T he season for trade shows is upon
us and most of us are eagerly
waiting for manufacturers to unveil
new merchandise.
New radios, support equipment, and
innovative aircraft will draw attention,
but the focus may lie in the advent of the
collective-pitch quadcopter. I am aware
of at least one well-known manufacturer
that will market this unique type
of machine. Today’s technology is
unbelievable.
I was happy to see Dave Lockhart, Devin
McGrath, RJ Gritter, and several others
step forward to organize the fi rst FAI
F3P contest in the US at the Holiday
Electric Fly-In held in Geneva, Ohio.
The initial interest in the event was
positive and the next step will be to
generate recognition of the event. A
team selection program will have to be
developed with the goal of selecting
a team for the 2015 FAI F3P World
Championship.
The National Society of Radio
Controlled Aerobatics (NSRCA) is
interested in providing the initiative to
do this. Jim Quinn, NSRCA president,
and I have had a positive discussion
about this topic. I am looking forward to
the group’s efforts.
F3P and several other new events
might justify status by the FAI and AMA
as world championship categories. Many
AMA members would like to participate
in these events, but are unaware of the
procedures required for recognition.
All of our programs are governed by
the AMA World Championship Teams
“Blue Book,” which is located at www.
modelaircraft.org/fi les/2014_blue_book.
pdf. Additional rules are also found in
the team selection program for each
category.
If you need assistance with the
development of any new FAI program,
please contact AMA/FAI Team
Coordinator Colleen Pierce at AMA
Headquarters.
During the past several months, Andy
Argenio has chaired the AMA Advanced
Flight Systems Committee, tasked to
review and revise the two documents
that provide guidelines for First Person
View (FPV) and autonomous fl ight.
These documents are #550, Radio
Controlled Model Aircraft Operation
Utilizing First Person View Systems, and
document #560, RC Operation Utilizing
Failsafe, Stabilization, and Autopilot
Systems.
We should reach fi nal approval for
these documents during the January
Executive Council meeting. Our desire
is to accommodate those AMA members
in a safe and legal manner.
Public privacy is becoming a dominant
focus of the federal government.
Statements in the two documents
illustrate our desire for compliance.
There is no doubt there are those
who will violate the need to fl y in a safe,
intelligent fashion. These irresponsible
individuals will continue to jeopardize
model aviation as we know it today.
Please show that you are a responsible
pilot.
Last year was successful for the
sales of commemorative bricks at
AMA Headquarters. Purchasing a
commemorative brick for inclusion in
the AMA Walk of Fame is a great way
to honor an individual or illustrate a
club’s appreciation of the Academy. The
brick is not only tax-deductible, but is a
permanent sign of dedication.
Call (765) 287-1256, extension
277, or visit www.modelaircraft.org/
supportama/donations.aspx for more
information.
I was happy to see Dave
Lockhart, Devin McGrath, RJ
Gritter, and several others
step forward to
organize the fi rst
FAI F3P contest
in the US at the
Holiday Electric
Fly-In held in
Geneva, Ohio.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2013/03
Page Numbers: 6
