Biographies

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Paul Pizon Biography

Model airplane on a platform next to a wooden box on grass.

My modeling love started around 1968 when my father brought home a newly released Cox F2G Corsair. He taught me how to start it, I taught myself how to fly it. My father George Pizon was a great influence and teacher, and I owe him a lot.

I had had my first RC Airplane in 1974, a Top Flite Headmaster with a OS Max .25 for power and a Heathkit GD-19 5 Channel radio which I helped him build! I originally had a 4-digit AMA number but lost it when I didn’t pay for a couple years, so now I have my 5-digit 82653 number.

Jeffrey Aaron Biography

My early memories are peering into the cockpit of a single-seat Navy jet at an airshow, and the sound of four big radial engines on Constellation airliners.

I was given a Cox glow engine and learned to fly u-control in schoolyards.

Hobby shops put me in touch with accomplished modelers. This was before the internet, so meeting others was essential for learning.

Wesley Glover Biography

Man standing with three model aircraft on a field, mountains in the background.

My RC Journey

My journey into RC aviation started the same way a lot of modern stories do—by accident. A video popped up on my Facebook feed one day, and something about it grabbed me. I didn’t even know why at first. I just knew I wanted to understand it. That curiosity quickly turned into hours of research and watching videos, which eventually led me to buy my first RC aircraft: an Arrows Bigfoot from HobbyZone.

Ric Schneider Biography

I joined AMA in 1963 or '64. I am a member of the Greater Cincinnati Radio Control Club (GCRCC) and also a member of the Sirs club in Bloomington, Illinois. I am a retired Franciscan priest and have taught many kids how to fly. I was the dean of students at Saint Francis seminary in Cincinnati, where the GCRCC had its flying field. At 93, I am no longer able to fly.

I always told people, this is a great hobby, because it keeps your eyes on heaven, and when you crashed, it is humbling. It has been a great hobby for me.

Alan Wolfe Biography

I was born in Evanston, Illinois, in 1952. I started building model airplanes when I was around ten years old. Most were gliders and sail planes. I managed to crash the Control Line models until my buddy Bill got a Cox .049 trainer and we finally learned to fly Control Line. I still have a Cox .049 Trainer hanging from the ceiling in my office and I fly it from time to time.

Harold Bingham Biography

Man holding a large model biplane on grass.

 I became fascinated as a young lad watching my uncles fly Control Lines, such as Flight Streaks. By lad, I was around 7 at the time in the 1970's. At 10, I got my first Control Line, a Ring Master with an O.S. .35 engine. My uncle helped with the build, and he had me flying it during the maiden. In no time, I was doing all kinds of stunts. It is still in my hanger today, and I am in my 60s.

Keith Adams Biography

I began in 1967 building Estes rockets in 2nd grade. I built and flew several Guillow's models during those early years. My parents recognized my interest in model airplanes and in 1969 they purchased me my first Cox .049 Control Line, the green P-51. I flew that for several years as I began to learn to build. I built more Carl Goldberg Stunt Man 23's and Swordsman 18's than I can remember.

John Swager Biography

I've been passionate about radio-controlled aircraft and vehicles for nearly four decades, starting my journey into the hobby at age 13. Now at 52, my enthusiasm for RC has only grown stronger over the years. As a proud member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), I've had the privilege of exploring virtually every corner of this incredible hobby.

Barry Ashepa Biography

Man outdoors with a model airplane on a table, grassy field in background.

I was about to retire and the person I was training to take my place gave me a Corsair RTF airplane as a going away gift. I hadn’t flown a model airplane since I was a teenager, and u-control at that!

I found the Airmasters RC Club by accident one day and stopped in and asked if they could teach me to fly. That was in 2016.  After a few years as club secretary, I was voted in as President of the club.

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