Welcome to 2025, with hopes for a fantastic year and enjoying our hobby with old and new friends.
Last call! Get your requests for grants, scholarships, and more submitted now. The AMA deadline requires applications to be submitted by February and early March.
We have some exceptionally fine clubs, members, and youth in District IV, and we deserve to receive our share of these grants. Visit www.modelaircraft.org/grants and https://modelaircraft.secure-platform.com/a/page/scholarships for more information and submit your applications today.
One of AMA’s goals for this year is to increase membership. Public and member events and our new STEM programs are just a couple of the best introductions to new members young and old, but don’t forget about them, and remember to mentor them afterward.
Invite a friend and their family to come out to the field and see what it is all about, and let them take the sticks for a turn or two. You will be seeing more about this from AMA and what you can do to help.
Associate Vice President Rick Moreland brings us a report from his neck of the woods in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
Prince George’s Radio Control Club (PGRC; www.pgrcclub.com), held its 32nd Annual Big/Warbird Fly-In. Every fall, PGRC always looks forward to its big bird event. This year, we were hoping for good weather, because for the last two years we have been rained out. This year, we had one good day, and it was not so good on the second, but we’ll take it.
We had approximately 30 registered pilots. What was unique this year was that we had 5-year-old Ethan Jones (pictured on the right) and 90-plus-yearold Bill Baldiga participating. Ethan had his little Mustang that he wanted so much to fly. With help from his dad, he had some great flights.
Bill doesn’t get out much these days, but he never misses this annual event. You’ve just got to love the effort some people make to come out, fly, and have a good time.
Lunch, prizes, and fun flying filled the day. We had our usual Pattern and jet airplanes, along with a nice selection of World War I and II warbirds. Even better, I don’t think there were any mishaps this year—not even a broken propeller.
These events always take many people to pull off, and this year was no exception. Thanks to all of the volunteers who pitched in and all of the participants who came from both far and near and once again made this a magnificent event.