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... most
important is competing
against one's self for his or her
personal best.
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Hosting
the F3D Pylon World Championships in June was
quite an experience for a local sport flier
such as me. For approximately 10 days the
International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie,
Indiana, became a miniature United Nations,
with the flags of 16 countries flying above
Stage Center.
Australia, Canada, Czech
Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain,
Guatemala, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico,
The Netherlands, Russia, South Africa, Sweden,
and the United States all sent teams—some with
as few as one pilot to the maximum of three
plus callers as well as team managers. As
these carbon-fiber airplanes roared around the
pylons and the mix of many languages flowed
from the pit areas, a universal language was
understood by all: the desire to win.
Human
nature being what it is, if two of anything
exists and if they move, there is going to be
a race of some type. Unless you're into
competition flying or have been exposed to it
by others, it is a world unto itself compared
to the sport or casual flying found at most
flying sites. In my early days—and depending
on the airplane—merely getting the model back
on the ground in one piece made me a winner!
As in many sports, aeromodeling competition
has a mixed bag of measurements—racing against
the clock, scoring points, artistic form and
beauty, but most important is competing
against one's self for his or her personal
best.
With this exposure to the World
Championships, I can only wonder about the
organizations that coordinate the world events
such as for F3D. A little research for this
new executive director proved to be most
impressive as I tried to get up to speed on
this aspect of flying.
AMA is an associate
member of the National Aeronautic Association
(NAA). With a quick trip to the NAA Web site,
I learned that it is the oldest national
aviation organization in the United States.
A
non-profit association, NAA is:
" ...
dedicated to the advancement of the art, sport
and science of aviation in the United States,
according to its Mission Statement. The core
of the organization is its members—thousands
of individuals, organizations, and
corporations representing all segments of
American aviation. NAA encompasses all areas
of flight from skydiving and models to
commercial airlines, military aircraft, and
spaceflight.
"NAA is the official
record-keeper for United States aviation.
Recognized, official records are set through
its Contest & Records department. NAA provides
observers for many record attempts and
compiles the data necessary to certify
aviation and spaceflight records of all
kinds."
Through NAA, AMA is recognized by the
Fédιration Aιronautique Internationale (FAI),
the world governing body of all aviation
activity. As, such AMA is the only
organization which may direct US participation
in international aeromodeling activities.
Another quick trip to the Web gave me what the
FAI does.
"FAI activities include the
establishment of rules for the control and
certification of world aeronautical and
astronautical records. FAI establishes
regulations for air sporting events which are
organized by member countries throughout the
world. FAI also promotes skill, proficiency
and safety in aeronautics. FAI confers medals,
diplomas and other awards to those who have
contributed to the achievement of these aims
as well as for work done in the restoration of
old aircraft. In achieving these goals, FAI
brings together people who take part in air
sports from all over the world. They share the
delight of gliding, the excitement of
parachuting and ballooning, the fun of flying
micro lights and exercise their skill in
aerobatics.
"Within the framework of FAI, each
air sport has an International Commission
which is responsible for making the rules for
competitions and which generally oversees the
activities of their particular air sport."
The
International Aeromodelling Commission of FAI
(CIAM) is the part of FAI that oversees
aeromodeling and spacemodeling activities.
World records and international competitions
in particular are conducted under the
direction of CIAM.
The various aeromodeling
disciplines include F1-Free Flight; F2-Control
Line; F3A-Radio Control Aerobatics;
F3B/F3J-Radio Control Soaring; F3C-Radio
Control Helicopters; F3D-RC Pylon Racing;
F4-Scale Models; F5-Electric Flight;
F6-Airsports Promotion; F7-Lighter than Air;
and S-Space Models.
The next time you're out
on the flightline watching another flier go
through the "pattern" routine or see someone
racing around imaginarily pylons, he or she
may be on the world stage representing the US
and AMA someday.
On a final note, I want to
offer a special thanks to Rhonda and Darrol
Cady of Portland, Oregon, for being our first
Host and Hostess volunteers for the National
Flying Site. The "frequent fliers" of the site
were the first to help oversee the 1,100 acres
during their month-long stay in June.
Darrol's
business-management background greatly helped
formulate the procedures for the new Host and
Hostess program. These official "AMA"
volunteers help in site management and answer
any questions new visitors may have about the
flying on-site. If you're interested in
volunteering, contact Mary Hurn at (765)
287-1256, extension 260.
Rhonda, Darrol, and
Cody Cady were the first to volunteer
for the
AMA Host and Hostess Program. Ramsey photo.
In the spirit of flight.
MA
Jim Cherry, Executive Director
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