Summary
On this episode of AMA Air, Matt Ruddick and Lee Ray are joined by Terry Dunn to recap the 2025 National Aeromodeling Championships (Nats), provide updates on all of this summer’s Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Championships, discuss AMA’s presence at EAA AirVenture held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, announce the winners of the UAS4STEM student drone competition, and much more!
On this episode of AMA Air, Matt Ruddick and Lee Ray are joined by Terry Dunn to recap the 2025 National Aeromodeling Championships (Nats), provide updates on all of this summer’s Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Championships, discuss AMA’s presence at EAA AirVenture held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, announce the winners of the UAS4STEM student drone competition, and much more!
Zap Glue Giveaway Winner Announced– (1:20)
AMA has partnered with Zap Glue to produce a video series detailing the entire Zap Glue product lineup to showcase which adhesives work best for your unique model building projects. As part of this partnership, Zap Glue also conducted a giveaway for viewers of July’s episode of AMA Air to win a prize pack of assorted glues! Viewers entered the giveaway by commenting on the July AMA Air YouTube video using the phrase “AMABUILD”.
World Championships Roundup – (2:35)
Several Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) world championships in the sphere of model aviation have taken place this summer already, with more to come! To kick it all off was the FAI FIABCQ World Championships for Free Flight Model Aircraft, held in Salonta, Romania, July 20-27. Team USA finished third in the F1C Power Model Aircraft competition. In F1Q Team Electric Power Model Aircraft, Team USA came in third behind Ukraine and Finland. Individually, Yuda Avla finished first in Electric Power Model Aircraft and Julie Parker came in third in F1Q Female in Electric Power Model Aircraft.
Team USA also excelled in FAI F3D/F3E World Championships for Pylon Racing Model Aircraft, held in Rothenburg, Germany, from July 22-26. Team USA finished first. Individually, Randy Bridge finished second. In the FAI F3E Team event for RC Electric Power Pylon Racing, Team USA finished second behind the Netherlands.
Next up, Team USA also competed at the 2025 FAI F3K World Championships for Model Gliders held in Tarp, Germany, from July 26 – August 02.
Currently wrapping up is the 2025 FAI F3C/N World Championships for Model Helicopters held in Pitești, Romania from August 4-9. Good luck to Team USA!
And finally, being held at the International Aeromodelling Center in Muncie, IN on August 9-16 is the FAI F3 World Championships for RC Aerobatics.
2025 Nats Recap – (6:14)
As summer winds down so does the National Aermodeling Championships, better known as the Nats. To keep track of all the action be sure to read the Nats News daily summaries on the Nats website. If you are new to a certain discipline or want to learn more about one of the competitions held during the Nats, be sure to check out the Nats Newbs videos hosted by Terry Dunn at the 2025 Nats.
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Recap – (15:22)
AMA recently attended the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)’s AirVenture located in Oshkosh, WI. The event saw more than 700,000 attendees over the course of July 21-27. It was a great opportunity for aviation enthusiasts to learn more about the hobby of model aviation! AMA brought the Model Aviation Experience sponsored by Wing flight simulation trailer to the event where a steady stream of curious patrons got their hands on the sticks. Enthusiasm for model aviation carried over to RC Evening Flying held at Pioneer Field at AirVenture Monday through Friday just before the evening airshow. AMA was able to conduct over 200 introductory flights using buddy boxes to interested attendees of all ages. Pictures of the event can be found on AMA’s Flickr account.
UAS4STEM Recap – (23:33)
Also held at AirVenture was the finals of the UAS4STEM drone competition. This year, 13 teams in total, 6 in the beginner division and 7 in advanced, competed at the event. Teams are comprised of middle and high school aged students who are tasked with designing, building, and flying drones to complete various missions. This year the students had to scan QR codes, pick up objects, and drop an object onto a moving target! Along with the flight operations side of the competition, each team must also give a Flight Readiness Review presentation to a panel of aviation professionals. Winning first place in the beginner division was St. Mary’s Civil Air Patrol team, and winning first place in the advanced division was team Some Assembly Required. For more information on the competition and results, be sure to check out this blog post. Pictures of the event can be found on AMA’s Facebook page.
National Model Aviation Month – (27:08)
National Model Aviation Day is coming up on August 16th! But this year, the celebration is expanding to National Model Aviation Month! AMA Clubs are encouraged to take part in the festivities by holding their own events promoting model aviation in their communities throughout the month of August!
AMA Air 10th Anniversary Throwback Clip – (27:49)
2025 serves as the 10th anniversary of AMA Air. To celebrate, Matt and Lee take a look back at clips from the show’s past. This month they look back at a unique interview with Scaled Composites Design Engineer Mason Hutchison, which originally aired back on May 15th, 2019.
Club of the Month – (32:38)
The Club of the Month for July is the Hot Springs R/C Flying Club (HSRCFC) located in Hot Springs, Arkansas and an AMA Gold Leader Club. The club operates inside Garland County Cedar Glades Park. To learn more about their club be sure to check out the club Facebook page and this video.
IFlyAMA Facebook Group – (35:09)
The IFlyAMA Facebook group is an online community for sharing useful tips, discussing model aviation news, and showing off your recent builds! A contest is held every month to determine the cover photo for the Facebook group. This month’s winning photo was submitted by Will Davis, depicting Wesley Smith holding his Nats winning Ringmaster.
AMA Foundation “Fly More, Mow Less” Sweepstakes – (38:16)
The AMA Foundation also announced the “Fly More, Mow Less” sweepstakes. Contributions to the sweepstakes will go toward the AMA Foundation Club Support Fund. These funds aid model aviation clubs across the country in a variety of ways, including disaster relief, flying site improvements, and introducing the public to the hobby. The grand prize is a Lymow One robotic lawnmower. To learn more about the other prizes in the sweepstakes, as well as how to enter, check out this AMA Foundation blog post.
IAC Site Improvements – (38:37)
In March of 2025, the AMA Foundation was awarded a grant of $140,000 through the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC). This grant will support the International Aeromodeling Center Improvement Project, an initiative that will enhance various aspects of the IAC’s 1,100-acre property in Muncie, Indiana, and add to member and visitor experiences. Some improvements that have already been worked on include an upgraded dock at the AMA pond, an improved flight demonstration area behind the National Model Aviation Museum, and additional seating on the IAC property. Learn more about these improvements in the AMA Foundation blog post.
For more information on the above topics and more, be sure to watch the full episode of AMA Air!