By Mark Radcliff, AMA District III Vice President
Photos by author.
Invitation to Participate
I received a phone call from Paul Stimmel of the Dayton Wingmasters Model Club in Dayton Ohio, inviting me to host an AMA District III booth at the annual Dayton Modelrama, scheduled for March 20-21, 2026. Having participated in this event in previous years, I was well aware of its importance to the model aviation community in western Ohio and accepted the invitation without hesitation.
Event Preparation
To ensure our booth was well-equipped, I contacted AMA Headquarters to notify them of my attendance and requested the latest AMA marketing brochures. AMA responded promptly and, to my delight, also offered to send Hunter Saling, an AMA employee and graphic designer, to assist at the event.
On Friday morning, Hunter and I, along with Jim Martin—past DIII vice president (VP) and the current associate vice president (AVP)—arrived early and set up the AMA information booth. We enhanced our display by bringing a Real Flight Simulator and a large screen TV, providing visitors with an opportunity to practice and improve their flying skills in anticipation of the upcoming flying season.
The Event Experience
Our booth was positioned among several well-known vendors, including Buddy RC, Sky Bench, and Sullivan Products, all of whom are strong supporters of model aviation. When the event opened to the public, there was already a line of attendees eager to enter. The AMA booth quickly became a hub of activity, with many members renewing their memberships and several new members signing up.
Attendance remained strong throughout the weekend, with many visitors taking turns on the flight simulator. The event also provided a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends and meet new enthusiasts. I even found time to purchase a few items myself.
Event Conclusion
Saturday afternoon marked the conclusion of the event with a lively auction where items were sold and the club received a portion of the proceeds. As in previous years, the Dayton Modelrama Swap Event proved to be an outstanding experience. My sincere thanks go to the Dayton Wingmasters club for hosting such a successful gathering. I am already looking forward to next year’s event, which promises to be even bigger and better.
Mark A. Radcliff
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