Doc Mathews Retires From MA
"Flying for Fun" columnist D.B. "Doc" Mathews retired from Model Aviation after his February 2008 column. He spent approximately 30 years as a contributing editor for the magazine but stepped down to focus on improving his health.
Born Dee B. Mathews, Doc was raised in Kansas. He received a Bachelor of Arts in General Science from Fort Hays Kansas State University and attended the University of Missouri at Kansas City for his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.
Doc graduated from dental school in 1957 and served as a dental officer (captain) in the U.S. Air Force. He spent 25 years in private practice in Greensburg, Kansas, and then moved to Wichita in 1985, where he has practiced dentistry since.
He is an avid modeler and has been so almost continually for more than 60 years. Doc has built and flown hand-launched gliders, free-flight (FF) models, control-line (CL) models, and radio-controlled (RC) aircraft. At age seven, he was building and flying the classic Comet, Megow, and Ace Wittman dime-store models. For Doc's 13th birthday, he received a Vivell .35 gas engine. He flew his first CL model when he was 14.
"The first time I ever saw a Control Line model in flight, I had the handle in my hand!" wrote Doc in his AMA History Program autobiography.
He tried RC in 1953 but went back to FF and CL until 1973. Through the 1960s and 1970s, Doc and his two sons competed regionally and nationally. They won more than 100 trophies, including national firsts in CL Scale, rubber-powered Scale, gas-powered Scale, and Towline Gliders. At one time, they held three national records.
Doc designed and had published more than 69 construction articles, ranging from tiny CO2-powered sport FF airplanes to 80-inch-wingspan, 15-pound sport RC models. He wrote more than 17 product reviews and how-to articles. Eight of Doc's designs are kitted on royalty by Ace R/C, and two more are kitted by other manufacturers.
Doc wrote for Model Aviation for approximately 30 years. He authored the bimonthly "Old Timers" column from February 1978 until December 1990. In January 1991, the column was changed to a broader format and named "Flying for Fun." Doc wrote it until his retirement.
"Flying for Fun" generated approximately 20 letters each month containing questions or requests, all of which he made sure to answer. In e-mail correspondence with MA Editor Michael Ramsey, Doc wrote:
"It's only fair to point out to you that I've outlived an awful lot of editors through the years! I go back to volume one, issue one with Model Aviation and Bill Winter. Even more freaky: I did a lot of stuff for Don McGovern, Art Schroeder, and Dick Kid. Now that is frightening!"
In his autobiography Doc wrote:
"I could go on and on with soupy stuff about my lifetime fascination with building and flying model airplanes, but the best way I can express it is my desired epitaph: 'He brought some moments of good fun to a lot of modelers.'"
In honor of Doc's service to Model Aviation, the "Flying for Fun" column was retired along with him. AMA and Model Aviation thank Doc for everything he has done throughout the years. He will be missed as a columnist, but his articles will continue to be read and remembered.
—Ashley Rauen AMA Communications Specialist
Dear Friends Bob and Rae Underwood Are Honored
Under the guise of a dinner out with fellow AMA Education Committee members on Saturday, April 25, 2009, Bob and Rae Underwood arrived at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie, Indiana. What actually awaited them was a surprise banquet honoring their roughly 50 years of service to aeromodeling and the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA).
In his opening words, Academy President Dave Mathewson referred to Bob and Rae as "remarkable people."
The ballroom was filled with smiles and laughter. Strikingly obvious was that Bob and Rae have dedicated their lives to family and friends. In attendance were the Underwoods’ daughters Cathy Underwood and Anne Solomon; Anne's husband Greg Solomon; and their children Alexandra, Nicholas, and Benjamin.
AMA employees Rob Kurek, Erin Dobbs, Yolanda Jones, April Hathaway, and Jack Frost organized the event. The master of ceremonies for the evening was Education Committee Chairman Gordon Schimmel, and several people took the podium to honor Bob and Rae.
"Celebrations are an important ritual for any organization to remind us about what is really important," he said. "That’s the people."
Dave Brown, former AMA president, referred to Bob as "a smiling, always gracious man and a tremendous resource."
Throughout the evening, a slideshow that Mark Lanterman, Model Aviation’s advertising representative, generated was shown. It highlighted many of Bob’s credentials and included photos of the Underwood family. Visit the AMA website to view this slideshow.
During his speech, AMA Executive Director Jim Cherry declared that Webster’s should be consulted for dictionary revisions. He said that when we look up the words "friend," "mentor," "historian," "confidant," and "perfect couple," we should see pictures of Bob and Rae.
