I want to see your pictures and hear about your club’s events this year. To get your club’s event or even just a fun day of flying into my column, simply write a 150-word description of the event, along with a couple of pictures. Email it to AMAdistrictVI@modelaircraft.org with the word “magazine” in the subject line. Keep in mind that the pictures must be at least a 500-KB standalone JPG file.
Steve Spraggs, from the Paducah Aero Modelers club in Paducah, Kentucky, reported that during the spring semester of 2025, club members Kyle Smith (club president) and Jerry L. Smith assisted the University of Kentucky (UK) Paducah Campus Engineering department with its American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) RC model airplane design. Jerry provided technical support along with Kyle, who traveled with the students to Tucson, Arizona, as the team pilot for the competition.
The 2025 AIAA Design/Build/Fly missions tasked students with developing an airplane to carry and release a secondary autonomous flight vehicle, which was also developed by the students, along with auxiliary fuel tanks. The event drew 112 teams from around the world, representing universities from six continents, 18 countries, and 35 US states. The Paducah team successfully completed all of the flight missions that were laid out in the competition rules and placed 24th overall, which set a new record for the UK Paducah Campus.
The success of the student team and the educational experience it provided was made possible through the support of their sponsors and Jerry and Kyle, who both generously donated their time, expertise, and equipment. In addition to the Paducah Aero Modelers annual public events, this is another great example of how the club participates in many levels of community and youth model aircraft engagement while supporting AMA and club initiatives.
Each of us needs to take time to introduce someone new to model aviation. Help get youth excited about model aviation because they are the future of our hobby, as well as future workers in aviation-related industries!
My home club probably gets cheated as I rarely post information about it because of my position with AMA. Because I only received one submission this month, I am breaking that practice. My club, the Kansas City Northern Knights RC Club in Kansas City, Missouri, hosts a camp-out every Memorial Day weekend. This is a family event, with a nicely mowed runway, plus a large pond for float-flying. This year, despite predicted rain and wind, we had a great turnout.
On Friday morning, we arrived and set up our camps, then at noon we went to the local town for some great Kansas City barbecue.
With bellies full, we returned to the farm and flew our tails off! We provided evening meals and breakfast for all attendees, but everyone was on their own for lunches. This event was a great camaraderie builder for everyone involved and is my favorite club event of the year.