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At some point you have probably
read about an old model aircraft contest event called 'PAA-Load.' As its name implies, the challenge involved hauling
specific weights of 'payload' aloft and vying for the longest flight. What you might find surprising is that the
'PAA' part of the event title comes from Pan American Airlines (PAA, aka PanAm), who created and sponsored the activity
as an educational effort to encourage youngsters to consider the necessary accommodations to efficiently and profitably
transport people and cargo from point A to point B. Careful attention to airframe configuration and weight, powerplant
size, propeller, wheel size and weight, covering material and finish, etc., was required to win.
PanAm eventually ceased its
sponsorship and, ultimately, closed its doors in 1991.
From
Walt Billett's bio on
the AMA website:
"What and Why PAA-Load PAA-Load, pronounced 'Pay-Load,' created 13 years ago by Pan American Airways loses none
of its attractiveness but gains in popularity each year. The name indicates the type of model, one that will carry
a paying load and also the name PAA stands for Pan American Airways. The PAA-Load events are designed to provide
aviation education. They emphasize Air Transportation - the art and science of carrying people and goods through
the sky. They teach by the practical method of doing. For economy the 'vehicles' used are model airplanes. For depth
of understanding, both propeller and jet power principles are used. For width of application, the PAA-Load program
is worldwide. For sportsmanship, the activity is conducted competitively. For tangible reward, valuable prizes are
awarded to winning contestants. For the future, foundations are laid for productive aviation careers. The whole
is an attractive program for the youth of today's Air Age, sponsored by Pan American World Airways – The World's
Most Experienced Airline." The above last three paragraphs are taken from the PAA-Load Rule Book which contains
lots of valuable information and pictures as well as the complete PAA-Load Rules."
The National Free Flight Society has a rule book for nostalgia events that includes
PAA-Load, if you are interested.
Pan American World Airways Ad
All Right ...
will you meet the challenge?
You asked for Tougher PAA-Load Rules. You fellows have "complained" that the old Rules and Specifications
were too easy. You asked for a tougher goal to shoot at - at the 1955 NATS.
Now you've got it! The winners this time will really be the "creme de la creme," of model builders. Purpose is
still the same: to encourage the building and flying of model aircraft that resemble full- scale airplanes
with respect to carrying a payload safely through the air. Many fine prizes.
Write for the challenging details on the new Rules and Specifications to: Educational Director Pan American
World Airways 28-19 Bridge Plaza North Long Island City 1, New York.
Pan American World's Most Experienced Airline
Posted February 16, 2014
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