A Partnership in Flight - 202/07

A full-scale aircraft museum and an association of model
airplane clubs have found a way to team up and promote
aviation.
The Middle Tennessee R/C Clubs Association (MTRCCA)
is an AMA chapter that was formed six years ago, and its
members come from  ve middle-Tennessee AMA chartered
clubs. This association aims to promote fellowship among
clubs in the middle Tennessee region, pool the resources of the
member clubs to support large events, and encourage model
aviation.
The Beechcraft Heritage Museum, located in Tullahoma,
Tennessee, showcases the history of the Beechcraft family of
airplanes. It is committed to promoting aviation education
and preserving the heritage of Beechcraft airplanes. It was
incorporated under the auspices of the Staggerwing Club.
The association and the museum have found a way to work
together and support one another.
The MTRCCA holds three annual events, one of which is
its annual RC air show. For a variety of reasons—including that
the air show had outgrown its venue—the association board
members decided that a new site was needed for the October
1, 2011, event. Association members and of cials with the
Tullahoma Airport Authority (TAA) began discussing the
possibility of holding the event at Tullahoma Municipal Airport.
The association is a chapter of the national AMA
organization, which was a key factor in garnering approval.
Also, the group assured the TAA that it had the experience
and means to operate in a safe manner that would not interfere
with airport operations.
During these discussions, MTRCCA members met the
museum’s curator, Wade McNabb. (The museum is located
adjacent to the airport.) It was quickly realized that the
association and the museum shared several common goals—
namely promoting aviation to the public, especially youth.
Model aviation is a great way to do this. As a result, MTRCCA
and Beechcraft of cials decided to collaborate on the air show,
as well as museum events.
The airport proved to be an outstanding  ying site for the
premier air show in October, and it had the added bene t of
being close to the museum—making the event more than just a
typical  y-in.
Saturday evening, there was a catered dinner at the
museum’s  rst-class facility. Tables covered with white linen
were set up in a hangar and were surrounded by classic
Beechcraft aircraft, including the  rst Beechcraft: a Model 17
Staggerwing, the original Travel Air Mystery Ship, and a host of
Model 18 Twin Beeches. What a great setting for a dinner for a
group of aviation enthusiasts!
To further enhance the evening, The Red Wine Effect trio
provided beautiful music during the dinner.
Following the dinner, Wade provided a guided tour of the
museum. This alone was worth the price of admission! Wade’s
knowledge of the extensive collection and history of the various
aircraft brought them to life. This tour wrapped up the air
show. However, there was more in store for the partnership.
On Monday, October 3, the museum hosted its semiannual
Scot Perry Air Academy. Throughout the three-day period, the
museum provided local youth the opportunity
to visit the museum, where they were exposed
to various aspects of aviation. This included
working with model airplanes, model rockets,
and hot air balloons. This is where the
MTRCCA stepped in.
Association board members viewed this as a
good opportunity to expose youth to aviation
and RC modeling. Several association members
returned to the museum on Tuesday, October
4, with four RC trainer aircraft. During the
course of the day, they conducted introductory
 ights for the 18 youngsters attending the
academy.
It was a rewarding experience, and at the
end of the three days, the participants ranked
the introductory  ights as the highlight of the
academy.
A couple of weeks after the association air
show, the museum hosted its annual Beech
Party Fly-In. Pilots from across the country
descended on the Tullahoma airport,  ying
their vintage and modern Beechcraft aircraft.
In a quid pro quo agreement, the association
arranged to support this museum event. The
question was how.
Association members decided on a static
display of a range of RC aircraft—from small
electrics to a 50% Ultimate Biplane. The
display also included turbine-powered models
and RC helicopters.
A group of association members, known as
the Dog House Flyers, provided some of the
models and set up  ight simulators with two
55-inch plasma television monitors. This was a
hit. The kids and the full-scale pilots enjoyed it. There was a
line of people all day patiently waiting for a turn.
MTRCCA had intended to put on several fl ight demos, but
was limited to only two late in the day. The full-scale pilots
were having too much fun doing low passes down the runway
with their Staggerwings, Twin Beeches, Bonanzas, and Barons.
During the course of the event, association members
spoke with many museum members. A common theme
became apparent. How do we get today’s youth interested in
aviation? This is the same discussion that takes place at AMA
Headquarters in Muncie, Indiana, and among local clubs.
As a result, several association members met
with Wade McNabb to discuss the issue and
determine what steps can be taken to
achieve this goal. During the threehour
meeting, a number of ideas
were tossed around, most of which
focused on the museum-sponsored
Air Academy.
Both groups continue to meet to turn
these ideas into actions. MTRCCA members
are optimistic that by pooling the resources
of the association with the Beechcraft
Heritage Museum, they can make a difference.
This year, the event will be held at the
airport on September 15 and 16, and will again
have the support of the museum.
In the meantime, it would be worth your time to visit
the museum. It is impressive. I and several other association
members are proud to be new members of the museum.

