District IV - 2014/11

National Aviation Day was held August 19, 2014 at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The event was held by the First Flight Society. This event celebrated general aviation, space travel, model aircraft, and many more aviation-related interests. The location where the Wright brothers made their first flight was the perfect venue.
This was the first time that AMA has had a major presence at such an event hosted by the First Flight Society. Two years ago, former District IV Vice President Bliss Teague started the process that got us here. This was also the first time the National Park Service allowed model flying at this site.
AMA had two tents plus a static display next to the Radio Active Airshows. One tent was staffed by AMA President Bob Brown and me. Here we had handout material that explained who we were and our mission. We fielded questions from the crowd about the AMA and our role in aviation.
The other tent was staffed by three volunteers from the Fredericksburg Aeromasters to administer the AMA make-and-take program for the children in the crowd. Throughout the facility you could see small balsa airplanes flying around with the AMA logo on them during the day.
Sometimes people were three deep at the tables where these models were put together, attesting to the popularity of the program. Adults even participated in the program, to the surprise of the volunteers.
Radio Active Airshows was there with its simulator trailer and show team. The line for the simulator was long and continued throughout the event with people still waiting at the end of the day. Radio Active Airshows put on a noon flying demonstration that was a first of its kind at Kill Devil Hills. Never before did the National Park Service allow something like this to take place, especially at such a hallowed location.
Jeff Phillips, head of Radio Active Airshows, flew first with his Extra 300 and did a magnificent aerobatic routine that thrilled the crowd. Next up was Jonathan Walker who flew a 3-D helicopter routine that mesmerized the crowd with his fast and complex maneuvers. Finally, Kwang Ko of Hobby Hangar flew his turbine-powered KingCat.
By the looks of the people lined up along the main pathway, this was the highlight of the day. Although only 20 minutes was allotted for the flying demonstration, everything normally done at an airshow was accomplished.
The static display area included models of all types provided by Radio Active Airshows, the Fredericksburg Aeromasters, and many other modelers who attended. David Jones of Costal Planes.com provided the outreach to the local clubs that participated.
Former astronaut, Dr. Don Thomas, was there to discuss the current and future space programs. He also conducted science experiments for the children. Along with him, the EAA Young Eagles, Civil Air Patrol, representatives of North Carolina State’s UAV program, NextGen Aircraft, Power Paragliders, and Kitty Hawk Kites participated as well. For the full-scale enthusiast, there was a display of general aviation aircraft as well.
The AMA program and the Radio Active Airshows were well received and the National Park Service and First Flight Society have invited us back again in the future. What we learned this year will only help us put on a bigger and better show next year and help the public understand and appreciate the contributions aeromodeling makes to the aviation community.
I want to thank Phil Woodruff, president of the First Flight Society, for inviting us to the event and to Jim Braithwaite, Dan Hayworth, and Brian Mausolf of the Fredericksburg Aeromasters for helping with the make-and-take program. It was also nice to have Bob Brown answer questions and greet the spectators.
Jeff Phillips, the National Park Service, the First Flight Society, and I have already started making plans for next year. If you are in the area, come out and see a first-class event where aviation got its start.