Want to be an Early Bird?
WHAT'S an "Early Bird?" In the fullsized world of flying, an Early Bird is a pioneer in aeronautics who flew solo before December 17, 1916. Not all early day fliers, though, were licensed. It wasn't until the mid-1920s that there were federal laws governing the licensing of pilots. However, airborne operations have been monitored since 1905 when representatives of 38 nations grouped themselves under a single organization called the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. It became the sole governing body having jurisdiction over all aerial sporting events and competitions. At this time, most of the regulations pertained to ballooning, the conduct of aeronauts, the "do's" and "don'ts" of aerial navigation, and the certification of record flights. The FAI was soon recognized by governments and international law. And as time went on, the FAI through its member clubs imposed more stringent laws.
The Hills Are Alive With. . .
AT LAST count there are about 1500 chartered clubs in the AMA. Besides general interest clubs, there are those that specialize in radio control, control line, free flight, scale, and indoor activities. Others have interest that are even more finely defined. To name a few, there are clubs strictly for gliders, rubber-powered old timers, pylon, pattern, and peanut scale. Club names don't necessarily give you a clue either. Like the Hill Country Flyers, for instance. True, the immediate countryside beyond their field is hilly, but the "Hill Country" part of the name comes from their flying site at Hill Country, Morgan Hill, California.
