Ama News: From The Copilot's Seat - 2013/03
Stay current with AMA blogs
From the Copilot’s Seat
By Gary Fitch, Executive Vice President
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 is 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 the 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 traveled to AMA Headquarters to present a plaque to Executive Director Dave Mathewson and Jeff Nance, marketing director for AMA. The EAA representatives were:
- Trevor Janz
- Jeff Skiles
- Brian O’Lena
- Sean Elliott
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 designs, including:
- Powerhouse
- Brooklyn Dodger
- 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:
- Induction into the Model Aviation Hall of Fame (1974)
- Becoming an AMA Fellow (1975)
- Induction into the National Free Flight Society Hall of Fame (1978)
- Induction into the Society of Antique Modelers Hall of Fame
AMA Executive Director Dave Mathewson reflected on Sal’s life and contributions: “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 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 Luxembourg Palace 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 society supports and encourages positive accomplishment and contributions that benefit the global community. Nearly 50 individuals from several countries, representing vocations 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, talked with members and took new memberships, and had the opportunity to fly as well. MARCS puts on a great event. Only in its third year, the fly-in registered more than 250 pilots. Santa was there 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 was gracious enough to section off a portion of the facility to allow the inaugural FAI F3P competition in this country. Dave Lockhart and Devin McGrath organized and put a class event together within a few short weeks. The 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
- F3P-AM (aerobatics/musical freestyle)
With the help of several volunteer judges, including Dave Mathewson, each class competed in three rounds. Winners were:
- Devin McGrath
- RJ Gritter
- Dave Lockhart
- Matt Kloss
Clay Wheaton of Rochester, New York, won an invitation to compete at the Electric Tournament of Champions 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 lifelong relationship!
Until next month, help secure our future and take a youngster flying!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
