Due to the success of last year's inaugural Club Training Day Starter Kit initiative, the AMA Foundation is excited to announce that these kits will be offered once again in 2026—and we're upping the number of clubs that receive them!
Similarly to last year, Club Training Day Starter Kits will be available to AMA Introductory Pilot Program (IPP) Clubs on a first come, first served basis. The AMA Foundation continues to be proud to support these clubs with resources to help expand training efforts, host events, and introduce new people to the world of model aviation.
This year, there will be two opportunities for AMA IPP Clubs to secure a Club Training Day Starter Kit! Iteration one of these kits launches in mid-April and will focus on the Free Flight discipline.
IPP club officers will be notified via email as soon as applications are opened. Only 8 clubs per district will be awarded a Free Flight-focused Club Training Day Starter Kit, and we expect all 88 kits to be reserved quickly!
Free Flight-focused kits will include the following, at minimum:
- 2 AMA Alphas
- 2 Cloud Busters
- 3 Cadets
- 15 balsa gliders
- Paper materials & helpful club resources
The AMA Foundation would like to thank Horizon Hobby for their gracious support and sponsorship of the first iteration of 2026 Club Training Day Starter Kits. Through this support, the AMA Foundation was able to increase its total number of kits and products for the first iteration, allowing 33 more clubs than last year to receive this helpful tool!
The second iteration of our 2026 Club Training Day Starter Kits will launch toward the end of the year. These kits and their materials will be focused on aircraft building, and we've collaborated with Willy Nillie's to impact as many IPP Clubs as possible!
Thanks to the support of Willy Nillie's, an additional 77 clubs across the country will have the opportunity to receive a building-focused Club Training Day Starter Kit! Additional details will be announced as the year progresses.
With a total of 165 Club Training Day Starter Kits being dispersed throughout 2026, the AMA Foundation is looking forward to helping IPP Clubs across the country continue sharing and growing the hobby of model aviation.
For any questions related to Club Training Day Starter Kits and eligibility guidelines, contact AMA Foundation Chief Communications Officer Clarissa Poston by emailing clarissap@modelaircraft.org.
