176 MODEL AVIATION
Executive Director Jim Cherry
riting about Thanksgiving with
Christmas not far behind, it’s
hard to get into the mood when it
is August and the temperature is still in the
90s outside.
By now you should have received your
AMA Product Guide. On the first page, I
asked to have “directions” about how to use
this annual publication of model-aviationrelated
items from AMA. This technique
has served the Cherry household well
throughout the years.
Take the catalog and highlight the items
you would like to find under the tree
Christmas morning then leave the catalog
where loved ones will find it. If you have
multiple fliers in the house, use different
colored highlighters to distinguish between
pilots.
This works well for those who know we
love the sport but have no idea what we
really want. One flying buddy of mine goes
as far as filling out the order form in the
back. Try it and maybe that part, engine,
airplane, or whatever your loved one can’t
even pronounce may well “surprise” you!
Warning: others may use this technique
with other catalogs and you will be
expected to “find” and act accordingly.
Membership renewal forms have been
mailed for 2008. If every member would
renew with the first notice it would save
your local club secretary many headaches
during rechartering time and save AMA
more than $30,000 in second-notification
mailing costs. We would prefer to use that
postage and printing money for other
purposes that support aeromodeling.
Having all club members renew before
January 1 means your benefits go
uninterrupted and it is much easer to
recharter the club.
This is also the perfect place to note that
you may join or renew online through the
AMA Web site. Visit www.modelaircraft
.org and click on “Join/Renew.”
While you’re making that investment in
the Academy and the future of model
W
aviation, it would be a good time to review
just what you get for those hard-earned
bucks. As the old commercial states,
“membership has it benefits.” Some of
AMA’s benefits include:
• Access to the Members Only section of the
AMA Web site
• A subscription to Model Aviation: the
world’s most-read model-aviation magazine
• Access to MA Sport Aviator: an online
magazine for new pilots
• Eligibility to participate in more than 2,500
sanctioned events annually
• Eligibility to apply for the annual Youth
Scholarship Program
• Club eligibility to apply for Youth
Education Programs and Youth Education
Stipend (YES) Grants
• Eligibility to join roughly 2,450 AMA
chartered clubs
• Opportunities to serve in leadership roles
including Contest Director and/or Leader
Member
• Eligibility to compete for a place on a
World Championships team that includes
financing and travel assistance
• Support and promotion of aeromodeling
for schools, service groups, and clubs
• Support of the Air Show Team Program,
offering demonstrations of model aircraft to
millions of people
• Club officer recognition
• Support for historic preservation and
research programs (museum, archives, and
library)
• Eligibility for Hall of Fame recognition
• Experimental aircraft inspections for
models weighing more than 55 pounds
• Turbine waivers for jet pilots
• $2.5 million in liability insurance
• $25,000 medical insurance coverage while
operating model aircraft
• $10,000 for dismemberment or death
insurance while operating model aircraft
• $1,000 for loss of model aircraft and
accessories because of fire, theft, or
vandalism
• Representation of the sport at the federal,
state, and local levels
• Flying site acquisition and maintenance
assistance
• Recognition and support of Special Interest
Groups
In the “special thanks” department, a note
of appreciation goes to Joe Hass, president
of the Skymasters RC club in Troy,
Michigan. Joe invited me to the club’s
Wednesday night fly-in where
approximately 70 fellow enthusiasts joined
me for a great meal and flying fellowship.
One member commented that the group
was a “flying club with an eating problem”
only to be quickly corrected by another
member who stated that it was “an eating
club with a flying problem.” No matter
what it is, it was great to see the father-son
teams, father-daughter teams, and so many
others just enjoying the thrill of flight.
I’m still seeking additional input for my
“You know you’re a modeler when ... ”
project. If you have any suggestions please
send them to me.
This Thanksgiving season take time to do
just that: be thankful. In Panama City,
Florida, when I was the club president we
had an older member named Dave Garret.
Dave was a World War II veteran. He was
something of a club hero because he was a
survivor of the Bataan Death March.
The Miracle Strip RC Modelers voted to
dedicate a brick in the AMA Walk of Fame
in his honor. Dave was in his late 80s and
could not fly anymore because of health
reasons but would come out to the field
every day and help in any way he could. He
would tell the “younger” guys that “you
had better fly every chance you can because
someday you may not be able to.”
Every time I walk by Dave’s brick in the
walk, I can hear those words again. We lost
Dave a few years back but his words still
ring true. (Information about the AMA
Walk of Fame is available online at
www.modelaircraft.org/brickad.aspx.)
Be thankful and have a happy
Thanksgiving. MA
In the spirit of flight.
Jim Cherry
Executive Director
[email protected]
Membership has its benefits
View From HQ
11sig6.QXD 9/21/07 10:37 AM Page 176
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/11
Page Numbers: 176