From that point, several presentations of certificates, honors, and memorabilia were made. AMA bestows the Hall of Partners Extraordinaire (HOPE) award in recognition of a spouse’s exceptional devotion, untiring efforts, and loving support. Sally Brown, the wife of Dave Brown, presented this to Rae.
"A friend isn’t one special thing; it’s one million different things," said Sally, who credited Rae with helping her get through 12 years of being the Academy’s president’s wife.
Rae’s first AMA Nats was in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in 1974. Bored and looking for something to do, she was invited to help some of the other modelers’ wives with various tasks. Her devoted spirit led her to go on to help at World Championships, Nats, Scale contests, and more.
"I’ve enjoyed every minute of it," said Rae of her volunteer work with the AMA.
Joyce Hager, AMA’s administrative director, recalled attending many shows with Rae and said she couldn’t have done it without her.
"I couldn’t think of a better couple to work with," said Joyce of Bob and Rae. Then she presented the couple with AMA’s Distinguished Service Award.
The Outstanding Service Award for Couples is "presented in recognition and appreciation of two individuals who, as a team, have given of themselves to the Academy in a consistent, selfless and untiring manner for many years, providing an unmatched example of volunteerism to all."
Dave Mathewson presented this honor to Bob and Rae. It’s a perpetual plaque that will be engraved with future recipients and kept at AMA headquarters.
AMA Education Coordinator April Hathaway presented the Underwoods with two photo collages comprising pictures of their activities throughout their time with the AMA.
In addition, all banquet attendees signed the mat of a framed photo of Bob, Rae, and their daughters that was presented to the couple. The picture was taken at the 1980 Scale World Championships in Ottawa, Canada.
Rob Kurek, AMA’s director of publications, read a letter to the crowd from Travis and Barbara McGinnis, who were unable to attend. Travis has been Bob’s partner in RC Scale and Aerobatics competitions. Travis defined his relationship with Bob as "a lifetime of friendship combined with a passion for teaching and modeling."
A letter was also read from longtime AMA volunteers Ron and Jane Morgan, who could not attend because of family obligations.
The President’s Award is "presented in recognition and appreciation of nearly 50 years of contributions to the sport of model aviation and the Academy of Model Aeronautics. These contributions exemplify the true spirit of association volunteerism and outstanding performance as an AMA employee." Dave Mathewson bestowed this honor on Bob.
To close the gala, Bob and Rae recalled fond memories of traveling to World Championships with Stan Alexander and his wife, Esther; moving in 1985 from St. Louis, Missouri, to Reston, Virginia, so Bob could take a job as AMA’s technical director; and their continued involvement with the Academy since then. They thanked many people who have been a part of their lives during their involvement with the AMA.
The Underwoods closed the ceremonies as it began, with smiles and laughter.
"We’ll continue to do whatever we can; don’t hesitate to call if you need something," said Bob. "We’ll continue to muddle through and enjoy the friendships."
To learn more about Bob Underwood’s history with the Academy, you can read his autobiography at www.modelaircraft.org/tux.aspx.
—Michael Ramsey MA Editor
2009 Flying Site Grant Winners Announced
This year alone, the Academy has given more than $32,000 to clubs that have participated in the Flying Site Development Improvement Grant Program.
Even though the money has already been awarded for 2009, you can apply for next year. The 2010 applications have not been completed; please keep checking back for the updated application that will be posted on the Academy’s website. Applying is easy!
Congratulations to all clubs that received grant money. To those that did not, we extend our best wishes for a successful 2009 flying season and we hope you apply again next year.
The winners are as follows.
District I
- East Coast Swamp Flyers: $520.00
District III
- Blennerhassett Area RC Club: $460.00
District V
- Scenic RC Flyers: $500.00
- Manatee County Radio Controllers: $600.00
District VI
- Southeast Missouri Modelers Association: $316.89
- Radio Signal Modelers: $200.00
- Peoria RC Modelers: $1,570.00
District VII
- Kent Radio Aero Modelers Inc.: $450.00
- River District RC Eagles: $100.00
District VIII
- Central Arkansas Model Aviators Association: $426.47
- RC Field and New Orleans Model Aviation Club: $900.00
- Spring Area Radio Kontrol Society: $1,640.00
- Wings Miniature Aircraft Society: $1,730.00
- El Paso Radio Controllers: $3,000.00
- Horizon City RC Flyers: $5,000.00
District IX
- Laramie Barnstormers: $1,000.00
District X
- Woodland Davis Aeromodelers: $5,000.00
- Peninsula Channel Commanders: $1,040.00
- Harbor Soaring Society: $3,250.00
- Chino Valley Model Aviators: $350.00
- Corona RC Club, Inc.: $500.00
District XI
- Seattle Area Soaring Society: $5,000.00
—Erin Dobbs Programs Coordinator
Wings Across America 2008: A Year Old and Going Strong!
