AMA Grand Event
THE ACADEMY of Model Aeronautics and RCHTA (the Radio Control Hobby Trade Association) successfully hosted the fourth-annual Grand Event/Homecoming, June 9–11 at AMA's International Aeromodeling Center, Muncie, IN.
The Grand Event provides an opportunity for families and people of all ages to experience various forms of modeling. It also gives members and nonmembers a chance to visit the 1,000-acre site and the National Model Aviation Museum, which was open all weekend.
"It's a great way to show people there's something to do besides play video games," said Michael Smith, Grand Event Volunteer Coordinator and National Model Aviation Museum Curator.
No admission was charged for Grand Event activities, which took place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 10, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 11. For those who wanted to make a weekend of it, there were primitive and RV camping facilities on-site.
Passport Program and Memberships
For the Passport Program, participants received a card on which they checked off each finished activity. Three completed activities earned a free AMA membership. There were 19 Adult and 85 Youth memberships given during the weekend.
Michael Gardner, 9, of Columbus, OH, was quick to point out that his friend was on his way to earning an AMA membership as part of the Passport Program. "I'm already a member," Michael said proudly. "It's pretty cool," he said of the Grand Event.
Saturday at 5 p.m. was an AMA membership meeting, with a forum for questions and answers with Dave Brown and other Vice Presidents.
"There were a lot of people at the Membership Meeting—more than in the past," said Brown.
At 6:00, there was a barbecue dinner and entertainment for members, exhibitors, and volunteers.
Sunday Activities and Demonstrations
"These were all for demonstration purposes," said new Grand Event Committee Chairman Greg Chartrand. "To create a 'Show and Tell' or 'Watch the Experts' effect, to give the nonmodeling general public insight as to where they can go in these hobbies after they get started in them."
"We also had some Free Flight Catapult Gliders left over from Saturday, and some people were willing to help build again on Sunday, so we built about another 60 make-and-take gliders," said Chartrand.
People from the Central Indiana rocket club (AMOREA [A Means of Reaching Extreme Altitude]) were conducting rocket launches. Although it was a little too windy to launch most of the rockets, some smaller ones were launched. AMOREA also set up rockets and let some of the youngsters launch them.
Other events included:
- A demonstration by the Hoosier Hills Air Show Team
- A CL 1/2A Combat Contest
- A CL Fox Race and Quickie Rat Race by the Muncie Controlliners
- RC car racing on the blacktop
- RC truck racing on the dirt track by the Muncie RC Legends Racers
- A Little Sparky Free Flight Contest by members of the Indianapolis Model Airplane Club
- A kite show with an assortment of sizes and styles by the Hoosier Kitefliers Society
At the hang-glider display, kids and adults were secured in a harness on a simulator on the ground, so they could experience the feeling of that kind of flight.
Flightline, Airshows, and Pilots
Pilots participating in Homecoming started arriving Wednesday to get an early start on the flying. The flightline was bustling all weekend; a total of 88 pilots registered.
AMA Technical Director Steve Kaluf worked the flightline as announcer all weekend.
An hour-long air show Saturday included:
- A Kangaroo jet with an RA Microjets 750 turbine
- Past AMA president Don Lowe flying a Precision Aircraft Extra 300L with a Desert Aircraft DA-150
- A helicopter demo with a Miniature Aircraft X-Cell with an O.S. .61
- An RC Combat model demo flown with a Ta 152
- Frank Noll Jr. flying a Carden Edge 540 powered by a Desert Aircraft DA-150
A hang-gliding demonstration by Dave Smith (Bloomington, IN) of the United States Hang Gliding Association was a hit; he was towed up, then let go, to make a perfect landing on the L-pad.
Lloyd Rea came from Hartford City, IN to participate in Homecoming with his Fun Stik. He didn't bring his Decathlon because it was too windy. "I've been here since Wednesday," Lloyd said.
Exhibitors and SIGs
Approximately 20 exhibitors set up under the display tent, including:
- Central Indiana Karting Association
- Du-Bro Products
- Experimental Aircraft Association
- Just R/C Planes
- KLD Enterprises
- Reese Flying Services, Inc.
- Visitors Bureau/Summer Heat
Dan Dinkeldein of KLD Enterprises (Twinsburg, OH) said he learned about the Grand Event on the Internet. "It's his second year to attend. It's been a good one," said Dinkeldein. "Attendance is much better [than last year]; the crowds have been good."
AMA Special Interest Groups (SIGs) were well-represented, including:
- International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA)
- International Radio Control Helicopter Association (IRCHA)
- National Society of Radio Controlled Aerobatics (NSRCA)
- National Free Flight Society (NFFS)
- Society of Antique Modelers (SAM)
Attendance and Weather
Saturday was the busiest day of the weekend—the three parking lots were filled by 10:30, then people had to park on the grass. Overall attendance was impressive, with 1,456 vehicles and 2,821 people passing through the gates Friday through Sunday.
"It's been excellent," said Chartrand. "Attendance is up because of two factors: nice weather and really good local advertising."
The Grand Event has been notorious for adverse weather in the past. This year Saturday was hot, sunny, and windy, and Sunday was warm and overcast.
"The weather finally cooperated with the Grand Event," said Hager. "It's perfect weather to bring everyone out of the house," said Chartrand.
Publicity and Outreach
The event was publicized in seven of the larger Indiana newspapers, including Lafayette's Journal & Courier, the Indianapolis Star, and the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette; six radio stations; and Northern Ohio Live magazine.
Press releases were sent to nearly 80 newspapers and radio/television stations within roughly a 100-mile radius of Muncie. Approximately 10,000 flyers were sent to Tower Hobbies for inclusion in merchandise packages, and flyers were sent to more than 80 hobby shops in Indiana and four surrounding states.
Volunteers, Sponsors, and Closing
Those who gave freely of their time and efforts were crucial for the smooth running of the Grand Event. According to Michael Smith, there were roughly 100 volunteers; they included AMA employees, members, Boy Scouts, and others.
"A super big thanks to all the volunteers, who help make it happen!" said Hager.
The Grand Event was sponsored by local and national companies.
"A big thanks goes to Greg Chartrand ... and the committee members," said Hager.
Despite a couple of snags, such as running out of rockets so early (Brown said that should not happen again), the Grand Event was a success.
"It's gone well," said Brown. "I was particularly pleased with [Saturday]. Everyone seems to be having a good time, which is really what it's all about."
Next year the Grand Event may be moved to a different location—possibly to the West Coast. However, there will still be an event at Muncie—perhaps an expanded Homecoming or an abbreviated Grand Event.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
