The Inside Loop - 2009/09

ometimes it takes gumption to be an
aeromodeler. For more than 75
years, AMA Nats competitors have
had the gumption to match one savvy
modeler against the next, one model
design against the new and fashionable,
and one pilot’s training against the others.
Trained eyes and stopwatches judge
those who contend for a title that will
prove, at least for that moment, that
they’ve achieved an admirable talent.
Being a judge also takes gumption.
As I write this, hundreds of modelers
outside at the International Aeromodeling
Center are cultivating a spirit that is alive
in all people. Yes, the AMA members
here at that Nats have the spirit of
competition but, more than that, they have
the spirit of community.
What it means to be an AMA member
is to nurture the spirit within us; to be and
do more than we thought possible before
and help others do the same. That spirit is
validated every time the wheels of our
models take to the air.
The Joe Nall Giant Scale Fly-In is both
momentous and a cultivation of spirit—
more than 800 spirited pilots, if you need
the number of how large that spirit has
become. Decades ago, the Confederate
Air Farce started the event based on the
large number of people interested in Giant
Scale, and then the group named it after a
person it believed emulated an image of
community.
The crowd that gathers is auspicious,
which is why the MA staff members
repeatedly cover the event. Everyone
there, after all, is an AMA member, and
we like seeing what they’re doing: having
fun together!
It seems that every year the Joe Nall
takes place, something is added. The
largest change was when the gathering
was relocated to a larger site. Now at the
Triple Tree Aerodrome, the event
accommodates the people almost better
than it does the models and their pilots.
It’s a model airplane country club.
Oops! That’s not even accurate
anymore, because the 2009 event
welcomed helicopter pilots and set them
up with a dedicated flightline. My heart is
all aflutter when I think how every RC
interest in one place might fly through the
sky in harmony. If you don’t take my
word for it, check out Jay Smith’s report
and dramatic imagery on page 16.
Dramatic is exactly what we were
thinking when Ryan Livingston sent a
note, including video, of an original
creation that literally made us gasp.
Editor Michael Ramsey
[email protected]
(That’s a dramatic reaction.)
Okay, some might look at a cardboard
airplane and think homely thoughts, but
the effort is so momentous that his model
quickly became charming.
Remember what I mentioned about
gumption? Ryan’s project is overflowing
with it—scientific gumption, savvy
gumption, and horse sense. (What do
horses have to do with sense, anyway?
See what Merriam-Webster has written
about gumption in its dictionary; horses
are mentioned.)
Sure, modelers have worked with
alternative materials. We’ve brought you
foam models, composite models, paper
models, wooden models, and even
cardboard models, but Ryan’s is so large
that it raised the achievement bar.
Check out his story on page 37. And if
you’re online, check out the MA’s
Exclusive Online Features page at
www.modelaircraft.org/mag, to see the
video he gave us.
If people want something bad enough,
they find a way to make it happen.
There’s that gumption again.
It takes guts to plow under a lifetime
of work (okay, just some of it) for the
purpose of flying model airplanes. But
that wasn’t the point when the founders of
Riddell Field conceived their plan. The
goal was to bring their small community
of aeromodelers together. And that’s the
spirit we love to hear about. MA
The Inside Loop
Published by The Academy of Model Aeronautics
Rob Kurek
Director of Publications
Editorial offices: (765) 287-1256, extension
224 (8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays); Fax: (765)
281-7907
Contributing Editors
Dave Mathewson
President
Mark Smith
Executive Vice President
Staff
(765) 287-1256 | www.modelaircraft.org
Fax: (765) 289-4248
Advertising Representative
Mark Lanterman, Airborne Media, 7414
Burton Dr., Liberty Township OH 45044
(513) 755-7494 | Fax: (513) 755-7495
Model Aviation is an official publication of The Academy
of Model Aeronautics, Inc., an associate member of the
National Aeronautic Association (NAA). NAA is the
official U.S. representative of the Fédération
Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world governing
body for sport aviation, and represents the U.S. at FAI
meetings. NAA delegated to the AMA supervision of FAIrelated
aeromodeling activities such as record attempts,
competition sanctions, and selection of U.S. teams for
World Championships. (ISSN 0744-5059, USPS 087-930
Publications Agreement No. 40688541) is owned
exclusively by The Academy of Model Aeronautics, Inc.,
a nonprofit organization, and published monthly at 5161
E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302. Periodical rate
postage paid at Muncie IN and at additional mailing
offices. Canadian return address: Station A, PO Box 54,
Windsor ON N9A 615
Account Executive Angie Martin
Administrative Assistant Yolanda Jones
Assistant Editor Jay Smith
Communications Specialist Ashley Rauen
Director of Design/Production Carla Kunz
Editor Michael Ramsey
Executive Editor Elizabeth Helms
Graphic Designer Sarah Shaw
Managing Editor Shelia Ames Webb
Production Associate Jennifer Orebaugh
Stan Alexander
Bob Angel
Bill Boss
Paul Bradley
Sal Calvagna
Scott Causey
Lee Estingoy
Mark Fadely
Dave Garwood
Dave Gee
Greg Gimlick
A.C. Glenn
Albert Glenn
John Glezellis
Jim T. Graham
Donald Grissom
Jim Hiller
Louis Joyner
John Kagan
Rich Lopez
Joe Malinchak
Dennis Norman
Dean Pappas
Richard L. Perry
Red Scholefield
Gene Smith
Joe Wagner
Editor Emeritus Bob Hunt
Technical Editor Bob Aberle
... they have the spirit of
community.
6 MODEL AVIATION
CFO/Treasurer Doug Holland
S
Postmaster: Send address changes to Academy of Model
Aeronautics, 5161 East Memorial Drive, Muncie IN 47302, Attn:
Membership Department
Executive Director Jim Cherry
09sig1.QXD 7/24/09 11:58 AM Page 6