events

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.

The Casa Grande RC Flyers held their annual RC Air Show on Saturday March 14th, 2020. The crowd size was not the largest the club had seen, but that didn't mean the donations also decreased, in fact it was the opposite. During the event, more food was donated to the Casa Grande Food Bank than during the previous years. They also raised a large amount for Pets In Need Action League through the event. The event this year had demonstrations, seminars, races and more!

Learn more about the Casa Grande RC Flyers on modelaircraft.org.

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

The Casa Grande RC Flyers, an award-winning Academy of Model Aviation (AMA) chartered club, will hold their 7th annual Air Show for charities on Saturday March 14, 2020, between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM at the club airfield located at 2725 S Isom Road, directly across from the public shooting range.  This year’s event, benefitting the Casa Grande Food Bank and the Pets in Need Action League, might be the club’s largest yet. The field gate will open at 8:00 AM allowing those wanting to set up for the event’s swap meet to display their goods before the official event start time of 9:00 AM 

On hand will be representatives from Pets in Need Action League who will serve coffee, hot chocolate, and pastries for donations, as well as, Casa Grande food vendor, Secret Ingredients,  who will provide morning and lunch items. Superstition Hobbies, a large Queen Creek hobby shop, will again be present displaying the latest in radio-controlled aircraft and radio-controlled car racing products.  Their Team Manager, Alan Moulton, will hold a special, free Spektrum Transmitter seminar assisting hobbyists to take advantage of all the unique features of their Spektrum transmitters.  The seminar will start at approximately 11:00 AM.

Casa Grande RC Flyers’ lead instructor, Maurie Sumption, will be available offering free radio-controlled flying lessons using his Apprentice model aircraft under his expert guidance and dual control.  The lessons will be offered throughout the entire event. Rick Chitty, a professional pilot representing Hitec/Multiplex, will again fly his spectacular “flying lawnmower” and other interesting aircraft.  Representatives from Superstition Hobbies and members of the Casa Grande RC Flyers will also fly many different and unique aircraft including jets, gliders, drones, biplanes and others throughout the morning.  Club members will be on hand to answer questions about the hobby.  Of special interest that morning will be a “Combat” dog fight scheduled to start at 10:00 AM and a radio-controlled car race demonstration offered by club members Jim Hernandez and Rick Downing, using the club’s expanded radio-controlled race track directly in front of the bleachers.  There will also be a raffle for a new airplane and other many items with the drawing held at noon.

Although this is a free event, the club asked people attending to support the Casa Grande Food bank with donations of non-perishable food items or cash.  There is never a charge to enter or park at the club’s events.  Pilots who are not CG RC Flyers members are asked for a small guest fee to fly at this event or to set up on the club’s swap meet tables. If flying, one must bring and show their AMA or MAAC membership card to the club’s safety officer.  Direction to the field and club information can be found on the club web site: www.CasaGrandeRCFlyers.com.

Despite a cold start, Saturdays Fly-In benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Casa Grande Valley turned into a wonderful morning.

Visitors to the club’s airfield 2725 S Isom Road arrived later than usual because of the morning wind and chill, but the day ended successfully for both the Boys & Girls Club and the Pets In Need Action League, who were on hand providing hot coffee and pastries to the attendees. 

Both non-profits raise money from club members and visitors who came to watch the flying, try a free model flying lesson and view items at the club’s swap meets. According to club President, Alan Friedman, “the biggest event of the season will be the annual Air Show which will take place on Saturday March 14th this year”.  He also stated that, “because of the cold mornings, next will run from 9 AM until 1 PM instead of 8 AM to Noon as in the past.”  At the club’s recent meeting, their board of directors was also increased from five members to seven.

The Casa Grande RC Flyers is an Academy Of Model Aeronautics award winning club and an Arizona non-profit corporation devoted promoting interest in model aviation and raising money for area charities.  The club’s efforts also benefit the Valley Humane Society, Hospice Charitable Fund of Central Arizona and the Casa Grande Food Bank who will be the recipient of their efforts at the March 14th air show. 

All those charities, now to include the Boys & Girls Club, have an annual event for their benefit at the club airfield. A list of the clubs’ activities, charitable and educational work and field and membership information can be found on the club’s website. 

The Golden Hawks Radio Control Club will host their Winter RC Air Fest. The event will begin at 9am on February 8 at the club's airfield at the DeLand Municipal Airport. The club will offer food and refreshments for those in attendance. The event will also include flying demonstrations as well as a swap meet with large model airplanes. The club will also be celebrating all of the money that they were able to raise to provide toys for their local Toys for Tots program. The event is $5 per car.

