by Jack Upchurch | May 29, 2016 | District Accomplishments, District News
Connor Barnes, from Mooresville, NC was awarded a 2016 AMA Scholorship. Jay Marsh, District IV VP made the award at the 2016 Joe Nall event. Connor attends the University of North Dakota, and is pursuing a double major - Unmanned Aerial Systems and Commercial Aviation. He began flying model aircraft at a young age with his father, eventually moving to IMAC competition, winning Southeast Region’s Basic Pilot division at age 13; competed at the NATs twice, awarded the Best Senior Open Pilot award and 3rd place in the Advanced Division. His school activities and community service include, playing competitive soccer from ages 8 to 15. Connor then had to make a choice between soccer and flying, choosing the latter. He volunteers once month to organize athletic activities for younger children at a local community center, as well as assisting a local recycling program. Connor volunteered as a youth referee for the local soccer, baseball and basketball seasons; coached the 9 year-old girls soccer team; presently selected for a paid internship operating a CNC router. District IV is proud to have such an outstanding young man receive an AMA scholorship award....
by Jack Upchurch | May 29, 2016 | District Accomplishments
Our very own Rusty Kennedy recently received the Distinguished Service Award from AMA President Bob Brown. This award is given by vote only of the Executive Council for meritorious work for AMA. Rusty is a life member and received the award in recognition of his service as the Leader Member Committee Chairman for the last five years and the October 2015 EC meeting. He is also an Associate Vice President for District IV and serves on several AMA committees such as the Flying Site Grant Committee and...
by Jay Marsh | Aug 20, 2015 | AMA National News, District Accomplishments, District News
From: Bren Bailey Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2015 1:06 PM To: jaymarsh@ama-d4.org Subject: Drone article Jay, This article appeared on the top of the front page of the Winston-Salem Journal this morning: http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/crowded-skies-officials-keep-alert-on-drone-issue-above-winston/article_3ab96bf4-0194-56a6-9264-366425bbe491.html Please note that nowhere in the article is the Academy of Model Aeronautics mentioned. It refers only to “hobbyists,” mostly as the bad guys. … From: Bren Bailey Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2015 4:50 PM To: letters@wsjournal.com Cc: jaymarsh@ama-d4.org Subject: Drone article Dear Editor, Regarding the article concerning drones (“Working to keep the friendly skies safe,” August 20), I agree that there is a potential for significant problems, not the least of which is a catastrophic collision between a drone and an airliner. However, the article contains one error that I would like to correct. The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 did not establish rules for hobbyists. Instead, it relieved hobbyists from regulation by the FAA. Section 336 states “[T]he Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may not promulgate any rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft” as long as “the aircraft is operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization.” That nationwide community-based organization is the Academy of Model Aeronautics and it has established extensive safety protocols to which its members strictly adhere. Among the rules in the AMA Safety Code are the mandatory 400-foot ceiling, the restriction from flying closer than 5 miles to an airport, and keeping aircraft within line-of-sight. These are AMA guidelines, not FAA. There are 13 AMA-sanctioned clubs within a 50-mile radius of Winston-Salem, including one right...
by Jay Marsh | May 10, 2015 | District Accomplishments, District News
Way to go Jeff! Jeff Foley from Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina EARNED second place at this year’s Top Gun competition held in Lakeland, Florida. Jeff is also the district website author on scale.
by Jay Marsh | May 10, 2015 | District Accomplishments, District News
Congratulations to James Taylor, fondly known as JT, for receiving the Carl & Beth Goldberg Vital Person Award. He is a member of the Raleigh Aero Masters in Raleigh, NC. This award is presented annually to a fellow modeler, whose efforts enhance the enjoyment of the hobby and whose accomplishments are seldom formally acknowledged. JT is one such fellow. Here is a comment from his club. “JT is one of the most humble, knowledgeable, friendly RC loving individuals we have ever met. He is a true ambassador to the RC flying...
