The Indianapolis RC Modelers Club is one of the oldest clubs in Indiana.
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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 Flying Site Improvement Grant Helps Clubs Build Stronger
Whether the project is big or small, AMA supports its clubs.
In 2021, AMA and the AMA Foundation provided $53,497.87 in Flying Site Improvement Grant to 34 clubs across the county, helping them make improvements to their flying sites.
The LoveAir RC Club was one club who received a Flying Site Improvement Grant this year. Read below to learn more about how AMA's grant assisted their improvement efforts.
Reflections from an FSIG recipient
The LoveAir RC Club was founded in 1988 with the purpose to serve northern Colorado as a resource for RC Aeromodeling. Our current site provides an outstanding facility which includes an 800-foot asphalt runway that is a favorite of many RC pilots around Colorado and many other states. We conduct three AMA sanctioned events every year and have many pilots flying at our site whenever the weather is good. So, because of the importance of safety, we felt the need to upgrade our old pilot safety fence.
Figure 1 below shows our old fence. It was about 32 inches high and was designed and installed before the time of 2.4 GHz radios, 50cc and up gas engines, and larger RC airframes. It worked fine for the smaller airplanes of the time, but the modern heavier and higher power planes including jets were just too much for the old fence, so we decided to install a new stronger fence. We included this in our long-term financial plan and saved up funds to help finance the new fence project. WE included in our plan applying for an AMA FSIG and were very appreciative to be selected for a grant that helps us to upgrade the safety of RC flying activities at our Flying Site - Drake Field, Ault, Colorado.
The Project
Figure 2 below shows the crew of club volunteers who removed the old fence. They did this on the second day of the project. On the first day of the project, the fence contractor installed the vertical posts for the new fence in concrete about a foot away from the old fence. The volunteer crew was able to remove the old fence on the second day early in the morning in about an hour. Our club routinely asks for volunteers to help with clean-up and improvement projects at our field. We consistently have great success with doing many of our projects with club volunteers.
Figure 3 below shows the volunteer crew working to remove the old fence.
Figure 4 below shows a contractor worker in the morning of the second day beginning to assemble the top rail of the new steel fence.
Figure 5 below shows the completed new safety fence on May 5th. It is 42 inches high with chain link mesh. It is higher and very much stronger. We are very happy with it.
Fred W. Smith, Treasurer of LoveAir RC Club
The AMA Foundation relies on your donations to continue providing funding to club sites in need of improvements. Donate today to the Programs Fund.
Learn more about the Flying Site Improvement Grant.
2021 Grants Awarded!
A total of $65,431.12 has been awarded in grants.
Congratulations to the 2021 recipients of the Flying Site Improvement Grant and the Take Off and Grow Grant.
Flying Site Improvement Grant (FSIG)
34 clubs were awarded Flying Site Improvement Grants in 2021! 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, $53,497.87 was awarded.
Fairborn Flying Aces RC Club
Kent County Aeromodelers Inc.
LoveAir RC Club
Corsair Model Aircraft Club
Aero Radio Club of Syracuse (ARCS)
Las Vegas Soaring Club
Boerne Area Model Society (BAMS)
R I Aeromodelers
River City Radio Controllers
Greater Southwest Aeromodelers
Tulip City Air Force Model Airplane Club
York County Flyers
Clovis Area Modelers
Indianapolis Radio Control Modelers Club
Casper Airmodelers Association
Texoma RC Modelers
Johnston County Aeromodeling Club (JCAC)
Fox Valley Aero Club
Millersburg R/C Modelers
Desert Eagles Model Airplane Flying Club
Catalina RC Modelers, Inc.
Blennerhassett Area RC
Susquehanna Valley Modelers
Raleigh Durham Radio Control Club
Kansas City Radio Control Club
Northern VA RC Club Inc.
Wingbusters Model Aircraft Club
Old Town Valley Flyers RC Club
Southeast Missouri Modelers Association
South Davis Modelers
American Turf Flyers and Sportman's Club, Inc.
Snohomish Radio Aero Club
Flying Pilgrims
Midwest Air Wing R/C Club
$581.25
$843.48
$962.00
$2,794.65
$1,010.34
$1,270.12
$1,386.58
$1,061.73
$1,101.17
$1,066.72
$3,000.00
$494.53
$3,000.00
$1,276.67
$436.06
$902.00
$628.45
$170.00
$3,000.00
$443.75
$3,000.00
$293.06
$1,346.17
$3,000.00
$437.34
$1,324.23
$3,000.00
$1,479.00
$2,852.81
$3,000.00
$344.66
$3,000.00
$3,000.00
$1,991.10
Take Off and Grow (TAG) Grant
14 clubs were awarded Take Off and Grow Grants in 2021! AMA Awards up to $1,000.00 to clubs that implement a Take Off and Grow (TAG) program in the 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, $11,933.25 was awarded.
Flying Knights MAC
Flying WingNutz of WV
Colonel's Flyin' Aces
Seminole RC Club
Central Alabama Sport Flyers
Huntington County Modelers
Anderson Preparatory Academy
Indianapolis Radio Control Modelers Club
Paducah Aeromodelers
Capital Area Radio Drone Squadron
Casper Airmodelers Association
Tucson RC Club
Casa Grande RC Flyers
Xaviators
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$723.25
$400.00
$1,000.00
$910.00
$1,000.00
$500.00
$500.00
$900.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
Lone Tree RC Flyers Receive Disaster Relief Grant
In August of 2020, the Lone Tree RC Flyers' flying site experienced damage due to a Derecho that passed through their area. The wind storm tore up their runway from the right edge up to the center seam. This was previously fastened with 12" staples and roof sealant, but it still wasn't strong enough to withstand the wind. The remaining fabric on the left side of the runway suffered damages as well; patches of tears and holes between the fibers running the length of the runway that were not repairable.
After assessing the damage to the runway and evaluating their budget, the club decided to apply for AMA's Disaster Relief Grant and was awarded the maximum amount of $500 to help rebuild their site. With the grant money, the Lone Tree RC Flyers were able to purchase two 300 foot rools of runway fabric that they will be laying down in the Spring of 2021.
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.