A full-scale aircraft museum and an association of model
airplane clubs have found a way to team up and promote
aviation.
The Middle Tennessee R/C Clubs Association (MTRCCA)
is an AMA chapter that was formed six years ago, and its
members come from  ve middle-Tennessee AMA chartered
clubs. This association aims to promote fellowship among
clubs in the middle Tennessee region, pool the resources of the
member clubs to support large events, and encourage model
aviation.
The Beechcraft Heritage Museum, located in Tullahoma,
Tennessee, showcases the history of the Beechcraft family of
airplanes. It is committed to promoting aviation education
and preserving the heritage of Beechcraft airplanes. It was
incorporated under the auspices of the Staggerwing Club.
The association and the museum have found a way to work
together and support one another.
The MTRCCA holds three annual events, one of which is
its annual RC air show. For a variety of reasons—including that
the air show had outgrown its venue—the association board
members decided that a new site was needed for the October
1, 2011, event. Association members and of cials with the
Tullahoma Airport Authority (TAA) began discussing the
possibility of holding the event at Tullahoma Municipal Airport.
The association is a chapter of the national AMA
organization, which was a key factor in garnering approval.
Also, the group assured the TAA that it had the experience
and means to operate in a safe manner that would not interfere
with airport operations.
During these discussions, MTRCCA members met the
museum’s curator, Wade McNabb. (The museum is located
adjacent to the airport.) It was quickly realized that the
association and the museum shared several common goals—
namely promoting aviation to the public, especially youth.
Model aviation is a great way to do this. As a result, MTRCCA
and Beechcraft of cials decided to collaborate on the air show,
as well as museum events.
The airport proved to be an outstanding  ying site for the
premier air show in October, and it had the added bene t of
being close to the museum—making the event more than just a
typical  y-in.
Saturday evening, there was a catered dinner at the
museum’s  rst-class facility. Tables covered with white linen
were set up in a hangar and were surrounded by classic
Beechcraft aircraft, including the  rst Beechcraft: a Model 17
Staggerwing, the original Travel Air Mystery Ship, and a host of
Model 18 Twin Beeches. What a great setting for a dinner for a
group of aviation enthusiasts!
To further enhance the evening, The Red Wine Effect trio
provided beautiful music during the dinner.
Following the dinner, Wade provided a guided tour of the
museum. This alone was worth the price of admission! Wade’s
knowledge of the extensive collection and history of the various
aircraft brought them to life. This tour wrapped up the air
show. However, there was more in store for the partnership.
On Monday, October 3, the museum hosted its semiannual
Scot Perry Air Academy. Throughout the three-day period, the
museum provided local youth the opportunity
to visit the museum, where they were exposed
to various aspects of aviation. This included
working with model airplanes, model rockets,
and hot air balloons. This is where the
MTRCCA stepped in.
Association board members viewed this as a
good opportunity to expose youth to aviation
and RC modeling. Several association members
returned to the museum on Tuesday, October
4, with four RC trainer aircraft. During the
course of the day, they conducted introductory
 ights for the 18 youngsters attending the
academy.
It was a rewarding experience, and at the
end of the three days, the participants ranked
the introductory  ights as the highlight of the
academy.
A couple of weeks after the association air
show, the museum hosted its annual Beech
Party Fly-In. Pilots from across the country
descended on the Tullahoma airport,  ying
their vintage and modern Beechcraft aircraft.
In a quid pro quo agreement, the association
arranged to support this museum event. The
question was how.
Association members decided on a static
display of a range of RC aircraft—from small
electrics to a 50% Ultimate Biplane. The
display also included turbine-powered models
and RC helicopters.
A group of association members, known as
the Dog House Flyers, provided some of the
models and set up  ight simulators with two
55-inch plasma television monitors. This was a
hit. The kids and the full-scale pilots enjoyed it. There was a
line of people all day patiently waiting for a turn.
MTRCCA had intended to put on several fl ight demos, but
was limited to only two late in the day. The full-scale pilots
were having too much fun doing low passes down the runway
with their Staggerwings, Twin Beeches, Bonanzas, and Barons.
During the course of the event, association members
spoke with many museum members. A common theme
became apparent. How do we get today’s youth interested in
aviation? This is the same discussion that takes place at AMA
Headquarters in Muncie, Indiana, and among local clubs.
As a result, several association members met
with Wade McNabb to discuss the issue and
determine what steps can be taken to
achieve this goal. During the threehour
meeting, a number of ideas
were tossed around, most of which
focused on the museum-sponsored
Air Academy.
Both groups continue to meet to turn
these ideas into actions. MTRCCA members
are optimistic that by pooling the resources
of the association with the Beechcraft
Heritage Museum, they can make a difference.
This year, the event will be held at the
airport on September 15 and 16, and will again
have the support of the museum.
In the meantime, it would be worth your time to visit
the museum. It is impressive. I and several other association
members are proud to be new members of the museum.