Going for Gold
The FAI World Championships events are the aeromodeling equivalent to the Olympics: the pinnacle of international sports activity.
Every two years teams from 71 countries around the globe are petitioned to compete for world aeromodeling titles. It takes a great amount of effort, planning, and money for a team to attend a World Championships.
To get just a hint of what it takes to fly in one of these events, imagine what it takes to go flying on a typical afternoon at the club field; then think about what it would be like to stay at the field for close to a month.
On top of that, consider what you would pack in the car; but instead, put it all in a crate and ship it overseas. While you’re at it, pack an extra airplane just in case. Then imagine practicing every day—for a year—before leaving.
Not that being a world-class RC pilot isn’t glamorous, but it’s a lot of work too. And the competitors gladly do it all for the love of the hobby.
August 2005 was a busy month for FAI aeromodelling competition. The US, AMA, and affiliated SIGs the League of Silent Flight (LSF), the International Radio Controlled Helicopter Association (IRCHA), the National Society of Radio Controlled Aerobatics (NSRCA), and the National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA) sent four teams to Europe.
July 31–August 6 in Lappeenranta, Finland, the F3B team, led by team manager Phil Renaud, competed in the RC Thermal Soaring Glider category. US pilots were Gordon Jennings, Mike Smith, and Joe Wurts. With his own choice of sailplane, each was tasked in a contest with three phases: duration, distance, and speed.
In Zamora, Spain, August 4–14, the F3C team, led by manager Mike Goza, competed in the RC Helicopter category. Pilots Curtiss Youngblood, Wayne Mann, and Len Sabato flew their models in a scheduled set of precision maneuvers that included hovering and aerobatic sequences.
The F3A team of Chip Hyde, Sean McMurtry, and Jason Shulman, led by team manager Brian Hebert, competed in the Aerobatic Power Model Aircraft category August 18–28 in Saint Yan, France. Pilots flew a known set of aerobatic maneuvers and then an unknown sequence in the finals.
August 27–September 3 in Saint Martin Le Beau, France, the US F3D team, led by Jim Allen, competed in the Pylon Racing category, which requires a vital team effort. The pilot controls the airplane and his or her caller helps to navigate the three-pylon closed course.
Members of the 2005 team were Richard Verano with Robert Holik, Randy Bridge with Ray Brown, and Craig Grunkemeyer with Tom Scott.
We salute these teams and remind them how much we look forward to a report on their efforts. Regardless of the outcome, you are already winners to us. Go Team USA! MA
—Michael Ramsey MA Associate Editor
IN the AIR
AMA Election Time!
It's time to vote for AMA's Executive Vice President and vice presidents for districts III, VII, and XI.
See page 160 of this month's issue for full 2005 campaign statements. The deadline for receipt of ballots is November 14, 2005.
Be sure to cast your vote! MA
—Membership Department
New Life Members
The Academy of Model Aeronautics recently welcomed new Life Members Lee Gautreaux (L76982) of Oceanside, California, and Bela Robert Ballo (L99323) of Gates Mills, Ohio.
For information about becoming a Life Member, contact AMA Headquarters at (800) 435-9262. MA
—Membership Department
IN the AIR
"Got Wings" at EAA AirVenture
AMA's 2005 "Got Wings" representative—air-show pilot Eric Beard of Auburn, Washington—was a frequent visitor to the AMA exhibit during the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA's) AirVenture 2005, held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 25-31.
The "Got Wings" advertising campaign highlights the tremendous variety of occupations AMA members have, and a different member is featured each year.
Eric owns and pilots "Russian Thunder," a Yakovlev Yak-54. His primary sponsor this year is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, from which Eric graduated with a bachelor's degree in professional aeronautics and a master's in aeronautical science.
He performed during the air show presented as part of EAA's annual gathering and spent time visiting with attendees who stopped by the AMA booth. MA
—Jay Mealy Programs Director
"Got Wings" representative Eric Beard with two young EAA AirVenture attendees following an autograph signing at the AMA booth.
Eric stands next to the tail of his Yak-54 prior to one of his air-show performances. Notice the AMA logo at the top of the rudder.
AMA Releases Latest in DVD Series
AMA's DVD series Ultimate Model Aeronautics Video Library has been selling extremely well. Volumes 1 and 2 have shipped, and Volume 3 was shipped between late August and September. A total of seven volumes are planned.
One of this series' primary purposes is to help AMA generate non-dues income to use for a variety of programs. Volume 1 was an introductory offering for $9. Additional volumes are $19.95 plus $3.95 shipping and handling.
If you want to place an order or have any questions regarding the series or the status of your order, call (877) 708-4868 or E-mail amalibrary@cust-serv.net. MA
—Tom Schwyn Marketing Director
Links on the Web! For more district news, events, and information, go to www.modelaircraft.org/districtlinks.
AMA Reaches Out to Katrina Victims
AMA has launched a new program to assist its members impacted by Hurricane Katrina, the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. As of press time, an estimated 1,500 AMA members may have been severely affected by the storm.
AMA has established the program to assist those members in need by matching them with someone who can help. If you can provide temporary shelter, assist with transportation needs, or just help a fellow member find his or her way back to a normal life, call the AMA toll-free Hurricane Katrina Modeler Assistance Hotline at (866) 286-3302. Your name and some key information will be taken to try to match you with someone in need.
More than 150 responses have been received as of Sept. 6, 2005.
"We have received many offers for housing. The problem is trying to reach people who have the need for housing," said Special Services Director Carl Maroney. "To overcome the problem of getting to the people who have the need, we are going to attempt to contact every AMA member in the hurricane-affected area."
If you are a member who has been displaced by this disaster, or know a member who is in need of help, you can use the same toll-free number to request assistance.
AMA members can also register by going directly to AMA's Web site at www.modelaircraft.org/katrina/?section=register and completing a simple form.
"Many of us have an extra room, perhaps a spare car, or some other piece of equipment that's sitting around and could be put to good use during this time of unbelievable tragedy. I have volunteered space in my own home to assist this effort and I hope many of you will consider doing the same," noted AMA president Dave Brown. "Aeromodelers are a brotherhood, and many of our brothers need your help."
Members also are encouraged to contribute what they can to charities of their choice. Officials at AMA are also exploring ways in which a flying site assistance program may be able to eventually help clubs in need.
For current updates on this important program, AMA members are encouraged to check the AMA Web site www.modelaircraft.org regularly. MA
Mail Update
As most members are probably already aware, The United States Postal Service has issued a suspension of mail going to addresses in the zip codes affected by the hurricane. Updates on the mail situation can be found on the USPS Web site, www.usps.com/. Once mail service is restored to the affected areas, AMA will make every effort to resume mailings (including all issues of MA) to members impacted by Katrina.
Pair Receives AMA Fellowship Awards
Former District IX Associate Vice President (AVP) Jim Ricketts (Sioux Falls SD) has received the AMA Fellowship Award—AMA's highest honor—in recognition of his long years of service.
The presentation was made in conjunction with the early-July Executive Council meeting and CL Nats at AMA's International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie IN. Several AMA executives were on hand to celebrate with Jim.
Brenda Schuette (Auburn KS) was presented the Fellowship Award during this summer's AMA Nationals, for her many years of service at the Nats and her promotion of model aviation.
Brenda has been involved in aeromodeling for almost 20 years. She has served as the Nats CL manager for the past five years and was assistant to that position for 10 years prior. She was also assistant director for the 2004 CL World Championships held in Muncie IN. MA
—AMA Headquarters
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
