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Son Honored His Father, AMA Member, Robert O'Connor With Memorial Brick

Robert O’Connor was born on May 24, 1929. As a kid in the 40's, Robert built model airplanes and played stick ball. As with other families, his parents decided to move from the Bronx to the suburbs, to a little town called Mahopac, New York.   Robert’s love of flight followed him. He got the opportunity as a young adult to get flying lessons in a Piper Cub for helping out at the local airstrip. When he got married to his wife, Diane, they decided that his feet should stay on the ground. After Robert married, he decided to get into RC planes.

 

Robert O’Connor was born on May 24, 1929. As a kid in the 40's, Robert built model airplanes and played stick ball. As with other families, his parents decided to move from the Bronx to the suburbs, to a little town called Mahopac, New York.   Robert’s love of flight followed him. He got the opportunity as a young adult to get flying lessons in a Piper Cub for helping out at the local airstrip. When he got married to his wife, Diane, they decided that his feet should stay on the ground. After Robert married, he decided to get into RC planes. He would come home after work to build a Top Dog, Falcon or one of the many others. On the weekends, Robert would always fly his planes. Sometimes in triumph and sometimes in disaster. At this time his friends nicknamed him "Crash n Burn". He loved it. Roberts son, Michael O’Connor, can still remember him running to catch up with a plane when Robert lost the signal. The planes they flew together had an actuator system in them that wasn't reliable. Mike remembers the days that him and his dad, Robert, would be searching for a plane or climbing a tree to get it down. Robert eventually included his son, Michael, in his hobby. He started Mike out on simple and stable models. Mike had a hard time landing the planes. He would get nervous and turn the wrong way which made the plane cartwheel into the ground. Robert worked with his son to teach him landing skills and rebuilding skills. Robert was a loving father. Michael's dad brought RC flying all together for him through the plans, pins, glue, sandpaper, hopes, dreams and fun. Robert O’Connor passed away on July 10, 2009. Michael donated an AMA Walk of Fame brick in his father's memory and honor. The brick was placed at AMA headquarters in Muncie, IN. Robert O’Connor will be sorely missed by family, friends and members of the model aviation community. Visit the AMA Foundation website or click here to learn more about the AMA Walk of Fame program.

Desert Eagles Flying Club Receive Club Recognition Award

The Desert Eagles Flying Club located in Idaho Falls, ID, recently received an AMA Club Recognition Award for $175. On June 24, the club hosted their annual Open House. This year, the club decided to make the event a fundraiser for the Idaho Food Bank. Spectators were given the chance to shoot paintball guns at moving model airplanes. For $2, a person was able to take ten shots. Every dollar that was raised was donated to the food bank. Several donors helped with the event.

 

The Desert Eagles Flying Club located in Idaho Falls, ID, recently received an AMA Club Recognition Award for $175. On June 24, the club hosted their annual Open House. This year, the club decided to make the event a fundraiser for the Idaho Food Bank. Spectators were given the chance to shoot paintball guns at moving model airplanes. For $2, a person was able to take ten shots. Every dollar that was raised was donated to the food bank. Several donors helped with the event. Gary Oswald G&H Paintball let the club use paintball guns and donated the paintballs and the local HobbyTownUSA donated $100 toward a $250 gift certificate that was raffled off. Members of the club also donated fuel and SPADs that were used as the moving targets. While the paintball was going on, there were other activities happening at the event. The club flew model demonstrations, provided free hot dogs and drinks, and did buddy box introductory flights. The club ended up raising $923.80 for the Idaho Food Bank. The AMA would like to thank the Desert Eagles Flying Club for hosting a fundraiser event and making it so successful. The AMA Club Recognition and Reward Program was established to encourage clubs to promote model aviation. The AMA offers clubs cash incentives for positive local media coverage for a public event, public service, club announcement, or other coverage. Click here to learn more about this program. FB check presentation

Atoms RC Club Receive Club Recognition Award

The Atoms RC Club located in Hillsborough, NJ recently received an AMA Club Recognition Reward for $175. The club hosted their annual Swap Meet in the winter. Each year, the club gives a portion of proceeds to an organization. This year, the club donated $300 to their local food bank in Hillsborough. The club was featured in the Hillsborough Township Local access television station. This station is mentioned in the Mayor's newsletter that is sent out to approximately 40,000 residents.

