Happy New Year!Your eyes are not deceiving you. I am back as your District III vice president (VP). After being the District III VP from 2012 to 2023, I retired in hopes of getting some new blood into the position. For various reasons, the district has had two different people fill the position since my retirement. Jim Martin was appointed interim VP in 2025, and after serving, he decided not to continue. I indicated to Jim that, if he desired, I would be happy to serve in 2026 as the VP. He was elated that I stepped up again to fill the position.
The regular three-year election cycle will occur later in 2026, and whoever wins the election will be the District III VP for 2027 through 2029. I am excited to again be in this position on the Executive Council. I feel honored, energized, and ready to be your AMA representative. I am looking forward to seeing all of you at events throughout the year.
To start thingsoff this month, I received the following report from Northern Ohio Associate Vice President Tony Husak.
At just 11 years old, Lilly Shriver made history as the youngest pilot ever to perform at the Cleveland National Air Show, captivating audiences with her fearless flight of her RC Draco airplane. Her debut wasn’t just a personal triumph—it marked a milestone for the Cleveland Aeromodeling Society (CAS), where Lilly became the first female pilot in the club’s 50-plus-year legacy of flying in the air show.
Lilly’s journey into the world of RC aviation began just three years ago, when she and her dad picked up their first RC airplane together. What started as a weekend hobby quickly turned into a full-blown passion. Today, Lilly is a skilled pilot with a love for large gliders, where she finds joy in the graceful silence of soaring flight.
Her talents stretch far beyond the sky—she’s a hands-on RC enthusiast who drives RC cars, skims water with RC boats, and commands RC motorcycles, drones, and RC helicopters with the same precision and excitement that define her aerial performances.
Whether Lilly is piloting Draco through intricate aerial maneuvers or collaborating with her father on her next RC project, she is establishing herself as a notable figure in the field of aeromodeling and RC aviation.
Thank you, Tony, for your report. What I find encouraging is the young age of the demonstration pilots. Congratulations to all of the pilots who performed in the Cleveland National Air Show and showcased model aviation in a positive environment.
Until nextmonth, stay safe and fly safe.
