On the Fly — Late-breaking news from Headquarters
Seeking AMA National Newsletters
The National Model Aviation Museum library wants to complete its collection of AMA National Newsletters. It is missing issues from 1991 through 1994. If you would like to donate any of these issues, please contact me at (800) I‑FLY‑AMA (435‑9262).
— Rich LaGrange National Model Aviation Museum Librarian
New Introductory Membership
With an ever-increasing number of recreational activities from which consumers can choose, it is important that we make sure modeling gets its fair share of exposure.
AMA is putting the final touches on a new Introductory Membership Program that will create even more awareness of the sport and hopefully introduce new people to the fun and excitement it offers.
Projected to launch in the fall, the program will offer new participants the opportunity to "try" a membership on a limited basis. The advertising promotion will be aimed at new segments that haven't been reached before.
Watch for more details in upcoming issues of Model Aviation, on the AMA web site, and in other areas of the model‑aviation press.
— Tom Schwyn AMA Marketing/Public Relations Director
New Control Line Facility Named
At the April 26, 2003 Executive Council meeting, it was voted to name a Control Line facility being constructed at the International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana, "The Columbia 'Willie McCool' Circle."
Commander McCool was the pilot of the space shuttle Columbia, which was lost during re-entry on February 1, 2003. He was a lifelong modeler who grew up in Lubbock, Texas. He credited his early interest in aviation to childhood participation in Control Line activities in West Texas. In later years he and his father (also a lifelong AMA member) participated in Radio Control modeling in West Texas.
A formal dedication for this new venue is anticipated to coincide with the opening ceremonies of the Control Line World Championships during the summer of 2004.
— Sandy Frank AMA District VIII Vice President
On the Fly
Torrey Pines AMA's First Model Aviation Historical Landmark
At the April 26 Executive Council meeting, members voted unanimously to establish a program to select and recognize landmarks significant to the development and furtherance of model aviation. By the same action, the Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla, California, was identified as AMA's first Model Aviation Historical Landmark.
Located 15 miles north of downtown San Diego along the coastline, Radio Control (RC) soaring at Torrey Pines began in the early 1950s. Through the years, members of the Torrey Pines Gliderport and the Harbor Slope Soaring Society of Costa Mesa have enjoyed the magnificent slope‑soaring conditions at the Torrey Pines cliffs.
In 1992 the Torrey Pines Gliderport was dedicated as a National Soaring Landmark by the National Soaring Museum, and it is a San Diego City Historic Site listed on the California State and Federal Registers of Historic Places.
AMA's recognition of Torrey Pines as a Model Aviation Historical Landmark symbolizes the importance of aeromodeling as part of the cliff's rich aviation history and will help ensure that RC soaring continues at this historic location for years to come.
— Rich Hanson AMA District X Vice President
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
