AMA Foundation

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).

A total of $56,069.32 has been awarded in grants.

Congratulations to the 2020 recipients of the Flying Site Improvement Grant and the Take Off and Grow Grant.  

Flying Site Improvement Grant (FSIG)

26 clubs were awarded Flying Site Improvement grants in 2020! AMA established the Flying Site Improvement Grant program to invest in the continued improvement and growth of AMA chartered clubs and fields. Grant funding is provided through an allocation of membership dues each year as well as from funding from the AMA Foundation. These clubs are making a difference in the model aviation community, and the communities in which they operate. This year, $41,464.32 was awarded.

ClubAmount 

Rhode Island Aeromodelers $1,538.36

Southern New Hampshire Flying Eagles R/C Club $2,621.75

Brauer's Aviators $441.35

Fairfield League of Yankee Radio Controllers  (FlyRC) $393.20

Anderson Flyers RC Club $533.58

Greater Cincinnati Radio Control Club $3,000.00

Charlotte Aeromodelers $3,000.00

District of Columbia Radio Control (DCRC) Club $972.00

Bay City Flyers $3,000.00

Blount County Model Aviators $1,135.00

Seminole Radio Control Club $1,811.00

Flying Cardinals of Northern Kentucky $1,841.75

Fort Wayne Flying Circuits $377.00

Henderson RC Model Airplane Club $516.57

Mid-Missouri Radio Control Association $1,660.47

Midwest Air Wing R/C Club $3,000.00

Des Moines Modelaires $1,298.35

Flying Pilgrims $1,606.82

Lake County Modelers and Flyers Association $3,000.00

Wausau RC Sportsmen $1,476.00

ARF RC Flying Club $516.50

Good Ole Okies Flying Society $1,090.00

Sky Corral R/C Club $1,940.75

Silent Electric Fliers of San Diego $496.45

Tri Valley RC Modelers $3,000.00

Puget Sound Silent Flyers $1,197.42

   

Take Off and Grow (TAG) Grant

23 clubs were awarded Take Off and Grow Grants in 2020! AMA awards up to $1,000 to clubs that implement a Take off And Grow (TAG) program in their local communities. TAG programs provide newcomers to model aviation an opportunity to learn about the hobby as well as practice flying model aircraft with experienced club members. TAG grants are awarded each year, thanks to the generous support of AMA members and AMA Foundation donors across the country. This year, $14,605.00 was awarded.

Club NameAmount

Aeroguidance Society$790.00

Meroke Radio Control$1,000.00

Penn Ohio Radio Kontrol Society (PORKS)$800.00

Valley City R/C Club, Inc.$1,000.00

Holly Springs Skyhawks Radio Control Group$800.00

Johnston County Aeromodelling Club$1,000.00

Largo Flying Club$500.00

Flagler City Radio Aero Modelers$800.00

Stone Mountain Radio Control Flyers$500.00

Henderson Radio Control Model Airplane Club$715.00

Madison Area Radio Control Society (MARCS)$500.00

Lake County Modelers & Flyers$500.00

Milan Flyers$400.00

Capital Area Radio Drone Squadron$400.00

Corsicana R/C Flyers$300.00

Richardson Radio Control Club$1,000.00

Casper Airmodelers Association$400.00

Rapid City Propbusters$500.00

Longmont Electric Aircraft Flyers, LEAF$500.00

Lincoln Sky Knights$400.00

Casa Grande RC Flyers$1,000.00

Oasis Flyers (Flying Aces)$800.00

   

 

The AMA Foundation has received a gift of $135,000 to assist with scholarship efforts.  The AMA and AMA Foundation would like to thank the family of Ronald Hesselbrock,Oxford, Ohio,  for this generous gift. Ronald, a Heritage and Legacy Society member of the AMA Foundation, requested these funds be allocated upon his passing. Ronald died on his birthday, Monday, July 22, 2019 at Westover Nursing Home in Hamilton, OH. Born July 22, 1948 in Cincinnati, he is the son of Loretta (nee Meyer) and Edward Hesselbrock. Ronnie had a passion for model aeronautics and built and flew model airplanes. Throughout his life, he enjoyed Ham Radio and competitive target shooting. He was active with the Butler County Sportsmen where he served as a Trustee, and he also helped with the 4-H Shooting Sports Club. Ronnie served in the Army National Guard of Ohio, and as a Reserve of the Army. He is survived by many cousins and was preceded in death by his parents. Ronald's contribution will  have a major impact on the lives of future students who participate in the model aviation hobby. Each year the AMA awards approximately $50,000 in scholarships to students pursing higher education. Ronald's gift will assist with these efforts for many years.

