expo

We're happy to announce the winner of the California Dream Flight Sweepstakes. Christopher Mayer, of Owatonna, MN, was randomly chosen from entries submitted by approximately 5,000 people.

The California Dream Flight sweepstakes challenged entrants to make a voluntary donation to the AMA Foundation to build a foundation for the future. The sweepstakes raised $15,000 within the entry period.

[caption id="attachment_2422" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Grand prize winner, Christopher Mayer[/caption]

Mayer’s prize included round-trip airfare for two to California; a three-day/two-night stay at DoubleTree by Hilton; free admission to AMA Expo, in Ontario, California; a rental car and a $250 food stipend; and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride in Lady Alice, a full-scale P-51 Mustang.

Chris was shocked when he learned he was the grand prize winner.

"No one really ever expects a call like this," he said. " To receive this call literally is the answer to a lifelong dream." A ride in a P-51 Mustang has been number one on his bucket list for as long as he can remember.

Chris has been involved in model aviation since 1981, devoting much focus over the last 15 years to large-scale WWII vintage aircraft. He has even passed on his passion to his sixteen-year-old son, Collin, who is already an accomplished RC pilot.  Chris says the hobby has allowed him to meet many fantastic people with similar passion and he enjoys sharing in their knowledge.

[caption id="attachment_2429" align="alignnone" width="1024"] "Lady Alice" owner and pilot Dr. Kendall Wagner, sweepstakes winner Christopher Mayer, and AMA Foundation board member Daniel Bott pictured in front of the P-51 Mustang[/caption]

 

 

A second prize, donated by ROTOR F/X, was awarded to Gerry Hinshaw, of Lathrop, MO. He won support services needed to apply for and obtain an FAA Section 333 exemption.

[caption id="attachment_2417" align="alignnone" width="980"] Second prize winner, Gerry Hinshaw[/caption]

Thank you to all who entered the sweepstakes, especially to those who made a donation in support of the AMA. The foundation is committed to providing resources for the next generation of aviators through AMA scholarships, government advocacy, club and flying site support grants, AMA Flight School and e-learning opportunities, and the preservation of more than 10,000 artifacts in the National Model Aviation Museum, located in Muncie, IN.

For more information about the AMA Foundation visit our website.

The Academy of Model Aeronautics has been named as the 4th place award winner by the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation for a Pilot's Choice Award Grant. The AMA is one of eight charities that will receive funds for aviation-related pursuits. As the 4th place finisher, AMA will be granted $5,000. AMA’s education department will use the funds to develop a model aviation day camp at AMA Headquarters in Muncie, IN. The on-site camp curriculum will be further developed to share with AMA’s 2400 clubs throughout the country. The goal of the day camp will be to ignite imagination and learning through principles of flight. Everyone who attends will not only learn more about model aviation as a hobby, but will learn many principles of STEM-based education. AMA Associate Vice-President Michael Lee represented the AMA at the Flying Aviation Expo in Palm Springs, CA, where the live announcement naming the winners was made.  AMA was recognized for its educational pursuits and for its continued efforts to represent the model aviation community. “Awarding these aviation charities provides the opportunity to advance their individual cause and together expand awareness and appreciation for aviation," says Allan Schrader, President of Lightspeed Aviation. “Since its inception, the Pilots Choice voting and awards have introduced us all to dozens of worthy charities and amazing people that are making a significant impact around the world." The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation was established in 2010 out of the commitment and passion of the Lightspeed Aviation Corporation to serve the aviation community. Since introducing its first product at EAA AirVenture in 1996, Lightspeed Aviation has established a reputation for leading product innovation in aviation headsets with a number of "first to market" advances in comfort, quiet, clarity, and pilot-centric functionality. This has earned Lightspeed a loyal customer following among professional, commercial, and private pilots. Learn more about the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation.

AMA EXPO 2014, January 10-12

To our donors,

As a valued supporter of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, the AMA Executive Council invites you to learn more about the new AMA Foundation at the 2014 AMA Expo, to be held January 10-12 at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario CA.

Be our guest and join the Executive Council and the AMA Foundation development team for coffee and refreshments at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, in the ballroom area. This gathering will be followed by the AMA membership meeting at 9 a.m.

A special announcement launching the foundation will be made on the main stage at AMA Expo on Friday and Saturday. Please come by the stage so we can recognize you as a foundation supporter, and stop by the AMA Foundation booth to learn more about how you can help achieve the foundation's mission of securing the future of model aviation through our new donor programs.

Print this page and bring it to the membership meeting to receive a donor gift for your support.

Please call the AMA Foundation at (800) 435-9262, extension 277, for more information.