59,059.67 raised in 2026. We have reached 11% of our goal.
Help us reach this year's goal of $500,000!
I started into the hobby a little over 7 years ago; my father had started flying with a friend who'd gotten him hooked in the hobby and my dad asked if I'd be interested in getting into the hobby as well. I jumped at the chance, starting with a racing drone (and I do NOT recommend going that route as a first aircraft; it involved LOTS of crashing on my part LOL).
I'm a retired architect who has been in the hobby for 35 years. I flew full-scale aircraft from 1976 until 2002. I'm a member of Jefco Aeromod'lers in Denver, Colorado. I have served as the President of the club and was a AVP for District IX. I'm a builder, and many of my projects have been featured in Stan Alexander's Scale Builder.
I began building model airplanes when I was 7 years old. I got some basic instruction from an older (junior high school) boy down the street, who built very nice "stick models."
Of course, I also built Speedee Bilts by Monogram, as well as Comet stick models. And I joined a local club when one appeared. We built hand launched and high-start gliders. There I learned a bit more about why airplanes flew and what the airfoil actually was and did.
Started learning in 1980. Took some time off to raise 2 daughters and rejoined my club a few years later. Our Club has been in the same location for over 55 years!!!! I became President of our club and have stepped down to the Treasurer position after 5 years of growth. Now retired, flying 3-4 times a week, and enjoying LIFE!!!!!!
My nickname is "Chic." I grew up in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, living off the end of an active runway of the Greater Pittsburgh Airport. I watched Boxcars, Constellations, and Electras take off. When at the Observation Deck, I even talked to the departing pilots.
B.S. in Ceramic Engineering, University of Washington, 1961
M.S. in Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 1963
PhD. in Engineering-Mineral Technology, University of California, Berkeley, 1965
1965-1987 Research Scientist, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, N.M.
1987-1999 Associate Professor of Metallurgical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines
My journey with model aviation started at age 9 or 10 by building plastic model airplanes with my father. By the time I was 16, I wanted to learn how to fly real aircraft and I started working at Midwest Products Co. Inc in Hobart, Indiana, to earn money to pay for my lessons.
The AMA helped me gain the background needed for the career I have today, serving as an engineer and drone pilot for an upcoming NASA space mission launching in 2028 to land a drone on Saturn's moon, Titan. Growing up, I dreamed about flying, which led me to studying mechanical and aerospace engineering in college and learning to fly remote control and full-scale airplanes.
Being a modeler since the age of six or so has opened many doors for me and allowed me to meet some really interesting people.
I began building gas u-control models in early 50s and joined AMA. I have been a member ever since. 15100. I represented Virginia in 1959 as the States Air Youth Champion and won a trip to California. Very exciting for an 18-year-old modeler's first time from home.