 

The Atoms RC Club located in Hillsborough, NJ recently received an AMA Club Recognition Reward for $175. The club hosted their annual Swap Meet in the winter. Each year, the club gives a portion of proceeds to an organization. This year, the club donated $300 to their local food bank in Hillsborough. The club was featured in the Hillsborough Township Local access television station. This station is mentioned in the Mayor's newsletter that is sent out to approximately 40,000 residents. The AMA would like to thank the Atoms RC Club for hosting a Swap Meet and giving proceeds back to their community. The AMA Club Recognition and Reward Program was established to encourage clubs to promote model aviation. The AMA offers clubs cash incentives for positive local media coverage for a public event, public service, club announcement, or other coverage. Click here to learn more about this program.

The Fluvanna County R/C Flying Club receive Club Recognition Award

The Fluvanna County R/C Flying Club, located in Fork Union, VA, recently received an AMA Club Recognition Reward for $175. On June 10, the club hosted “Wings and Wheels 4 Paws”. The event drew a crowd of about 500 people and raised approximately $5,000 for animal rescue organizations in their area. The event had 49 cars registered in a car show and 22 radio-control pilots. There were also two canine agility demonstrations at the event that were provided by Ruff Agility. The club was featured in the local newspaper “Rural Virginian”.

 

The Fluvanna County R/C Flying Club, located in Fork Union, VA, recently received an AMA Club Recognition Reward for $175. On June 10, the club hosted “Wings and Wheels 4 Paws”. The event drew a crowd of about 500 people and raised approximately $5,000 for animal rescue organizations in their area. The event had 49 cars registered in a car show and 22 radio-control pilots. There were also two canine agility demonstrations at the event that were provided by Ruff Agility. The club was featured in the local newspaper “Rural Virginian”. There was also a live broadcast of the event on FM 107.5 and FM 99.7 in Charlottesville, VA. The local TV station, WCIR NBC 29 featured the story on June 10 and 11. The AMA would like to thank the Fluvanna County R/C Flying Club for hosting a successful event and raising money for other organizations. The AMA Club Recognition and Reward Program was established to encourage clubs to promote model aviation. The AMA offers clubs cash incentives for positive local media coverage for a public event, public service, club announcement, or other coverage. Click here to learn more about this program.wingswheelswingswheels2wingswheels3wingswheels4

Koast Air Modeling Society Receive Club Recognition Reward

The Koast Air Modeling Society recently received an AMA Club Recognition Reward for $150. The club is located in Vancleave, MS. The club held a “Spring Fly-In” on May 13. They used the event as an opportunity to bring modelers together. The event categories included: Sport, scale, warbird, electric, helicopter, and quadcopter. People came from three states to spend the day showing off their planes and flying skills to spectators. The event was posted in the local newspaper “Ocean Springs Gazette” and the event was covered by WLOX News.

 

The Koast Air Modeling Society recently received an AMA Club Recognition Reward for $150. The club is located in Vancleave, MS. The club held a “Spring Fly-In” on May 13. They used the event as an opportunity to bring modelers together. The event categories included: Sport, scale, warbird, electric, helicopter, and quadcopter. People came from three states to spend the day showing off their planes and flying skills to spectators. The event was posted in the local newspaper “Ocean Springs Gazette” and the event was covered by WLOX News. The AMA would like to thank the Koast Air Modeling club for sharing this hobby with their community. The AMA Club Recognition and Reward Program was established to encourage clubs to promote model aviation. The AMA offers clubs cash incentives for positive local media coverage for a public event, public service, club announcement, or other coverage. Click here to learn more about this program.

