Academy of Model Aeronautics is a self-supporting, non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote development of model aviation as a recognized hobby/sport and family recreational activity that is fun and educational. Academy of Model Aeronautics was founded in 1936 to promote the popularity of modeling and flying contests which coincided with the development and rise of commercial and military aviation design, engineering and manufacturing. Many Academy of Model Aeronautics members include notable pioneers and people in aviation and aerospace including: Neil A. Armstrong, NASA Astronaut, William C. McCool, Commander U.S. Navy and NASA astronaut who perished in the Space Shuttle Columbia and Burt Rutan, aerospace engineer among many others. Academy of Model Aeronautics is the worlds largest model aviation association with 190,000 members. We are the official national body for model aviation in the United States and open to anyone interested in model aviation.