The torch icon symbolizes one’s passion, commitment, and unselfish service to our culture and community of model aviators, and the flame cannot be extinguished.
AMA Foundation
Club Grant Applications Move Online
The Holly Springs Skyhawks RC Group took this photo at an event that the club held in September 2022.
Robert A. Studinski Leaves Major Gift to the AMA Foundation Endowment
AMA Foundation Heritage and Legacy Society donor Robert A. Studinksi bequeathed more than $75,000 to the Foundation's Endowment Fund. The Academy of Model Aeronautics and the AMA Foundation would like to thank Robert Studinski and his family for this generous gift. The Foundation Endowment Fund provides funding in perpetuity to the AMA benevolent programs through annual earnings and returns, leaving the fund's corpus untouched.
Mr. Studinski's contribution will have a major impact on the future funding of programs at AMA and will ensure that we are able to continue upholding the joy of flight for modelers of all ages across the country.
If you would like to learn more about Robert's life and his history with model aviation, continue reading the obituary provided by his loved ones.
Mr. Studinski's contribution will have a major impact on the future funding of programs at AMA and will ensure that we are able to continue upholding the joy of flight for modelers of all ages across the country.
If you would like to learn more about Robert's life and his history with model aviation, continue reading the obituary provided by his loved ones.
Robert Ambrose Studinski passed away at his home in Benton, KY on February 24, 2020.
He was born on January 16, 1933 in Avon Lake, Illinois to Ambrose and Mary (Gorzella) Studinski.
Robert was in the Army from 1953 through 1955 and continued in the reserves until 1961. He served in Germany in the 2nd armored division. During that time he collected beer steins for himself and Hummel's for his mother.
Robert married Leah Cook on November 22, 1958 and they built a house in Big Rock, IL, where he worked for Lyon Metal Products in Montgomery, IL for 45 years. He started as a designer, and by the his time of retirement, he had become a Product Development Manager.
Robert and Leah, for their retirement, bought 16 acres in Benton, KY near Leah's sister, Vernyce Lawrence, and husband, Dean, where they built a home that included a barn with a loft.
Robert was a pilot and had a passion for airplanes. From an early age, he would build fly wire planes. Later in life he would buy RC kits that he equally enjoyed building. The barn and loft is where Robert spent a great deal of time building radio controlled model aircraft of all sizes from a wing span of 1 foot to a wing span of 6 feet. He enjoyed flying with a local flying club, and was an active AMA member.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ambrose and Mary Studinski, and his wife Leah who passed away in July of 2014. He is survived by nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
AMA Disaster Grant Helps Clubs Recover
When nature turns cruel, AMA supports its clubs.
For chartered clubs that suffer damage to their sites through natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquake, fire, or similar catastrophic events, AMA, through support from the AMA Foundation’s Club Support Fund, offers limited financial assistance (up to $500 per incident) for repairs needed to make the damaged flying site accessible and usable to club members.
In 2020, AMA and the AMA Foundation were able to provide $6,500 in Disaster Relief Grants to 13 clubs around the country, helping them restore their flying sites.
The Cedar Rapids Skyhawks and the Bay Area Radio Control Society were two clubs who received a Disaster Relief Grant this year. Read below to learm more about how AMA's grant assisted their repair efforts.
On August 10, 2020, a storm rolled through Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This was not just any storm, but one that is called a Derecho. This rare storm had straight line winds in excess of 120 mph as it flattened trees and buildings in its path. The City of Cedar Rapids had a significant amount of damage and very few people in the area came out of it unscathed.
The Cedar Rapids Skyhawks field has [been] through quite a few storms without any significant issues. There are no buildings, and our runway is a Petromat surface that usually stands up well to the wind. This storm was not like the others though, and our runway sustained quite a bit of damage.
The flight stands were gone, blown across the field and [broken] up as they tumbled away. The port-a-potty had broken free and [...] tore down some chain link fence. On its journey, it caught the Petromat and tore it up enough for the wind to take hold. Once the wind caught the mat, it ripped up large chunks, exposing the surface underneath to the wind and rain.
There was much work to do to get the field flyable again. To complicate matters, most of the club members had significant damage at their homes [...] and were without electrical power for days after the storm. The club’s biggest event of the year, Warbirds Over Iowa, was scheduled to take place in a little over two weeks.
I remembered that AMA had a program for club disaster assistance, so I decided I’d apply for a grant. I sent in the application three days after the storm, and we had approval and a check for $500 in less than a week. The money helped us to buy needed supplies and also served to motivate some of our club members. It seemed that all we had was bad news, and anything positive helped. After a couple of extensive repair sessions, we were able to repair the runway by patching it up. We rented a roller and went over it a few times to make sure it was ready to handle the warbirds that would attend our event. We were able to host Warbirds Over Iowa on schedule and our members were very happy to have an opportunity to get away from the stress of storm clean up through enjoyment of the hobby we all love.
We appreciate the AMA’s quick response in our time of need.
Todd Davis, President of Cedar Rapids Skyhawks.
[Hurricane] Zeta took more of the metal roof off the pit area and that metal and our benches ended up in a farmer's field...destroyed, of course. The runway material (300 ft. by 15 ft.) ended about 500 ft. away in several large trees.
We were going to try to save the runway material, but decided it needs to be replaced. We will now use the grant money to repair our pit roof and benches and add what's left to the cost of new runway material.
As with a lot of clubs, we have a large number of senior citizens that aren't up to handling 16 ft. 2 x 6's and sheet metal roofing, so getting back to our great facility may take some extra time.
We, again, thank you and the AMA for the grant money.
Al Whitney, President of Bay Area Radio Control Society
The AMA Foundation relies on your donations to continue providing relief and aid to clubs affected by natural disasters. Donate today to the Club Support Fund.
Learn more about the Disaster Relief Grant.
2020 AMA Foundation Sweepstakes for the Future Winner Has Been Chosen
The winner of the AMA Foundation Sweepstakes for the Future has been drawn! Congratulations to Scott Stump from Yorktown, IN! Scott will be enjoying a 3-day trip to California with his wife to experience a flight in Lady Alice, a P-51 Mustang. Scott has also won a model Lady Alice, courtesy of Legend Hobby (formerly VQ Warbirds). The AMA Foundation is sincerely grateful to Dr. Ken Wagner, owner of the Lady Alice, for donating the P-51 ride. We would also like to thank Mr. Gordon Truax for his role in facilitating the ride. Thank you to everyone who entered and purchased entries. The AMA Foundation raised more than $7,000!
AMA Foundation Receives Second Major Gift From Ronald Hesselbrock
The AMA Foundation has received a second major gift, in the amount of $140,000, from Legacy Society Member Ronald Hesselbrock. The AMA and AMA Foundation would again like to thank the family of Ronald Hesselbrock for this generous gift. As stated in his will, these donations will be applied toward AMA's general scholarship fund, the Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship fund. This gift will continue to leave a major impact on the lives of future students who continue to be involved in the model aviation community. Read more about Mr. Hesselbrock and his gifts HERE.
Herbert Bone Bestows Major Gift to National Model Aviation Museum
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.
