Wow, what a show! I was fortunate to attend the AMA Expo this year in Ontario, California. I enjoyed it very much. I won’t go into a lot of details, because I know there will be plenty of information available in Model Aviation and on the AMA website.
One thing worth mentioning that was announced at the show is AMA Flight School, which can be found at www.amaflightschool.org. It includes an online, interactive, training tool for children age 5 years old and older.
This is a great place to send teachers and younger students to learn about the theory of flight. There are interactive games that help develop an understanding of lift, weight, thrust, pitch, yaw, and roll.
Try it out and see how many attempts it takes for you to earn your Five Star badge.
AMA Flight School will continue to grow. There is ongoing work to add “How do I” features that answer questions for individuals who want to enter the hobby, as well as information for seasoned pilots and clubs. Kudos to Bill Pritchett and AMA’s Education Department.
I now have my first Executive Council meeting under my belt and am looking forward to a fun year. For club members who are planning the upcoming season, you may want to put August 17 on your calendar as a day to observe National Aviation day. AMA will want your support for an event being planned on that day.
The plans are still being finalized, however I hope that District VI clubs will want to participate in a national event. Possible activities may include counting how many flights occurred at your flying site that day and possibly a fundraiser, with donations going to a charity such as the Wounded Worrier Project.
An event of this type should result in positive national news for our hobby. Stay tuned for additional details.
AMA continues to forge ahead with the FAA. This process has gone slowly, however it looks as though there may be a light at the end of the tunnel.
The Ozark Mountain Barnstormers worked with Boy Scout Troop 52 to assist some of the boys in obtaining their aviation badge. Several club members attended a pack meeting and spoke to the boys on the theory of flight, airfoils, functions of control surfaces, safety, and different aspects of flight and our hobby. After the meeting the scoutmaster commented that he had not seen the boys so attentive on any subject in a long time.
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The following week the Boys Scouts came to the Barnstormers’ flying field. After going over field safety with them, the club members provided them with stick time on several different airplanes. Many felt it was a little more difficult than they had anticipated. Between flights everyone ate hot dogs and hamburgers fresh off the grill.
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Club members and Scouts enjoyed a great afternoon of learning and flying, and are ready to do it again.
Program of the month: Camp AMA is a weeklong camp that is organized by the AMA’s Education Department. It cost $750 per student flier and is geared for youth between ages 13 and 19. The participants are housed in a hotel with regular room checks and supervision. It is for all flying experience levels, novice to expert.
Students receive a week of intense, hands-on training and flying. Most develop strong, lifelong friendships with other campers and the instructors. The camp has some great instructors lined up that include two outstanding young men: Nick Maxwell, and RJ Gritter.
AMA partnered with Applebee’s to provide the evening meals for the campers.
If you want to help make memories, you might want to consider your club sponsoring a youth member. There is limited space at each camp. If you can’t get in this year, sign someone up early for next year. For additional information, contact the AMA Education Department.
Until next time, have fun and happy flying.
