Biographies

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Mark Henning Biography

Attempted RC flying while in High School. Hand built Heathkit Transmitter, Receiver and 4 servos. The poor plane got off the ground briefly but never for more than 10 seconds. Fast forward 40 years. Met an RC flyer in my neighborhood, he saw my antique equipment and said build a trainer, get a new Futaba radio, and I will teach you to fly. So I did and with a buddy box and some instruction, I was flying solo by the time I was 60.

I flew with him and some friends for many years until the club field was shut down.  At 74, I may pick it up again, only time will tell.

Jerry Stuckey Biography

Man cleans a small gray drone parked outside.

I have been a member of AMA since 1978. I’ve flown in many competitions in aerobatics and won many awards. After flying large scale precision aerobatics through 2012, I was contacted by the United States military to train young military drone pilots. I hold several contracts with major defense contractors and manufacture produce and operate target Drones for every branch of our military service. I have turned what was a hobby at one time into a very lucrative business simply because of AMA and RC experience.

Graham Jacobs Biography

Born 1941 in Chester England, Came to USA 1947. Served USAF 1960 thru 1964 served in Africa (Libia), Cape Cod any other areas. Started RC in 1968 with RC trainers from Goldburgh Co. and others.

Joined Orange Ulster Sullivan RC (SOURS) in 1980 (or so). Our main flying Field was an old military air training Base GailVille our club flew there for about 25 years, sharing it with the FBI and others.

Still building and flying.

Have valued my membership in the AMA always.

Thank You All,

Graham

Robert Lowe Biography

Small blue and white model airplane parked under a larger matching aircraft in a hangar.

Started flying control line in about 1977. Moved up to r/c planes in 1979. My first plane was an sig cadet with a k&b .40, Kraft radio. Built and flew several planes after that. Sig cougar, top flite falcon 56, a few others along the way.

Started flying pattern planes next. Competed around the southeast at numerous contests. I was always active in our club. I was asked to be a member of the local AMA air show team. We did events at local full scale air shows along with static displays at local malls in the early 80’s.

Michael Taylor Biography

Portrait of a person with shoulder-length hair against a blue background, wearing a black shirt.

First encounter with Model aircraft was in the tiny Town of Bovina, Texas! When we used to go to the town flight site for Wire Control and Estes Rockets! Admired all that I saw, and they even had Combat Flight Fights (cutting the ribbon of the other model).

Larry Meddock Biography

I'm 79 years old and moved to Florida about 50 years ago. Came from California after a brief career in the motion picture industry. Graduated from San Diego State in 1970. Was recruited by a boat manufacturer here in Orlando. Was fortunate to fly around the US in a private plane calling on customers. One of those return flights home found an article on RC airplanes in a random magazine. Started in control line and graduated to RC with a Falcon 56. The rest as they say is history.

Bill Fowler Jr. Biography

In the spring of 1985, I was playing basketball against three kids averaging 10 years old. I went for a driving layup and ruptured my left patellar tendon. During my recovery (which was 11 months long) I noticed fellows flying model aircraft in a local, very large parking lot. I visited with them and became enamored with R/C aircraft. I then purchased a Goldberg Eagle 63 kit and a HB .40 engine. I built it and attempted to fly it myself and well, it ended up upside down and crashed!

Javier Arroyo Biography

Man wearing ski gear and goggles in a garage with skis and a blue car.

I discovered model aviation later in life, proving that it is never too late to try something completely new.

Before 2023, I had never flown any type of radio-controlled aircraft. At 61 years old, I decided to begin with RC helicopters—perhaps not the easiest entry point into the hobby, but certainly an exciting one. From the beginning, I found the RC community to be incredibly supportive, patient, and welcoming. Experienced pilots freely shared their knowledge, encouraged me through the inevitable challenges, and helped me feel like part of the community.

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