May 24, 2009, marked the one-year anniversary of the SQuiRT’s maiden flight, which began the Wings Across America Adventure 2008 (WAA-08). In this endeavor, a group of aeromodeling enthusiasts has organized to pilot an RC model across the U.S.
After each person flies the airplane, he or she delivers it by hand to the next pilot. This creates a "chain" of people who will fly the SQuiRT across the country and back to the starting point.
On that warm spring evening last year, I hand-launched the SQuiRT into calm air in Gloucester, Virginia, for the beginning of a 14,000-mile journey, during which the airplane would take off and land in all 48 contiguous states.
That first flight, which was uneventful by any standard, has been followed by 130 more. Much has happened in a year’s time, as the adventure continues. The SQuiRT made its way through Virginia, headed east into Delaware, turned north through New Jersey, and into the other New England states.
The WAA-08 model was stopped briefly at the NEAT (Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology) Fair, held September 12–14. Bill Stevens, the SQuiRT’s designer, flew it during one of the event’s noon demonstrations and put it on display for the gathering’s attendees.
The airplane’s journey continued into the cooler months, crossing the Vermont border into New York on November 10, which put it in a race to avoid western New York’s cold winter months.
They could have threatened to ground the model’s progress with extreme cold, high winds, and deep snows. At roughly that time, the decision was made to head the SQuiRT south to sunny Florida.
However, those Northern pilots are a hardy bunch; they continued to fly the airplane, with snow skis attached, in roughly 20° temperatures and with winds blowing as fast as 15 mph. The SQuiRT continued its western movement all the way to Lake Erie and then headed south as quickly as possible to warmer, sunnier climates.
Christmastime found the SQuiRT in Glenville, West Virginia, being flown by Chuck Westfall (pilot 84) in the coldest temperatures on the tour so far: 17°. The model celebrated New Year’s Eve with Marc Johnston (pilot 85) on January 1, 2009, on a beautiful winter day in Beckley, West Virginia.
To commemorate the 97 flights of 2008, Don Jiskra of Darien, Illinois, created a photo collage showing all of that year’s pilots.
WAA-08 continued, taking a southeasterly route and finally arriving in sunny Florida on March 22. There, Red Schofield (pilot 98) gave the SQuiRT a long-overdue checkup and inspected the four Apogee batteries; he concluded that they were doing fine. The model headed west to Richard Feezel (pilot 100) of Tallahassee, Florida.
A decision was made to stop progress and take the airplane to the Southeast Electric Flight Festival (SEFF), held May 1–3. Richard and Steve Cooper (pilot 101) exhibited the model and a few displays to help expose SEFF attendees to the endeavor.
To help in that effort, Warren at Grumpy Monkey Designs made a 24 x 36-inch vinyl banner sporting the WAA-08 logo. The sign will travel with the SQuiRT and be displayed as new pilots fly it.
The level of enthusiasm, camaraderie, and willingness to help that the WAA-08 pilots have shown has been phenomenal. The interest that some of the fliers have generated in their communities has been amazing.
Jerry Branch (pilot 92) of Gilbert, South Carolina, built a replica of the USS Hornet to re-enact the Doolittle Raid. The aircraft carrier was big enough that the SQuiRT was able to take off from its flight deck. The event garnered local newspaper and television coverage. Jerry definitely set the standard for helping to promote aeromodeling in his community, which is our goal for WAA-08.
From Tallahassee, the airplane will continue west to Dale Cavin (pilot 102) in Marianna, Florida; travel into Texas; turn north for a brief tour through Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma; go back down into Texas; and then proceed westward.
A couple of short-term goals are for the SQuiRT to make it out of the Colorado high country before the fall snows, make it to the Rocky Mountains, and arrive at FEAR (Fall Electric Aircraft Rendezvous), which will be held October 2–4 in Surprise, Arizona.
Following are some WAA-08 statistics as of May 5, 2009. For more information or to volunteer, go to www.waa-08.org.
- 5,475 miles have been traveled.
- 130 pilots have flown the WAA-08 SQuiRT.
- 61 AMA chartered clubs have supported our adventure.
- 19 states have been visited.
- 365 pilots have registered.
- 215 AMA chartered clubs have been represented.
- 35 pilots have registered in California—the most in a state—followed by 23 in New York.
- 1 pilot registered in Delaware and Vermont.
—Frank Geisler District IV
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
