AMA AIR SHOW TEAMS HISTORY

AMA sanctioned air show team program traces its history to 1972 when the AMA's Bob Lopshire organized ten flight acts for the Transpo-72 extravaganza held at the Dulles International Airport near Washington DC. 

The idea of organized dedicated modelers into teams for presenting model aviation air shows gradually evolved from outstanding success of the Transpo-72 air show as well as individual club performances at other venues.

In 1976 the AMA formalized the air show team program. Official charters, uniforms and some hobby industry support were offered to the show teams in existence. Since then, the AMA Air Show Team Program has grown to approximately 30 teams in 20 states and the District of Columbia, performing before millions of spectators annually.

In 2004 the program underwent a major revision resulting in today’s "Team AMA", which is made up of teams of highly skilled flight certified modelers.  The program is now positioned to “take the next step” to become better positioned to add diversity to air shows, to act as a public relations tool for the AMA and to further stimulate interest in model aviation and the AMA.

In addition to support from the AMA, nearly 50 manufactures and distributors in the hobby industry are helping to make the program possible. Without AMA’s support that the generous discounts given to the show teams by the sponsors, the program could not exist.

The program also requires much dedication from the show team members and their family's. It is a year-round effort to build new aircraft, create new acts, practice and present the shows.

The old saying “the show must go on” applies to the avid modelers who devote their time, energy, talents and money to present the wonderful world of model aviation to the public.