On the home page of AMA’s website you will find a series of blogs offering information about our clubs, members, events, and happenings. This offers one reason why we should frequent the website.
The following items I found are things that many of our members might not know. In 2012, AMA surpassed 25,000 youth members with more than 10,000 coming from our partnerships with the Civil Air Patrol and EAA Young Eagles program. In recognition of our shared commitment to the EAA Young Eagles program, helping more than 10,000 young people experience the magic of flight, EAA representatives Trevor Janz, Jeff Skiles, Brian O’Lena, and Sean Elliott traveled to AMA Headquarters to present a plaque to Executive Director Dave Mathewson and Jeff Nance, AMA’s Marketing Director.
[Photo of Plaque Presentation]
Sal Taibi, one of aeromodeling’s greatest legends, has passed away. Sal of Lakewood, California, was born April 5, 1920. He had been an aeromodeler since 1933 and an AMA member since its inception in 1936. He was known for many things, including designing the Powerhouse, Brooklyn Dodger, and The Starduster.
Sal won many awards, including a first-place finish at the National Model Airplane Championships in Chicago in 1941. His many honors include being inducted into the Model Aviation Hall of Fame in 1974, becoming an AMA Fellow in 1975, induction into the National Free Flight Society Hall of Fame in 1978, and the Society of Antique Modelers Hall of Fame in 1989.
AMA Executive Director, Dave Mathewson reflected on Sal’s life, and what he has given to the hobby by saying, “He’s arguably one of the most significant members AMA has ever had. His influence is as far reaching as anyone I can think of.”
Congratulations to AMA’s Education Outreach Specialist, Gordon Schimmel, Ed. D., who was honored at the Society for the Encouragement of Progress’s annual ceremony in the French Senate at the Palis du Luxembourge in Paris.
The Society for the Encouragement of Progress is a nonprofit association created more than 100 years ago, to honor individuals who have contributed to progress in all of its forms and in all disciplines. The work of the society is dedicated to supporting and encouraging positive accomplishment and contributions that benefit all in the global community.
Nearly 50 individuals from several countries, representing a variety of vocations, disciplines, and areas of interest including medicine, the arts, aviation, and education, were honored at the ceremony.
Congratulations, Gordon, for this recognition and all of your hard work.
I attended the Holiday Electric Fly, sponsored by the Mentor Area Radio Control Society (MARCS), held at a huge indoor facility in Geneva, Ohio. I helped staff the AMA booth, talking with members and taking new memberships, and had the opportunity to fly as well.
MARCS put on a great event. Only in its third year, the fly-in registered more than 250 pilots. They had Santa for the kids, and musical metal drums for everyone else. The huge flying venue is second to none, providing plenty of flying opportunities for everyone.
MARCS were gracious enough to section off a portion of the facility to allow the first FAI F3P competition to be held in this country. Dave Lockhart and Devin McGrath organized and put a class event together within a few short weeks.
This event was designed to lay the groundwork to send a US team to the 2015 F3P world competition. F3P is indoor Precision Aerobatics flown with foamies, and has recently become recognized by the FAI as a full class. Dave said that we are trying to gain interest in F3P flying in the US and start holding official contests.
Approximately 20 contestants flew in four classes: three Precision Aerobatics classes (F3P, Intermediate, and Sportsman) and F3P-AM (aerobatics/musical freestyle). With the help of several volunteer judges, including Dave Mathewson, they completed in three rounds for each class.
Winners were Devin McGrath, RJ Gritter, Dave Lockhart, and Matt Kloss. Clay Wheaton of Rochester, New York, won an invitation to compete at the ETOC in Toledo next month.
I am including a photo of my friend and longtime MA columnist, Bob Aberle. This photo was taken of Bob and his wife Irene at their 50th anniversary dinner, given by their children. Congratulations Bob and Irene on your life long relationship!
Until next month, help secure our future and take a youngster flying!
