On August 9-10, 2024, Education Director Kyle Jaracz and Education Development Coordinator Gwen Mathis packed up the AMA Simulation (SIM) Trailer and drove it to Bridgeport, West Virginia. Their destination was the Bridge Sports Complex; more specifically, they traveled all that way to attend the fourth annual Carl Hopkins Youth Aviation Expo.
This event, named after the founder of the first model airplane club in West Virginia (and the US!), is a wonderful way for local youth to learn about model aviation and the basics of aerodynamics. Event Organizer Ed Waske created the event when he noticed a need for professionals in various aviation businesses.
The event boasted many events aimed at teaching youth about flight. Local youth were able to make and decorate kites, build and launch rockets, fly Control Line Models, build and fly Indoor Free Flight models, practice RC flying in the AMA SIM Trailer, and buddy-box with experienced pilots.
The AMA SIM trailer was a very popular attraction, although that’s not to say it was anymore popular than the other booths and attractions at the event! The trailer had hundreds of guests over the two-day event, and many attendees came to the booth more than once. In fact, some local youth enjoyed the trailer so much on the first day of the event that they came back on the second day!
The AMA SIM trailer can run five simulators at once. Each station is set up with a receiver that can be set to Beginner, Intermediate, or Experienced mode. The simulators at the Carl Hopkins Youth Aviation Expo were set up to simulate a HorizonHobby AeroScout. Once participants practiced flying in the simulator, they were welcome to go down the hill to try flying an actual AeroScout!
Anyone interested in trying out the AMA SIM trailer is welcome to fly! After all, any crash can be fixed with a simple press of the reset button!
AMA was thrilled to be a part of this event once again. “This event is a great way to share why model aviation is so great as a hobby,” says Kyle. “It’s also a sporting opportunity, you can get so much better by challenging yourself against others. There are also so many great career opportunities that originate within model aviation.”
Kyle and Gwen would like to thank Ed Waske for his invitation to the fourth annual Carl Hopkins Youth Aviation Event.