By Kyle Jaracz, AMA Education Director | kylej@modelaircraft.org
Trying to keep a secret just between us that I wrote about in the last education column apparently didn’t work so well. To the many who wrote and called in to follow up on the resources mentioned in that column, thanks for taking the time to do so!
I’m always impressed by the number of individuals and clubs that are involving their communities in model aviation. My sincere appreciation to each of you, and if you’re wondering what the big secret is, go check out page 98 of the May 2024 issue of Model Aviation to catch up.
Because we are always searching for new ways to serve our members, AMA has recently made a new connection. The AMA Education team now serves on an advisory council for the EAA AeroEducate program. AeroEducate is a free resource that contains agebased activities and outlines clear pathways to aviation and aerospace industry careers.
You can sign up for a free AeroEducate account online. There are student-focused, web-based projects, experiments, and experiences that you can utilize for community events, club outreach, and collaborative opportunities with EAA Chapters in your area. You’ll likely see more model aviation activities on AeroEducate in the future, so be on the lookout. You can learn more by visiting www.aeroeducate.org.
The hobby of model aviation can serve as a springboard for great opportunities and experiences. Many of our members enjoy not just the hobby of model aviation, but the sporting element therein. Some even decide to make a career in aviation through drones.
I recently spent some time with a few of these quiet professionals in the deserts of the Southwestern US, and although I can’t share many details, I did want to share a bit about their efforts.
These professionals are utilizing highly modified model aircraft that test and validate systems designed to mitigate any potential threats to our nation. The passion and collaboration among team members was obvious, with everyone contributing to the collective mission. Their passion for what they were accomplishing was obviously exhibited through grins after particularly good landings and the quiet frustration when, on occasion, things went sideways. These are indicative of the care and professionalism these pilots pour into their work.
Their efforts not only strengthen national security measures but also play a pivotal role in safeguarding the future of model aviation. By demonstrating the capabilities of these aircraft, policymakers and stakeholders can see the varied ways that model aircraft can be used. This helps to ensure that any potential regulations are balanced, and will ensure that the hobby of model aviation, which brings so much good to the whole of aviation, continues.
It was truly a pleasure to see the tangible outcomes of their efforts, making both this nation and our hobby more secure.
Until next time, I’ll see you at the flying field!