One of the 55 AMA Introductory Pilot Program clubs that received a Club Training Day Starter Kit is AMA District VI's Champaign County R/C Club (CCRCC). Club President Bill Spencer provided the following write-up about how his club utilized its kit:
"Since 2001, CCRCC has offered free RC flight training every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. from mid-May to mid-September. On Saturday, September 20, 2025, CCRCC threw a Fun Fly event, celebrating the outstanding achievements of students from our 2025 Flight Training Program. This season, we welcomed 35 eager students of all ages into our training program, and we're excited to announce that 26 have already taken to the skies as skilled pilots! We received the RealFlight Flight Simulator and controller as our Club Training Day Starter Kit, and we used it as an integral part of our summer training program.
"Among these 35 students, 23 enthusiastic students joined us for Saturday's Fun Fly, alongside a wonderful group of family, friends, and CCRCC members. The day was packed with excitement as we hosted friendly competitions in four categories: precision parachute drop, carrier landings, limbo, and climb and glide.
"Spirits soared even higher when Miguel Alvarez, Team Pilot at Horizon Hobby, wowed everyone with a jaw-dropping demonstration flying his CARF Diablo turbine jet.
"We rounded out the celebration with a delicious lunch and a special raffle just for our student pilots. It was truly a memorable day filled with flying, laughter, and great food, perfect for bringing our community together!
"This year's Fun Fly has once again reinforced the Club's commitment to fostering a love for aviation, encouraging personal achievement, and building lasting friendships, proving that when people come together to share their passions, the sky truly is the limit.
"For more information, contact Club President Bill Spencer at bfspencerjr@hotmail.com."
Thank you, Bill, for providing such a great write-up! The AMA Foundation is thrilled to know that CCRCC's Club Training Day Starter Kit directly impacted so many aspiring hobbyists. CCRCC's Flight Training Program is a fantastic initiative, and we at the AMA Foundation cannot wait to see how many more youth are inspired to take to the skies.
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.
