The AMA Expo
by Jay Smith
The first thing I look for in an RC magazine is new products. It is almost like being a kid at Christmas and trying to decide what to put on your wish list. If you are like me, that list could get pretty long.
Today’s modeler can be more informed than ever. In addition to modeling magazines, the Internet allows us to research products further and get feedback from the comfort of our own homes. We have many great new products to choose from, which makes getting into the hobby—or expanding into new areas—much easier.
Event overview
The AMA Expo—this year's moniker for the AMA Convention—was held January 9–11, 2009, at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, California. Regardless of what it’s called, the event offers more than products; it also focuses strongly on education and community.
Education and seminars
A total of 28 seminars this year covered a variety of topics and were led by industry professionals. (No continuing article text appears on the scanned page referenced here — it contains only photographs and photo captions.)
Membership meeting
The Expo hosted an AMA Membership Meeting. This is a great way to get members up to speed on the latest things the Academy is working on and to answer questions from attendees. It’s also a good opportunity to meet AMA representatives and employees.
Family activities and make-and-take
The show does a great job of attracting families. One of the activities that draws a lot of attention is the make-and-take area staffed by volunteers. The Southern California Rocket Association assisted with building model rockets and had displays showing much larger versions of the aircraft and all the exciting aspects of rocketry.
Representing model aircraft, the Black Sheep Squadron staffed the build-and-fly area with rubber-band-powered airplanes. They helped kids build the models, and the students also flew and trimmed them. The flying area was filled with smiling faces as participants tested the aircraft they constructed and competed in duration competitions. Approximately 400 models were built and flown.
NASA representatives were on hand in the education resource area. They brought models and exhibits dedicated to the research conducted at the Dryden Flight Research Center (located at Edwards Air Force Base, California).
Indoor flying and demonstrations
The indoor RC flying area was a popular spot. Spectators were sometimes five rows deep behind the safety netting, watching demonstration pilots show off manufacturers' new products. Exhibitions included:
- RC helicopters
- RC airplanes
- FF (free-flight) airplanes
- CL (control-line) airplanes
Between demonstrations, the area was used for open flying by AMA members. There was always something interesting happening—crowds cheered everything from helicopters landing vertically on the wall to golden-age pylon racing.
Media coverage and attendance
The Expo was advertised both locally and nationally through magazines and newspapers and received television exposure. Gayle Anderson of KTLA in Los Angeles broadcast live from the venue on Friday morning. The AMA segments highlighted flying and provided a sneak peek at some of the displays on the show floor.
The hard work paid off; the Expo was busy throughout the weekend. The majority of vendors I spoke with were pleased with the turnout, and early reports showed that attendance was as strong as it was in 2008.
Shopping and deals
A main focus of the event is finding the best deals on everything from:
- kits
- engines
- batteries
- glues
- screws
The deals were there and easy to spot by the large congregations making purchases at certain booths. Throughout the weekend, I passed many people carrying their goodies as they traversed the show floor. I ran into an old friend with an ARF purchase who said those magic words: "It was too good of a deal to pass up." I nodded in understanding and smiled as I thought about filling my suitcase with all the deals I couldn't pass up.
Static Model Competition
This year's Static Model Competition featured amazing entries, including airplanes, helicopters, cars, boats, and rockets. If bragging rights and a plaque aren’t enough motivation to enter, there were also cash prizes. I was glad I didn't have to pick the winners; that would have been tough.
One static entry—a Hawker Typhoon named "Pulverizer II"—had the full-scale aircraft's pilot, Harry Hardy, on hand to answer questions. He flew 96 combat sorties over France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany with the Canadian Fighter Bomber Wing during World War II.
Conclusion
While 2009 saw a minor name change, the event's focus remains on providing a family-oriented show for members and promoting model aviation to the public. I think the Expo succeeded on both levels and I look forward to next year.
Jay Smith [email protected]
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
