The IAC Improvement Project

In The Air Membership News & Updates From AMA

By Clarissa Poston, AMA Foundation Chief Communications Officer | [email protected]

As seen in the September 2026 issue of Model Aviation.

Colorful aviation-themed play area with people interacting and airplane decor. — A schematic drawing of the planned Hands-On Education Gallery enhancements. Note that design plans are subject to change as the project progresses. Drawing provided by KD+P.

AS MANY OF you might know, in 2025, the AMA Foundation was awarded a grant of $140,000 from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) to support the International Aeromodeling Center (IAC) Improvement Project. This project is an ongoing initiative that will enhance various aspects of the front portion of the IAC’s 1,100-acre property, adding to member and visitor experience. To make this project as successful as possible, the AMA Foundation has matched IDDC’s grant in excess through donor-specified funding, contributing $250,000 to the IAC Improvement Project.

This grant funding wouldn’t have been possible without the support of AMA members and donors, in addition to various community supporters. The dedication and support that our members and donors have offered us from the very beginning have laid an impressive foundation that has directly impacted the result of this funding, as has the support of community partners who came together and compiled numerous letters to present to the IDDC.

Through this funding, the AMA Foundation is thrilled to announce that two project legs have already been completed: the installation of a permanent pond dock and walkway, and "and an upgrade to the National Model Aviation Museum’s flight demonstration area, including the leveling of the area’s runway and the purchase of 50-person moveable bleachers and picnic tables. This moveable seating has already had an immense impact, allowing us to welcome large-scale school field trips to our property for an introduction to model aviation.

While these two projects are completed and have already provided enhanced experiences to recent visitors, there is still much work to do. The largest aspect of the IAC Improvement Project, for which work is underway, is updating and enhancing the National Model Aviation Museum’s Hands-On Education Gallery.

Since receiving this grant funding, AMA and AMA Foundation staff have interviewed design companies to ensure that the Hands-On Education Gallery updates are implemented in a professional, timely, and well-executed manner. We’re thrilled to announce that the gallery’s update s and enhancements are being conceptualized, designed, and produced by Kraemer Design + Production, popularly known as KD+P. This company has an extremely impressive portfolio, and we’re confident that their work will take the museum’s Hands-On Education Gallery to new heights. We can’t wait for you to see the final product!

With an end goal of providing visiting youth with hands-on learning experiences related to basic and advanced aspects of model aviation, visitors will find brandnew exhibits scattered throughout the gallery focused on STEAM education, the principles of flight, and more. By enhancing the gallery’s activities, we’re confident that this hands-on immersion will spark youth interest in aviation-focused careers and model aviation as a whole.

In addition to these new, immersive exhibits, brand-new educational programming will also be implemented that will directly support our mission by providing valuable STEAM education opportunities and getting youth excited about and invested in education, aviation, and their future studies and careers. Our goal is to make this educational programming transferrable, ensuring that it’s easy to use for youth outreach at any AMA club or the community events that they might hold across the country.

At the time of this writing, the current Hands-On Gallery has been gutted, with some exhibits being moved to the museum’s main gallery for use; the dropped ceiling has been removed, giving the new exhibit a higher ceiling; initial exhibit designs have been sketched; contractors have been perused and established; and meetings are being held on a weekly basis to ensure that this project stays on track.

The IAC Improvement Project is something that AMA and AMA Foundation staff are extremely passionate about, and we’re overwhelmingly appreciative of IDDC for recognizing AMA’s impact on its community and having the confidence to assist us in seeing this project to fruition.

While funding is available for initial exhibit installation in the Hands-On Education Gallery, the AMA Foundation encourages you to consider making a gift to the new Hands-On Gallery Fund. All monies gifted to this fund will be used to support improvements to, and the sustainability of, the newly enhanced gallery, including its maintenance and exhibits, as well as any related administrative costs.

To leave a gift and support the largest leg of the IAC Improvement Project, visit modelaircraft.org/donate and select the Hands-On Gallery Fund (linked in "Sources"). If you’re interested in instilling your legacy into this newly designed Hands-On Gallery, please contact AMA Foundation Executive Director Steve Haston for information about naming new exhibits.

The AMA Foundationextends its sincere thanks for your continued support, and we cannot wait to share project updates with you throughout the next few months. Keep an eye out for new information—you won’t want to miss it!