2019 Model Aviation Day August 17th

[peabody]

From the AMA Leader Member Minute
"National Model Aviation Day is August 17, 2019. On that day, AMA is also holding an AMA Foundation Fly-A-Thon, a fundraiser that encourages pilots to set a fundraising goal and ask people in their communities to pledge money for each minute that the pilot's aircraft is airborne. Club participation will not only support the AMA Foundation, but also encourage and inspire other modelers—young and young at heart—to participate in the Fly-A-Thon.

As the name implies, this fundraising effort will benefit the AMA Foundation, which supports AMA's educational programs; the National Model Aviation Museum; our flying site in Muncie, Indiana; club grants; and AMA student scholarships. The top pilot will be showcased in AMA media platforms and at AMA Expo West in California later this year. AMA will also have prizes for the pilot and club that raise the most money.

The only commitment we ask from you is to (1) fly on National Model Aviation Day on August 17 (from any location) and (2) promote the Fly-A-Thon to your community of friends in order to gather pledges before the event. Visit modelaircraft.org/flyathon to sign up. The website is easy to set up and use, and the site makes it convenient to gather pledges from everyone in your community.'

[Jim Kraft]

Must have not got enough signups from the drone people. Go figure.

[peabody]

It's an annual deal....quite successful at  people to Model Aviation. The Academy does a pretty good job in promo stuff like press releases and informational materials. The club in Florida, in spite of the fact that it usually happens on the hottest day of the year, has been successful in demonstrating air modeling to many, and has even made some money by selling tube steaks and the like.

Jim, does your club do anything to expose newcomers to flying in a formal manner?

[Jim Kraft]

I have not belonged to a club for 3 years. The one I did belong to did many things. We brought the Boy Scouts out to the field for a day of flying. Both R/C and control line. They also sponsored the CAP training for a week. And we usually held an annual day to invite the public for a day of flying and demos.

They also had a giant scale fly in once a year. All at the Smokey Hill flying club in Salina Kansa. It use to be one of many R/C Pattern contests. And at one time also formula one racing.

I have had several health problems the last few years that have kept me from any flying at all. I could still fly R/C, but with all the FAA regs, and my back problems, I have had no desire.

If I lived in an area where control line had an excusive club, I would maybe be a member. But there were only two or three that flew control line in the Salina club of which I was one. I flew a lot of competition before I quit flying. R/C pattern for 25 years, and then control line from 94 till three years ago. My passion was old time stunt on ignition. I still have about 20 planes. Six old time stunters with ignition engines. And two old time free flights with ignition engines and radios.

I dropped my AMA 3 years ago when they added drones to the mix and left the modeling community high and dry in my opinion which is the only one that counts to me. When you have to pass a test to fly model airplanes in your own back yard, it is over. Modeling will never be the same if it even exists in three years in my opinion. Glad I had the years of real fun from the late 40's to three years ago.

We use to fly control line from school yards, ball diamonds and city parks. Never any complaints. I still restore old ignition engines and collect a few and give what little I have learned over the years to others that want to fly ignition. I live in Abilene Kansa where I was the only flyer. I use to have a flying field a half mile from my house, but it got turned in to farm ground. Such is life. 

Gee, More than any one wants to know. I tend to be a blabber mouth on the key board. LOL