AMA and NAR Sign Agreement on FAI Spacemodeling
I'm happy to report that the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and the National
Association of Rocketry (NAR) have signed a five year agreement to delegate
selected responsibilities for FAI Class S (Spacemodeling) activities to the NAR.
Under the terms of the agreement, the NAR will create a committee to manage the selection and management of FAI Spacemodeling teams. The Committee's Chairman, appointed by and responsible to the NAR Board of Trustees and President, will work to develop formal team selection criteria, and organize the team selection flyoff, next scheduled to occur in 2007. NAR membership will be required to participate in team selection flyoffs.
The NAR will also be responsible for selecting a team manager, who will coordinate with AMA to properly register and transport the team to the World Championship. Both AMA and NAR membership will be required of all team members selected. AMA will retain the voting seat at the FAI Aeromodeling (CIAM) annual meeting. I expect the NAR to be working out further management details over the next year.
Part of the NAR's mission is to push the boundaries of modeling technology, and in my experience, few activities push technology harder than competitive FAI flying. 'm pleased and excited about having the opportunity to once again have the NAR manage FAI Spacemodeling activities. And I strongly encourage NAR members, particularly those currently flying NAR contests, to investigate and become involved in this exciting and challenging part of our hobby.
Finally, my thanks to AMA President Dave Brown for his openness and gracious manner displayed during our discussions of this topic. Also, my thanks for John Langford, NAR International Programs Liaison Chairman, for his role in this historic agreement.
Mark Bundick, President
National Association of Rocketry
As always, you can send me your comments via email, or mail them to me at
Mark Bundick
10412 Lucas Road
Woodstock, IL 60098-7447