A number of years ago, I approached Jay Meale (? Spelling) at the EAA convention in Oshkosh and asked him if we had and if we didn't have, why not, a program similiar to the EAA's "Young Eagles" program. He indicated that they did but did not give me much information on it. Maybe I haven't been paying attention, but, I have yet to see anything that remotely mirrors the the EAA's efforts. If we don't make a concentrated effort to get younger members into the circle then we are doing a disservice to modeling as a whole. The AMA in no uncertain terms needs to cultivate the younger/new interest in the sport. If we as modelers and members of the AMA do nothing to ensure the growth of our sport then we have no gripes if we do not grow and move forward. What would be wrong with having a goal (a certain number of new first time flyers by a specific date), rewarding their interest with a certificate of some sort and a national registry of new flyers who have taken advantage of the program on the AMA web sight. Yes it does sound alot like the EAA's effort and I must admit that is where I got the idea, but you cannot knock their success..its outstanding and successful. Whats your opinion? Joe

Hi JL,
I’m not sure what program Jay had in mind when you two were speaking. There is a rather large “fly a CL model” program run each year over at Pioneer Airport during the EAA Convention but I don’t think that’s what you have in mind.
I happen to think a lot of the EAA Young Eagles program. I’m a member of the Young Eagles Century Club. When the program was in its heyday the model club I belong to use to run a “try RC” day on the same days as the EAA Chapter I belong to ran Young Eagle Days. It worked out great. It gave the kids something else to do while at the field and introduced them to model aviation at the same time.
A similar, stand alone, program for modeling might be an interesting concept to explore. I can’t believe the program would cost much. The “certificates” the EAA provided were pretty “economical”. In addition to introducing some kids to model aviation, which should be the prime focus, the program would have the added benefit of us giving something back to our communities. I can tell you the EAA YE program made us a lot of friends where I fly. Parents like it when someone takes an interest in providing wholesome activities for their kids.
Dave