Education Through Aviation-2011/09

September 2011 133
AMA News
Announcements, news, and information from the
Academy of Model Aeronautics and the elected district representatives.
I WRITE THIS while attending a Pattern
contest in Michigan … no, Ohio … oh well,
it’s the Weak Signals contest and its annual
Expo is in Ohio and the flying field is in
Michigan.
It has something to do about the history
of how the states drew their territorial lines
back in the day. Ohio was a state before
Michigan, and demanded to have Toledo …
So, anyway, I’m once again reminded of
what tremendous individuals we have to
share our recreational time with. Real
people. Real in terms of their contributions
to this great hobby and their willingness to
step up.
Tim and Linda Jesky put on this event,
with the skilled and charming assistance of
Bob Kane. The Jesky family is well known
in modeling circles. Their youngest son,
Andrew, is one of the world’s best
aeromodeling pilots.
The Jesky family is also among the
world’s best. Not only do they host the
contest that this year attracted 46
participants, they have everyone over to
their home for a cookout on Friday night, do
all the line work and scoring, then go to
dinner with everyone on Saturday night.
They are simply over-the-top hospitable,
kind, and fun to be with. Not to mention the
countless trips, contests, and whatever it
took to provide Andrew what he needed for
success. Real people. Real people who we
find in model aviation.
This event is sort of a test for me. I used
to really be into competitive flying and now
find myself flying a lot—but not practicing
much. I flew a round in front of Chip Hyde
and the pucker factor is worth noting.
Chip was totally a pro—complimentary,
suggesting things to consider for
improvement, remarking about my flight in
a way that made me think again what great
people we have in our hobby.
I met a man from New York who was
flying an airplane loaned from Arch
Stafford. Arch knew he had lost a model and
simply met up with him and gave him an
airplane to fly. Real people.
One of my most fervent competitors is
Anthony Abdullah. Anthony is a study in
being a nice guy who would do anything to
beat you. While we compete fanatically
against each other, he’s by far my favorite
caller.
We have a friendship that really defines
what this activity is about. I want to be
better than you, you want to be better than I
am, and we’ll do anything we can to help
each other out. Go figure. Real people.
So, now you know my passion for
Precision Aerobatics. Sometimes it hits me,
and sometimes I hit it. That’s why I love it
so much—making a model airplane go
exactly where it’s supposed to go.
When you have grown tired of simply
boring holes in the sky, look to Precision
Aerobatics. Some say it’s like watching
paint dry. If it looks that easy to you, give it
a try. The National Society of Radio
Controlled Aerobatics (NSRCA) is one of
our SIGs and is always on the lookout for
new talent.
If you have any interest in learning about
Precision Aerobatics, go to the NSRCA
website. You’ll be challenged, welcomed,
and feel the gratification of precision flying.
Verne Koester, longtime Masters pilot
and Andrew Jesky’s caller, has a theory that
I think might resonate with many of you.
The people who last in this hobby find a
niche. It can be Scale, jets, International
Miniature Airplane Club, but they go past
the “sport flyer” stage and get into some
kind of specialty.
I recently watched a bunch of guys
having a total blast flying CL Navy Carrier.
They found their niche.
If you haven’t read the quote at this
beginning of this month’s column, please do
so. I always start with one, and when a
friend sent this I had to share.
We really spend a lot of time and value
dealing with information that’s available
online.
Don’t forget the value of real people.
Education Through Aviation Bill Pritchett | [email protected]
“You can’t believe everything on the Internet.”
—Abraham Lincoln
5161 E. Memorial Dr.
Muncie IN 47302
(765) 287-1256, ext. 515
[email protected]
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One of the biggest reasons an AMA membership is important for aeromodelers is the Academy’s
strong advocacy and government relations program.
Stay informed and help AMA defend your right to fly by going to www.modelaircraft.org/gov where
you’ll find background information and all the latest interaction with such government agencies as FAA,
FCC, EPA, municipal governments, and more.
Do you have a specific question to ask the AMA Advocacy Team? Contact this group by emailing
[email protected].
AMA is there for you in the halls of power. Won’t you consider being there for AMA by continuing
your membership and helping add to the collective voice for the aeromodeling community?
Let your voice be heard. What could be more American?
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