(800) 435-9262
Connor Barnes receives 2016 AMA Scholarship Award at Joe Nall

Connor Barnes receives 2016 AMA Scholarship Award at Joe Nall

Connor Barnes, from Mooresville, NC was awarded a 2016 AMA Scholorship.  Jay Marsh, District IV VP made the award at the 2016 Joe Nall event. Connor attends the University of North Dakota, and is pursuing a double major - Unmanned Aerial Systems and Commercial Aviation. He began flying model aircraft at a young age with his father, eventually moving to IMAC competition, winning Southeast Region’s Basic Pilot division at age 13; competed at the NATs twice, awarded the Best Senior Open Pilot award and 3rd place in the Advanced Division. His school activities and community service include,  playing competitive soccer from ages 8 to 15.  Connor then had to make a choice between soccer and flying, choosing the latter.  He volunteers once month to organize athletic activities for younger children at a local community center, as well as assisting a local recycling program. Connor volunteered as a youth referee for the local soccer, baseball and basketball seasons; coached the 9 year-old girls soccer team; presently selected for a paid internship operating a CNC router. District IV is proud to have such an outstanding young man receive an AMA scholorship award....
Rusty Kennedy Receives Distinguished Service Award

Rusty Kennedy Receives Distinguished Service Award

  Our very own Rusty Kennedy recently received the Distinguished Service Award from AMA President Bob Brown. This award is given by vote only of the Executive Council for meritorious work for AMA. Rusty is a life member and received the award in recognition of his service as the Leader Member Committee Chairman for the last five years and the October 2015 EC meeting. He is also an Associate Vice President for District IV and serves on several AMA committees such as the Flying Site Grant Committee and...

URGENT – Write the Senate Now!

The U.S. Senate is currently considering amendments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2016. We need your help today to ensure this proposed legislation fully protects the model aircraft community. CLICK HERE  Clhttp://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/51579/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=18287ick here now to urge your Senators to support Senator Inhofe’s amendment number 3596 to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2016. As you know, we are pleased that the Senate’s proposed legislation preserves a community-based approach to managing the recreational community by maintaining the Special Rule for Model Aircraft. However, at the same time, we are concerned with additional provisions in this bill that could detrimentally impact our community. These new provisions would require all UAS, including model aircraft, to meet new FAA design and production standards and impose unnecessary regulation on hobbyists who often build their own models at home. The bill also requires modelers to obtain permission from air traffic control when flying within 5 miles of towered airports which could jeopardize hundreds of existing flying sites. And if passed, the bill would require model aircraft enthusiasts to take an online FAA safety test and carry proof of passing the test when flying. These new directives would undermine the model aircraft activity and detract from the creativity, innovation and enjoyment of the hobby. By supporting Senator Inhofe’s amendment number 3596, you can help stop this from happening. This critical amendment would maintain the basic intent of the Senate’s proposed legislation, while lessening the negative impact on the model aircraft community. While we are still in the first few steps of this legislative process – as always, we thank you for your support...

Tested.com: RC Flying and the Law in 2016

Terry Dunn shares how 2016 is going to be a pivotal year for our hobby in his latest Tested.com article. The current situation is still very fluid as regulations are still being hashed out. The article discusses the community-based organization model, altitude limits, trends in retail, and how some proposed regulations “… potentially scares away people interested in the hobby.” As Dunn suggests, be proactive by monitoring proposed legislation and contact your elected representatives. The AMA is actively involved in the regulation process and may officially mobilize membership in a Congressional letter writing campaign soon. Read the Tested.com article at...