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Southwest Area Park Radio Control Model Airplane Club Awarded with Club Recognition and Reward Grant

The Academy of Model Aeronautics recently awarded Southwest Area Park R/C Model Club with $150 Club Recognition and Reward Grant. The club was featured in the Arbutus Times on Oct. 10, 2016, and also on Fox News 45. The story, titled “Hobbyist Fliers Watch Air Traffic Soar,” shares the story of the competition for airspace among model airplanes and real planes. The Baltimore County runway hosted an airshow for venues across the nation to compete. The airshow was almost was not able to take place due to the new rules and laws under the FAA to regulate hobbyist.

 

The Academy of Model Aeronautics recently awarded Southwest Area Park R/C Model Club with $150 Club Recognition and Reward Grant. The club was featured in the Arbutus Times on Oct. 10, 2016, and also on Fox News 45. The story, titled “Hobbyist Fliers Watch Air Traffic Soar,” shares the story of the competition for airspace among model airplanes and real planes. The Baltimore County runway hosted an airshow for venues across the nation to compete. The airshow was almost was not able to take place due to the new rules and laws under the FAA to regulate hobbyist. With the help of the AMA, the event was able to take place so hobbyist fliers could fly freely. The association said, “"We successfully worked with the FAA to roll back these unnecessary flying restriction.” To view the full story, click here. 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.

Hudson Valley Radio Control Club Awarded with Club Recognition and Reward Grant

The Academy of Model Aeronautics recently awarded the Hudson Valley Radio Control Club with a $75 Club Recognition and Reward grant. The club was featured in the Rockland Journal News for their 7th Annual Haverstraw Air Show. The Haverstraw Air show held dozens of fliers from planes ranging from 7 inches to 104 inches. The event was an opportunity for families and friends to get together to spend time watching planes zig zag through the sky.

 

The Academy of Model Aeronautics recently awarded the Hudson Valley Radio Control Club with a $75 Club Recognition and Reward grant. The club was featured in the Rockland Journal News for their 7th Annual Haverstraw Air Show. The Haverstraw Air show held dozens of fliers from planes ranging from 7 inches to 104 inches. The event was an opportunity for families and friends to get together to spend time watching planes zig zag through the sky. The club president, Bruce Leach, was interviewed by the paper and spoke about how model airplanes bring parents and their children together to do hands on activities. Model airplane flying is unlike any other sport and allows for a different type of interaction with their children. For more information about the event, view Hudson Valley Radio Control Club website here.   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.636073026617387228-sh082016airhshow010

#GivingTuesday is underway

stand_for-you_blogpic The AMA is currently participating in #GivingTuesday to help us hit our 2016 goal of raising $200,000. What is #GivingTuesday? It’s a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.

 

stand_for-you_blogpic The AMA is currently participating in #GivingTuesday to help us hit our 2016 goal of raising $200,000. What is #GivingTuesday? It’s a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Why should you give? Because model flying is what you love, and we love to help you fly. AMA’s team stands up for members everyday by providing membership services, working with the FAA and in DC, engaging youth and building educational programs using model aviation, building partnerships to enhance the hobby, and much more.  

9 departments

9 hours

1 hour of standing

 

Please help us take a seat.

Our goal is to raise $2,500 for the AMA Foundation. That’s $278 per hour. Once each team hits their goal they can take a seat, or be left standing for the entire hour. ben standingkyle and jay standing Join in on the fun and make a tax-deductible donation! DONATE NOW

Olympic RC Modelers Club Awarded with Club Recognition and Reward Grant

The AMA Foundation has recently awarded the Olympic RC Modelers Club a $125 club Recognition and Reward Grant. The club was featured in Peninsula Daily News for their fundraiser they hosted for Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County. The Olympic RC Modelers paired with the Sequim RC Aeronautics to provide a light up show of hot air balloons, RC planes and helicopters. Attendees had the chance to buy raffle tickets benefiting the Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County. The event also featured West Coast Spin Doctors, Mike and Marilyn Mason.

