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... the look on a kid's face as he or she
carries
off something he or she built is
priceless!
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What
has three rings, a few Ringmasters, and nets for the
performers? If you responded "a circus," you are only
partially right.
That description fits this year's edition
of the AMA Convention in Ontario, California, which is
winding down as I write this. Throw in a large number of
goodies available for purchase and most of the major
manufacturers who are available to answer your questions,
and this becomes a must-attend event for next year.
However,
that's not all you get! On the other side of the entrance
lobby are a number of rooms where seminars are presented.
These allow the members to learn the ins and outs of almost
everything pertaining to model airplanes and ask questions
of the experts in many fields.
Deals abound on the
trade-show floor, and if swap-shop shopping is your thing,
there is that as well.
The convention is an opportunity to
ask questions of the AMA officers, and attendance at the
Saturday morning AMA annual membership meeting should be a
part of your planning. If you think these meetings are not
worthwhile, at this year's meeting a question was put forth
by a member that resulted in nearly an hour of discussion
during the AMA Executive Council meeting held in conjunction
with the convention. Assuming there is sufficient space,
members are generally welcome to sit in on the meeting and
watch their representatives at work—although you might not
find it exactly riveting.
Touring the floor of this year's
show it was obvious that electric power is rapidly becoming
the majority of our activity. Small electric helicopters
were the rage at this convention. When we arrived I noticed
that many booths were stocked high with various small
helicopters. By the end of the show there were not many
left. I even heard a few attendees comment that they were
unable to buy one because "all of the exhibitors are sold
out!"
It seemed as though every other person I saw was
carrying a big box, but the record was a man struggling with
three large boxes containing his new models while his wife
struggled with the other three. He certainly seemed to be a
happy camper.
Another area of interest to many was the
static display. AMA members in the area entered many models
in the competition and there were some superior aircraft.
Mind-boggling craftsmanship is still a part of this sport,
even if it seems as though ARF and RTF models have taken
over. Nowhere is this more evident than in the model-boating
arena where there were a number of beautiful and intriguing
pieces.
Education is still a major element of our sport;
after all, we are the Academy of Model Aeronautics. While it
is certainly an education program, I can't help but feel a
great deal of pride as I see the youngsters who have built a
model in the Make-and-Take area.
It doesn't matter if the
kid built a model airplane, a rocket, or even something I
can't quite describe, the look on a kid's face as he or she
carries off something he or she built is priceless! I
overheard one adult member say that seeing those kids beam
with pride was the high point of the show for him. It's a
hard act to beat!
Plans already being made for next year include having
more seminars and many other little improvements. Plan now
to attend your national convention. Your attendance will be
the biggest improvement the show will have. MA
See ya next month!
Dave Brown, AMA president
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