Mark is an expert organizer and fund raiser! It takes a lot of money to get the team and their planes and gear across the big pond. I promise you the generous donations that are collected through corporate sponsors, individuals, and team merchandise and raffle sales are used responsibly and wisely. We can't forget the hours from volunteers who sell the merchandise and pass the word around to help collect dollars for the cause also. It's truly a flying community effort!
Our national organization, the AMA, sponsors our FAI teams and provides valuable assistance, but it does not come close to meeting all the funds needed. Lots of generous donations have been made in the form of items to raffle off to help support the team also. Here is more information on the raffle from the Team USA F3A site. Take a look . . . you will see there are AWESOME items being raffled! Your support would be very much appreciated and you may end up with a terrific prize in the end!
The logistics of getting a team prepared and ready for the Worlds is daunting to say the least. We are so fortunate to have Team Manager, Mark Atwood, leading the way. Requirements from the host country are many and all need to be adhered to by specific dates. Photos, bios, battery and fuel requirements, flags, shipping planes, flight reservations (with all names spelled correctly; a hiccup from 2013 if you recall), car and van rentals, hotels, practice sites, passports, and on and on and on !
The logistics of getting a team prepared and ready for the Worlds is daunting to say the least. We are so fortunate to have Team Manager, Mark Atwood, leading the way. Requirements from the host country are many and all need to be adhered to by specific dates. Photos, bios, battery and fuel requirements, flags, shipping planes, flight reservations (with all names spelled correctly; a hiccup from 2013 if you recall), car and van rentals, hotels, practice sites, passports, and on and on and on !
Here's a photo I caught of Mark at the 2011 Worlds in the USA. Look at that smile! He has no idea what the next two World Competitions will have in store for him.
If there are some out there wondering, "what is F3A anyway?", here is a great description from the Team USA F3A site, complete with the flying sequences that will be used for the 2015 Worlds.
If there are some out there wondering, "what is F3A anyway?", here is a great description from the Team USA F3A site, complete with the flying sequences that will be used for the 2015 Worlds.