 

The AMA Foundation has recently awarded the Olympic RC Modelers Club a $125 club Recognition and Reward Grant. The club was featured in Peninsula Daily News for their fundraiser they hosted for Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County. The Olympic RC Modelers paired with the Sequim RC Aeronautics to provide a light up show of hot air balloons, RC planes and helicopters. Attendees had the chance to buy raffle tickets benefiting the Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County. The event also featured West Coast Spin Doctors, Mike and Marilyn Mason. The Mason’s demonstrated wing walking in a 1943 Stearman. Children had the opportunity to take part in paper airplane race, while adults attended a car show. The first 100 people were granted with free wooden planes. 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 learn more about this program.   Peninsula Daily News

Tri State Model Flyers Awarded with Club Recognition and Reward Grant

The Academy of Model Aeronautics recently awarded Tri State Model Flyers with a $75 Club Recognition and Reward Grant. The club was featured in an article in the Greater Ashland Beacon about their 5th annual fly-in. The club opened their event to the general public at no cost. They had a fly-in, a night fly and a new activity where people could bring their old, unwanted planes for others to shoot paintballs at. Those in attendance purchased five paintballs for $1. The club wanted to have a new activity to generate new interest in flying.

 

The Academy of Model Aeronautics recently awarded Tri State Model Flyers with a $75 Club Recognition and Reward Grant. The club was featured in an article in the Greater Ashland Beacon about their 5th annual fly-in. The club opened their event to the general public at no cost. They had a fly-in, a night fly and a new activity where people could bring their old, unwanted planes for others to shoot paintballs at. Those in attendance purchased five paintballs for $1. The club wanted to have a new activity to generate new interest in flying. More club information can be found on their website. 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.

Family of Charles Rife donates collection to AMA Foundation

Before starting at the AMA I worked for a local Chamber as the Membership Director. I really enjoyed interacting with business and community leaders. One of the people I most enjoyed talking to and working with was Charles (Chuck) Rife. Chuck was always in a good mood and was one of those people who knew a lot about all kinds of different things. He was really involved with videography, but he also was great at leading others to do great things for the city of Dunkirk.

 

Before starting at the AMA I worked for a local Chamber as the Membership Director. I really enjoyed interacting with business and community leaders. One of the people I most enjoyed talking to and working with was Charles (Chuck) Rife. Chuck was always in a good mood and was one of those people who knew a lot about all kinds of different things. He was really involved with videography, but he also was great at leading others to do great things for the city of Dunkirk. Chuck and his wife became dear friends of mine, and I truly admired the love Chuck had for his wife, his family, his friends, and his community. His other love was for aviation. He often told me about model flying, and eventually took my ex-husband under his wing and taught him to fly. When I told him I was interested in applying for a job with AMA he was so excited. He encouraged me to go for it, and was really excited when I got the job. Sadly Chuck passed away in July this year. He had been fighting illness for a long time. Aside from missing some hair, and walking a little slower—you never would have known Chuck was not 100 percent healthy. He still had a smile on his face, still checked in on me all the time, and he still did his best to come to my themed parties. The last time I talked to Chuck was weeks before he passed away. He was trying to clear out his work room so that he and Gay Ann could downsize. We talked about the donation process and he was very happy to see his models come to us to help with our efforts and to be sold to people who would really enjoy them. As always he was thinking of others before himself, and planning ahead. When we cleared out his work room Gay Ann told me I could keep an airplane shelf that he had hung up. It’s hanging in my office and I’m so proud to showcase it. Chuck will be missed by so many, and I am so happy to have known him and to make sure that his love of aviation is known and passed down to others through his collection. Mandee Mikulski Director of Development

 

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More about Chuck:

Charles (Chuck) Rife was a man who was enamored by the idea of flight, flying, planes, eagles, and everything airborne. He enjoyed sharing his love of flying with everyone with whom he came into charles rifecontact. Chuck organized the Dunkirk Proptwisters Club and served as its president for twenty years and was a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics for over twenty-eight years. He was a devoted husband to his wife of fifty-seven years, Gay Ann. They had three children together and eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Chuck was a man with a big heart. Chuck loved his country and was a leader in his community.  He was involved with many things in his community including CASA, Junior Achievement, Job's Daughters, the Jay County Chamber of Commerce, the Dunkirk Beautification Committee, and the Dunkirk Elks Lodge.      

