t has been a great summer! Here at
the AMA alone, we have hosted the
F3A World Championship, the 85th
Nats, AMA’s 75th Anniversary
celebration, and the Rally of Giants—not
to mention all of the other great events
that take place each year.
I think everyone at the AMA would
agree that the flying season has gone by
quickly. Many, including myself, have
commented that we simply haven’t had
the time to fly as much as we normally
like to.
Two of these great events covered in
this issue are the 85th Nats and the 75th
Anniversary celebration. It is only fitting
that they both be featured in the same
issue since the 75th event took place
during the Nats.
AMA staff members and the Nats
management work year-round to plan for
the largest competition that takes place at
the International Aeromodeling Center
(IAC). They know that having a well-run
event is paramount, not only to attract
competitors, but also to ensure the
continued success of the Nats
competition.
Last year we enlisted the help of the
NatsNews reporters, who are passionate
about their special interest, to provide an
overview of their individual segments of
the competition. We have again asked
them to give us the insight that only
comes from being on-site and in the
middle of the action.
Their pictures and reports are
masterfully assembled by the NatsNews
team of Liz Helms, Ashley Rauen, and
Rachelle Haughn to complete the daily
newsletter. These are still available on our
website if you would like to get a little
deeper into the coverage than what is
provided in the magazine.
As did the Nats, the 75th Anniversary
celebration took much planning and the
member and spectator experience was at
the heart of everything we did. The story
of this gathering is better told in pictures
than in words, so we brought you a
shorter article with lots of photographs.
Although I can only speak for myself,
I was humbled to be in the company of so
many people who have contributed to
making our sport and our organization
even better. I was also fortunate to be able
to give away $75 cash prizes to six lucky
winners throughout the event.
Just like the “About Us” feature I
created with bimonthly prizes, it is
exciting to be able to give something back
to our members, especially when times
are tough. This month’s issue does not
have an “About Us” to allow for expanded
event coverage and the AMA Product
Guide. We will have another installment
for you in the January issue and keep
giving away prizes throughout 2012.
By the time you read this, it will be mid-
October and I will be attending the iHobby
Expo, October 20-23, in Chicago. Hobby
venders will be showing their great new
products targeted for release near the
holidays. Look for pictures of some of the
excellent products on display to be posted
on ModelAviation.com shortly after the
show.
During the next few months I will be
focusing on a redesign of Model Aviation
magazine. Please continue to take part in
our online polls and don’t hesitate to
contact me directly with any feedback on
how we can make your magazine even
better in 2012.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/11
Page Numbers: 6