The AMA Foundation thanks each and every one of our donors for their continued support of AMA programs. We have compiled some information that might be helpful. This information is provided by Independent Sector, and provides important information on how the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides incentives for charitable giving.

• Donors may be eligible for a $300 universal charitable deduction: Permits individuals to deduct up to $300 of cash contributions to most charities in 2020 for those who do not itemize their deductions.
• New changes on limitations for charitable giving: Suspends the limitation on deductions for cash contributions to most charities for individuals who itemize. Increases the limitation on deductions for similar contributions by corporations from 10% to 25% of taxable income. Also increases the limitation on deductions from 15% to 25% for contributions of food inventory.
• The CARES Act temporarily waves required minimum distributions (RMDs) for all types of retirement plans for the year 2020.

The AMA Foundation encourages you to speak with your financial advisor on these updates. Things are evolving and changing every day, so please continue to monitor our website and others for important information.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation while we do our part to address COVID-19. The safety of our staff, members, and community are AMA’s top priority. Together we can work to slow the spread of COVID-19 and eventually life will return to normal. Please check our website /amafoundation/covid-19-update/ for more information.

Michael (Mike) Lee Mosbrooker, 81, of Oak Harbor, Washington, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at home surrounded by his family after a brief battle with metastatic melanoma. Memorial service will be held at 10am on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at Wallin Funeral Home in Oak Harbor, with Chaplain David G. Lura officiating. Mike was born in Valley City, North Dakota to Alvin and Elvira Mosbrooker on Friday, June 17, 1938. Mike’s family moved to Los Angeles when Mike was 5. Mike worked alongside his dad and grandfather as a carpenter, finishing his apprenticeship at age 19. He was also an auto enthusiast, working as a body and fender specialist and drag racing in his spare time. Mike earned a degree in applied mathematics from California Polytechnic State University where he also participated in Glee Club, ROTC, and the National Society of Scabbard and Blade. He later earned a master’s degree in nuclear physics from the Naval Postgraduate School. Mike served for 20 years in the United States Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was a Senior Army Parachutist and Ranger and served with the 75th Artillery, 10th Special Forces, 1st Infantry Division, 46th Artillery, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 76th Artillery and the 3rd Infantry Division in addition to multiple staff positions. Mike earned multiple decorations including the Legion of Merit, six Bronze Star Medals for Valor and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. After retiring from the military, Mike held multiple positions as an engineer and program manager. He later built and managed apartment buildings with his good friend, Robert Rathe. Mike met and married Judith (Judie) Ruth Ginsberg while he was stationed in Bad Tölz, Germany with Special Forces. Mike and Judie had three children: Patti, Mike and Eric. Judie died in 1991 after a short battle with breast cancer. Mike married Helen Swanner in 1992 and they have resided together in Oak Harbor since 1994. Mike had many loves in his life in addition to his family: beagles, model airplanes, traveling, golfing, boating, sports, piloting airplanes and spending time in his workshop. Mike started flying model airplanes at age 5 with his mother’s help and flew his final flight on New Year’s Day 2020. Mike held many leadership positions with the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and was awarded the AMA Fellowship Award in 2020 for his distinguished service. Mike and Helen traveled in their trailer (with beagles) to numerous model airplane events and also traveled (without beagles) to Europe, Asia, Australasia and South America. Mike’s greatest joy were his three grandchildren: Jesse (18), Caroline (16), and Zachary (11 months). Mike also had two stepchildren: Tammy and David; and six step-grandchildren. In addition to his children and grandchildren, Mike is survived by his wife, Helen; brother, Harold; numerous nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews; his son-in-law, Jon; and daughters-in-law, Lisa and Karyn. Mike lived a full life and he was admired, respected and loved by those he touched. In lieu of flowers, Mike requested memorials be made to the AMA Foundation at https://www.modelaircraft.org/donate or the Toddler Learning Center at https://www.tlcwhidbey.org/ways-you-can-help.