Remember to support the AMA Foundation when shopping on Amazon

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When beginning your online holiday shopping don’t forget you can support the AMA Foundation just by shopping on Amazon.  #StartWithaSmile at smile.amazon.com/ch/52-0799408 for your holiday gifts and Amazon donates to Academy of Model Aeronautics Foundation.   What is AmazonSmile? AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the AMA Foundation every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to the AMA Foundation. How do I shop at AmazonSmile? To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. How do I get started? On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping.  AmazonSmile will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make on smile.amazon.com will result in a donation. Which products on AmazonSmile are eligible for charitable donations? Tens of millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible for donations. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail pages. Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile? Yes, you use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same. How much of my purchase does Amazon donate? The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. The purchase price is the amount paid for the item minus any rebates and excluding shipping & handling, gift-wrapping fees, taxes, or service charges. Is there any cost to charitable organizations or to customers? No. There is no cost to charitable organizations or to AmazonSmile customers. The shopping experience is identical to Amazon.com with the added benefit that the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate to the charitable organizations selected by customers. Thank you for supporting the AMA Foundation! If you have questions about the AMA Foundation's participation in the AmazonSmile program, please email donations@modelaircraft.org.    #StartWithaSmile at smile.amazon.com/ch/52-0799408 for your holiday gifts and Amazon donates to Academy of Model Aeronautics Foundation.

Early scholarship recipient finds success

The AMA Scholarship Fund was created to award qualified AMA youth members with scholarships to pursue scientific/technical careers. Since its inception, AMA’s Scholarship program has bestowed over $1,000,000 in awards to college-bound aeromodelers. Donations to this fund will support our youth members who will be future leaders in aviation, technology, and science.

 

The AMA Scholarship Fund was created to award qualified AMA youth members with scholarships to pursue scientific/technical careers. Since its inception, AMA’s Scholarship program has bestowed over $1,000,000 in awards to college-bound aeromodelers. Donations to this fund will support our youth members who will be future leaders in aviation, technology, and science. [caption id="attachment_3101" align="alignright" width="300"] Bob Hanford[/caption] Robert “Bob” Hanford was one of the earliest recipients of an AMA scholarship. He was one of three modelers who received scholarship money in 1971. He was awarded $500, which he used to earn a bachelor of science in civil engineering from Oklahoma State University. “It paid most of my first year’s tuition—how times have changed!” Bob said of the scholarship. He applied for an AMA scholarship when he was a senior in high school. “It was a tremendous help. My parents divorced about that time, and weren’t able to help with college expenses.” Bob said after participating in the 2016 Free Flight Nats that he competed in his first Nats in 1964 when he was 11 years old. His father, a member of the 1949 US Wakefield Team, taught him how to build and fly at the age of eight. Bob’s aeromodeling experience has aided him in his career as a licensed professional engineer, and in his current position as a manager of civil/structural engineering. “The aeromodeling background definitely helped—knowing how to read and prepare drawings, spatial relations, strength of materials, and direct structural applications as I had experienced in modeling,” he commented. Over the years, hundreds of AMA youth members like Bob have benefited from the scholarship program. Donating to the AMA Scholarship Fund helps secure the future of aeromodeling's next generation.

AMA Foundation accepts donation from family of William Irving

As the new member of the AMA Foundation team, I am experiencing a lot of things for the first time. Recently, I experienced my first donation pick-up. It was in Eaton, Indiana, not far from AMA headquarters in Muncie. Mandee, Tony and I jumped in the truck with the trailer attached and off we went! After a brief detour (we went the wrong way…twice) we made it to the beautiful home of Jeff Irving, son of William (Bill) Irving. Jeff had previously contacted us about donating some of his dad’s collection.

