I don’t know about you, but I am happy to see this past winter come to an end. This year’s weather is one for the record books. I hope you were able to build something for the upcoming season.
AMA’s Executive Council confirmed National Model Aviation Day as August 16, 2014. The focus will again be to recognize model aviation. Funds raised will be directed toward the Wounded Warrior Project. Last year’s initial effort generated $76,000. Can we do better this year?
If your club has another focus, that is fine. Just celebrate National Model Aviation Day in some form!
CDs frequently ask, “How can I generate a better contest?” There are many solutions, but a primary one is to apply for your sanction several months before the contest. We offer an online sanctioning process that is designed to eliminate the need for multiple mailings and speed up the process.
If you go to www.modelaircraft.org/MembersOnly/Portal/Sanctions/cd.aspx, you can link to the process. If you need help, contact the Competitions department via email at competition@modelaircraft.org.
Have you heard about Camp AMA? It’s a weeklong summer camp held at the International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana. Attendees have the opportunity to learn about the various aspects of model aviation.
They will work with AMA Youth Ambassadors, including Nick Maxwell and Andrew Jesky. These fine young men are world-class pilots. The curriculum is tailored so that each student can enjoy model aviation’s unique experiences.
Individuals and clubs can sponsor a youth at camp. Please contact Jessy Symmes at jessys@modelaircraft.org for additional information.
Nearly every club has a pilot who fails to focus on safety. For some reason, club members are hesitant to point out this deficiency, but safety is everyone’s responsibility.
An unsafe flier recently created a dangerous situation in which I was involved. I advised the person of the unsafe action and was thanked by several at the event. I hope all learned and the situation will not again occur. Safety must be the foundation for our flying enjoyment.
When is a trainer not a trainer? It depends on how people will be introduced to the world of model aviation and by whom.
Many clubs have a single or specific type of airplane that they use to introduce new pilots to flight. The club trainer is often used for an occasional training day at the club field, for events such as AMA’s Take off And Grow (TAG) program, and other gatherings that provide a glimpse into the world of model flight.
Has your club thought about the need for a multiuse type of airplane? We can generally agree on the flight qualities of a trainer, but have we considered the differences between how the average pilot’s or club trainer airplane is used vs. one that is used at an event such as a TAG program? When a club decides to build a trainer, consider using better equipment than you would normally think is necessary.
District VII Associate Vice President Randy Gibson’s club, the Mid Michigan Radio Control Helicopter Association, uses an airplane that has been purposely built to handle either a single training session or the stresses of 200 or more participants during the day at a TAG event.
Those who have run a large event know that generally, when youth are involved, having a trainer that can handle longer flight times helps to reduce the number of refueling stops. It should allow many participants the opportunity to fly the airplane, yet limit the time for those waiting in line for their turn.
It might be helpful to consider an inexperienced pilot’s slightly more-aggressive handling of the transmitter controls. Last season the club’s trainer flew 22 hours without an incident.
The equipment choice is important with this type of usage. In the Mid Michigan club’s case, multiple built-in redundancies allow for maximum safety. Should one system or component fail, another has been thoroughly considered and put in place to allow a safe, controlled landing if the need arises.
When your club decides to build a trainer for this type of usage, I recommend the club use better equipment than would normally be considered sufficient. If you would appreciate additional information about the trainer, contact Randy at rgibson@mmrcha.org.
