President’s Perspective By Greg Stone, AMA President | amapresident@modelaircraft.org As seen in the August 2026 issue of Model Aviation. EVERY TIME I visit an AMA flying site, I’m reminded of something powerful. Our hobby doesn’t run on fuel, batteries, or even lift: It runs on people and the spirit of […]
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Membership 360 – A Plan to Drive Growth!
Mark Feist, Leader Member and DIII AVP The hobby of model aviation and AMA experienced significant growth from 1970 to 1990. From 1990 through 2002, AMA membership moved up and down, but total membership numbers remained about the same overall and across Senior, Adult, and Youth categories; however, since 2002, […]
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Leader Member Highlight: David Cook
By David Cook My interest in model aviation appears to have begun well before I was born. I can trace it back to my father’s attendance at the 1934 Cleveland Air Races in Ohio as a young boy. Growing up, my father and I spent many hours building and attempting […]
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Why AMA Membership Is Worth It: Real Stories from Members
1. A Community That Keeps You Engaged “Meeting with other fliers and belonging to local clubs.”— Dale, Adult Senior, FL One of the most common themes is community. AMA membership connects you with local clubs where you can: For many, this turns flying from a solo hobby into something much […]
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6 Ways to Grow Your Club
Real ideas from clubs across the country Growing a model aviation club isn’t about one big idea—it’s about doing a lot of small things well, consistently. In our recent webinar, we pulled together insights from experienced club leaders and AMA staff to highlight what’s actually working today. Whether your club […]
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What It’s Like to Be a Youth AMA Member
For many young people, model aviation starts with a simple interest. An airplane. A drone. A question. How do I get started? For youth members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), that curiosity quickly turns into something more. It Starts with Interest “Planning for aviation, hence wanting to join […]
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The Benefits of Visiting the Staff at the IAC in Muncie
By Larry Erbach, President, Chain-O-Lakes Eagles RC Flying Club Stepping into my new role as club president in January 2025, one of our members encouraged me to personally visit the International Aeromodeling Center (IAC) in Muncie, Indiana. The goal was simple: introduce myself, learn what I could, and strengthen our […]
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How Joining an AMA Club Helps You Learn RC Flying Faster
If you’re trying to learn RC flying, you might be wondering: What’s the fastest way to get better? You can go at it alone, or you can surround yourself with people who have already done it. Based on real AMA member feedback, one thing is clear: Joining a club dramatically […]
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Changes to Model Aviation Subscription Policy
The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is committed to delivering high-quality Model Aviation magazine content that informs, inspires, and connects our community of aeromodelers. Because of rising production and distribution costs, AMA will implement a $10 annual fee for eligible members who choose to receive the print edition of Model […]
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Indoor Flying 2026
Thank you to all of the members who shared Indoor flying stories with us. Check out the stories below! Center Grove High School RC Flying Club I am a teacher sponsor for the Center Grove High School RC Flying Club. We host Indoor flying events throughout the winter months as a […]
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