A lifelong aeromodeller and AMA member introduced me to the flying hobby, my future husband, Ron Liska. I had taken flying lessons in a full-scale Cessna, but the exposure to flying models made so much more sense to me. I could experience flight, share it with others who had a similar love of flying, and keep my feet firmly on terra firma. It was more cost effective, and it provides camaraderie and opportunities to learn from experienced flyers how to build and fly beautiful miniature replicas of the real thing.
It did not take long to become immersed in the entire enjoyable experience of model flying at an AMA flying site. I was hooked.
My soon-to-be-husband guided me through the early stages with a trainer plane to learn how to control a plane remotely. That winter, I kept interrupting him while he built his next model, asking him to explain what and why he was doing certain techniques of building. Then I decided I wanted to build a plane myself. He was astounded because my project choice was a leap into a giant scale model, a Cessna 182 by Top Flite. With his guidance, I completed the frame up following the plans. When it came to engine set up, electronics, and paint, I looked to him as the plans were not as helpful. The result was a stunning beautiful flying model that got lots of "oohs" and "ahhs" when I took it to the flying field. It was more advanced of an airplane than my flying skills were ready for, but I did get some stick time on it that was pretty thrilling. I followed that building project up with a 1/4-scale SE5a biplane that I still have in our fleet of flying models. I really enjoy the building part of the hobby as much as flying them.
I found my other skills were appreciated by my flying buddies. I volunteered organizing flying events, I became a club President of a local IMAA chapter and ran, as event manager, our International Miniature Aircraft Association giant scale event for many years. Eventually, I became District I Director for IMAA, the first woman to do so in IMAA.
I participated in a trade fair in New York State to host an IMAA booth at the infamous WRAM show. It was at that show, thanks to my expertise in insurance, that I identified a significant insurance shortcoming for IMAA and by extension other Special Interest Groups of AMA who had likely a similar lack of sufficient insurance. I brought to Dave Matthewson's attention (then AMA District II VP and later President of AMA) that some and perhaps all of the Special Interest Groups AMA had sanctioned may not have insurance to cover losses if they became involved in a lawsuit if the suit included suing the Special Interest Group as an entity, separate from being members of AMA.
Dave was quick to recognize that shortfall. I was asked to travel to AMA Headquarters in Muncie, Indiana, to meet with AMA's insurance staff and their insurance agent to talk about the best solution to close the insurance gap for Special Interest Groups. Thanks to Dave's insightful sponsorship and the gathering of insurance experts at Muncie, I was able to sell the AMA insurance provider a solution to close the gap and provide the coverage needed for all of AMA's recognized Special Interest Groups. I consider this my most important contribution to the hobby.
I have become a Leader Member and an AVP in District I and continue to enjoy the hobby into my senior years. AMA and aeromodelling have given me many happy and fulfilling experiences. Most especially, I have enjoyed the many friendships formed on the flightline. Building and flying models is a very satisfying hobby I would encourage others to experience. This year is my 30th year of aeromodelling.
Thank you to all my AMA friends. You are the best!
