85,171.87 raised in 2026. We have reached 17% of our goal.
Help us reach this year's goal of $500,000!
It all started 40-plus years ago. While driving around one weekend, I spotted several model helicopters flying. I stopped, then drove over to watch up close. I talked to several people, saw several flights, and decided, I want one. I found one, used, for sale and spent a few months trying to learn.
My name is Joseph Quezada, and I’m originally from Ecuador. I’m 23 years old and moved to the United States three years ago to pursue my dream of becoming an airline pilot. I began my pilot training in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and later enrolled at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where I am now a junior in the Aeronautics program.
Active airplane modeler since I was 9. Dad was an Army Air Corps Veteran and budding student pilot. The bug bit me as early as I remember. I walked a mile to a camp of crop dusters to try to beg a ride in (at that time) Piper Cub. I saw a bunch of heavy drinkers sitting around a campfire in the evening and thought better of getting a ride.
The urge to fly never left me. I took lessons for a while, trained in sailplanes, and ran out of money. Modeling was a stimulating substitute.
I am a 45-year-old male who has flown most of his life. I started flying glow planes with my now-late father in 1988 at the age of 8. I have been flying now for 37 years. I enjoyed many, many years with my father by my side but sadly lost him in 2019.
I started flying glow fuel in the mid 90s. In order to fly, I needed an AMA Card. Being in So Cal at that time, there were no fields I could fly without the AMA insurance. So I joined. And I joined a chartered club, “The American Model Airport Association,” originally located in Chino. They had a field at a place called Fishermans retreat in Redlands, California. That is where I soloed under the guidance of Mr. Henry Arance. As time passed, I became a contest director, club secretary, VP, then a brief stint as President.
I am a second generation AMA member, my Dad who passed in 2023 at 94 years old had a very low AMA number and gave me the gift of his time helping me with model building starting when I was 5 years old. I started out with Comet kits, moved through Free Flight, tow line gliders, Control Line, and RC, and now at 68, have come full circle and am back building Comet kits and scratch building other stick and tissue designs. I thank the AMA and my father for blessing me with these lifetime skills that I have enjoyed for over 60 years.
Jim
My journey begins into model aviation at the age of nine, building rubber band-powered balsa airplanes. This hobby quickly becomes a passion, and I develop skills in structure, covering, and painting. In time, a turning point occurs when my neighbor—who is also a skilled surgeon—takes notice and invites me to help build a much larger radio-controlled model, the SIG Cadet.
This is my first exposure to advanced modeling and radio-controlled flight.
I started flying at the age of 14. I was taught on a Carl Goldberg skyline 62. I am now 67 and still flying. I have flown pylon racing, been a member of the quarter scale association, and have flown many types of aircraft from 1/7 scale up to 1/3 scale.
I have flown electric aircraft as well as Gas and nitro birds. My AMA number was received at the age of 14 before I even started learning. I have been flying at my father's club here in Tucson, Arizona, for almost 16 years now. My father was also a member of AMA. Unfortunately, he passed away two years ago.
Joined AMA in the late 80s in San Diego. Moved to Oklahoma City in the 90s. Found a club before I found a job. Quit flying around 2000 to support my grandson's motocross racing but kept all of my stuff. Got back into it by flying simulator which made me a better pilot than I ever was over 20 years before. Started fixing up and modernizing my equipment bought a few electrics.
R/C airplanes and motorcycles are still my passion at 71 years old. I will still be flying after I can not swing my leg over a bike any longer. I still belong to the same club, West Side Flyers.
