It is an honor to have been elected President of the IMAA. There is a lot that we need to accomplish over the next two years. The most important goal is to return to the basics. The IMAA was established to promote giant scale planes, flying, fun and camaraderie! Local clubs need the freedom to conduct their fly-ins as they see fit. The purpose of the IMAA Board, and Officers should be to support the local clubs in their pursuit of what is the best hobby in the world!

One way we can support local clubs in their pursuit is by helping them reduce landing fees by subsidizing more IMAA sanctioned events. I have some ideas as to how this can be done, but I’d like to hear more from the members. I’d like to hear from all of you as to what you think the IMAA can do to support your events!

I often get asked two questions, “What are you going to do about the membership dropping?” Each one of you can help with this issue. I’m sure that all of you have at least one friend who flies giant scale, but isn’t a member of the IMAA. I’m challenging each an every one of you, and the entire Board of Directors to sign up one new member this year. This will double our membership!

The next question “Why Sanction with the IMAA?” At our BOD meeting District IV Director, David Jones, asked the following question. “Why should an R/C Club have an event sanctioned with the IMAA when a Big Bird event can be sanctioned just with the AMA?”

This is one of the most frequently asked questions of our IMAA Sanction Coordinator, Andy Argenio. Andy’s response to this important question is as follows (In which I agree):

“IMAA Events have been increasing in all districts during the past three years. R/C Clubs and Event Directors are again realizing that there are distinct advantages to IMAA Sanctioning.

“Big Bird Events that are sanctioned only with the AMA may vary from event to event because they are subject to the discretion of the club’s director. The director may allow aircraft to be flown that are not IMAA legal and they may have competition. Most pilots are aware of IMAA event regulations, restrictions and standards. They want to attend events that comply, provide and assure them of these standards in a friendly non-competitive atmosphere”.
“IMAA Event dates and locations can become traditional for an IMAA Chapter Club and need only comply with area protection of 100 miles against other IMAA Events and not AMA only events. Once an IMAA Chapter is approved for an event date there isn’t any need to specify on the AMA application an alternate date. The IMAA Chapter can not be bumped by an AMA Big Bird Event on the same date event though the AMA event maybe less then 100 miles away”. IMAA High Flight publication allows only IMAA Chapter Clubs that have an IMAA Sanctioned Event an opportunity to have their event published in High Flight. Clubs recognize that this is an excellent way to increase attendance at future events and give recognition to their event, pilots and their aircraft.

Our award winning IMAA website advertises only IMAA Sanctioned events. Pilots frequently check our event listings on our website because they are up to date.

Big is better. Big is safer and IMAA Sanctioning is still the way to go.” Andy Argenio

Twenty years ago giant scale planes were a novelty. Today giant scale planes are the norm at many fields. However, the reason we come together will never change. We are all members for the same basic reasons: we love big airplanes, we love getting together with friends to fly (and crash on occasion), we love talking about our new projects, and we love seeing our pictures and events in our High Flight magazine. It is because of our dedicated membership that giant scale is where it is today. It is time to turn our back on the pessimists and to build upon the firm foundation that we have built. Together we can, and we will, build a stronger and prouder IMAA.

Membership Drive:

I’d like to congratulate the final winners of the IMAA membership drive. They are:

• Grand Prize: Bob J. Towner # 23002, 2961 M. St, Merced, CA 95348
• 1st runner up: Jack E. Treadman #03501, 3100 North Rd. Naples, Florida 34104
• 2nd runner up: James R. Mahoney #14139, PMB #318 4798 S. FL. Ave, Lakeland, FL 33813-2181
• 3rd runner up: Richard H. Rindels #24582, 209 Overland Tr. Gillette, Wyoming 82716
• New member winner: David A. Stroud # 26850, 191 Oak Forest Dr., Statesville, NC 28625