View from HQ
Joyce Hager — Executive Director
"If you build it, they will come (fly). Thanks AMA for a great facility."
CONGRATULATIONS to Maynard Hill for making his record transatlantic flight. This is a major accomplishment; Maynard spent many years preparing for this spectacular event. Full coverage of the flight is in this issue of Model Aviation. Congratulations from all of us at AMA Headquarters, Maynard.
Membership
It's the time of year to renew your membership. Renewals are coming in heavy, both by mail and online. Remember that at this time of year the toll-free number is busy and processing renewals takes longer than at other times.
If you need to verify your membership for your club, check our website at www.modelaircraft.org. You will need the member's name and AMA number to see if the membership has been processed. License cards are mailed twice a week.
When calling Headquarters, make sure you have your AMA number handy. This helps expedite locating your records.
Membership Guide: Last year we tried something new and published an abbreviated, easy-to-read Membership Guide. I want to know how the membership feels about this product. Would you like the full version mailed to you automatically, or is having access to the complete manual via the website (or by request) sufficient? The merchandise catalog was mailed to all members who receive the magazine as part of the December issue.
Travel and events
Travel has been on my schedule for the last six weeks. I was on vacation and happened to be in Virginia when Hurricane Isabel struck. Fortunately we only lost electrical power.
I was happy to attend the first dedication of a historic flying site, Torrey Pines Gliderport in California. Sherri Lightner, chairperson of the La Jolla Town Council, presented me with a declaration of appreciation. Rich Hanson covers this event with pictures in his District X column.
I attended the Southwestern Aeromodeling Convention in Arlington, Texas. There was a nice turnout, but because it was the week before the new HobbyVisions International show, some vendors and consumers were unable to attend both. Both were good shows and exposed many modelers and newcomers to our hobby and sport.
Fellowship of Christian Modelers (FCM) 2003 — report from Allen Goff
I want to share a letter and pictures I received from Allen Goff of Muncie, Indiana. His letter starts out by saying, "If you build it, they will come (fly). Thanks AMA for a great facility."
This picture was taken at the Fellowship of Christian Modelers (FCM) 2003 contest at the AMA flying site in Muncie, Indiana. The storm that hit on Saturday afternoon was lurking behind the fliers coming from the cornfield. This is an award-winning photo!
"Steamy hot weather gave way to a cold front that made the temperature for the FCM contest pleasant, but rain did shorten the first day of competition. There was enough flying on Saturday to call it a day for Classic and Old-Time Stunt, but the Combat boys waited it out and flew later Saturday evening. Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association (PAMPA) and Speed had a nearly perfect day on Sunday.
"Seventy-one pilots registered to fly, making this the biggest FCM contest to date. The plans are to expand divisions for next year's fifth annual event with lots of Junior classes and make the contest AAAA.
"It was fun seeing all the different venues simultaneously busy competing. We were especially happy to welcome the Speed pilots to their first year at FCM. Wow, what a turnout!
"The days are scheduled in a way to make it a fun, easygoing contest, with good fellowship to go along with good flying. Sweating the details — not allowed!
"FCM would like to thank Rev. Glenn Greiner for sharing in the Sunday morning chapel time. We ran out of seats and that, after all, is what FCM is all about. FCM would also like to thank all sponsors for their contributions to the giveaway of products. The pilots like getting the goodies and we like giving them away.
"Many thanks to:
- AMA
- Aero Products
- Build-It-Right (Walter Umland)
- Muncie Model & Hobbies
- Sig Manufacturing
- Tower Hobbies
- Aces Video
- Brodak Manufacturing
- Horizon Hobby"
Thank you, Allen, for sharing your experiences here at the Muncie site and providing the pictures. They are great!
Happy flying,
Joyce Hager Executive Director jhager@modelaircraft.org
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
