District X 2014/03
AMA Expo 2014 was a great success. AMA reached a significant agreement with the FAA, one of our staff members was inducted into the AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame, many youth had a chance to try aeromodeling, and new items were on display to tempt those who attended.
Expo highlights
- Memorandum of understanding with the FAA
- Induction into the AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame
- Youth build-and-fly opportunities
- New products and displays
Our relationship with the FAA took a great step forward at the Expo. AMA President Bob Brown and the FAA’s Manager of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office, Jim Williams, signed a memorandum of understanding that defines the AMA’s relationship with the FAA. This was a significant step in recognizing AMA as a community-based organization that will help protect us from future federal restrictions on aeromodeling.
Hall of Fame induction — Rich Hanson
My friend and former District X Vice President Rich Hanson was inducted into the AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame. Rich has been modeling since age six. He quickly learned that hand-built, balsa-and-tissue CL models flew even better than store-bought models. In junior high school he joined the Civil Air Patrol and got a taste of full-scale aviation.
Rich joined the Army and flew Cobra gunships in Vietnam. After he returned, he continued CL modeling and was exposed to RC in the early 1970s. When he could afford an RC radio, he chose the World Engines Blue Max radio kit. He assembled it and installed it in a Midwest Models .25 foamie Skylane.
Rich became involved in competitive fun-fly events with a group of fellow Arizona modelers. This group transformed into two racing series with Quickie 500 and .60–.90 scale warbirds as the models of choice. He helped form the Scale Warbird Racing Association and served as its president.
Rich became a District X associate vice president for Regg Keyawa, and when Regg stepped down in 1993, Rich was elected vice president. In 2008 Rich became the AMA’s Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs. Rich is a deserving addition to the Hall of Fame and he has my heartfelt congratulations.
Speakers and presentations
One of my favorite aspects of the Expo is the speakers who give presentations throughout the weekend. One standout was the Roswell Flight Test Crew. "Techinstein" and "Lucidity" have a great take on the burgeoning field of multirotor modeling. They have plenty of great writing and videos at www.roswellflighttestcrew.com that I think you will enjoy.
The second speaker who stood out was Jeff Skiles. Jeff was the copilot on U.S. Airways Flight 1549, better known as "The Miracle on the Hudson." Jeff gave a riveting moment-by-moment timeline of the flight. You won't be able to see these speakers anywhere else, so if you missed this year's Expo make plans for next year.
Build-and-fly area and indoor demonstrations
When you come to the Expo, the temptation is to spend the entire time trying to check out the great stuff on display. If you've never been to the build-and-fly area, check it out. It is run by southern California's Black Sheep Squadron and the chief cook and bottle washer of the group is AMA's "Safety Comes First" columnist, Dave Gee.
Next door to the build-and-fly area is a ballroom where indoor flying demonstrations take place. Several times each day, the Knights of the Round Circle CL club would allow children attending the Expo to try their hand at CL flying. Their chief instructor was AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame member Larry Renger.
The Expo is a great event held here in District X. Take advantage of it and check it out in 2015.
Until next month, may you have nothing but happy landings.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
