Biographies

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John Hunton Biography

Drone on a tarmac, long wings and sleek body, viewed from above.

Model aviation has been a big, enjoyable part of my life, beginning with control-line and current involvement with drones. This activity has fostered many wonderful friendships. Our local flying field was the Falls Church High School football field. It was there that I met J.E.Albritton, who has competed in international events.

One of our local club activities was Thermic 50 flying. A few of us competed in CL speed and stunt events up and down the east coast.

Henry Cahoon Biography

Three people stand on grass beside large remote-controlled airplanes.

I am a second-generation model aviation enthusiast. From my earliest memories, I had airplanes in my hands. I started flying Control Line planes with .049 engines when I was about six. My dad flew Control Line and Free Flight models. My oldest uncle flew Control Line and Free Flight. My youngest uncle flew Control Line and RC. I started RC flying in 1980. I am one of the instructors in my club. I have trained many people to fly and enjoy RC flying. I am pictured on the left, my late father is in the middle, and my dad's last remaining brother is on the right.

Mike Missak Biography

Father and son assembling a model airplane in the kitchen.

My journey into the world of RC aviation began a few Christmases ago when my son Charlie received his first RC plane. What started as a simple gift quickly turned into a shared passion. Watching his love for aviation take off was inspiring—and a year later, I received my own RC plane for my birthday so we could truly enjoy the hobby together.

Lynn Springer Biography

I have been building and flying model airplanes off and on since I was 5 years old, in 1950. At 5 years of age, I loved the Comet Sparky, a difficult-to-build model. However, I actually built one on top of the box with a single-edge blade and Testors wood glue! Painted it like the box picture with dope.

Steve Markowitz Biography

Man with remote control kneeling beside a large green and white model airplane on grass field.

My name is Steve Markowitz, and I have been an AMA member since 1989, right out of college. Growing up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, my father attempted u-control, and I did not like it. In my 4th year of pharmacy school at The University of Pittsburgh, an older gentleman took me under his wing and explained to me about Radio Control flying. We did some buddy box, but I was a mess. He did give me a Cessna to play with. My first flight by myself, it got stuck in a 50-foot tree in the woods. I came back later with an axe to retrieve my airplane.

Chuck Cawthon Biography

I purchased a used book authored by the late AMA Pioneer Bob Aberle. I poured over it for 7 years before I had the courage to try RC flight.

Although starting this endeavor late in life, I built simple planes from blue foam and applied what I learned from my book. Now I’m 13 years into this sport, which over time became my passion. I’ve done other things in life, but my life has been enriched beyond measure by meeting other people in this sport that helped, coached, and mentored me along the way.

Scott Davis Biography

Two men in matching hats and shirts standing on an airstrip with a yellow model biplane.

AKA, Airplane Nut. 67 this month. Clear back to 1968 was the year my father started taking flying lessons. He was able to purchase a 1946 Aerocoupe. 1969, at the age of 11, I got my first ride. My Dad was a very busy guy running a welding company and hauling precast concrete. As the years passed, my passion for aviation grew along with my curiosity of how airplanes flew. My Dad continued to work hard and so his passion for bigger, faster airplanes grew.

Jeff Duncan Biography

Group of six kids in white shirts holding red geometric models aloft.

Retired CIO of a Fortune 500 company with a background in Mechanical, Electrical, and Information Technology. I hold multiple engineering and software patents. In my retirement, I teach STEM to 5th–12th graders through the University of Tennessee Extension and 4-H, and I also enjoy equine ranching and golfing.

Walter Stimax Biography

Blue and white model jet on gravel, near a building.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that there are not many hobbies that can give you as much fulfilment and satisfaction on so many levels. RC flying has been the best. As I progress in this hobby, I have learned so much. My Friday night starts with charging batteries and loading the planes in the car. But what I will never head out without is my AMA Membership. Trust me, it's the cheapest peace of mind you can take along with you. Have fun and stay safe out there, all.

Ralphael Strano Biography

Small white and blue propeller plane on tarmac, hangar in background.

I first became a member of AMA way back in 1965. This was at the demand of my father. My father was a kid that grew up during the Golden Age of Aviation. He built many Free Flight models and was influenced by growing up near Newark Airport. My father was an Army Air Force veteran who was washed out of the pilot training program and became a crew chief on B-24s and lastly on Curtiss Commandos, prepping pilots of both tow planes and gliders for the Normandy invasion. Long story longer, my father must have passed that aviation bug gene onto me.

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