hat are AMA Special Interest
Groups? AMA is a large
organization. Our members are
incredibly diverse and enjoy flying all types
of model aircraft, ranging from rubberpowered
Free Flight to turbine-powered jets.
In between, there are dozens of other types
of model activities enjoyed by our members.
Several years ago, AMA adopted a
system of suborganizations known as
Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Each SIG
comprises AMA members who have an
interest in the specific modeling discipline
that is that organization’s primary focus.
Today there are 23 AMA SIGs that are part
of the AMA structure. Membership in these
SIGs ranges anywhere from several
thousand to, in some cases, a few hundred.
The primary purpose of a SIG is to
advocate for its members and act as a liaison
between their membership and AMA. The
SIG works with AMA leadership and
Contest Boards in adopting policy and rules
that affect their members.
In many cases, each of these groups plays
a strong role in conducting the annual
National Aeromodeling Championships
(Nats), where it is responsible for overseeing
the competition in its discipline. SIGs almost
always play an integral part when the AMA
and United States host various World
Championships.
Most important, though, is the role these
organizations play in helping provide
direction and guidance to our national
association. Sometimes that comes in the
form of suggesting new or modifying current
rules for competition.
It may come in the form of helping the
AMA understand and address a concern and
finding a reasonable resolution to that
concern. Or it might be the role these SIGs
President’s Perspective
AMA President Dave Mathewson
W
The IMAA is one of AMA’s largest SIGs.
December 2009 5
Mission Statement
The Academy of Model Aeronautics is a world-class association of modelers organized for the purpose of
promotion, development, education, advancement, and safeguarding of modeling activities.
The Academy provides leadership, organization, competition, communication, protection, representation,
recognition, education and scientific/technical development to modelers.
play in helping to build and maintain
programs like our Turbine Waiver Program
or the Experimental Aircraft Program.
I recently had a discussion with
members of one AMA SIG, who observed
that many members might not be aware of
our SIG structure. A similar remark was
made again at a recent Nats Planning
Meeting. I thought maybe I could help
make more of our members aware of our
system of SIGs through this column.
I’ve offered each group the opportunity
to draft a brief introduction to itself that I
will use in this column as space permits.
Since the International Miniature Aircraft
Association (IMAA) was the first to
respond to this offer, the rest of this column
will be devoted to that organization’s story.
The IMAA is one of AMA’s largest
SIGs. It was formed when the development
of big models was in its infancy. Its original
purpose was to represent those who flew
large-scale airplanes and help RC pilots and
manufacturers bridge the gap between 40-and
60-size aircraft into “giant” scale models.
It soon became clear, back then, that
flying larger aircraft required a host of new
airframe requirements, power plants, and
accessories, for both performance and
safety. The first IMAA members knew that
in order to keep the new large-scale
segment viable, they would have to find a
way to help pilots learn to build and fly
these models safely and successfully.
As IMAA evolved, it formed chapters to
host fly-ins. These events permitted fliers to
meet other pilots with interests in largescale
models and learn more about building
and flying these airplanes.
The organization’s mantra has always
been about camaraderie and having fun.
There is no competition at IMAA events;
they are strictly fun-flys. Members pilot
everything from Piper Cubs to warbirds.
In its prime, the IMAA grew to exceed
12,000 members as the AMA’s largest
SIG. However, as large-scale modeling
evolved, the IMAA’s original purpose
began to subside.
Today, as IMAA approaches its 30th
anniversary, its ranks are smaller, but a
new Board of Directors with fresh ideas is
working on rebuilding its relevance in the
modeling community.
IMAA has recently established a new
Manufacturers Committee, to work closely
with model, engine, radio, and accessory
designers and builders to help create new,
exciting, and safe products for model
aviation enthusiasts.
A new training program is being
developed to update and expand training
tools for its membership. An IMAA
Speaker Bureau has been formed to make
available IMAA members to present talks
covering a variety of topics including
technical, safety, event management, and
how to move up to large-scale modeling. In
addition IMAA offers a mentoring program
to help members get fast answers to
questions about building and flying their
giant aircraft.
Fun and fellowship have always been
part of the IMAA. Chapters host events
each year throughout the US and Canada,
Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Europe. In
addition, new IMAA chapters are being
formed, to provide a venue for local
members to meet and share ideas about
large-scale modeling.
Other IMAA benefits include a Web site
that allows members to communicate, sell,
and buy big-scale RC equipment, apply for
and renew memberships, and vote in
elections. And HIGHflight, the official
IMAA publication, offers building and
technical articles and a complete color
section of event coverage.
As do all of our SIGs, the IMAA plays
an important role in our organization. A
complete list of AMA SIGs, along with
their contact information, can be found on
the AMA Web site at www.modelair
craft.org. MA
See you next time …
Dave Mathewson
AMA president
[email protected]
12sig1.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 10/23/09 9:04 AM Page 5
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/12
Page Numbers: 5
