Written by AMA staff (03/2006); Transcribed by JS (02/2008), Reformatted by JS (10/2009)
Matthew Liechty, from Edgewood, Kentucky, plans to major in aerospace engineering at the University of Arizona. The son of Eric and Debbie Liechty, Matthew is the recipient of an $8,000 Charles Hampson Grant scholarship.
Matthew joined AMA in 2001. “My brother Eli got me started in the hobby,” he wrote. “My brother began flying remote-controlled airplanes when I was still in elementary school.” A member of the Flying Cardinals of Northern Kentucky, Matthew explained, “I myself was more interested in helicopters. They were a very rare sight at our club, but when I saw one fly inverted the first time, I knew I had to get one.”
Forced to fly on his own because no other helicopter pilots were in the club, Matt learned quickly and without much damage to his first aircraft, a Raptor 30 he received on his 14th birthday. He has since become a proficient flier and is generally considered the best helicopter pilot in his club. He is often asked to help teach aspiring pilots get started in helicopters. Not solely interested in helicopters, Matthew has helped Eli build several airplanes, including a scratch-built flying carpet which he helped design. “Last year I designed and built a small Radio Control hovercraft from spare parts,” Matthew wrote.
Matthew regularly attends events such as the International Radio Controlled Helicopter Association (IRCHA) Jamboree, the Nats in Muncie, Indiana, and even attended the Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas, with his brother. “I aspire to eventually be able to compete in these types of prestigious events myself,” he wrote.
Matthew attended Dixie Heights High School in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, and was ranked third in his class of 274. A member of the National Honor Society, he was elected to represent his school in the state Honor Society convention and served as the convention’s emcee. Matthew was a four-year member of the student council and senior class vice president. He was chosen for the Governor’s Scholars Program, a prestigious course that allows select high school students to attend a five-week session at a Kentucky college campus to encourage academic growth and leadership.
Active in sports, he was team captain of the cross-country team and qualified for the state meet. In track and field, Matthew was a conference champion, placed third in the regional meet, seventh in state competition, and was named the team’s most valuable player. Matthew was active in his church youth group and served as a mentor to elementary students. He was a volunteer at Saint Rita’s School for the Deaf his junior and senior years in high school, initiating and leading the volunteer effort his senior year. He has been a volunteer at Christ Hospital and served as a judge in the elementary science fair.
Congratulations and good luck at the University of Arizona, Matthew!
AMA History Program National Model Aviation Museum 5151 E. Memorial Dr.
This page is a text transcription of the original document, made automatically and may contain errors. .