One of the 55 AMA Introductory Pilot Program clubs that received a Club Training Day Starter Kit from the AMA Foundation is AMA District VIII's Horizon City Flyers. Club Secretary Mike Taylor provided a write-up that details his club's community outreach efforts:
"The Horizon City Flyers AMA #1416 took advantage of National Model Aviation Day 2025 to showcase local AMA clubs, along with introducing our hobby to those who have never been exposed to just what we are all about. We utilized the Take off And Grow (TAG) grant from the AMA Foundation, along with the AeroScout from the Club Training Day Starter Kit.
"We used the AeroScout to offer introductory flights to anyone who would like to try their hand at flying an R/C airplane. Anyone taking an introductory flight was given a ticket, which entered them a chance to win 1 of 3 RTF AeroScouts purchased with the TAG grant. All attendees were also offered a complimentary lunch. This event was a huge success, and the turnout was excellent.
"The goal was simply to get people out to the field and expose them to just what we are all about. Thanks to the AMA Foundation for the TAG grant they awarded us and for the Club Trainer, which will continue to be used to offer introductory flights in the future to anyone interested.
"This is the kind of support that we need to keep our hobby healthy and attract new members to our clubs, along with becoming members of the AMA.
"I'd also like to thank Horizon Club members, along with the El Paso Radio Controllers AMA #1043, for their support of this event."
Thank you, Mike, for providing this great write-up. This type of community outreach is crucial to the future of our hobby, ensuring that newcomers in various communities are exposed to the joy of flight, and collaborating with other local AMA clubs is a fantastic idea!
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.
