WE ARE in the middle of building and
swapping season, but many of us still have
flying weather as well. That makes this a
busy season for those trying to do winter
building, prepping aircraft for swap meets,
and having to go fly as well. Oh well,
someone has to do it so it might as well be
me!
It is time for clubs and members to get
on top of some valuable AMA programs.
The Take off And Grow (TAG) program is
entering its third year of existence and the
deadline to get your applications in is
February 1.
The Flying Site Grant applications must
be sent to me by March 1 with a complete
work and funding plan.
Graduating seniors interested in
applying for any of the AMA scholarships
available, need to have their applications
in to AMA Headquarters by April 30.
Attention club officers: your club
charters expire on March 31. You need to
get your rechartering kit completed and
turned into AMA Headquarters.
Jeff Nance, the new Marketing and
Programs director at AMA HQ, and I
staffed an AMA booth at the Texas
Municipal League of Cities convention in
San Antonio, Texas, in late October. It
provided an opportunity to introduce
AMA, its history, membership, and
opportunities to municipal VIPs from
across the state including mayors, city
managers, council members, and even law
enforcement officials.
The micro helicopter helped draw
attention to our booth. Jeff Nance photo.
Our hope was/is that our introduction
will help open a door down the road when
a modeler or club comes knocking, looking
for help with a flying field or gymnasium.
We let them know that modelers are
caring and giving members of the
community and that having a flying site
and club in their city would make it a
better place to live and raise children.
Jim Branaum (R) answers questions about
AMA and aeromodeing at the convention.
We were joined in our efforts by Jim
Branaum, Andy Clapp and Jack Matlock,
all of whom are active modelers and
staunch AMA volunteers in the San
Antonio area. I believe we made many
excellent contacts and hope that it pays off
in the future.
This is the third such conference in the
United States that AMA has set up a booth
for this purpose.
AMA elections are over for another year
and the changes to the Executive Council
beginning in January will be the
replacement of Doug Holland as the
executive vice president. Mark Smith,
former District IX vice president is moving
into that position and has appointed Jim
Wallen as his replacement in District IX.
Thanks, Doug, for your years of
service. More members voted this year
than last, and that is better, but still not
enough in my mind.
Congratulations to all of the winners
and thanks to all of the other candidates
who were willing to give their time and
energy to our association!
My favorite picture from 2008 is this
picture of Brad Morgan who is flying his
electric Extreme Flight Extra.
Two spotters, Brian Strachan and
Brendon Walker, are ready to retrieve for
him. What a great sport with a bright
future!
Have fun and fly safely! Jim
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/02
Page Numbers: 178
