I Am the AMA
Jay Smith
JS: How did you become involved in model aviation? AJ: I got involved in model airplanes at age 7, about a year after my dad and brother got started flying. I was sitting at the airfield one day when a soon-to-be great friend, Dave George, asked if I wanted to fly. Of course I said yes and that day I started flying. I was hooked from that day forward.
JS: How has model aviation impacted your life and/or career? AJ: Model aviation has impacted my life in many different ways. The people and friends I have been able to meet have been amazing! I have also been able to travel all around the world with the models and I am very thankful for that.
Model aviation also got me into my current job, which is flying UAVs for AAI Corporation. I cannot imagine what I would be doing if I was not flying models.
JS: What disciplines of modeling do you currently participate in? AJ: I currently participate in F3A and Giant Scale airplanes. I spend most of my time flying F3A models because that is my primary passion. I also fly IMAC [International Miniature Aerobatic Club] airplanes and fly in the Tucson Aerobatic Shootout.
JS: What are your other hobbies? AJ: Work and flying take up most of my time, but other hobbies include playing hockey and driving my newly acquired GT500 Mustang. I have also taken up working out lately at the gym. It is a great hobby! It's good for you and allows you to take your aggressions out on the equipment.
JS: Who (or what) has influenced you most? AJ: I think the person who influenced me the most in the hobby would have to be my brother. He has always been there for me when it comes to anything I need. He is an amazing craftsman as well as pilot, but more importantly he is able to help me with any situation whether it is for flying or just my personal life.
JS: What advice would you give someone looking to take his or her flying skills to the next level? AJ: Someone who wants to take his or her flying skills to the next level needs to set goals and work toward those goals. How hefty your goals are depends on how much you have to work toward them.
I have set out to do as well as I can at the upcoming F3A World Championships in August 2013. In preparation for this, I have been flying every day, six flights a day, to try to do the best I possibly can.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
