President's Perspective
By Greg Stone, President | [email protected]
As seen in the December 2026 issue of Model Aviation.
One of the most meaningful opportunities that we have as AMA members is the chance to help young people discover the wonder of flight. Every year, thousands of middle and high school students participate in Science Olympiad (soinc.org) flight events, building and trimming indoor aircraft that introduce them to aerodynamics, engineering, and hands‑on problem solving. These students represent the future of aviation, aerospace, and model flying, and they are eager to learn. They simply need guidance, encouragement, and connection to the broader modeling community.
The National Free Flight Society (NFFS; freeflight.org) has been an outstanding leader in supporting Science Olympiad teams, providing technical resources, coaching materials, expertise, and mentorship that helps students succeed. AMA needs to come alongside and support NFFS in this mission—we need AMA clubs to step forward and help schools directly. When students receive support and hands-on advice from real modelers who love this hobby, something powerful happens. Their curiosity becomes confidence, their interest becomes excitement, and their first indoor model often becomes the beginning of a lifelong passion.
Our clubs are uniquely positioned to make a difference. Many Science Olympiad coaches are dedicated teachers with limited aviation experience. They want to help their students, but they often need support in areas that we know well: choosing reliable kits, understanding materials, trimming for stability, and diagnosing flight issues. A single visit from an AMA club can transform a team’s season. A few hours of guidance can turn frustration into progress and open a door students didn’t know existed.
Students respond with incredible enthusiasm. They ask thoughtful questions, absorb every detail, and celebrate every improvement. When they see their aircraft circle smoothly for the first time, the joy is unmistakable. It’s the same joy that many of us felt when we first learned to fly, and it’s our privilege to help them experience it.
There are many ways that clubs can support Science Olympiad teams, and every effort matters.
• Building workshops: Host a weekend session to teach structure, adhesives, covering techniques, and common pitfalls. Even simple demonstrations can save students weeks of trial and error.
• Flight‑testing and trimming days: Invite teams to your club field or visit their school gym. Show them how to adjust thrust angles, balance the aircraft, and interpret flight behavior. These moments build real understanding.
• Equipment guidance: Help coaches choose dependable kits, rubber, propellers, and tools. Students often struggle with inconsistent materials; your experience can point them in the right direction.
• Mentorship and encouragement: Sometimes the most valuable thing that we offer is reassurance. Students thrive when they know that experts believe in them.
You don’t need to be a competition expert to make a meaningful impact. Every club has builders, fliers, troubleshooters, teachers, and encouragers. Sharing what you know, even in small ways, can change a student’s trajectory.
Supporting Science Olympiad isn’t just about helping students win medals. It’s about opening doors and showing them that flight is accessible, exciting, and full of possibilities. It’s also about giving them a foundation that might lead to careers in engineering, aviation, or aerospace, or simply a lifelong love of model flying. When we invest in these students, we invest in the future of our hobby. Just as importantly, we strengthen our clubs. School partnerships bring visibility, community connection, and new families who might become members. They energize volunteers and remind us why we fell in love with flight in the first place.
As we look ahead, I encourage every club to reach out to a local school, connect with a Science Olympiad coach, or partner with NFFS to support its outreach efforts. Even one workshop, one trimming session, or one encouraging conversation can make a profound difference.
Together, we can help students discover the joy of flight and ensure that the next generation of aviators, engineers, and modelers takes flight with confidence and excitement.
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