Model Aviation Day 2013

National Model Aviation Day Written by Rachelle Haughn. Featured inside "In The Air" in November 2013's Model Aviation. Across the country on August 17, 2013, gas-powered engines were fired up, hands got their first feel of the sticks, and money was raised for a good cause as part of the celebration of the inaugural National Model Aviation Day.

A total of 176 AMA clubs registered for this event, which collected thousands of dollars for the Wounded Warrior Project. Gatherings were held in many states including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. Some were small events, some were large, but all had the same purpose: to celebrate what modelers love best—flying! Frank Wercinski, president of the Radio Aero Modelers of Montgomery, Alabama, said, “The National Model Aviation Day has been great for us to be able to promote model aviation to the general public, build relationships with the media, and raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. This was our first event that was aimed primarily at the public and it worked very well. We plan to make it even bigger and better next year.” Some of the participating clubs raised a substantial amount of money for the Wounded Warrior Project. The Tri-County R/C Flyers, of Savannah, Georgia, for instance, raised nearly $2,000. At the time of this writing, more than $50,000 was raised by clubs across the country. Many of the clubs that held events as part of National Model Aviation Day submitted photos of their activities. These gatherings included fly-ins, buddy-box flying, cookouts, model and full-scale aircraft displays, and some good, old-fashioned fun. These photos and videos can be viewed at www.nationalmodelaviationday.com. At AMA Headquarters, in Muncie, Indiana, several activities simultaneously took place. At the National Model Aviation Museum, there were air shows, demonstrations by the Anderson Aero Modelers of Anderson, Indiana, a flight simulator, free museum admission, and a guest speaker. Spectators witnessed the flights of several types of aircraft including multirotors, sailplanes, helicopters, warbirds, and even a kit-built flying superhero. The guest speaker at the Muncie event, Norma Whitacre, of Bryant, Indiana, a military support advocate, discussed the importance of helping military personnel who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Her stepson was killed in action in Afghanistan. On-site, approximately 100 aircraft were flown at the Hoosier Dawn Patrol event. Many who attended the activities at the museum also enjoyed the impressive World War I aircraft in flight. The Fall Woody Contest for handcrafted, wooden sailplanes was held at another site at the International Aeromodeling Center. Club donations for the Wounded Warrior Project were collected at AMA Headquarters. The Wounded Warrior Project helps veterans and service members who suffered physical or mental injuries or illnesses after September 11, 2001, while serving our country. To learn more or to donate, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Watch for details of the 2014 National Model Aviation Day at www.nationalmodelaviationday.com. —Rachelle Haughn [email protected]