AMA Election Time!

    It's time to vote for AMA's Executive Vice President and vice presidents for districts III, VII, and XI.

    See page 160 of this month's issue for full 2005 campaign statements. The deadline for receipt of ballots is November 14, 2005.

    Be sure to cast your vote!  MA

— Membership Department

New Life Members

    The Academy of Model Aeronautics recently welcomed new Life Members Lee Gauthreaux (L76982) of Oceanside, California, and Bela Robert Ballo (L99323) of Gates Mills, Ohio.

    For information about becoming a Life Member, contact AMA Headquarters at (800) 453-9262.  MA

— Membership Department

Matt Chapman Youth Masters

     The Matt Chapman Youth Masters was held June 11 at Triple Tree Aerodrome in Woodruff SC. Eighteen pilots vied for top spots in the Basic and Advanced categories, and all were offered the opportunity to fly 35% FiberClassics Extra 330s equipped with the best gear in the industry.

    The premise of the contest is to give the hobby's youth a venue at which to shine. Sportsmanship is the cornerstone of the event; all pilots are required to applaud after every sequence.

    The Youth Masters is open to pilots age 16 or younger. Great coaches and judges are brought in to help each pilot improve his or her flying skills. Andrew Jesky was unable to act as the official pro this year, so Chase Wolk filled in.
 
    Grades, sportsmanship, and protocol of competing are the most important parts of the contest. All pilots promise that if grades fall below parents' standards, flying and simulators don't see daylight until grades come back up.

    Joe Nall Fly-In participants and major manufacturers joined forces to make this contest a reality. FiberClassics, Planes Plus, Desert Aircraft, Horizon Hobby, Futaba, TnT Landing Gear Products, Cutting EDGE Graphics, Duralite Plus, Sew Busy, Aircraft International, Inc., 3W Modellmotoren, i4c Products, and Aerobatic Concepts joined to equip the airplanes.

    A great group of volunteers donated a long weekend four years ago to put all this terrific equipment in the airframes and get them flight-ready. Thanks to all who pitched in to make this year special.

    The meet's namesake Matt Chapman is not only an industry star in full scale, but an active modeler who cares. Log on to www.joenall.com for more details.   MA

— Bob Sadler
District V

NatsNews to Be Offered in Portable Format

    Because of the outstanding success of NatsNews—the daily electronic newsletter covering the AMA Nationals—AMA is planning to make all the newsletters available on a CD.

    Look for more information on the AMA Web site at www.modelaircraft.org. Members can currently read the newsletters at www.modelaircraft.org/events/natsnews.asp.

    NatsNews was delivered to more than 2,000 subscribers during the month-long event, and thousands more visited the Web site each day to see the latest developments in one of the most prestigious model-aviation contests in the world. The publication featured the latest scores, exciting photos, and reports from the field.

    For even more Nats coverage, look for an expanded feature article about the 2005 Nats in the November MA.   MA

— Rob Kurek
Director of Publications