Biographies

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Mike Davis Biography

Man smiling next to large yellow model airplane on grassy field.

As with many of us, I would imagine, I began my modeling addiction with rubber band-powered balsa models in the grocery store checkout. My first powered model was a Cox PT-19 Oh 49 Control Line that I received for Christmas when I was 8 years old. 

Since that time, I have built hundreds of models, several from scratch. I have enjoyed sport, scale, pattern, IMAC, 3D, combat, pylon, turbines, FPV, and SAM. Essentially, if someone showed up at the field with something new, I was up for giving it a try! 

Samuel Oughton Biography

During 1970, my year in Vietnam, I did two things. I flew UH1-H helicopters for the 7/17th Air Cavalry, and I bought my first RC transmitter and signed up with AMA. 

In 2003, I met Sam Patriacca, a Silver Star Winner who flew most of the same months in Vietnam that I did. Sam P. revived my interest in RC. Sam Snyder, a scratch builder, allowed us to attend a weekly come see at his shop on Wednesdays. His sharing and instruction aroused my building interest, and over some years, I built by bashing, built kits, and scratch-designed and built RC airplanes. 

Michael Kottemann Biography

My first flight was in 1962, and the plane was a Cox TD-4 Trainer plane. That was the plane Cox used BEFORE the PT-19. My dad was a WW2 Bomber Pilot; he was an instructor on B-24s out of Smyrna Tenn., and B-29s out of Maxwell in Ala. 

As a kid, 12 O'clock high was my favorite TV show and they used B-17s, so I assumed my dad flew them. Reality is, he never even sat in a B-17. So, I wanted to fly a bomber and I built my first B-17 in 1965. It had two 020s and was painted like the Piccadilly Lilly from the show. Only later did I find out my dad never flew one. 

Harold Hearon Biography

Senior man with white beard and glasses, wearing a white T-shirt, sitting indoors.

Started going to watch my dad fly C/L in the late 40s (still have a P6E Hawk he built in 1942, the year I was born). Started flying C/L at about 8 or 9, just sport flying. Dad flew F/F in a few contests, but I never got into the competition phase of the hobby. 

John Heimbecker Biography

Man smiling, holding a large radio-controlled airplane outdoors.

In 1968, I was amazed by a man flying an RC airplane. All my life involved thinking of and flying models. After failing high school, I put myself through Engineering school and became an electrical engineer and raised a family. I patented an idea for an efficient engine several years ago. 

Now, I have a patent pending for helping Wounded Warriors and others fly ALL Radio Control aircraft with ONLY ONE HAND.

My YouTube channel shows several examples with over 3,000 views ... Johnny EdgeTx. 

@HandyEdgeTx

Michaell Secondo Biography

Toy airplanes on display, including a yellow model with propellers.

I have been in the hobby for 50 years. It all started when me and my father watched my uncle pylon race back in the 60s. That's when I knew what I wanted. 

Well, here I am 50 years later and most clubs have closed. Only one which is 30 miles away is open, and it's small. I didn't renew the dues and don't know if I'm going to renew with AMA. Is this the end of my love of RC airplanes?

Randy Havener Biography

Man holding large model plane on an open airstrip, FMS logo above.

I got into flying with the PC-based Microsoft Flight simulator running versions 4.0 through X over a 10-year period. Getting a real pilots license was too expensive for myself, but I found that RC aeromodels filled the bill nicely and I am still going strong 10 years later! 

Please do visit a local club, you will not be disappointed. 

Richard Meeker Biography

Man smiling and standing outside by a table with an open car trunk in the background.

Hello. My name is Rich M. from Michigan, AMA District VII. I have been an active AMA member since November 1968, when I got out of the U.S. Navy, till present day. I just renewed my AMA membership for three more years. 

This has been a lifetime hobby of mine, and I have met and helped many, many people through the years. I only hope that our AMA Foundation stays strong and active for our next generation, as well as with all of the new laws and federal requirements coming forth in the future. 

Good luck and KEEP EM FLYING!!!

Steve Bullard Biography

Man standing in front of a vintage navy aircraft in a hangar.

My interest in all things aviation was sparked by my dad. Dad served in the USMCR and was an aircraft mechanic/crew chief with VMF-351, a training squadron of F4-U Corsairs, based at NAS Atlanta in the early 1950s.

So, when I was growing up, dad would fascinate me with his own airplane stories and take me to local airshows. We both loved warbirds! Also, dad introduced me to building plastic model planes and from there, my interest grew to include RC planes. 

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