AMA HAD THE distinct honor of welcoming two aviation legends, Burt Rutan and Dan Kreigh, to the International Aeromodeling Center (IAC) in Muncie, Indiana, on July 7-10. Joined by Burt’s wife, Tonya, the visit was a memorable celebration of innovation, friendship, and the lasting connection between model aviation and aerospace.
Throughout their time at the IAC, Burt, Dan, and Tonya immersed themselves in the AMA community, visiting with members, staff, competitors, and aviation enthusiasts. Their visit highlighted the incredible impact that creativity, engineering, and a passion for flight have had on generations of aviators.
Burt is widely recognized as one of the most innovative aircraft designers of our time. His groundbreaking work includes the design of the Voyager aircraft, which completed the first nonstop, unrefueled flight around the world, and SpaceShipOne, the first privately developed, crewed spacecraft to reach space. Dan, an AMA Life Member and accomplished aerospace engineer, has played an important role in bringing many advanced aircraft designs to life through his expertise in structural engineering.
During their visit, Burt and Dan were honored with commemorative bricks in the AMA Walk of Fame to recognize their significant contributions to aviation and aerospace. The Walk of Fame serves as a tribute to individuals who have made lasting impacts on the world of flight; adding their names to this distinguished list was a fitting recognition of their achievements.
The pair also spent time exploring the heart of AMA’s mission: promoting the joy, education, and innovation of model aviation. They visited the AMA National Model Aviation Museum, where they viewed historic aircraft and learned more about the stories preserved within the collection. They also met with AMA staff, participated in an interview, and shared their experiences and insights with the organization.
Burt, Dan, and Tonya also experienced the excitement of competition at the IAC, visiting both the RC Pylon Racing and Control Line Nats. Their presence provided competitors with a unique opportunity to interact with aviation pioneers while celebrating the skill, dedication, and creativity that define the modeling community.
One of the highlights of the visit was the presentation of the AMA Fellowship Award to Burt. The award recognizes individuals whose achievements, leadership, and contributions have had a profound impact on aviation and the aeromodeling community. Honoring Burt with this award was a fitting tribute to a career defined by innovation and a lifelong pursuit of flight.
Burt and Dan capped off their visit by sharing their stories and experiences with more than 100 AMA members during a special banquet presentation. Their discussion provided attendees with a firsthand look into the challenges, successes, and creative processes behind some of aviation’s most groundbreaking projects.
Beyond the presentations and recognitions, the visit was about what brings the aviation community together: a shared passion for flight. During their time at the IAC, Burt, Dan, and Tonya all took the opportunity to visit the IAC flying site, joining AMA members on the flightline and experiencing the same excitement that has inspired countless modelers for generations.
The visit was a special reminder of the connection between model aviation and full-scale aerospace innovation. The creativity, problem-solving, and love of flight that are developed through aeromodeling have helped inspire some of the greatest achievements in aviation history.
AMA is grateful for the opportunity to welcome these aviation pioneers to the IAC and celebrate their remarkable contributions to the world of flight.
Comments
Add new comment