Tamkin Foundation Supports Aviation Education and Outreach with Grant to Valley Flyers Foundation
The Tamkin Foundation has provided a grant to the Valley Flyers Foundation, which conducts model aircraft (Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or “UAS”) operations principally at the Apollo Field model aircraft airport, located in the Sepulveda Basin of the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California. The Apollo Field is one of the oldest and largest facilities of its kind in the nation.
The grant provides funding for, among other purposes:
“Education and outreach for the purpose of inspiring, introducing, educating and mentoring persons interested in participating in model aviation, and further, possibly entering an aviation career, with emphasis on youth,
regional schools, veterans, disabled persons, as well as the general community,”
as well as,
“Support for programs, equipment, supplies, signage, publications, publicity and enforcement to
promote safe operation, compliance with Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) community
standards, practices and guidelines; compliance with local (city county, state) laws and codes;
compliance with Federal (FAA) regulations; and the safe and successful integration of model
aircraft flight with other users of the National Airspace System.”
Additional resources were provided for infrastructure and administrative enhancements to support these activities.
Aspects of the program are named in honor of Tony Naccarato, Jr., a popular and beloved figure in the aircraft modeling community, who passed away in 2019. Tony was well known for his dedication, enthusiasm and patience in teaching and inspiring young people in model aviation, with many ultimately pursuing careers in aviation and engineering.