AMA News

AMA-102 Visits National Center for Aeromodelling

On February 8, 1984, two members of the Frederick (MD) Model Airplane Club visited the National Center for Aeromodeling, AMA #102.

Bill Weaver (AMA #102) joined the Academy in 1938 after clipping a membership application from an NAA (National Aeronautic Association) newsletter and mailing it in. His membership number places him among the oldest group of Academy members; he had just passed his 64th birthday.

The other visitor was Carl Molesworth (AMA #10356). Carl joined AMA right after World War II at age 27, though he began building models in 1931 as a youngster in Frederick, MD.

Both men vividly recall seeing “beautifully built” models displayed in the window of a local sporting goods store. Bill would spend hours at that window before going home to work on his own models. Carl was fortunate enough to see the builder fly and to take part in instruction sessions. The builder who inspired many local youngsters was John Byrne, now AMA District II Vice President. John had spent his early years in Frederick and was credited with forming the first model airplane club in the city.

Bill remembers buying Ambroid cement at the local plumbing supply store. Modelers of the period sometimes dissolved celluloid or acetate in order to obtain a clear cement; yellow Ambroid showed through the clear white tissue covering otherwise.

Bill’s modeling progression:

• Began with rubber-powered scale models, often from magazine plans.
• Moved to gas-powered free flight.
• Participated in control line during the Jim Walker era.
• Adopted radio control (RC) power early on and more recently developed a strong interest in RC sailplanes.
• Remains fond of rubber power and Old-Timers; active in SAM and currently building an RC scale American Eagle “Eaglet” from scratch.

Bill’s career:

• His first job with an aircraft manufacturer was at Fairchild. He credits his model aviation background for this opening; John Young (a contemporary of Frank Zaic and skilled modeler) hired him after noting Bill’s modeling interest on his job application.
• Bill developed a strong interest in mathematics and aircraft machinery design, spending many years at Fairchild’s Hagerstown, MD plant.
• He now runs a mechanical design consulting business from his home.

Carl’s background:

• Spent 35 years in the automobile business, running his own dealership.
• Has been active in model aviation since 1929, participating in Free Flight (including FAI contests), rubber power, AMA Free Flight competition, sport RC flying, and more recently, sailplanes.
• Carl and Bill share a Telemaster equipped to launch a two-meter glider by RC and have recorded extensive video of flights; they plan to edit this into a film for club meetings and mall shows.
• Carl is recovering from a serious illness; both visitors praised the National Center’s displays and library. Their stories of 1930s modeling and John Byrne’s influence reminded us of a hobby that has lasted them over 50 years.

AMA-102 (Cont.)

Carl and Bill were delighted with the National Center for Aeromodeling displays and library. Their recollections of early modeling—and John Byrne’s role in forming the first Frederick club—provide a vivid link to aeromodeling’s past and a reminder of the hobby’s longevity and community value.

President’s Report (excerpt)

• Motion on family Nats entries: A family group’s name will be shown on the program; the Nats Executive Committee did not favor including free entries regardless of age group.
• All-Season Flyer patch: A patch will be available to members who fly at least once in every month of the year; VPs will verify qualification. Northern members will particularly appreciate the recognition.

This is a thumbnail sketch of the Executive Council meeting. If you could have been there, you would be as proud of the Council as I am.

Synopsis — Executive Council Meeting, January 28, 1984

Summary of actions at the AMA Executive Council meeting, Anaheim, CA. Official minutes will be available from AMA HQ (around May 15) and become official after Council review at the next meeting in May.

Attendees (Council):

• John Grigg, President (Lockport, NY)
• Jim McNeill, Executive Vice President (Birmingham, AL)
• John Worth, Executive Director (Fairfax, VA)
• Ed Izzo, District I VP (Holliston, MA)
• John Byrne, VP-II (Bayside, NY)
• Dave Brown, VP-III (Hamilton, OH)
• Howard Crispin, VP-IV (Charlottesville, VA)
• Bill Mathews, VP-V (Birmingham, AL)
• Bob Underwood, VP-VI (St. Louis, MO)
• Hardy Brodersen, VP-VII (Birmingham, MI)
• Johnny Clemens, VP-VIII (Dallas, TX)
• Travis McGinnis, VP-IX (Arvada, CO)
• Jim Scarborough, VP-X (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA)
• Ed McCollough, VP-XI (Portland, OR)

Present: Micheline Madison, Competitions Department Director (AMA executive staff)

Guests included: Bev Wisniewski, Betty Stream, Dick Tichenor, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Goldberg, Jerry Krainock, Ed Slobod, Dave Peltz, Bob Boucher, Louise Izzo, Barbara McGinnis, and others.

The President called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. The agenda and comments were read and discussed.

I. Previous Meeting

• Minutes of the April 30, 1983 Executive Council meeting approved as amended.

