In mid-May, the AMA Foundation launched an exciting initiative—Club Training Day Starter Kits! This initiative was created after AMA Foundation Executive Director Steve Haston traveled to meet with several clubs in the closing months of 2024. After receiving their feedback and garnering an understanding of how they could best be assisted, the Club Training Day Starter Kit initiative was formed.
These Club Training Day Starter Kits were created to provide AMA Introductory Pilot Program clubs with the tools they need to reach more people, strengthen training efforts, grow our hobby, and find success. Through this initiative, AMA Introductory Pilot Program clubs could apply to receive a support kit designed to boost participation and visibility, allowing each club and its members to expand membership, share the joy of model aviation with their community, and efficiently teach newcomers how to fly.
To spread this opportunity across the country, only five clubs per district were awarded a Club Training Day Starter Kit on a first come, first served basis. To cater to each club's needs to the best of our ability, clubs had the choice of four different main kit products:
- A Blade Revolution 235 CP RTF Basic with SAFE
- A HobbyZone AeroScout S 2 1.1m RTF Basic with SAFE
- A RealFlight Evolution RC Flight Simulator with InterLink DX Controller
- A $250 Social Media Marketing Package
This initiative saw ample success, with upwards of 80 clubs applying to receive a kit! We are thrilled to announce that the following 55 AMA clubs will be receiving a Club Training Day Starter Kit:
District I
- 495th R/C Squadron Inc.
- Otis Model Airplane Club
- Northern Connecticut Radio Control Club
- Green Mountain RC Club
- Fremont RC Flyers
District II
- Corning Tri-Rivers R/C Modeleers
- Syracuse Thunderbirds Aero Radio Society
- Lazy Eight Radio Control Club
- Hubbard Wingsnappers
- Brauers Aviators
District III
- Susquehanna Valley Modelers
- Tri County Wing Snappers Inc.
- Greater Pittsburgh ARCS
- Ona RC Club
- The Ohio Radio Kontrol Society
District IV
- Giant Scale Aero Modelers Association
- Westminster Aero Modelers
- South Carroll Aeromodelers
- Fauquier Aero Recreation Modelers
- Dare County Radio Control Flyers
District V
- Western Carolina RC
- Northwest Florida Modelers Inc.
- York County Flyers
- West Pasco Model Pilots Association
- Hernando County R/C Club
District VI
- Champaign County Radio Control Club
- Mid Missouri RC Association
- St. Louis Radio Control Flying Association
- Midwest Sundowners RC Flying Club
- Jasper RC Flyers
District VII
- Skymasters RC of Michigan
- Madison Area Radio Control Society
- Flying Electrons
- Scio Flyers
- Cadillac Area Modelers Society
District VIII
- Tri City Flyers Inc.
- Tejas R/C Association
- Horizon City Flyers
- Tulsa Glue Dobbers
- Red Stick RC Flying Club
District IX
- Minot Aircraft Modelers
- Riley County Fliers
- Aberdeen Area Modelaires
- Longmont Electric Aircraft Flyers
- Arvada Associated Modelers
District X
- Casa Grande RC Flyers
- Catalina Radio Control Modelers
- Ventura County Comets Radio Control Club
- Turlock RC Club
- Arizona City Flyers
District XI
- Clark County Radio Control Society
- Glacier RCer's
- Oregon Miniature Air Squadron
- Rogue Eagles RC Club
- Boise Area Radio Kontrol Society
These clubs deserve praise and recognition for so quickly jumping on this opportunity to share the joy of flight with those in their local communities! Their dedication to the hobby and determination to efficiently teach newcomers to fly is nothing short of inspiring.
We at the AMA Foundation are extremely excited to see how these clubs utilize the Club Training Day Starter Kits. For those who applied but were not able to receive a kit, we greatly appreciate your enthusiasm for our hobby!
Let's continue to soar together, taking our hobby to new heights!