Simsbury Remote Control Club Receive Club Recognition Reward

The Simsbury Remote Control Club received an AMA Club Recognition Reward of $75. The Club is located in Simsbury, CT. The club participated in the 8th annual Renbrook School Flight Day April 28. Simsbury Remote Control Club has participated since Flight Day started in 2010. The club instructed 4th and 9th grade students in the theory of radio controlled model aircraft flight. The event was covered in the local newspaper “The Valley Press”. The students were able to use computer flight simulators projected onto classroom smartboards.

 

The Simsbury Remote Control Club received an AMA Club Recognition Reward of $75. The Club is located in Simsbury, CT. The club participated in the 8th annual Renbrook School Flight Day April 28. Simsbury Remote Control Club has participated since Flight Day started in 2010. The club instructed 4th and 9th grade students in the theory of radio controlled model aircraft flight. The event was covered in the local newspaper “The Valley Press”. The students were able to use computer flight simulators projected onto classroom smartboards. This allowed the students to try flying RC model airplanes. The club covered many aspects of RC planes including types of aircraft, engines and motors, radio equipment fundamentals, and types of construction. The AMA would like to thank the Simsbury Remote Control Club for spreading awareness and teaching children about RC flying. The AMA Club Recognition and Reward Program was established to encourage clubs to promote model aviation. The AMA offers clubs cash incentives for positive local media coverage for a public event, public service, club announcement, or other coverage. Click here to learn more about this program.

Casa Grande RC Flyers Receive Club Recognition and Reward Grant

The Casa Grande RC Flyers has recently been awarded a $175 Club Recognition and Reward Grant. Casa Grande RC Flyers club has been featured in The Robson Ranch Views monthly from Jan. to March and the April issue of the AMA Magazine. Casa Grande RC Flyers is an Arizona nonprofit corporation that raises money for local charities. Membership is open to anyone wanting fly or learn to fly radio-controlled aircraft. They also offer free lessons taught by any of nine AMA certified instructors. The club has about 156 members that include local residents and winter residents.

 

The Casa Grande RC Flyers has recently been awarded a $175 Club Recognition and Reward Grant. Casa Grande RC Flyers club has been featured in The Robson Ranch Views monthly from Jan. to March and the April issue of the AMA Magazine. Casa Grande RC Flyers is an Arizona nonprofit corporation that raises money for local charities. Membership is open to anyone wanting fly or learn to fly radio-controlled aircraft. They also offer free lessons taught by any of nine AMA certified instructors. The club has about 156 members that include local residents and winter residents. Club members have visted area schools, 4-H groups, science nights and festivals to teach youth about aviation. The AMA Foundation thanks the Casa Grande RC Flyers for spreading awareness and the messages of our organization to all ages in their community. For more information: https://www.casagrandercflyers.com/communityservice.html The AMA Club Recognition and Reward Program was established to encourage clubs to promote model aviation. The AMA offers clubs cash incentives for positive local media coverage for a public event, public service, club announcement, or other coverage. Click here to learn more about this program.

Bremen Hobbies holds silent auction to benefit AMA Foundation

Bremen Hobbies recently held a silent auction promotional event giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase a Balsa USA 1/6th scale Sopwith Pup, built and ready for receiver and battery. The aircraft was built at Bremen Hobbies by Chuck Hamilton and Lee Watkins of Hangar 331. Balsa USA donated the kit, covering materials, and accessories, and Bremen Hobbies donated the electric motor, speed control and servos. The winner was announced in the store in Bremen, Indiana on April 29th. Brad Hjerpe was the top bidder and winner of the aircraft.

 

Bremen Hobbies recently held a silent auction promotional event giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase a Balsa USA 1/6th scale Sopwith Pup, built and ready for receiver and battery. The aircraft was built at Bremen Hobbies by Chuck Hamilton and Lee Watkins of Hangar 331. Balsa USA donated the kit, covering materials, and accessories, and Bremen Hobbies donated the electric motor, speed control and servos. The winner was announced in the store in Bremen, Indiana on April 29th. Brad Hjerpe was the top bidder and winner of the aircraft. All proceeds from the winning bid were donated to the AMA Foundation, a total of $779.00 to the Scholarship Fund.