II. Executive Vice President’s Report

• Jim McNeill presented an extensive report, including review of actions by some F3B team members at the recent World Championships in England.

III. Committee Reports

A. Safety

• McNeill distributed insurance liability claim statistics.
• Discussed club reluctance to perform safety inspections at Giant Scale rallies due to perceived liability risk. Legal counsel warned that not implementing safety checks may leave clubs vulnerable to negligence claims.
• A special safety flag is being developed to award clubs without liability claims.
• Contest directors are responsible to enforce rules for any dual-sanctioned event.

B. Service Award

• Carl Goldberg discussed a new award name. The Council agreed on "The Carl and Beth Goldberg Vital People Award for Service to Model Aviation" to honor unsung background supporters. Criteria to be completed and implemented.

C. Film Projects Committee

• Abbreviated PR versions of “The Marvelous Miniatures” and “Grand Illusions” are now available. Council consensus: short versions should be made available to clubs with appropriate PR disclaimers.

D. Noise Committee

• Collaboration underway to prepare articles conditioning members that noise limits may be imposed in 1985. Council recommended notifying all chartered clubs.

E. Nats

• Nats planning meeting scheduled for February 11 in Reno.
• Indoor site limited by a 34-ft ceiling. Motion approved unanimously to procure pylon equipment (up to $2,000).

F. Stationery Committee

• Recommendation for guidelines on AMA stationery usage not adopted due to definitional difficulties; committee discharged.

IV. 1984 Budget

• Executive Director Worth explained budget development; preliminary and subject to modification to reduce a projected deficit. Discussion to continue at next meeting.

V. Product Endorsements

• Legal counsel provided guidelines. Ron Morgan (Nats Contest Director) authorized to negotiate on AMA’s behalf; any binding language to be reviewed by legal counsel and Council before signature.

VI. FAI Budget Allocation

• Brodersen presented an alternative funding approach; recommendation withdrawn for reintroduction at the May budget meeting with possible modifications.

VII. Personality Reviews (Oral History/Video Project)

• Proposal to record interviews with pioneers of aeromodeling. HQ has equipment and resources; a videotape test (WRAMS Show) planned for review at the next meeting.

VIII. Electric Power (S.E.A.M. Issues)

• Bob Boucher raised complaints about leadership and procedures in S.E.A.M.; Council advised sending a formal letter of complaint to the AMA Special Interest Group Committee with member signatures.

IX. New Vice President Training

• Underwood requested a two-day training session at HQ for incoming Council members; motion expected at next meeting.

X. FAI Soaring Team Problem

• Background: AMA paid ~ $1,700 to the 1983 Soaring World Championship organizers (England) to cover debts incurred by team members/supporters. The President had barred '83 team members from future selection until reimbursement.
• Council supported the President’s actions; later released most team members from culpability except the team manager.
• Motion passed to have legal counsel prepare paperwork to recover the car rental fee (~$1,627) and equipment from the 1983 R/C Soaring team manager. Vote: 7 for, 4 against, 2 abstained.

XI. Scholarship Criteria

• Agreed unanimously to replace the word "competition" with "model aviation activities" on scholarship applications so service and other activities qualify.

XII. Member Removal Policy

• Concern over local club misuse of funds; AMA involvement should be limited. Clubs should prosecute alleged criminal actions. Bill Mathews to formulate a letter to the club involved.

XIII. Headquarters Hours

• HQ maintains staggered work schedules (7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Council will receive a listing of staff start/end times.

XIV. Junior and Senior Age Brackets

• Item withdrawn due to lack of support.

XV. Assistant Team Managers

• Motion passed to establish a permanent assistant team manager position for Control Line teams (9 for, 1 against, 4 abstained).

XVI. Nats Committee Performance

• Proposal for performance appraisals of Nats Committee members failed (10 against, 1 abstained).

XVII. Bank Financial Services

• Council moved to proceed with bank financial services through NAA and the Colonial Bank of Delaware. Motion passed: 9 for, 4 against.

XVIII. All-Season Flyer Patch

• Unanimously approved to establish an "AMA All Season Flyer" patch for those who fly every month of the year. Patches cost $2.50 and are awarded by participating Vice Presidents.

XIX. Nats Entry Fee

• Unanimously approved that a single basic Open Nats entry fee shall apply to all members of a household at the same address; addresses affordability concerns for families.

XX. Nominations Committee

• EVP and President’s membership on the Nominating Committee to be considered further.

XXI. Executive VP’s Travel

• EVP travel budget increase to $2,000 proposed; motion to be held over to next meeting.

XXII. Strategic Planning

• Izzo advocated holding a strategic planning (long-range) meeting; notes from past sessions to be distributed by HQ.

XXIII. VP Column Length

• Scarborough expressed concern over VP columns exceeding prescribed column inches; may propose uniform full-page length.