 

As the new member of the AMA Foundation team, I am experiencing a lot of things for the first time. Recently, I experienced my first donation pick-up. It was in Eaton, Indiana, not far from AMA headquarters in Muncie. Mandee, Tony and I jumped in the truck with the trailer attached and off we went! After a brief detour (we went the wrong way…twice) we made it to the beautiful home of Jeff Irving, son of William (Bill) Irving. Jeff had previously contacted us about donating some of his dad’s collection. He really wanted to make sure that his planes got into the hands of people who shared his love of model aviation, so he reached out to the foundation for help. Jeff greeted us with a smile and warm welcome, showing us into the house to begin collecting some boxes stored inside. As we entered the den, I was in awe of the beautiful planes on display, including a never-flown Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing. Bill clearly loved model airplanes and took pride in the ones he built and owned. Back out in the garage, we began taking down the planes that were being donated.  All of Bill’s planes were in pristine condition, including a J-3 Cub on floats with an 8 foot wingspan. This plane made my jaw drop when I first saw it. It was built by Bill from a kit but as far as Jeff knows, it was never flown. This plane took a bit more work than the others to get down and taken apart to fit in the trailer. Don't worry, I left this task to the professional...Tony. I am a newbie and am still learning so I’m not trusted to do much of anything beyond holding screws! Thank you to Jeff and the rest of Bill's family for their donation from Bill's collection. The foundation received several of his planes which will be for sale soon at different shows and on our impending RC Resale eBay store. Make sure to stay-tuned for more information. Chrystal Pearson Development Communications Coordinator   About Bill Bill was a longtime member of the AMA. He loved building models airplanes even more than he loved flying them. Bill also enjoyed adventures such as hunting, fishing, boating trips, and spending time with his grandchildren. He had a great sense of humor and was very proud of his hole in one at Albany Golf Course. Bill was an avid fan of Ball State Basketball and Football games. [caption id="attachment_3089" align="aligncenter" width="130"]William (Bill) Irving William (Bill) Irving[/caption]

AMA Foundation accepts donation from Charles Sylvia

Working for AMA is a lot of fun. I love meeting new people and getting to visit new places. I have not had the pleasure of visiting any states east of Pennsylvania, so I was very excited to get the opportunity to visit New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York in one trip. Tony Stillman, my favorite road trip co-worker and I flew to New Hampshire and then drove to Keene, NH where we got to meet Charles and Fran Sylvia. Charles has been our most organized collection donor so far. He had his planes ready, and even had files on each one. I was so impressed!

 

