One of the 55 AMA Introductory Pilot Program Clubs that received a Club Training Day Starter Kit from the AMA Foundation is AMA District IX's Longmont Electric Aircraft Flyers, also known as LEAF Club. Club President Mark Faivre provided the following write-up about how his club successfully introduced youth to the joy of flight:
"We received our Club Training Day Starter Kit with the new AeroScout trainer. Our club is big into training and Take off And Grow (TAG) events. Each year, we run TAG events on the second Saturdays of April through September at our flying field. This new starter kit AeroScout joined our current training equipment to help us continue our efforts to introduce new pilots of any age to this great sport of RC flying. We are always looking for training equipment, and each year we budget some for our TAG events so we can continue them. We always need spare parts, batteries, radios, and planes, of course.
"Recently, we had a local Cub Scout troop join us for a day of introductory flights. Most of the scouts had never flown RC before and were really excited about trying it out. The AeroScout is the perfect first-time aircraft. So, we scheduled a day with the troop and we had five of our club instructors available to help out. We had a great time and also introduced several of the parents to RC flying. We also ended up with a few new club members.
"We just want to thank the AMA folks who supplied us with the AeroScout starter kit, which was a blessing to our training equipment locker. It will no doubt help us continue what we love doing for the local community."
Camilo Pineda, the Cub Scout Leader, provided the following thanks to Mark after the event concluded:
"I just wanted to send a big thank-you to you and the entire LEAF RC Club for hosting our Cub Scout crew this weekend. The kids (and parents!) had an absolute blast. We really appreciate all the hands-on learning you provided—getting to actually fly the RC planes was such an incredible experience for everyone. It was so cool to see how patient and welcoming you, Gregg, Dimitry, Bill, Eric, and the rest of the team were with the kids. You all made it so much fun and so approachable for them. Please also pass along our thanks to everyone who came out to help—the effort you all put in really made the day special. We're lucky to have such a great community here in Longmont."
Thank you, Mark, for providing this great write-up about your club's use of its Club Training Day Starter Kit! The AMA Foundation is thrilled that LEAF Club members were able to host such an interactive, hands-on aeromodeling experience for local youth. Events like this are what will inspire youth to pursue the hobby, ensuring that model aviation will be celebrated for years to come.
To view additional photos and videos from the LEAF Club's event, click here.
The AMA Foundation is eager to hear how other AMA Introductory Pilot Program clubs have utilized their Club Training Day Starter Kits. If your club received a kit, let Chief Communications Officer Clarissa Poston know how it was utilized by emailing clarissap@modelaircraft.org.