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.

Congratulations to each AMA club that qualified for an AMA Club Recognition and Reward Grant in 2019. We are thrilled to share with the membership that the entire $5,000 allotted to provide funding to clubs was awarded to 50 clubs. This means our clubs are going above and beyond to share positive stories about model flying activities. The more our clubs share, the more our hobby receives recognition. Thank you to each of these clubs for doing their part to make this happen. The Academy of Model Aeronautics encourages clubs across the country to take part in events and serve the community in ways that will entice community members to learn more about the hobby of model aviation. Becoming a vital part of your community will help your club build your membership and inspire others, including the youth in your community. 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. The program is simple. If your club has received publicity through the local media, simply submit the article, radio segment, or television clip to AMA’s Public Relations department. The department will review your application, and reward your club’s treasury based on the coverage received. Atoms Rcers Beresford Area Radio Flyers Binghampton Aeros Bristol County R/C Club Cape May County Wireless Aircraft Sport Pilots Capital Area Radio Drone Squadron Casa Grande RC Flyers Casper Airmodelers Cedar Rapids Skyhawks Celina Flying Sportman Coachella Valley Radio Control Club Des Moines Model Aires El Paso Radio Controllers Fluvanna County R/C Flying Club Fort Ben Radio Control Club Fremont County RC Club Heart of Texas Miniature Aircraft Club Holly Springs Skyhawks Radio Control Group Kootenai RC Flyers Lazy Eight RC Club Lewes RC Club Lincoln Sky Knight RC Club Mid Arkansas Radio Control Society Midwest Sundowners N.E. Kansas Blue Sky Squadron North Georgia Model Aviators Olympic RC Modelers Owatonna RC Modelers Palm Beach Radio Control Association RC Sport Flyers River City Radio Controllers Rochester Aeromodeling Society Rock River Aeromodelers Society Seminole Radio Control Club Sky Kings R/C Club South Coast RC Squadron Southern Indiana Flying Eagles Southwest Area Park Modelers SPARKS INC Stonecrest RC Flyers Sunday Flyers Susquehanna Valley Modelers Tampa Radio Control Aircraft Club Tinley Creek RC Club Tuscarora R/C Flying Club Viehe RC Fliers Wenatchee Red Apple Flyers

On Saturday November 9, 2019 at the Casa Grande RC Flyers event celebrating National Model Aviation Day, club Treasurer Nancy Friedman presented a check from the Diane Warren Foundation for $2,000.00, and a check from the Robson Ranch Mah Jong Club for $209.00, to the Valley Humane Society.  VHS Board President Deb Woodard and Shelter Manager Crystal Fox received the donations.  Besides those funds, the individuals who attended the club’s event at 2725 S Isom Road, were very generous providing the VHS with hundreds more for their shelter, which is the areas only no-kill shelter. Each winter month, the Casa Grande RC Flyers, which is an Academy of Model Aeronautics award winning club, holds events for the public’s enjoyment and for the benefit of area charities.  Their events are listed on the club’s web site: www.CasaGrandeRCFlyers.com.  Besides the donation presentation, this day’s events included free flying lessons by one of the club’s instructors using his training aircraft, a swap meet with RC aircraft, cars and boats offered, and a new food service, Salsa Bites, who will attend several of the club’s events this winter.  Visitors also had the opportunity to watch the flying visit with the pilots to learn more about this wonderful hobby. Besides the club’s major events on the 2nd Saturday of each winter month, the club also holds weekly Combat Dog Fights and Glider Contests on most Thursday mornings stating around 10:00 AM.  A special dog fight took place Saturday in honor of the National Model Aviation Day celebration. Membership information, and event schedule and directions to the club airfield are on the club we site.  The club is in their7th year of existence and is proud of all they do for our community.  Next month’s charity beneficiary will be the Pets In Need Action League, (P.I.N.A.L.) who provide food and medical assistance to those who have trouble affording those items.  Their assistance allows the owns to keep their pets at home and out of shelters. The enclosed photo shows Nancy Friedman, CG RC Flyers Treasurer (Far Right) presenting the checks to Deb Woodard, VHS Board President (middle), with Crystal Fox, VHS Shelter Manager (far left) looking on.

The Coachella Valley Radio Control Club recently received an AMA Club Recognition and Reward Grant for $125. The club is located in Indio, CA. The club is one of the oldest service organizations in their area and was able to get on their local radio station recently to talk about their club and some upcoming events. The club will be hosting their Top Fun event the first weekend in November and hope community members will come out and watch to support the club. You can listen to their full radio interview 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.