GOOD NEWS!!! I just received a phone call from Charlie Bauer AMA District VI vice president who told me that the AMA will recognize a junior team to the 2008 World Scale Championships in Poland. The Poles announced that there would be a junior competition when the formal invitation was issued last year. There has been a concern here that the requirements spelled out in the AMA document regarding recognition and funding of new teams could not be met regarding junior scale competitors. Although there will not be any AMA funding of juniors, at least the ducks are in a row to permit a team to attend. I do not know what the selection process might involve.

So do any of you have young proteges who could represent our country?

I attended the 2004 WC in Poland and it was fantastically well done. I imagine the Polish Aeroclub will do as well or better in 2008. It would be the thrill of a lifetime for a young competitor.

Chuck Snyder

It is great news.  I hope we can get a team that can afford to go!

Bill <><

It is official that the trials for the Junior team will be at the Nats in August. Note that for FAI purposes "Junior" means less than 19 as of the end of 2008. See the NASA website for information. www.NASAscale.org  Also note that there will not be any AMA funding for the Junior team.

Hi Chuck,

*Maybe* NASA can set up a fund for the Juniors to help defray the costs of the trip. (??)

Bill <><