View from HQ - 2012/12

It was an exciting
day for AMA on
September 19,
2012, when the
Space Shuttle
Endeavour, carried
on the back of
NASA’s 747
Shuttle Carrier
Aircraft (SCA),
lifted off from Kennedy Space Center
on its final three-day voyage to
Los Angeles International Airport.
Riding inside the SCA was a 1/40-scale
RC Boeing 747 and space shuttle
combination, built in 1975 and 1976
by John Kiker and Owen Morris.
The models reside in AMA’s
National Model Aviation Museum,
and were instrumental in the design
and development of the Space Shuttle
program, proving that a shuttle could
be carried on top of a 747.
According to Gary Ash, chief of
Aircraft Maintenance and Quality
Assurance Branch, Aircraft Operations
Division of Johnson Space Center,
carrying the models on the trip was
“both a tribute to him [John Kiker]
as well as an educational tool to
illustrate the value that models have in
demonstrating innovative concepts.”
Along its route, Endeavour made
stops at Ellington Field near NASA’s
Johnson Space Center, in El Paso,
Texas, and at NASA’s Dryden Flight
Research Center at Edwards Air Force
Base in California, before finally
reaching Los Angeles. At each stop,
visitors and the media were given an
opportunity to tour the SCA and view
the models. AMA is proud to have
played a small part in Endeavour’s last
flight.
In mid-August, AMA played host
to Dr. John Grubbström, FAI
president, and Bob Henderson, FAI
executive director. FAI is the world
governing body for all air sports
with headquarters in Lausanne,
Switzerland.
During their visit to the IAC, Model
Aviation magazine Assistant Editor
Jennifer Orebaugh had an opportunity
to spend some time with Dr. John
Grubbström and Bob Henderson. The
following is Jennifer’s account of her
visit with our guests.
AMA President Bob Brown and
Executive Director Dave Mathewson
met with FAI officials in August at the
International Aeromodeling Center
(IAC), in Muncie, Indiana.
Dr. John Grubbström, FAI
president, and Bob Henderson, FAI
executive director, toured the AMA
and IAC facilities, met AMA staff,
and attended the 2012 International
Radio Controlled Helicopter (IRCHA)
Jamboree, the largest RC helicopter
event in the world.
The purpose of their visit was to
listen to AMA officials’ concerns and
philosophies. The pair also wanted to
present the AMA with information
about opportunities for aeromodeling
competitions, and the possibilities that
could result in the two organizations
working together. Grubbström said
that the creation and development
of new and exciting things has had a
positive effect on the aviation and air
sports communities.
FAI officials are aware that their
organization is European oriented, but
by taking on a more global view, they
hope to build more US participation.
FAI also hopes to modernize its
operations with more marketing, use
of the Internet and social media, and
new technology. Grubbström noted
that there is still the serious side of
work—the fight against regulations,
which AMA shares, but the plan is
to educate, preserve, and promote air
sports for the future.
Henderson has been appointed
chairman of the newly created
shareholder company, FAI Air Sports
Marketing and Events (FAME).
Based in Switzerland, FAME’s goal
is to create new air/aviation sports
and events and promote aviation by
making these sports and events more
visible to the public. Using classical
competition to attract the public
has not worked as intended, but by
creating exciting “niches” such as the
IRCHA Jamboree and 3-D helicopter
flying, and bringing on global and wellknown
sponsors such as Swiss watch
company Breitling, FAME will be able
to market and promote worldwide at
events such as football games, auto
races, or even sports television.
Grubbström and Henderson were
impressed with the IAC flying field
and AMA facilities. “The facilities
are amazing. I am impressed by the
diversity, the facilities, the leadership,
the office staff, and the museum,”
Grubbström said.
They have decided to nominate the
National Model Aviation Museum
as an FAI-recommended museum.
This program recognizes museums
around the world that educate the
public about aeronautics and aviation,
especially children.
Both officials were enthused
by the way AMA has conducted
government relations actions and
how memberships are handled. After
visiting the grounds of the IRCHA
Jamboree event, and seeing pilots of
all ages attending from around the
world, Dr. Grubbström stated, “It’s an
eye opener. We are here to serve and
can see more clearly how we can help
the AMA. It has been a very positive
meeting with Bob Brown and Dave
Mathewson.”
See you next time