Here we are, six months after the birth of one of AMA's most modern and outreaching programs, and I wanted to know how our membership feels about the Academy's Park Pilot Program. The AMA is a community first, which is what the new program is designed to strengthen and enhance. It reaches out and welcomes more new people who might enjoy what we and the manufacturers have created: a more enjoyable and successful means by which to get into aeromodeling.

     Ed Anderson is from Long Island, New York, and he told me about a number of things his Soaring club is doing to adapt the new Park Pilot Program. After reading the article about his successful experience, it was obvious that other clubs, Soaring enthusiasts or not, could use Ed's lessons to bring new members and young people into the hobby. The article proves that when the AMA and its people work together, the hobby/sport can be better for everyone involved.

     Fanatics about aeromodeling aren't hard to find. The "Contest Calendar" in the back of this magazine is filled with details about where the most serious aeromodeling fanatics practice their art. I've just returned from the Toledo Show, which is an aeromodeling event equivalent to the Super Bowl, Woodstock, Hands Across America, or any other pilgrimage that is meaningful enough for someone to have a life-changing experience.

     If you've been there, I'm sure the memories are filled with inspirational occasions. For over half a century the Weak Signals club has hosted this mega-event and I wish it another 50 years because it brings the joy of aeromodeling under one banner.

     This editorial group goes to flying and nonflying events to inquire about trends and technology from the variety of people (fanatics) and find out how this hobby/sport is evolving and affecting those so happily involved. The features we've covered in the magazine for you this month are a small cross-section of what other events, besides the Toledo Show, inspire us fanatics.

     I can't speak for everyone, but seeing a new person successfully learn to fly a model airplane gives my fanatic blood a serious boost. At the Great Planes E-Fest there were more pilots (yes, pilots!) between the ages of 7 and 12 than I've ever seen before. These were obviously new members to aeromodeling, and the elation of seeing them made my jaw drop.

     Mark Fadely, our reporter for the event, mentions the same phenomenon. These weren't "Daddy's helpers." These were young pilots standing like gentlemen and ladies at the flightline all by themselves (pause for a tear), flying a model airplane or helicopter.

     An event doesn't have to be large like the Toledo Show or E-Fest to make an impression. In fact, it's personal moments that more often define our fanatic behavior. They're not walking-on-the-moon moments, as Bo Lovell writes in his article "The Biggest Flying Wing I Ever Saw," but glad moments that encourage us to grow.

     When I first reviewed the article, I was reminded of the wise words from our editor emeritus, Bob Hunt, who poignantly wrote that we should push ourselves outside of our comfort zones. With the help of family and friends, Laine Stahr did just that.

     Laine serves in the military, fighting for our freedom, and I thought his fulfilling experience with aeromodeling would be an inspiration to the members because his service to our country makes what we do possible. At the very least, read the last few paragraphs of Bo's story and you'll understand my point.

      As a die-hard aeromodeling fanatic, I'm never happy unless I have at least five projects going at one time. It's insane, I know, but it seems to be the way I work and am the happiest; playing with model airplanes is my thing.

     When I attend swap meets, it's typically to scratch the itch for something new or unusual (to break me out of that comfort zone). I have to believe that I'm not alone in the aeromodeling fanaticism predicament because when I show up at swap meets we share the same stories.

     Dave Terry said that he was going to attend the Southeastern Model Show (SMS) in Perry, Georgia, and I assigned him to cover the event. Folks here around the AMA Headquarters building have traveled down to this one-of-a-kind event for years to meet with others who traveled even farther to just spectate as they planned. Dave's article and photographs do great justice to the GAMA club and its efforts to serve model-airplane fanatics like me.

     Imagine for a moment a football field, wide and spacious, too big to try to make a hand-launch glider fly from one end to the other (one I built anyway) on. Now imagine three fields like that, and fill them from corner to corner with model airplanes and thirsty fanatic aeromodelers feverishly making deals to fulfill the need for a new airplane project. Sounds like the SMS is an event that I could totally relate with, don't you think?

     But now it's time for me to finish up some projects and head to the flying field with my sons.  MA