President’s Perspective - 2011/05

May 2011 5
he AMA’s Congressional
Awareness Campaign, launched in
late February, resulted in more
than 80,000 letters sent to elected
representatives during its first three
weeks. The purpose of the campaign was
to make Congress aware of the positive
value of model aviation as a wholesome,
recreational family activity.
We also want our representatives to
know that model aviation is a great
educational tool and has been the stepping
stone for many young people to careers in
aviation and aerospace. Because of the
efforts of our members, we were
successful in doing that.
Our ability to make this point is
important. It will help our representatives
have a better understanding of what we do
as model-aviation enthusiasts while the
FAA’s effort to create regulation for small
unmanned aircraft systems winds its way
through the regulatory process.
To most modelers the difference
between what we do as recreational users
of the National Airspace System and that
of the commercial, public-use operators is
easy to identify. However, to a
nonmodeler that difference isn’t quite as
clear. This campaign helped make that
difference clearer for many members of
Congress.
Building relationships with other
aviation-oriented organizations is an
ongoing AMA effort. The common
denominator between most aviation
organizations is an interest in anything
that flies.
Nearly everyone will agree that
enticing young people to get involved in
aviation has become more of a challenge
in the last several years. AMA’s work
with organizations such as the EAA and
the Civil Air Patrol focuses on programs
that will spark an interest in aviation in
young people.
President’s Perspective
AMA President Dave Mathewson
T
Working together, we think we can
build on the successes that we have had
individually and create new
opportunities. Our goal is not merely
creating an interest in aviation in kids,
but creating an interest in aviation that
will last a lifetime.
I had an opportunity to exchange
ideas with the Soaring Society of
America’s recently elected chairman, Al
Tyler. We talked about ways that we
could work together in areas that not
only support our respective missions, but
would build that awareness and interest
in aviation that we feel is important to
our futures.
In addition to being a full-scale
soaring enthusiast, Al is also a modeler.
We have agreed to meet at the annual Joe
Nall Fly-In in May to continue our
discussions. There is tremendous value
in our organizations working together,
and we both believe that only good can
come from our collective efforts.
When AMA built the Claude
McCullough Education Facility addition
to the National Model Aviation Museum
in 2009, one of the uses we envisioned
was holding a summer camp for kids
who are interested in model aviation.
That vision will become reality in 2011.
From June 6 through June 9, AMA
will host the inaugurial Camp AMA at
the International Aeromodeling Center
(IAC) in Muncie, Indiana. This first year
will be an advanced program accepting
10 RC fixed-wing pilots and 10 RC
helicopter pilots between the ages of 13
and 18.
Camp instructors will include some of
the best RC pilots in the country, many
who fly at the world-class level. More
information on the 2011 camp can be
found at www.modelaircraft.org/
education/campama.aspx. As the
program evolves it will be expanded to
include other modeling disciplines.
Plans for AMA’s 75th Anniversary
celebration, to be held this summer from
July 14 through July 17, are coming
together. The celebration will include
four days of open flying for our
members, special flight demos and
exhibits, on-site vendors, as well as
special guest speakers.
NASA will attend with Exploration
Experience. This is a traveling interactive
exhibit that takes visitors through the
past, present, and future of space
exploration.
Guided tours of AMA’s HQ
administration building will be available
during the celebration. This is a great
opportunity to meet some of the AMA
staff members who work so hard for our
benefit. AMA’s National Model Aviation
Museum will also be open extended
hours.
The 75th Anniversary Celebration
organizing team is working hard to make
sure that the event will be a memorable
experience for all who attend.
Later in July, the United States and
AMA play host to the F3A Precision
Aerobatics World Championship at the
IAC. Teams from more than 30 countries
are registered to attend.
If you have an interest in RC Pattern,
this is an opportunity to see the best pilots
in the world competing against each other
for the title of World Champion. The
competition runs from July 24 through
August 2.
There are many other exciting things
going on at AMA. It’s nice to be able to
take some time away from our FAA
concerns to tell you about them.
The annual AMA membership meeting
will be held again this year on Thursday
night, May 12, during the Joe Nall Fly-In.
This will be a great opportunity to hear
more about what I’ve written regarding
the FAA issue, upcoming events at the
IAC, plus several other new programs and
member benefits AMA will be
implementing throughout 2011. MA
See you next time.
… only good can come from our
collective effor ts.
Dave Mathewson
AMA president
[email protected]
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