Foundation News

The AMA Foundation has received a bequest of more than $171,000 to support the National Model Aviation Museum.  The AMA and AMA Foundation would like to thank the family of Herbert Bone for his generous estate gift. Herbert is a Heritage and Legacy Society member of the AMA Foundation. Herbert had a lifelong passion for model aviation, trains, and Disney, specifically Mickey Mouse. He was a United States Army Veteran and a loving husband, father, and family member. Herbert was loved by his family, friends, and community, was an active member of the Boeing Hawks RC Club, and was a long time member of the Marymoor MARCs (1970's-2020). He was also a docent at the Seattle Museum of Flight, with over 3,000 volunteer hours. Before passing, Herbert wrote a reflections project that looked back on his life: My Story, P&T&MM. Herbert's contribution will have a lasting impact on the National Model Aviation Museum, allowing it to continue as a world-class experience. We are honored to carry Herbert's legacy forward.

Join the AMA Foundation in celebrating the ninth annual National Model Aviation Day, August 15, 2020!

National Model Aviation Day was created to encourage clubs to celebrate their hobby by sharing it with their communities. Year after year, clubs use this day to raise money for the AMA Foundation and other charities close to their heart. Donations made to the AMA Foundation are used to inspire the young and young-at-heart to pursue a hobby that will inspire creativity and advanced learning through the use of hands-on applications. Read what District X Associate Vice President Jim Mohan has to say about this day of fun and celebration:

Our celebration [of National Model Aviation Day] is our club’s chance to reach out to neighbors and invite those in the area to come out and enjoy a nice day with RC model flying, food, and a chance to fly one of the club’s trainers under the supervision of an instructor. Activities also include several raffles used as fundraising tools. National Model Aviation Day falls during the hottest part of the summer in the Phoenix area. With that in mind, the Arizona Model Pilots Society (AMPS) shifts its celebration to November when the weather better cooperates with outdoor activities. 

This past year, our event outreach and advertising resulted in roughly 30 registered pilots, but more importantly, nearly 100 guests stopped by to take in the activities. Approximately 25 visitors of all ages took advantage of the opportunity to fly an RC airplane. Several current club members got their start with model aviation as guests at our open house and National Model Aviation Day celebration.

Supporting the AMA Foundation on NMAD is a “no-brainer.” 

Although there are many worthy causes supported by several excellent groups, celebrating National Model Aviation Day calls for dedicating proceeds to the AMA Foundation. Last year, raffle proceeds allowed us to contribute $500 to the AMA Foundation. The foundation’s support of a variety of model aviation causes and activities provides clubs like ours the opportunity to contribute without the extra work of vetting and determining which activities deserve financial backing.

Having recently received an AMA Flying Site Improvement Grant, AMPS’ ongoing support of the AMA Foundation is one way to pay it forward to provide funding for other clubs and their projects. 

-Jim Mohan, AMPS president & District X associate vice president 

Register your club to participate or Find an Event at https://modelaviationday.com/

  For more information, contact: Kelsie Walker (kelsiew@modelaircraft.org) or Austin Perlee (austinp@modelaircraft.org).

Thirteen students awarded a total of $50,000 for academic pursuits The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) has helped graduating seniors achieve their dreams since 1970, with individual scholarships ranging from $500 to $8,000 each year. This year, $50,000 was awarded to students. Student scholarships are awarded each year thanks to the generous support of AMA members and AMA Foundation donors across the country. AMA has awarded more than $1.1 million in scholarships since founding the scholarship program. Award designations are set by the AMA Scholarship Committee, which is made up of model aviation pilots and enthusiasts. The committee evaluates each application and ranks it based on GPA, community involvement, model flying experience, and model flying competition participation. AMA and its foundation want to thank each family that has contributed to the memorial scholarships, as well as the hundreds of other donors to the scholarship program. Without their generous contributions, these gifts would not be possible. AMA would like to congratulate the following students who have been selected this year to receive the Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship and other scholarships: Matthew J. Harmon (Peachtree City, GA): $2,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Lucas Javier Gandarillas (Pembroke Pines, FL): $3,500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Andrew Sabini: $1,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Benjamin Robert Mills (Ozark, MO): $5,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship, $1,500 Ryan Sherrow Memorial Scholarship Lily Gwendolyn Mikes (Oklahoma City, OK): $5,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Ethan Ater (Louisville, KY): $4,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Luke Young (Greenbrier, TN): $2,500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Rylan Ritch (Magnolia, TX): $2,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Robert van Zyl (Peachtree City, GA): $1,500, Basil and Dorothy Cooper Memorial Scholarship Nicole Kane (Arlington Heights, IL): $7,000, Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship, $500 Toledo Weak Signals Club Scholarship Jack Spencer Ireland Samson (Olympia, WA): $3,000, Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Sabrina Fogel (San Diego, CA): $6,000, Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship, $5,000, Clifford and Nancy Telford Memorial Scholarship Donnie Petsche (Chula Vista, CA): $4,500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship, $500, Toledo Weak Signals Club Scholarship

David R. Thomson passed away at Veranda Gardens Nursing Home on March 20, 2020. David Raymond Thomson was born March 24, 1926 to Norma Hucke Thomson and Procter Thomson. David was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth (née Palm), his parents, his sister, Ruth Shapiro, and his brother, Procter Thomson, II. David is survived by his sons, Paul (Jennifer), of Cincinnati, and David (Barbara) of Winterville, NC. He enjoyed his grandchildren, Eric Thomson, of Boulder, CO, Karl Thomson, of Syracuse, NY, and Laura Thomson, also of Boulder. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews. He grew up in Wyoming, Ohio, attending Walnut Hills High School and Purdue University. After graduating as a mechanical engineer, he worked for Procter & Gamble, Sverdrup & Parcel, and at Fernald, where he was awarded a George Westinghouse Signature Award for his work in containing uranium dust. David spent many days with family and friends building and flying what he called, “toy flying machines.” He sang with the P&G Men’s Chorus and was a regular participant in Toastmasters. Later in life he became a Master Mason. When his sons joined Boy Scouts, he did too. He enjoyed many memorable trips with the scouts, backpacking throughout the western US. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Academy of Model Aeronautics Foundation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie, IN 47302, (Modelaircraft.org/give) in honor of Dave’s passion for model aviation. Online condolences can be left at www.AMGFuneralHome.com.