A Walk of Fame brick purchased in memory of Mike by his loving family

In memory of fellow AMA member, Andy Kane, the Southwest Area Park R/C Model Airplane Club made a $100 donation to the AMA Foundation. Andy was a true ambassador of the hobby, not only for his home club (DCRC), but also for numerous local and regional clubs. He attended the majority of the club's annual major events over the past 25 years helping to make them the successes they were. His leadership and promotion of radio-controlled modeling will surely be missed.

Thank you to the family of Warren Kurth for donating to the AMA Foundation in honor of Warren. Warren Kurth was born on April 5, 1933 in Bloomington, Illinois. His modeling career began with a sheet-balsa model kit when he was six years old. He was an assistant instructor at a YMCA model building class during junior high school. Warren lectured on model building, flew Control Line demonstrations, and taught a model building class at the community center for disadvantaged boys when he was in high school. Warren designed several models in his career, including the Miniball, Jetstream, Hedgehopper, Peetriot, and the infamous Peanut. The Miniball, first published in the October 1970 issue of Model AIrplane News, had seven National AMA records in 1/2 A Proto Speed in Open, Junior, and Senior classes between 1968 and 1972. Warren's Jetstream also won many trophies in 1956, 1960, and 1961. The Jetstream set three national AMA records in 1959 and the early 1960's. Several of Warren's kits and complete airplanes were donated to the National Model Aviation Museum.

The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) Foundation Board and staff are saddened to hear of the passing of Board Chairman emeritus, Laird Jackson’s recent passing. “Doc” as many knew him, was a member of the AMA Foundation’s first Board of Director’s serving as its first Chairman. Doc was a noted physician certified in internal medicine, clinical genetics and clinical cytogenetics with a principal interest in Prenatal Diagnosis and research in that area and childhood genetic conditions.  As an aeromodeler, he has been most active in control line flying and worked with the AMA and FAI in national and international competition and its administration. Click here to learn more about Dr. Laird Jackson and his many accomplishments.

The winner of the AMA Foundation For The Future Sweepstakes has been chosen and the winner has been revealed. William (Bill) Fitzharris from Arizona is the lucky winner and will be enjoying a trip to AMA Expo West and a flight in a P-51 Mustang, Lady Alice. When asked about his history with flying and how excited he is for the trip, this is what he had to say: How long have you been flying model aircraft/involved with the AMA? Bill has been flying since his early teens and has built and flown control-line in the days of the Redhead McCoy glow engines. His club was sponsored by the local Plymouth Auto Dealership, and that was it for the next 60 years. Then, a few years ago his daughter gave him a surprise birthday gift, an E-Flite Apprentice ready-to-go out of the box. He joined a local club, the Arizona Model Pilot's Society (AMPS) and the AMA. What are your areas of interest in model aviation? Free flight, RC, helicopters, scale, etc.? Currently he enjoys flying RC. What is your profession? Has model flying had any impact on your career path? Bill is a retired Wells Fargo Financial Advisor. Model Aviation has not really had an impact on his career choice. He has attended numerous airshows in the D.C. area along with the Air and Space Museum and Udvar-Hazy Museum, which his daughters have said they have visited too many times. How excited are you about winning? "Being known as "Mr. Never Has Won Anything," excited is not a strong enough word to describe how happy I am. This one is for the books!"

Whether you are shopping for school supplies, gifts, airplane parts, or anything in between, Amazon Smile will give back to the AMA Foundation every time you purchase something through this link: Amazon Smile & AMA. How does it work? It's simple. Instead of going to the normal Amazon website, go to the above link. When you go through our link, 5% of what you spend will be donated to the AMA Foundation. That's all you have to do! If you were already planning on making a purchase on Amazon, why not give back to a cause you love too?