Indiana recognizes model aviation
Bob Brown
August 17, 2013, was National Model Aviation Day. In conjunction with that, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence proclaimed the same date as Model Aviation Day within the state.
A portion of the proclamation reads: "The Academy will promote National Model Aviation Day to people of all ages to learn and experience the thrill and fantasy of flight. The Academy's 2,400 clubs have been asked to participate by inviting the public to their own events to raise awareness of the hobby and raise money for a charitable cause."
A special thank-you is offered to all involved.
District I Vice President Andy Argenio and several others have been diligently working on the recognition and possible inclusion of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) within the AMA. An advisory group has been formed to provide dialogue necessary to understand and possibly include this new group.
If you have thoughts that might be included, please contact Andy at [email protected].
In a similar vein, we have also been discussing various issues with the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, and with NASA. Cooperation with these groups will certainly enhance model aviation in a positive manner.
It is apparent that various groups desire to use the US skies in numerous ways. The Academy has to be involved so as not to be omitted in the upcoming quest for air space.
In 2010, the AMA Executive Council generated a Strategic Long-Range Plan for the next five years. Although the current five-year plan will not conclude until 2015, it is time to revisit the strategy and begin the groundwork for the future.
Reviewing the plan illustrates that we have been positive in understanding and following its guidance. We have already achieved many of our objectives. We have surpassed many of our "dreams," and I feel confident that the majority of the membership has a much more positive view of worthwhile effects of the Academy.
Our activity with the FAA continues to evolve in a positive direction. Hopefully, we soon can announce a positive resolution to our needs in model aviation. We are constantly trying to keep you informed. Our government relations blog at http://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amgov has been created to allow all members to read the current news.
This year the Executive Council and members in the Academy hoped to see a larger number of students receive scholarships with an equitable balance of scholarship and modeling participation. To realize this goal, a larger number of recipients have been recognized.
The 2013 AMA scholarship winners and their awards are as follows:
- Alexander Evangelatos: $6,000, which includes $1,000 from the Weak Signals R/C Club of Toledo, Ohio
- Ricardo Mirandas: $5,000 including $500 from the Weak Signals
- Magdalena Moses: $5,000 including $500 from the Weak Signals
- Dianne Collard: $4,500
- Luke Grandland: $3,000
- Aaron Greifzu: $3,000
- Ryan Seymour: $3,000 plus a $5,000 Telford Scholarship
- John Flatt: $3,000
- Paul M. Gentile: $2,500
- Kelley Saylor: $2,500
- Jonathan Elie: $500 Cooper Award
A special thank-you is extended to Jane and Ron Morgan who are retiring from the Scholarship Committee after devoting decades to this very important work.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
