Summary
On this episode of AMA Air, Matt Ruddick and Lee Ray are joined by AMA Executive Director Tyler Dobbs and AMA President Greg Stone to discuss the recent FCC Foreign UAS ban, announce the newest inductees into the AMA Hall of Fame, provide key dates for several upcoming deadlines, and much more!
On this episode of AMA Air, Matt Ruddick and Lee Ray are joined by AMA Executive Director Tyler Dobbs and AMA President Greg Stone to discuss the recent FCC Foreign UAS ban, announce the newest inductees into the AMA Hall of Fame, provide key dates for several upcoming deadlines, and much more!
FCC Foreign UAS & UAS Component Ban – (1:45)
On Monday, December 22, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released DA 25-1086, stating the addition of all uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS components produced by foreign entities onto the list of items banned for posing an “unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons”. AMA Executive Director Tyler Dobbs and AMA President Greg Stone join the show to discuss the issue, and the steps AMA is taking to combat the decision. Be sure to tune into the interview for their full statement (Note: The interview was originally recorded on 1/5/26). Additionally, you can read the AMA Government Advocacy blogs for the most up to date information.
New Inductees into the AMA Hall of Fame- (20:20)
The AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame has recognized AMA members for their outstanding contributions to the hobby of model aviation since 1969. AMA evaluates these nominees on their developmental and administrative accomplishments, volunteering efforts, and presence at competitions. The following individuals were inducted into the AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame: Charles Legg, David Andersen, Earl Aune, Gary Fogel, Julie Parker, Larry Jolly, and Ralph Warner. Read more about their stories in this blog post!
Carl & Beth Goldberg Vital People Award Winners – (21:16)
The annual Carl & Beth Goldberg Vital People Award is designed to recognize AMA members who go above and beyond to support model aviation, their clubs, and other modelers. This year’s awardees are Lawrence Erbach (District VI), Lon McClure (District VII), and Sevak Malkhasyan (District X). Learn more about their stories in the accompanying blog post!
Club of the Month – (24:39)
The Club of the Month for January is the Arizona Model Pilots Society. This AMA Gold Leader Club is located within Maricopa County Parks at Adobe Dam Regional Park. The club was created back in 1980 and currently boasts over 250 members. The club features a 600’ long 75’ wide asphalt runway as well as a 105’ diameter control line circle. To learn more about their club be sure to check out the club Facebook page or club website.
IFlyAMA Facebook Group – (26:55)
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 Nathan Jones, depicting his Shamu Southwest airlines jet.
2026 Nats – (28:24)
Registration for the 2026 National Aeromodeling Championships is now open! This summer’s Nats will mark the 100th running of the event, you won’t want to miss this historic moment! Be sure to register early and take advantage of early bird discounts. Additionally, the first 100 adults to register receive a special limited edition gift box. To stay up to date on the Nats, and to join the conversation, check out the new Nats Facebook page.
UAS4STEM – (29:13)
Registration is open for the 2026 season of the UAS4STEM drone competition! The competition is open to students aged 11-19. No previous experience is needed, as the competition is divided into beginner and advanced divisions. If you are looking to start a new team, check out the New Team Guide on the UAS4STEM website. The team registration deadline is January 12, 2026.
AMA Scholarships – (30:20)
The AMA Foundation has awarded close to $1.5 million in scholarships since the start of the Scholarship program. All graduating seniors and those currently enrolled in post-secondary education are welcome to submit an application and get involved! Applications are now open with the final application deadline being February 2nd, 2026.
Flying Site Improvement Grant – (30:51)
The Flying Site Improvement Grant program provides funding for AMA chartered clubs that have made improvement or are making improvement to their flying sites. Through the FSIG program, the AMA will contribute 25% of total project costs – with a minimum contribution of $100 and a maximum contribution of $3,000 – to clubs that are improving their flying sites and demonstrating their club’s commitment to AMA’s mission statement. February 1st is the deadline to apply for this grant, so don’t hesitate!
For more information on the above topics and more, be sure to watch the full episode of AMA Air!