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The SAM Championship, commonly known as the SAM Champs, is an annual weeklong event based on the original Nationals (Nat's) annual events held during the Golden Age of Aeromodeling in the 1930's and 40's. It is with this spirit of competition that the men and women of SAM gather annually to relive the nostalgia and good times of days gone by.

The rules within the booklet are offered to provide guidelines for the building, flying and competition of the SAM era models. Strict adherence to the rules is expected at the SAM Champs. However, there are hundreds of old time models that fly at SAM regional events and local flying fields where the contents contained herein are used as a basic guideline for more relaxed flying events.

The SAM Champs location is rotated on an annual basis between large flying sites available on the east and the west coast. The primary location on the east coast is the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) headquarters located in Muncie, Indiana. The west coast location can vary depending on availability. (link to a list of past locations)

SAM members come from all over the world to attend this unique event and participate in the flying, the camaraderie and the fun times crammed within the weeklong festivity. While old time models and flying are the primary activity the off moments are filled with on-field vendor booths, photo opportunities, bean feeds, banquets, swap meets, a membership business meeting, awards banquet, receptions, cocktail parties, a Concourse de Elegance display of the finest models, and Ladies of SAM events.

The Free Flight and the R/C flying areas are separated on the same field dependent upon wind direction. Vehicle parking is done adjacent to each Free Flight or R/C flying area.

Non-SAM members are welcome to attend and join in on the festivities. A contestant is required to be a SAM member. U.S. and Foreign entries must be accompanied by proof of AMA, Canadian MAAC or other national MAC and SAM Membership. Foreign entries (except for MAAC members) will require affiliate membership in AMA ($28.00) for Insurance purposes prior to start of competition.

Keep 'em Flying !

Awards:-

Presentation plaques will be awarded to the SAM Champs winners at the farewell Banquet and Award Ceremony.

Honorary Perpetual Trophy awards will be presented at the final evenings farewell Banquet and Award Ceremony. The winners will receive a presentation plaque in recognition of their win of the Perpetual Trophy. The trophies are quite large and will be retained on permanent display at the AMA museum. Award winners will have their name and year of winning engraved on a permanent plaque attached to the trophy.

Perpetual Trophies:-

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