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The IMAA is one of
AMA’s largest SIGs.
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What
are AMA Special Interest Groups? AMA is a large
organization. Our members are incredibly diverse and enjoy
flying all types of model aircraft, ranging from
rubber-powered Free Flight to turbine-powered jets. In
between, there are dozens of other types of model activities
enjoyed by our members.
Several years ago, AMA adopted a system of
suborganizations known as Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
Each SIG comprises AMA members who have an interest in the
specific modeling discipline that is that organization’s
primary focus. Today there are 23 AMA SIGs that are part of
the AMA structure. Membership in these SIGs ranges anywhere
from several thousand to, in some cases, a few hundred.
The primary purpose of a SIG is to advocate for its
members and act as a liaison between their membership and
AMA. The SIG works with AMA leadership and Contest Boards in
adopting policy and rules that affect their members.
In many cases, each of these groups plays a strong role
in conducting the annual National Aeromodeling Championships
(Nats), where it is responsible for overseeing the
competition in its discipline. SIGs almost always play an
integral part when the AMA and United States host various
World Championships.
Most important, though, is the role these organizations
play in helping provide direction and guidance to our
national association. Sometimes that comes in the form of
suggesting new or modifying current rules for competition.
It may come in the form of helping the AMA understand
and address a concern and finding a reasonable resolution to
that concern. Or it might be the role these SIGs play in
helping to build and maintain programs like our Turbine
Waiver Program or the Experimental Aircraft Program.
I recently had a discussion with members of one AMA
SIG, who observed that many members might not be aware of
our SIG structure. A similar remark was made again at a
recent Nats Planning Meeting. I thought maybe I could help
make more of our members aware of our system of SIGs through
this column.
I’ve offered each group the opportunity to draft a
brief introduction to itself that I will use in this column
as space permits. Since the International Miniature Aircraft
Association (IMAA) was the first to respond to this offer,
the rest of this column will be devoted to that
organization’s story.
The IMAA is one of AMA’s largest SIGs. It was formed
when the development of big models was in its infancy. Its
original purpose was to represent those who flew large-scale
airplanes and help RC pilots and manufacturers bridge the
gap between 40- and 60-size aircraft into “giant” scale
models.
It soon became clear, back then, that flying larger
aircraft required a host of new airframe requirements, power
plants, and accessories, for both performance and safety.
The first IMAA members knew that in order to keep the new
large-scale segment viable, they would have to find a way to
help pilots learn to build and fly these models safely and
successfully.
As IMAA evolved, it formed chapters to host fly-ins.
These events permitted fliers to meet other pilots with
interests in large-scale models and learn more about
building and flying these airplanes.
The organization’s mantra has always been about
camaraderie and having fun. There is no competition at IMAA
events; they are strictly fun-flys. Members pilot everything
from Piper Cubs to warbirds.
In its prime, the IMAA grew to exceed 12,000 members as
the AMA’s largest SIG. However, as large-scale modeling
evolved, the IMAA’s original purpose began to subside.
Today, as IMAA approaches its 30th anniversary, its
ranks are smaller, but a new Board of Directors with fresh
ideas is working on rebuilding its relevance in the modeling
community.
IMAA has recently established a new Manufacturers
Committee, to work closely with model, engine, radio, and
accessory designers and builders to help create new,
exciting, and safe products for model aviation enthusiasts.
A new training program is being developed to update and
expand training tools for its membership. An IMAA Speaker
Bureau has been formed to make available IMAA members to
present talks covering a variety of topics including
technical, safety, event management, and how to move up to
large-scale modeling. In addition IMAA offers a mentoring
program to help members get fast answers to questions about
building and flying their giant aircraft.
Fun and fellowship have always been part of the IMAA.
Chapters host events each year throughout the US and Canada,
Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Europe. In addition, new IMAA
chapters are being formed, to provide a venue for local
members to meet and share ideas about large-scale modeling.
Other IMAA benefits include a Web site that allows
members to communicate, sell, and buy big-scale RC
equipment, apply for and renew memberships, and vote in
elections. And HIGHflight, the official IMAA
publication, offers building and technical articles and a
complete color section of event coverage.
As do all of our SIGs, the IMAA plays an important role
in our organization. A complete list of AMA SIGs, along with
their contact information, can be found on the AMA Web site
at www.modelaircraft.org. MA
See you next time ...
Dave Mathewson, AMA president
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