This video originally appeared in the June 1, 2017 edition of AMA's webcast: AMA Air. Find more episodes at https://air.modelaircraft.org.

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The AMA Foundation would like to thank Bremen Hobbies for this wonderful opportunity to give back to the AMA Scholarship Fund. For more details about the scholarship fund, view here. AMA Foundation staff members would also like to thank Joe Vermillion for his efforts to help us capture video and pictures from the live winning bid announcement.          

Friends honor Crash Hancock with Walk of Fame brick

Mike "Crash" Hancock was born October 14, 1966 and was a native of Waco, Texas. In his younger days, he crashed just about every plane he put in the air, earning him the nickname Crash and it stuck. Crash was in the hobby for 40 years and was most well known for founding and hosting the longest running RC aviation podcast, "The CrashCast" (https://www.thecrashcast.com/) which started in 2009. In all, there were 360 episodes covering virtually every topic you can think of related to RC aviation.

 

Mike "Crash" Hancock was born October 14, 1966 and was a native of Waco, Texas. In his younger days, he crashed just about every plane he put in the air, earning him the nickname Crash and it stuck. Crash was in the hobby for 40 years and was most well known for founding and hosting the longest running RC aviation podcast, "The CrashCast" (https://www.thecrashcast.com/) which started in 2009. In all, there were 360 episodes covering virtually every topic you can think of related to RC aviation. Every Wednesday night, modelers could listen in to the live show, join the chat, and then stay and listen to the often silly and off-topic 'after-show' that wasn't recorded. Crash started his show by saying "If it flies, and it's RC...I like to play with it!" From micro to giant scale, wet fuel and electric, airplanes, sailplanes, helis and multi-rotors. He even designed, manufactured via CNC, and sold his own line of quad frames out of his garage. Crash was also well known for doing everything in his power to help out a fellow modeler, whether he knew them personally or not, and even if the issue was not RC related. He had a truly charitable heart and attitude that made him a very easy person to befriend. Crash touched literally thousands of modelers' lives around the world with his podcast, and was always available to help out with building advice, flying advice, or anything else one might need.  He truly enjoyed the hobby and those who participated in it. 'Build something, fly something, and enjoy this great RC hobby’ was the way Crash ended each of his podcasts, but also how he lived his life. Many came together to honor his memory by purchasing a brick in the AMA Walk of Fame. Crash touched so many lives, that the money was raised in less than one day and the fundraiser stayed open for a few weeks, raising over $1700 to give to Crash's family to keep The CrashCast online.     Additional links: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2988021-The-Hobby-Lost-a-Friend-Crash-Hancock CrashCast listeners FB page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/167851760066170/?ref=bookmarks AoA (Angle of Attack podcast) - angleofattackpodcast.com Thank you to Nik Zinsli for sharing about Crash in order for this blog to be written.  

Beresford Area Radio Flyers Receive Club Recognition Reward and Grant

The Beresford Area Radio Flyers has recently been awarded with a $50 Club Recognition and Reward Grant. Beresford Area Radio flyers were featured in the Sioux Center News for hosting a 25th annual model airplane show at Centre Mall in Sioux. Hobbyist came from Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa to see about 40 planes on display.

 

The Beresford Area Radio Flyers has recently been awarded with a $50 Club Recognition and Reward Grant. Beresford Area Radio flyers were featured in the Sioux Center News for hosting a 25th annual model airplane show at Centre Mall in Sioux. Hobbyist came from Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa to see about 40 planes on display. Coordinator of the event Don Van Voorst told reporter Steve Hoogland, “If you’re going to be a club and you want to fly, you’re pretty much bound to the AMA.” The AMA Foundation thanks the Beresford Area Radio Flyers and attendees for making the event such a large success. The AMA Club Recognition and Reward Program was established to encourage clubs to promote model aviation. The AMA offers clubs cash incentives for positive local media coverage for a public event, public service, club announcement, or other coverage. Click here to learn more about this program.

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