[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 61 (Monday, May 7, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S4415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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          RECOGNITION OF AUSTIN GUNDER, ``F1J'' WORLD CHAMPION

 Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
outstanding accomplishments of Austin Gunder, a 15-year-old freshman at 
Red Lion High School in York County, PA. Austin recently competed with 
the U.S. Junior Aeronautic International Free Flight Model Aircraft 
Team in the Junior World Championship Contest held in Seaimovo Usti, 
Czech Republic.
  A member of a six-person team selected by the Academy of Model 
Aeronautics, AMA, Austin achieved the World Champion Ranking in what is 
known as the ``F1J'' or the powered event. This event involves taking a 
model airplane designed and constructed by the contestant, putting a 
very small engine and propeller on it, launching it vertically for an 
exact period of no more than seven seconds to the highest obtainable 
altitude, and then having the engine shut off with the airplane going 
horizontal at exactly the right time to starts its timed free flight 
glide. This is all done by adjusting the small airplane to obtain peak 
performance, and by testing and practicing to assure that every 
operation is perfect. The contestant must calculate the most favorable 
temperature and winds for the 10-minute window in which to fly. Austin 
was the only U.S. competitor, and he achieved World Champion Ranking 9 
minutes into his flight beating out 13 other contestants from all over 
the world who competed in the event.
  Austin Gunder was featured on the cover of the February 2001 issue of 
Model Aviation, the official publication of the Academy of Model 
Aeronautics, and will be honored at his high school by the Federal 
Aviation Administration. Austin's World Champion status in the ``F1J'' 
competition is the highest honor of the model airplane organization.
  Austin Gunder is an outstanding young man and a great example for 
youth in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and across the country. I 
personally commend him for his accomplishments in the field of 
aeronautics and wish him the very best as he prepares himself for the 
future challenges that lie ahead.

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