improvement

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

   

 

With grant assistance from the AMA, the Island Flyers R/C Club installed a new GeoTex runway in April 2019 at their field in Fernandina, FL. Club members went to work tillling, digging, filling in, and leveling the ground for a 250' x 30' fabric runway. During four full days of work, the runway was laid, secured with staples and tightened by the sun overhead. In addition, the club laid the taxiway and flight box with GeoTex fabric. After the runway was completed, it was marked and cleared for its first flight. The club was also able to purchase a used 20' Conex storage container to house field equipment and other supplies(see photos below). The Island Flyers R/C Club hopes to attract new members as a result of their runway project. Upon completion of the project, club President John Willis wrote, "Thanks for your support in making this happen. As a small club, your contribution was very helpful." Visit the Island Flyers R/C club's website to read more about their runway project.                     We are honored to have contributed to so many successful site improvement projects over the years! Apply now for the 2020 Flying Site Improvement Grant program: https://modelaircraft.org/site-grant.  

 

The 2020 Flying Site Improvement Grant (FSIG) online application opens October 1, 2019. Since 2002, the AMA has financially supported more than 400 clubs in their site improvement efforts. That’s over half a million dollars in grant funds to clubs. The AMA, in conjunction with the AMA Foundation, is proud of our record of giving, and we are eager to share how we’ve improved the FSIG guidelines and application process for members. See below for what’s new for 2020!

• New final application deadline, February 1 of each year
• Revised application requirements and updated grant guidelines
• Clubs can now request 25 percent of their project costs (an increase from 10 percent in previous years), up to $3,000!
• Clubs can now apply for the Flying Site Improvement Grant every year!
• Clubs have the opportunity to submit an optional complete draft of their application in early January for preliminary feedback from the Grants and Programs Coordinator and the club's designated District Vice President.
• The online application is new and improved, featuring a save button so applicants can work in stages!

To learn more or apply for the 2020 grant, visit modelaircraft.org/site-grant. For questions, please contact Kelsie Walker, Grants and Programs Coordinator, kelsiew@modelaircraft.org or 765-287-1256 x279.

 

Congratulations to Lucila “Lucy” Montserrath Zurita Osorio, who was awarded the Dewey O. Broberg Memorial Scholarship during this year’s UAS4STEM national competition held at the International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana. The UAS4STEM team selected Lucy for her great attitude, dedication to the team, determination, and adherence to the rules and purpose of the competition. 

 

Lucy attends Duarte High School in California. Her love of physics and her goal to become an aerospace engineer drove her to join her school’s UAS4STEM team. Throughout the challenge, she has enjoyed learning about aerodynamics, robotics, and hands-on activities that involve math and science.  

 

When asked what she most enjoyed about UAS4STEM, Lucy stated, “My favorite part about UAS4STEM is hard to pick. I love the competitive drive that escalated throughout the year; the network of amazing people that are willing to help you better your club and yourself; the fact that you get to do something you love; the level of collaboration that helped me realize how an engineering environment is going to be like; the basic aspects of UAS4STEM, like engineering, problem-solving/critical thinking; [and] learning about the world of aviation and its ongoing improvement in technology. I cannot pinpoint my favorite part about UAS4STEM. The program is just so immensely big and fascinating.” 

 

Lucy hopes to study aerospace engineering or applied math or science at her dream school, California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California. Outside the classroom, she enjoys tennis, basketball, and robotics club.  

 

The AMA congratulates Lucy on his award. 

  

Click here to learn more about the Dewey O. Broberg Memorial Scholarship. 

  

Click here to view photos from this year’s UAS4STEM National competition. 

Congratulations to the 2019 Flying Site Development/Improvement Grant recipients. Each club has been successful in its efforts to increase the value the club’s property and member experience.

A total of $32,542.54 has been awarded among 44 AMA Chartered Clubs.

AMA established the Flying Site Development/Improvement Grant program to invest in the continued improvement and growth of AMA chartered clubs. Grant funding is provided through an allocation of membership dues each year. This year, thanks to the support of AMA Foundation donors, enough funding was available to award grants to all qualified clubs. These clubs are making a difference in the model aviation community, and the communities in which they operate.

