Executive Vice President
Contact
Mark Smith; [email protected]
Hi, folks! I had the great opportunity to experience the first-ever Las Vegas RC community Toys for Tots fun-fly. These Vegas clubs have the right idea about community involvement, and I’m confident their efforts will be rewarding. Event organizer David Weiss provided the following report.
Toys for Tots Fun Fly — Las Vegas (report from David Weiss)
On behalf of the Rebel Squadron, Las Vegas Remote Control Club, and the Vegas Aces, I would like to thank all participants for their presence at our Toys for Tots Fun Fly. This was a combined effort to put this event on by all the clubs involved.
This was our first year for this event and it was a great success, with over 80 fliers attending the event held at the William Bennett Flying Field in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 19, 2009.
From the generous donations of fliers and spectators alike, we were able to donate to the Marine Corps Reserve over five full boxes of toys for their annual Toys for Tots drive.
Several major RC distributors and local hobby shops contributed numerous RC-related gifts for our raffle, including:
- Great Planes
- Horizon Hobby
- Hobby People
- Hobby Town
- Cutting Edge Hobbies
Aside from the great weather that we had, the Las Vegas Search and Rescue performed a flyby over the runway during the lunch hour. We also had demonstrations by helicopters (helis), a 40% aerobatic model, and a turbine jet aircraft.
Again, I would like to thank all fliers and spectators who attended. Without their support for this event, so many children in the Clark County community would have gone without any toys this holiday season.
We are already in the planning stages for next year’s Toys for Tots Fun Fly.
Our youth mission is critical
Although the previous report makes me extremely proud of the men and women involved in this great hobby, I am concerned about the attitude expressed by a few regarding youth in aviation. I realize that we spend much time working with youth only to have many of them become distracted and leave model aviation; but we need to plant the seed!
With the help of AMA staff’s research, I would like to share a bit of our rich history.
It seems as though the movement for an organization to support youth aviation began in 1932, when Lieutenant H.W. Alden and William R. Enyart started the Junior Membership plan of the National Aeronautics Association. This later merged into what we know as the Academy of Model Aeronautics. I suspect this is why the word “Academy” is incorporated into our name.
Although I could not find any AMA survey data, the 1945 Model Airplane News magazine’s readership survey showed:
- 65% were from 14 to 17 years of age
- 13% were 9 through 13
- 11% were 18 through 21
- 11% were over 21
Today, the average age of our AMA membership is 59 years old!
Another important fact: our overall membership has declined 18% from our peak in 2002; however, during this same timeframe, our Junior membership dropped 52%.
These statistics should be a wake-up call for all of us. I urge you to lend a hand in nurturing our young aviators so this great hobby can continue. Hey, you grandpas out there — I sure hope you have engaged your grandchildren in model aviation!
Youth achievement
Following are a couple of pictures for your enjoyment. Please note that 12-year-old Jake Bottita earned his jet waiver when he was only 10! His dad, Dave, told me Jake has to maintain excellent grades to keep flying.
Now there are some parents who have their priorities straight!
In memoriam
As you may be aware, the RC community lost a husband, family man, leader, and avid modeler when District X Vice President Jim Giffin passed away on January 31.
I spoke with Jim while he was in the hospital just two days before he died. I am confident Jim is now enjoying clear skies with warm breezes straight down the runway. His leadership will be missed on the AMA Executive Council.
Closing
Keep in touch, have fun, and don’t forget to slather yourself with sunscreen!
Executive Vice President Mark Smith; [email protected]
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
