Author: Dave Mathewson
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/01
Page Numbers: 5

President’s Perspective (2011/01)

It's the act of kindness that will be remembered.

Model Aviation School Club program

In a recent issue of AMA Today, AMA Education Director Bill Pritchett wrote briefly about AMA’s new Model Aviation School Club program. The response to that article was exceptional. Numerous members are already involved in such a program and many more are interested in bringing the idea to their local school systems.

What is AMA’s Model Aviation School Club program? Most schools incorporate some form of extracurricular programming into their calendars. It seemed logical to design a program for students interested in model aviation that would fit into this extracurricular environment.

We wanted a program that would remove most of the requirements involved in chartering a more traditional club and, at the same time, provide some incentive and recognition for these school groups.

Eligibility and structure

  • The Model Aviation School Club must have the endorsement of a school administrator.
  • The only other requirement is that the group have a faculty advisor, similar to what most other after-school groups require.
  • Students should be able to manage their own clubs; selecting officers and all other operational details are left entirely to the student members.

What AMA will provide

  • A club banner for the school.
  • A subscription to Model Aviation magazine and Park Pilot magazine for the school’s library.
  • An AMA membership and subscriptions to both magazines for the faculty advisor.

Support and online resources

  • An AMA member can approach a school about partnering in the club, or each faculty advisor will receive a list of AMA-chartered clubs in his or her area that are willing to help the Model Aviation School Club be successful.
  • A special area in the Education section of AMA’s website will be designed specifically for these clubs. It will be a place where kids from different clubs across the country can communicate virtually with each other.
  • As the program grows, virtual competitions will be organized between schools.

Educational value Model aviation has always played an important role in education. AMA’s AeroLab program has been used successfully by thousands of teachers in the classroom to teach courses in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Model Aviation School Clubs will be both an educational and recreational activity in which kids can participate with their peers.

Launch and contact information

  • The program will be launched in early 2011.
  • More information will be available in club charter kits, which will be mailed shortly after the first of the year.
  • Contact: AMA Education Director Bill Pritchett — (765) 287-1256, ext. 515, or billp@modelaircraft.org.

2011 AMA Expo

The 2011 AMA Expo is right around the corner. Held at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, California, the 2011 edition runs from January 7–9.

Guest speakers and presentations

  • Dr. Gary Fogel, aviation historian — will speak on the history of the famous Torrey Pines Gliderport.
  • Brad Lang — will give a presentation on the CAF Red Tail Project, dedicated to telling the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, the World War II fighter group composed of African-American pilots and support personnel.
  • Joe Bock, founder of the Aero Telemetry Corporation — will talk about his company’s work with airborne communication systems for both military and commercial aerospace applications.
  • Representatives from the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Program Office (UAPO) are anticipated to be on hand to conduct an informational seminar and answer questions about creating regulations that will allow the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) in the national airspace.

Events and attendance

  • AMA will hold its winter board meeting on Sunday at the Ontario Convention Center during the Expo. All members and convention guests are welcome to attend.
  • If you plan to go to the Expo, stop by the AMA Village in the middle of the convention center floor and say hello.

More information and a list of other activities at this year’s event can be found at www.amaexpo.com.

Community involvement and charity

A number of members have taken the time this year to let us know about their clubs’ efforts to support local charities by hosting model aviation events. It’s nice to see so many of us doing this. Not only is this an excellent way to give something back to our communities, but this type of local support is rarely forgotten.

Clubs that participate in these types of events build credibility and gain the respect of others in their communities. This can pay dividends if your club later needs the support of its neighbors in return.

There are countless stories of how model aviation fields have been saved as a result of a club being a contributing member of its community.

We have clubs that host events that raise tens of thousands of dollars for charity and clubs that raise a few hundred dollars. The amount of money isn’t important. It’s the act of kindness that will be remembered.

Dave Mathewson AMA President president@modelaircraft.org

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.