More SIGs should help charitable causes
Bob Brown
Wow, where did the summer go? I hope your flying experiences this year have been positive. The hospitality extended to my wife and me at various events is much appreciated.
The members of the National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA) should be commended for their fundraising efforts at the Nats again this year. With a raffle and individual donations, the NMPRA raised $2,780 on behalf of the Telford Scholarship fund. An anonymous donor matched the money.
In two years, this Special Interest Group has raised nearly $13,000 in scholarship donations. Thank you to all involved. A similar charitable effort should be considered by all of our SIGs.
The 11th annual Student Unmanned Air Systems Competition was held recently at Webster Field in Patuxent River, Maryland. Thirty-five teams from various colleges competed for $51,300 in prizes.
Cornell University placed first, closely followed by the students from North Carolina State. The president of the North Carolina team was RJ Gritter, one of AMA’s outstanding young leaders. He is a super aerobatic pilot and one of the primary instructors at Camp AMA.
Congratulations, RJ! We are proud of you. You can find additional information at www.auvsifoundation.org/Competitions/SUAS.
AMA’s FAI teams were successful in the various FAI World Championships this year. Congratulations to all of those who competed in this pinnacle of competition.
The efforts generated by our competitors are extreme and to bring home a medal is unbelievable. The unsung heroes are those who donated money to allow them to compete.
Another competition highlight was the one-two finish of Model Aviation editors, Jay Smith and Liz Helms, in the Limited Pennyplane Pro/Am contest at the Indoor Nats. They certainly illustrate the enthusiasm of the AMA staff.
National Model Aviation Day included the efforts of 176 AMA clubs. Although many efforts included fundraising, the real benefactors were AMA members. These selfless people must be commended for their individual efforts.
You will soon receive your ballots for the AMA election. This year, the offices of president and vice presidents in Districts I, V, and IX are up for election. Please support the election process and vote for your choice.
I urge you to read the campaign statements beginning on page 145 in this issue of MA or on the AMA website. Ballots can be returned with your dues payment because the ballots will be counted at AMA Headquarters.
Voter apathy should not include you. Please vote.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