Club Name

 Amount

Bridgerland RC$381.00

Central Alabama Sportflyers$240.30

Circle Masters Flying Club$37.01

Corning Tri Rivers RC Modelers$237.54

Dallas Wingdingers$346.51

Derby Radio Control Club$1,828.35

East Coast Swamp Fliers$2,400.72

Erie RC Club$49.58

Fairgrounds Flyers$214.43

Florence Aeromodelers$1,324.92

Fraser Flying Club$97.89

Harvey County Radio Control Club$1,336.19

Horizon City Flyers$257.00

Hudson Valley RC Club$245.00

Huntington County Modelers$551.01

Inland Empire Radio Control Club$150.00

Island Flyers RC Club$670.16

Johnson County RC Flyers$160.49

Maricopa AMA RC Club$120.81

Miracle Strip RC Modelers$551.68

North Georgia Model Aviators$698.96

Northeast Aero RC Club$350.00

Ocean County Modelers$717.77

Olympic Radio Control Association$269.29

Omahawks, RC Inc$3,000.00

Osceola Flyers$70.00

Owatonna RC Modelers$429.46

Penn Ohio Radio Kontrol Society$306.00

PROPS$570.57

Radio Control Society of Marine Park$838.75

River City Radio Controllers$2,636.20

Robin's Flying Field$1,249.44

Rochester Aero-Modeling Society, inc$160.02

Seaview Rotary Wings$175.00

Shadetree RC Club$401.79

Smith Lake Fliers$848.62

Somerset RC$29.53

Southwest Area Park Modelers$243.07

Sun Valley Fliers$3,000.00

Top O' New Jersey$783.56

Tumecula Valley Fliers$741.60

Tuscarora RC Flying Club$290.20

Washington County Model Aviation Association$532.12

Western Carolina Radio Club$3,000.00

The Sedalia RC Flyers were selected as a 2018 Site Improvement Grant recipient. The club was able to add 400' of 1.5" underground conduit, 425' of 2-2-4 wire, a 100' power panel and multiple outlets to their building at the club flying field. Ten club members donated their time and energy to help install the additions to the field this fall. After 27 years of flying at the club field, the club finally has power to their site.

The Casa Grande RC Flyers appeared in the news because members met with city officials to provide their annual update about the clubs activities, community service and field improvement plans. The club officers were in attendance at the meeting and they shared plans the club had to install sun shades over the pilot tables and the placing of a 20-foot-by-8-foot metal storage unit on the club's leased land.  The storage unit will be used to store the club's equipment, safety gear and other club items. The club also requested at the meeting that the field lease be amended to allow model aircraft up to 20 pounds to be flown. Currently, the limit is 10 pounds. The higher limit will allow for members to fly different types of aircraft including helicopters and drones. The club also informed the city in detail of the latest efforts regarding their work with the Casa Grande school system to educate the students on the principles of flight. They updated the city on the club's list of charitable organizations assisted because the club added Hospice this year. The club was awarded the AMA's highest honor by being named a "Gold Level Leader Club" for their community service and field facilities.  

Barnstormers RC Flying Club

On behalf of the AMA, the Barnstormers RC Flying Club has been awarded with a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant worth $350.00. The Barnstormers RC Flying Club was founded in 1984 and has been an AMA Chartered Club for approximately 45 years. Club members enjoy flying their aircraft at the club’s flying site near Butteville, Oregon. The flying site has a 40’ x 441’ runway that is covered in a rubber impregnated canvas material, a 55’ x 500’ grass runway that runs parallel to the main runway, a pit area with 10 aircraft set-up tables, and a covered picnic area with three tables. The Barnstormers have more than 80 members who share a common passion for model aviation. The road to the club’s airfield has deteriorated to the point which they have to rebuild it to allow for vehicles to access the field. In its current state, the road is impassable at certain times throughout the year. The club has been saving funds for several years to properly complete this project and this grant will allow them to complete the site improvement. Click here for more information on the Barnstormers RC Flying Club.