Working for AMA is a lot of fun. I love meeting new people and getting to visit new places. I have not had the pleasure of visiting any states east of Pennsylvania, so I was very excited to get the opportunity to visit New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York in one trip. Tony Stillman, my favorite road trip co-worker and I flew to New Hampshire and then drove to Keene, NH where we got to meet Charles and Fran Sylvia. Charles has been our most organized collection donor so far. He had his planes ready, and even had files on each one. I was so impressed! Then, he took us to see his other planes in the basement. It’s obvious that his Navy pride is strong from his collection. Charles has wonderful craftsmanship and is a true modeler. It was really great to see all of his airplanes. [caption id="attachment_3053" align="alignleft" width="150"]Mandee and Tony at Niagra Falls Mandee and Tony at Niagra Falls[/caption] On the trip back, I did my best but could not talk Tony into stopping in New York City— even though we were really close! But, we did get to see some beautiful scenery. On the first day of our two day trip back we were getting ready to stop for the day and we saw a sign for Niagara Falls. Tony said yes-and off we went to see one of the most beautiful sights I have ever been lucky enough to see. [caption id="attachment_3054" align="alignright" width="165"]sylvia_collection Some of Charles' planes[/caption] The items from Charles were stored at AMA and we are going to be selling them soon at different shows and on the impending RC Resale EBay store we have created. Make sure to stay-tuned for more information. Thank you so much to Charles and his wife Fran for donating several models to the AMA Foundation for AMA’s educational/youth programs. It was a pleasure to meet you both and we look forward to seeing you again in February when we pick up more planes to sell at AMA Expo East! Mandee Mikulski Director of Development AMA Foundation   More about Charles: [caption id="attachment_3052" align="alignright" width="225"]Charles with his planes Charles with his planes[/caption] I have been building models and flying them ever since I can remember. My first recollection is of an accident I had in carving the nose block of a model when my NO.11 knife slipped and cut a deep hole in my leg. We faced some hard times after my father passed away, which meant there was not much extra money for models. Later I flew a few free flight planes and a few control line models when I was working while in high school and had some extra bucks. My first entry into R/C was with an ACE RC pulse system which gave left rudder with one pulse and right rudder with two pulses. The range on the system was not the best and I remember I had a fly away with that system. Then came along the Bonner servos which were powered by rubber bands and gave us up elevator with right rudder. Over the years I had several Ace radios and some were very good. I also had a custom made single stick radio which I loved. I was active in South Shore RC Club which I helped start and ran the first contest for the club. We had a nice write up in the July 1962 issue of America Modeler magazine with pictures that were taken by Ken Smith. I was flying a P-51 Mustang with a .25 gas motor which flew away and was never found. This club is still active today and has a large membership that flies in Bridgewater, MA. I first entered into electric flight when I built a model from plans in one of the RC Magazines, that’s when I first came in contact with Astro Flight who are still with us today. That model had an .05 can motor and was powered by flashlight batteries. In those years I was in the Naval reserves and a Combat Air crewman and was taking training at Willow Grove Naval Air Station. On one sunny day I noticed a man flying a model not far away from the base and I met up with him. My lasting friendship with Bob Kopski, who wrote the Electric Column for AMA magazine for many years began that day and still continues. Bob taught me how to fly my first electric model and I was hooked on electric flight. During the next 12 years I attended all of the KRC electric fly’s in Pennsylvania with Bob Kopski and he attended one of my fly-ins. During that time period I started a home Hobby Business selling Astro Flight equipment and models under the name of C S Flight Systems and grew into a lasting friend ship with Astro Flight whom I visited their business out in California. My business lasted until I moved to New Mexico in 2001 when I sold out to a hobby shop. During those years I converted many gas models to electric flight with great success and was really into the electric flight so I sold all my gas models and became a true fan of electric flight. In the clubs that I belonged to in those years I was the only one flying electric, but when they saw that I was having good success they started to try electric. Today that club is still active with almost all electric flyers. Also during this period, I was active in the AMA Cub program and ran several sessions for youth. I still support this program today and have run it since moving to New Hampshire. I try to encourage the two clubs I now belong to now to run the AMA Cub program for youth. My AMA membership, AMA 16137, shows that I am a Contest Director. While in New Mexico my modeling came to almost a stand still due to my wife dying of Cancer. I can remember only flying an electric motor glider just a few times which happened to be one of Astro Flights models with a 15 Cobalt motor and Ni Cad batteries— a model I had won contests with at the KRC events. After my wife’s death I moved back East to Troy, NH in 2005 and started my modeling experience all over again since the move had cost me the loss of all the models I had in New Mexico. I started building again from kits which gave away to the ARF’s and then the BNF foam models. I loved building and I acquired several fiberglass models up to ¼ scale and of course all electric, many of these conversions from gas models. I also got into the jet EDF part of the electric flight and have many jets now up to ¼ scale. As of the first of September 2016 I had a little over 100 models in my hanger which I have been scheduling to fly on a rotational basis. However, some favorites like the FMS and E-flight T-28 models get flown more often simply because they are such good flying models. I also have an EMS fiberglass T-28 which is a very complex plane that waits its turn to fly. Now at the edge of my 80th year I am ready to down size my hanger and have made arrangements with AMA to donate to the AMA Foundation Education Fund for Youth programs. Although I am keeping just a few of my favorite models to fly.

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