by Jack Upchurch | Jul 12, 2018 | District News, Events, Radio Control, RC Jets, Scale
I just spent the day enjoying wonderful weather, great friendly people and some pretty spectacular airplanes. Anybody in range should drop whatever they are doing and get to Lums Pond to see this event. This is a family friendly environment with good food provided by a local Scout Troup. Wanted to share some photos to share the feel of what is going on- biplanes, triplanes, 3 scale warthog jets flying together- something for everyone. Link to the event website for more information: ...
by Jack Upchurch | Apr 13, 2018 | AMA National News, District Communications, District News
We just received this communication from AMA Government Regulations Committee, and wanted to make sure everyone gets the word and takes action. It only takes a couple of minutes, and this is how our government process works. They need to hear from us. Friday, April 13, 2018 Dear members, We need your help. There is talk that the next re authorization bill for the Federal Aviation Administration will eliminate the Special Rule for Model Aircraft – also known as Section 336 – which has allowed AMA to manage our members and fly safely and responsibly, as we have for over 80 years. Losing the Special Rule would be a devastating blow to our hobby. Please click here to send a letter to your elected representatives in support of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft. This is a critical moment to let your elected representatives know the importance of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft and the role of community-based organizations such as AMA. Our community has operated safely for decades – long before the recent advent of drones. Model aviation has played a critical role in the innovations of new technology and encouraging young people to pursue an interest in science and technology fields. More than that, this long-standing hobby has been passed down from generation to generation and is a tradition for many American families. We need your help to demonstrate the value of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft not only for our community, but everyone. Please make your voices heard by contacting your elected representatives today. Sincerely, AMA Government...
by Jack Upchurch | Feb 27, 2018 | AMA National News, UAV
A recent article describing a brewing controversy over Drone Flights published yesterday in The Hill. AMA members are urged to stay informed and fly responsibly : Last week, the Air Line Pilots Association, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, and Airlines for America issued a letter to Congress calling for tighter regulation on drones. Responding to a video captured by a drone illegally flying within feet of a jet landing at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, the letter calls on Congress to get aggressive with hobby and recreational drone use. “The likelihood that a drone will collide with an airline aircraft,” the letter concludes, “is increasing.” The letter — echoing many of the news headlines surrounding the video — makes a common error: Observing one collision and a handful of “close calls” does not mean the probability of or the dangers presented by drone collisions have changed. Indeed, the best estimates show that the risk is extremely low, and the one confirmed collision that caused no injuries is consistent with an acceptable risk level. This may sound like technical nitpicking, but it has significant implications for the future of drone regulation. The signers of the letter call for the implementation of an onerous drone registry and mandates for all drones to be equipped with tracking technology, but they fail to demonstrate that drones pose a significant risk that requires new regulations, rather than better enforcement of some current ones. Understanding the need for regulation requires some knowledge of the risk drones pose. A 2016 analysis by our former Mercatus colleagues Eli Dourado and Sam Hammond approximated that risk by looking at incidents of birds striking airplanes in...
by Jack Upchurch | May 7, 2017 | Events, RC Jets
Eastern Shore Aeromodelers Club #4095 (ESAC) hosted its first ever Jet Rally at the field on Saturday, April 29. The club now has 4 Turbine Waiver pilots with Tom Perkin being the latest to join the ranks flying his qualifying flight at the event with Andy Kane, CD/Turbine Waiver holder and Dennis Blades, Event coordinator/Turbine Waiver holder providing the required signatures on the Waiver Application. Larry Roper of Boomerang RC Jets and Steven Goler District 1 AVP) were in attendance all the way from Maine. It has long been a club goal to share the wide open field with as many AMA hobbyists as possible, and hosting a Jet Event was the latest effort. ESAC currently hosts an annual Control Line event and two IMAC competitions during a normal year. Sharing our wonderful field with the public and other AMA members is one way to keep the hobby alive. Several invited pilots were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts, but an open invitation is extended to come fly any time. In addition to Tom obtaining his waiver, the folks from Boomerang RC Jets set up a buddy box and invited members to fly. It was totally amazing that total strangers would be invited to experience turbine jet flight with the AMA card as the only requirement. What a great hobby and what a great experience to meet new friends like this. While lunch was cooking Gary asked permission to fly his QuadCopter (AKA ‘drone’) and let some of the spectators and members try it out. A link to the video from part of that flight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6tlS3cVBMs Some pictures...
by Jack Upchurch | May 29, 2016 | District Accomplishments, District News
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....
