National Aermodeling Heritage Program

As seen in the November 2016 issue of Model Aviation.

Scattered across the country are flying fields that played a significant part in the history and growth of aeromodeling. Today, at a handful of those sites are plaques that designate them as National Aeromodeling Historic Landmarks. Two clubs have also been named as National Aeromodeling Historic Organizations. AMA’s National Aeromodeling Heritage Program, established in 2003, is an official list of historic organizations, businesses, and sites. The flying fields and organizations that received this designation this year are the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, in Rhinebeck, New York, and the Mid-Hudson Radio Control Society, also of Rhinebeck.

The club hosts the annual Mid-Hudson Radio Control Society Rhinebeck Jamboree, which was held September 10-11 of this year. A plaque designating Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome as a National Aeromodeling Historic Landmark was presented during the gathering. The other organization that was named a National Aeromodeling Historic Organization was the Fort Worth Thunderbirds Radio Control Association, Fort Worth, Texas, which received this designation in 2014. Additional sites that have been named National Aeromodeling Historic Landmarks are: 2003: Torrey Pines, La Jolla, California 2005: Clapp Field, Allegany, New York 2006: Maloof Airpark, Albuquerque, New Mexico 2013: Tustin Blimp Hangar, Tustin, California 2014: Thunderbird Field, Fort Worth, Texas The next deadline to submit nominations for historic sites and organizations is August 31, 2017. To be named a National Aeromodeling Historic Site, a property must meet several qualifications, including that it is at least 50 years old; has historical significance to its community, state, or nation; continues to be the operating location of a historic or significant aeromodeling club; is the location of a significant aeromodeling manufacturer or industry; has an early aeromodeling history (1900 to 1965); or is the site of a significant aeromodeling record. The nomination form must include photographs, news reports, film, documents, etc. of the site. Those nominated as historic organizations or businesses can include aeromodeling clubs, manufacturers related to aeromodeling, and hobby shops. Clubs or businesses must be significant to the development of aeromodeling; associated with events that are significant to aeromodeling history; or associated with significant scientific advances. The organizations and businesses must meet at least one of these criteria. To learn more about this program, contact Michael Smith at [email protected] or visit www.modelaircraft.org/museum/heritage_program.aspx. Nomination forms are available online and can be sent to the National Model Aviation Museum, 5151 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302.