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The Western Flyers Mead Flying Site has been approved as an FAA FRIA site!
By Holly Silvers, Associate Editor | hollys@modelaircraft.org As seen in the August 2026 issue of Model Aviation. A PILOT IS never too young (or old!) to make history. AMA Youth members and California siblings Aurelius and Kiana Lin, who are also proud members of the National Youth Aviation Academy (NYAA), [...]
AMA IS EXCITED to announce a new, special program for members! Through a recent arrangement between AMA and Farmers Insurance, members now have access to special offerings and group discounts that are not available to the general public. Farmers Insurance also provides: AMA works to provide members access to offerings [...]
President’s Perspective By Greg Stone, AMA President | amapresident@modelaircraft.org As seen in the August 2026 issue of Model Aviation. EVERY TIME I visit an AMA flying site, I’m reminded of something powerful. Our hobby doesn’t run on fuel, batteries, or even lift: It runs on people and the spirit of [...]
Mark Feist, Leader Member and DIII AVP The hobby of model aviation and AMA experienced significant growth from 1970 to 1990. From 1990 through 2002, AMA membership moved up and down, but total membership numbers remained about the same overall and across Senior, Adult, and Youth categories; however, since 2002, [...]
By David Cook My interest in model aviation appears to have begun well before I was born. I can trace it back to my father’s attendance at the 1934 Cleveland Air Races in Ohio as a young boy. Growing up, my father and I spent many hours building and attempting [...]
Two world championship teams are headed overseas to represent the US and compete with the top model pilots in the world. AMA wishes the best for both US teams! The 2026 FAI F1ABP Junior World Championships for Free Flight (FF) Model Aircraft begins July 26 and runs through August 2 in [...]
By Pete Bauer While the World Championships are very competitive, there is also the opportunity to reach out and make new friends from around the world. Two years ago, at the F4 Scale Model World Championships in Romania, Mika Jylha was the only competitor from Finland and needed a caller. [...]
Aviation and aerospace icon Burt Rutan, and fellow aerospace engineer Dan Kreigh, helped AMA celebrate the 100th running of the Nats, sponsored by Du-bro, by visiting the International Aeromodeling Center (IAC) July 8-10. Their visit was highlighted with a dinner and special presentation, “From Model Airplanes to Space,” on July [...]
Aviation and aerospace pioneer Burt Rutan was presented with the AMA Fellowship award July 9, 2026, in Muncie, Indiana. He was given the award following a presentation outlining how his illustrious career began with model aviation. The Fellowship award is AMA’s highest level of recognition to those individuals who have [...]
By Pete Bauer Updated 7-15-2026 It has been a rough start for Team USA (and most of the other teams). This photo indicates the primary issue. There have been a lot of mechanical and weather challenges, mostly engine troubles and the wind. Many of our planes have gotten pranged either [...]