AMA NEWS view from HQ 2013/07

134 Model Aviation JULY 2013 www.ModelAviation.com
It is only a couple
of short weeks
before the 2013
Outdoor Nats
begin at the
International
Aeromodeling
Center (IAC) in
Muncie, Indiana.
As much as it is
a competition, it’s also a time when
old acquaintances are renewed and
new friendships begin. At the Nats
you’ll find competitors who have
participated for decades alongside
those who will be here for the first
time. It’s an experience that many will
tell you is an important part of their
summer.
The Nats are conducted throughout
a five-week period divided by
modeling discipline. Depending
on the number of entries, some
events only last for a day or two and
others for a week. Some form of
aeromodeling takes place nearly every
day during the five weeks.
Organizing the Nats and running
the competitions is unique. Although
AMA and the Nats Management
Committee are responsible for the
logistics, registration, site preparation,
coordination, etc., the relevant AMA
Special Interest Group (SIG) typically
runs the actual competition. Both
are integral in overseeing a successful
Nats.
Nearly all of the SIGs heavily rely
on volunteer support to help fulfill
their responsibilities. Countless
people make the annual pilgrimage to
Muncie simply to volunteer. Without
these people, the Nats wouldn’t be
nearly as successful as it is.
In addition to the Outdoor Nats,
there is an Indoor FF competition.
For the last several years, the
competition was held in a facility at
East Tennessee State University. This
year’s contest will be held in August
at the University of Illinois Armory in
Champaign. Many of you are familiar
with the facility because it is where
the annual Hobbico/Great Planes
E-Fest is held.
For many, the Nats is as much a
fun event as a competition. Although
it’s certainly a national competition,
it’s also a place where modelers help
each other and camaraderie is the
order of the day. It’s not unusual to
see competitors help each other by
critiquing flights or by lending a part
or two to someone in need.
I encourage you to visit the IAC
during the Nats and watch some of
the world-class competitions. Visit
www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/
natsschedule.aspx for a schedule of
individual events.
If you can attend, make it a point
to visit the AMA’s National Model
Aviation Museum. The museum is the
largest of its kind in the world.
You’ll also want to take a
moment and stop in at the AMA
administration building. We’ll be
happy to show you around and
introduce you to members of the
AMA staff who work so hard to make
sure your model aviation experience is
as good as it can be.
If you can’t make it to the site, you
can also subscribe to NatsNews, an
electronic newsletter published daily
during the event. To subscribe, visit
the AMA website.
Give some thought to participating
in a future Nats. If you’re new to
competition, I guarantee you that
someone will be there to help you and
it is fun.
As we enter the outdoor flying season,
many of us will be attending one or
more of the nearly 2,400 events AMA
sanctions each year. Although many of
the events are competition oriented,
there are just as many organized funflys,
fly-ins, or casual get-togethers.
The common denominator in each
of these gatherings is that someone
has stepped up to volunteer his or
her time to direct the event. The
CD is generally supported by a
number of other volunteers who
freely give of their time to make sure
the event you’re attending is a good
one and that you have an enjoyable
experience.
Many of these events take place
at a club field where the members
have generously agreed to give up
a weekend of flying so it can take
place. In many cases, the only thing
these CDs, volunteers, and clubs
get in return is your thanks and
appreciation.
At the end of an event, before you
leave the site, stop by and say thankyou.
It’s the least we can do for those
who have given so much of their time
so that we can have a weekend of fun.
See you next time.
Make sure your summer includes
modeling fun
News AMA
Announcements, news, and information from the Academy of
Model Aeronautics and the elected district representatives
davem@modelaircra .org
VIEW FROM HQ by Dave Mathewson, AMA Executive Director
At the Nats you’ll find competitors who have
participated for decades alongside those who will
be here for the first time. It’s an experience that
many will tell you is an important part of their
summer.
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13july.indd 134 5/21/2013 12:37:43 PM