AMA Expo 2013 was a great success
View from HQ by Dave Mathewson, AMA Executive Director
AMA Expo 2013 is in the books, and from an early review of the numbers, it appears this year's show was another successful event. We know that the vendors and exhibitors make any consumer show what it is, and AMA is fortunate to have the support of many in the industry.
For modelers on the West Coast, the AMA Expo is one of the few times during the year that they have the opportunity to see new products and speak with company representatives in person. For those in the industry, the Expo is one of the few times they can personally interact with West Coast modelers.
This year's list of speakers was as impressive as any the Expo has had:
- Jerry Budd, NASA Dryden
- Gary Fogel, author, aviation historian, and RC soaring national and world-record holder
- Chris Anderson, CEO of 3D Robotics
- Andrew Jesky, RC aerobatics National Champion and multiple-time member of the U.S. F3A World Championship Team
A last-minute addition to the roster was Bruce Jenner, 1976 Olympic decathlon gold-medal recipient and RC helicopter enthusiast. He spent time talking with many exhibitors and attendees as he walked the floor on Saturday, January 12.
All of the presentations were videotaped and are available for modelers to enjoy at www.modelaviation.com/amaexpo2013.
One important aspect of the Expo is that it gives our members on the West Coast an opportunity to meet and speak with the AMA national leadership. AMA President Bob Brown conducted a membership meeting on Saturday morning to a full audience. Bob spoke about many of AMA's accomplishments during 2012 and shared the AMA strategy, goals, and objectives for 2013. Many district vice presidents attended, including Lawrence Tougas, District X, whose district includes many West Coast states.
Again this year at the Expo, AMA held an open forum with representatives from the FAA. Participants included:
- James Sizemore (attending in person), familiar from previous forums at the Joe Nall event and the AMA Expo
- James Williams, Executive Manager of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office (attended via Skype)
- Bob Brown and AMA Government and Regulatory Affairs Representative Rich Hanson
They gave the audience an overview of what has taken place with the small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) regulatory effort during the past year and what to expect in 2013. Both Sizemore and Williams fielded questions and provided answers to many of the important concerns on the minds of our members.
As with all Expo seminars, the forum was videotaped and will be posted on the AMA website after the FAA Public Relations Office approves it.
Probably the most important announcement from the forum was that the much-delayed sUAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is scheduled to be released for public comment in the latter part of June 2013.
Camp AMA was a huge success in 2012 and plans are underway to make the 2013 edition even better. Camp AMA will be held June 2–8, 2013, at the International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana. The camp is open to pilots ages 13 through 19, from beginner through advanced levels.
Attendees will work with nationally recognized pilots such as Nick Maxwell and RJ Gritter to improve their flying skills in a fun atmosphere. Information about Camp AMA can be found at www.modelaircraft.org/education/campama.aspx.
This issue of Model Aviation should arrive in your mailbox shortly before the Westchester Radio Aeromodellers, Inc. (WRAM) Show, which will be held at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, February 22–24, 2013. AMA will have an expanded presence at the show and we look forward to seeing you there.
Many members of the AMA Executive Council plan to attend. The annual AMA District II meeting, led by District II Vice President Eric Williams, will be held on Saturday. Plan to spend a few minutes at the meeting and learn what is in store for the district in 2013.
As has been tradition, AMA will be represented at the 58th annual Toledo Weak Signals R/C Expo in Toledo, Ohio, April 5–7, 2013. If you plan to attend this long-running trade show, stop by the booth and say hello.
See you next time.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
