On April 11-13, 2026, AMA Foundation Executive Director Steve Haston attended the 2026 Jim Richmond Open. He had the following to say about his time at the event:
"After decades of building and flying model aircraft, I finally made it to the Jim Richmond Open. For me, this was more than just attending an event. It has been a goal of mine for about a decade. This was also my first Free Flight contest!
"As you may know, I have been building and flying since about 1969. Like many modelers, I started with stick-and-tissue kits and spent years building all sorts of aircraft, including some of my own designs and a number of experimental RC projects. Over the years, I learned a lot, tried a lot, and probably glued my fingers together more times than I should admit. But one thing I had never built was a penny plane, and I had admired them for years.
"To watch these aircraft in person is to appreciate just how remarkable they are. The airframes are so light and delicate, they almost seem impossible. The craftsmanship is extraordinary. The people who build and fly them aren't just modelers; they are builders, engineers, artists, problem-solvers, and part-time indoor meteorologists. They notice details most of us would miss entirely. They work with the precision of surgeons, the patience of saints, and the calm of people who are somehow not alarmed by handling something that appears to weigh less than a sigh. It is an impressive level of skill.
"About two months ago, I decided it was finally time to build my own penny plane. That is when I learned firsthand just how small these parts really are and just how quickly they can break. I broke plenty of them ... in fact, I broke enough pieces that I eventually had to start fabricating new ones just to keep the project moving. At that point, I was no longer just building a penny plane. I was rebuilding a penny plane, then rebuilding parts for the rebuilt parts. Still, little by little, it came together.
"When I arrived at the event, registered, and got my name tag, it felt a little like stepping into a different world. The pits were full of extraordinary flyers from all over the country. There were competitors of every age, from 6 to 82, and every one of them seemed to bring a unique level of knowledge and experience. There were junior champions, world champions, and people whose airplanes looked so refined they could have been displayed in a museum if they were not so clearly built to fly.
"What stood out most though was not just the talent. It was the generosity. Like so many people throughout the AMA community, the builders and flyers here were welcoming, helpful, and eager to share what they knew. They answered questions, demonstrated techniques, explained details, and offered advice freely. No ego, no pretense, just a room full of people who clearly love what they do and want others to enjoy it too. That kind of spirit says a great deal about this community.
"I spent my time doing my best to absorb as much as I could. I picked up new ideas, new techniques, and a much deeper respect for what it takes to compete at this level. Then I turned back to my own simple little penny plane, now carrying a little more knowledge and perhaps just enough confidence to be dangerous. And then the moment finally arrived. It was time for the maiden flight.
"After all these years of building and flying, after all of the admiration from afar, after weeks of building tiny parts and breaking some with impressive consistency ... I was finally ready to see what this little airplane would do.
"You can watch the videos below to see exactly how that journey went. Better luck next time!"
