In the Build & Fly program, a new modeler—young or old—can
sit down with a knowledgeable, experienced model builder and
construct a simple rubber-powered model. He or she can then learn
the rudiments of flight trimming while having fun flying the new
S
by Bob H unt
May 2004 35
Above: The main show floor at
the Ontario CA venue has much
more room than the Pasadena
Convention Center. Wider aisles
make for a relaxed, enjoyable
atmosphere. There’s plenty of
room to grow! Left: There was a
great deal of activity at AMA’s
booth; modelers renewed their
memberships and asked
questions.
creation. Afterward, the student can take the model home for even
more learning and fun! There is no charge for this program, and it
has become one of the most fun areas to visit while at the show.
For the first five years of this program, the Frank Ehlingdesigned
Delta Dart was the model chosen for construction in the
Build & Fly area. Because of past years’ long waiting lines, this
year a modified Guillow’s Skystreak was used as the training model.
The Skystreak is an all-sheet-balsa design that builds in five to 10
minutes. It seems sturdier than the Delta Dart and will hold up to the
inevitable training accidents.
AMA Education Coordinator Jack Frost headed up the education
area, and it was staffed by Education Assistant April Hathaway,
National Model Aviation Museum Curator Michael Smith, and
Education Committee members Gordon Schimmel and Art Ellis.
District VII Vice President Bill Oberdieck helped in the education
booth for almost the entire show.
These dedicated individuals have worked hard to make this
program a resounding success, and we need to thank them for the
considerable number of new modelers that they are directly
responsible for bringing into the hobby/sport.
There were also a number of symposiums on a variety of
subjects that were conducted by expert modelers. Truly, this is as
much a learning-and-information-exchange environment as it is a
trade/consumer show.
AMA staff was concerned that since this move took the Convention
farther from downtown Los Angeles, fewer modelers would make
the trip to take it all in. Our fears were unfounded; each of the three
days of the Convention broke all records for attendance that had
been set for each of those days at the Pasadena venue. The modeling
public was clearly happy to see this gathering in a new home as
well.
Whenever I had the opportunity to get out of the Model
Aviation/Sport Aviator booth for a while, I made it a point to ask the
exhibitors and attendees what they thought of the new location and
the Convention in general. Almost everyone I spoke with agreed
that this was a big improvement.
The exhibitors especially liked the spacious entry doors, which
allowed for easy and unhurried load-in of their booths and products.
The attendees liked the spacious aisles, the parking, and the fact that
everything was in one big room. In Pasadena you had to walk down
a very long hall to get from the main exhibit area to the Education
Resource and demonstration-flying areas.
This year, as in the past, the Black Sheep Exhibition Squadron,
headed by Dave Gee and Don Buttman, provided many exciting,
36 MODEL AVIATION
A father helps his son at the popular Build
& Fly area staffed by Black Sheep
Exhibition Squadron volunteers.
Many gorgeous models were on display in the static-competition area. Lester Espolt of
Hesperia, California, built this Stinson SR-9 Reliant.
Crew members at the Hitec booth are happy because they won
the raffle for a free booth space at next year’s show.
Tucson, Arizona, resident Bill Hempel Jr.’s Pitts Challenger won
in the Aerobatics division of the static competition.
expert Indoor rubber-power and electricpower
FF and RC demonstrations.
Tamiya America’s Sam Wright and
Pegasus Hobbies owner Tom Macomber
provided an outstanding interactive RC
car track. It was a popular attraction.
There was also a setup for demonstrations
of scale boats and submarines and a neat
RC tank demonstration. These are not
usually associated with model-airplane
trade/consumer shows, but they were
interesting to watch.
There appeared to be fewer static
display models this year than in years
past. I fully expect that to change next
year because there will be an abundance
of space for presenting these gorgeous
airplanes. Those that were shown this
year were by and large magnificent.
Even as well as everything went at this
inaugural Ontario-based AMA
Convention, some lessons were learned
that will be addressed in the planning
for next year’s event. As I mentioned,
an additional 20,000 square feet of
exhibit area will be available. This space
will be mainly used for FF and RC
flying, RC wheeled-vehicle
demonstrations, and as the test area for
the Build & Fly models. Safety is
May 2004 37
At one end of the display hall (shown in the upper right), Black Sheep volunteers manned a demonstration flying area.
The AMA Convention staff is looking forward to a long stay at the Ontario Convention
Center. Make plans to be a part of next year’s event!
Photos by Mark Lanterman
paramount in our minds, and this area will
allow for safer flight demos.
Moving the demonstration flying to
another hall will mean additional booth
space. If you have missed out on reserving a
booth, please contact Jay Mealy soon about
reservations for AMA Convention 2005.
Many more manufacturers and/or
organizations will be accommodated.
For those of us who live in the East or the
Midwest, the opportunity to spend a few
days during the winter in beautiful, sunny,
warm California is a real treat. It’s also fun
to be able to visit with modelers that we
don’t often get to see in person.
Many took the opportunity to approach
the Model Aviation booth with ideas,
opinions, constructive criticism, and thanks.
We learn a great deal each year about how
you westerners view the hobby/sport, and
that is invaluable information to us in
forming a well-rounded magazine
presentation that reflects us all.
It’s also a plus to be able to visit with
manufacturers that don’t make it to the
Eastern-based trade/consumer shows and
see and discuss their new products. It
amazes me how the manufacturers can keep
coming up with great new stuff for us to use
in our modeling. Trade/consumer shows
such as the AMA Convention allow us all to
visit one-on-one with the manufacturers,
ask questions, and see new products up
close and personal.
On a strictly personal note, I must once
again tell Don Anderson of Great Planes
(the booth was next to MA’s) that I think his
company pirated the idea for the trim
scheme for its beautiful new Rapture ARF
design from my CL Stunt Caprice! Look at
the model in the header photo for my
“Modeling Spoken Here” column, and then
inspect the Rapture in Great Planes’
advertisements. I have a case, don’t I?
(Only kidding, Don.)
Jay Mealy asked me to convey his thanks,
and the thanks of everyone at AMA, to
those who exhibited at this year’s show and
to those who attended. Without both of
these groups, there would be no show. This
only works if we work together! We’ll see
you all again next year in Ontario! MA
Bob Hunt
Box 68
Stockertown PA 18083
[email protected]
Visit the AMA Education Committee
Web site at www.buildandfly.com.