AMA’s Diamond Anniversary

     This year marks 75 years since AMA’s inception. Join us from July 14-17 at the International Aeromodeling Center (IAC) in Muncie, Indiana, for four days and nights of fun and fellowship to celebrate AMA’s 75th Anniversary.
     The Academy was born during the Golden Age of Aviation in 1936. Seventyfive years later the hobby and sport have changed considerably. What has remained is that AMA continues its leadership role helping the aeromodeling community in dozens of ways.
     If you’ve always wanted to visit the AMA Headquarters, tour the National Model Aviation Museum, and fly at the 1,100-acre IAC, consider this the red carpet treatment. Join the RC, FF, and CL community in celebrating this remarkable achievement, as well as the 85th National Aeromodeling Championships.
     This special event will include funflying, guest speakers, entertainment, and exhibitors, all in one place. Bring yourself, friends, family, and your favorite model!
     For more information on AMA’s 75th Anniversary, please visit http://ama75.com. You may also contact April Hathaway at (765) 287-1256, extension 516, or email aprilh@modelaircraft.org. MA

—AMA Staff

Academy of Model Aeronautics Selects New Executive Director

     The Academy of Model Aeronautics has appointed Dave Mathewson as its new executive director. Mathewson resigned his position as AMA president and leader of its governing Executive Council to accept the executive director position effective April 15, 2011.
     Assuming the responsibilities of the AMA president, per the bylaws, is Executive Vice President Mark Smith. Smith will undertake these additional duties until a special election for AMA president is conducted this September, concurrent with the regular annual AMA officer elections. The Interim Executive Director, Joyce Hager, will resume her duties as staff director and assistant executive director.
     “Dave has been an exemplary leader for the AMA,” said Smith. “The executive council is behind him 120%. For more than three years, Dave has been an outstanding president and we’re very confident he will bring this level of success to his new role.”
     Mathewson will move from his home near Syracuse, New York, to Muncie, Indiana, approximately June 1. MA

—April 15, 2011 Press Release
Chris Brooks, APR
chrisb@modelaircraft.org

AMA Thanks Its Lifetime Supporters!

     The Academy recently welcomed Life Members Timothy McDonnell (Woodlands TX), Don Speers (Howell NJ), and Glenn Titchie (Ridgecrest CA).
     For information about becoming a Life Member, contact AMA Headquarters at (800) 435-9262  MA

—AMA Membership Department

Nominations Due

      Nominations for the offices of president, executive vice president, and vice presidents in Districts III, VII, and XI are due at the Headquarters of the Academy of Model Aeronautics by June 16, 2011. Any AMA Open Member may submit a nomination.
     A special election for president will run concurrently with the 2011 elections.
     To be eligible to discharge the duties of AMA president, a nominee must be an AMA Leader Member and must previously have served as a member of the Executive Council or an associate vice president (AVP) or as a Contest Board member for at least one year.
     To be eligible to discharge the duties of executive vice president, a nominee must be an AMA Leader Member and must previously have served as a member of the Executive Council or an AVP, or have served on the Contest Board for at least one year.
     To be eligible to discharge the duties of AMA vice president, a nominee must be a Leader Member of the Academy and must reside in the district.
     (Nominees and nominators will be notified by AMA Headquarters confirming receipt of nomination. If confirmation is not received within two weeks after you have mailed your document, contact Lisa Johnson at [765] 287-1256, extension 231.)
     A letter of acceptance and a résumé of professional qualifications and model aviation experience from the nominee must be on file at AMA Headquarters by June 24, 2011, 15 days before the published Executive Council Meeting  MA

Let Your Voice Be Heard!
 

     The AMA’s Government Relations Web pages, which you can find at www.modelaircraft.org/gov, will serve as your hub of information. There you can find background information, the latest developments, how to contact your senators and representatives, and even how to identify them if you don’t know who they are.
     All AMA members—indeed, all who love aeromodeling—should familiarize themselves with the issue and let your voices be heard. MA

—AMA HQ

Also in this month's In the Air section in Model Aviation:

• History Preserved: The Collection of the National Aviation Museum

• Arthur H. Christensen 1924-2011

• Dedicated Modeler and Manufacturer Introduces the Thrill of Flight to Middle
  Schoolers

• Burnsville Library Receives Award for Model Aviation Program

• Model Aviation Online Gets A Facelift!