What has three rings, a few
Ringmasters, and nets for the
performers? If you responded
“a circus,” you are only partially right.
That description fits this year’s
edition of the AMA Convention in
Ontario, California, which is winding
down as I write this. Throw in a large
number of goodies available for purchase
and most of the major manufacturers who
are available to answer your questions,
and this becomes a must-attend event for
next year.
However, that’s not all you get! On
the other side of the entrance lobby are a
number of rooms where seminars are
presented. These allow the members to
learn the ins and outs of almost
everything pertaining to model airplanes
and ask questions of the experts in many
fields.
Deals abound on the trade-show
floor, and if swap-shop shopping is your
thing, there is that as well.
The convention is an opportunity to
ask questions of the AMA officers, and
attendance at the Saturday morning AMA
annual membership meeting should be a
part of your planning. If you think these
meetings are not worthwhile, at this
year’s meeting a question was put forth
by a member that resulted in nearly an
hour of discussion during the AMA
Executive Council meeting held in
conjunction with the convention.
Assuming there is sufficient space,
members are generally welcome to sit in
on the meeting and watch their
representatives at work—although you
might not find it exactly riveting.
Touring the floor of this year’s show
it was obvious that electric power is
rapidly becoming the majority of our
activity. Small electric helicopters were
the rage at this convention. When we
arrived I noticed that many booths were
stocked high with various small
helicopters. By the end of the show there
were not many left. I even heard a few
attendees comment that they were unable
to buy one because “all of the exhibitors
are sold out!”
It seemed as though every other
person I saw was carrying a big box, but
the record was a man struggling with three
large boxes containing his new models
while his wife struggled with the other
three. He certainly seemed to be a happy
camper.
Another area of interest to many was
the static display. AMA members in the
area entered many models in the
competition and there were some superior
aircraft. Mind-boggling craftsmanship is
still a part of this sport, even if it seems as
though ARF and RTF models have taken
over. Nowhere is this more evident than in
the model-boating arena where there were
a number of beautiful and intriguing
pieces.
Education is still a major element of
our sport; after all, we are the Academy of
Model Aeronautics. While it is certainly
an education program, I can’t help but feel
a great deal of pride as I see the
youngsters who have built a model in the
Make-and-Take area.
It doesn’t matter if the kid built a
model airplane, a rocket, or even
something I can’t quite describe, the look
on a kid’s face as he or she carries off
something he or she built is priceless! I
overheard one adult member say that
seeing those kids beam with pride was the
high point of the show for him. It’s a hard
act to beat!
Plans already being made for next
year include having more seminars and
many other little improvements. Plan now
to attend your national convention. Your
attendance will be the biggest
improvement the show will have. MA
Dave Brown
AMA president
[email protected]
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/03
Page Numbers: 5