Riding With Honor

A central Indiana club will hold a motorcycle rally during the AMA National Fun Fly in honor of a late AMA member.

Heathen Hearts Riding Club of Franklin, Indiana, will hold its rally and fundraiser June 29, 2024, in honor of Ben Batts. The International Miniature Aerobatics Club pilot passed away May 6, 2023, at the age of 30.

Ben and airplanes

The Ben Batts Memorial Ride will begin in Franklin (Ben's hometown) and make a stop at the AMA National Fun Fly, taking place at the International Aeromodeling Center (IAC) in Muncie, Indiana. Ben's father, Alan Batts, is a member of the motorcycle club. Alan has many fond memories of flying RC aircraft with his son.

Ben completed his first solo flight at age 7. More than 20 years later, he was still enjoying flying at his local club with his father.

Ben Batts, age 7. — Ben Batts made his first solo flight at age 7.

"Everybody really admired him," Alan said of his son who flew RC Scale Aerobatics for many years. In addition to the Nats, Ben was known for competing in the Xtreme Flight Championships (XFC) 3D contest and the FAI World Championships.

"A lot of these guys don't have a clue" about how much the hobby meant to Ben, Alan stated about his fellow motorcycle club members. He added that he wants his friends to see what the hobby is all about, and the AMA National Fun Fly seems to be a good opportunity to show them.

In addition to honoring Ben's memory, the motorcycle rally will raise money for the AMA Scholarship Fund. Alan said he picked this fund for different reasons. "Ben had a passion for flying," he stated. Having the donations made in Ben's name further demonstrates his son's love of the hobby, Alan commented.

Alan and his wife plan to camp at the IAC the night before the motorcycle rally. They will serve the motorcycle club members a hot lunch when they arrive at the fun-fly. On a table, Ben's photograph and two of his helicopters will be displayed.

"They were all with me in going through the heartache of losing my son," Alan stated of his fellow club members. The club also purchased a brick in Ben's memory that will be installed in the AMA Walk of Fame.