XXIV. Omahawks Noise Case

• Omahawks won the noise complaint suit at lower court; appeal to Nebraska Supreme Court underway. Council approved filing a "friend of the court" brief in support.

XXV. Headquarters Use (Swap-Shop)

• Proposed HQ swap-shop considered problematic; ad to be cancelled and auction idea deferred.

XXVI. Members at Headquarters

• Formal welcoming procedures instituted; members to be treated as VIP guests.

XXVII. Weekend Reception of Visitors

• Executive staff volunteered to keep HQ open on weekends for visitors. Council suggested considering compensation; Worth to advise on staffing needs.

XXVIII. Awards

• Authorized: One Fellowship, One Distinguished Service, and Three Superior Service awards. Names to be announced at presentation.

XXIX. Next Meeting

• May 5–6, 1984 at HQ in Reston, VA; August 13, 1984 (Monday) at Reno, NV; nominating committee meeting August 12 in Reno. Meeting adjourned at 11:25 p.m.

District I Report

Ed Izzo — District I Vice-President 483 Fiske St., Holliston, MA 01746

Associate Vice Presidents:

• Chris Brill — 36 Stewart Dr., Portsmouth, RI 02871
• Robert C. Brodeur — 405 Main St., Nashua, NH 03060
• Dennis Folsom — PO Box 78, Gardiner, ME 04345
• Don Kraft — PO Box 128, 73 Heritage Ln., Duxbury, MA 02331
• Al Novotny — 4 Beverly Pl., Norwalk, CT 06850

Frequency Coordinator:

• George Wilson — 320 Fisher St., Walpole, MA 02181

Highlights:

• Presented a foam wing cutting and fabrication demonstration at the Syracuse Symposium (20 years since his first presentation at Buffalo). Urges clubs to sponsor District I meetings with technique presentations useful to modelers.
• Proposes reviving a New England Association of Modelers Clubs to sponsor district meetings and contests; AVPs to investigate feasibility.
• VP Activities: Club visitations planned including Cape Ann RC Club, South Shore RC Club Auction, Central Mass. RC Club, 495th RC Club, South County Flying Circus, and combined Connecticut clubs meeting in April.
• Council Meeting: Attended the January Council meeting in Anaheim; supports strategic planning and evaluation proposals discussed there.
• Adopt-A-School Project: Encourages each chartered club to adopt a local school, provide an AMA membership for a teacher, and help start school model clubs.
• Control Line World Championships: Westover AFB, September 1984 — volunteers requested.

District II Report

John Byrne — District II Vice-President 36-29 213 Street, Bayside, NY 11361 (212) 255-8319

Associate Vice Presidents:

• Pete Bianchi — Yonkers, NY
• Tom Breen — Eller Aeromodelers
• Frank Castello — Dover, NJ
• Tom Ritchie — Piscataway, NJ
• Al Rekoske — New Hyde Park, NY
• Hank Lobe — Toms River, NJ
• Jack Sammartano — Levittown, NY
• Dan Seaver — Phoenix, NY

Frequency Coordinator:

• George Myers — Hicksville, NY

Highlights and Commentary:

• Indoor flying is evolving: the newly created Indoor Contest Board and indoor RC developments will be included at the '84 Nats in Reno. Traditional indoor fliers will still be given consideration.
• Concern about noise and property damage at indoor venues; permission for indoor flying is becoming less tolerant in some locales. Byrne will report further on potential ramifications and restrictions.
• Poughkeepsie Power: Mid-Hudson Radio Control Society donated $500 and Rhinebeck patches to support the U.S. Scale Team at the FAI World Championships in Paris, July 1984.
• Guest Shots: A new “Guest Shots” feature will display member-submitted photos from events such as the Rhinebeck WW I Jamboree and other club activities.
• Identity Update: Clarified the owner of a 1/3-scale Sopwith “Pup” displayed in a prior column.

AMA News — General Items and Club Activities

• Mall shows and flying exhibitions: Examples given include the Lorain County RC Club’s Midway Mall show (annual) and the Greater Cincinnati RC Club’s flying show featuring a Space Shuttle launch model. Clubs are encouraged to use quality black-and-white gloss photos for publication submissions.
• Several club news snippets and anecdotes were shared: RC club parades, float appearances, and regional club milestones.
• Adopt-A-School and similar youth outreach programs encouraged; clubs and members urged to involve families and schools to foster the next generation of modelers.
• Noise committee activity: Work continues to reduce noise issues and educate members about potential limits and local sensitivities.
• District newsletters and communication: Some Vice Presidents are considering district newsletters to get information to members earlier.

District X Report

Jim Scarborough — District X Vice-President 30717 Rue Langlois, Rancho P. V., CA 90274

Associate Vice Presidents:

• Tom Bunker — Las Vegas, NV
• Glenn Carter — Walnut Creek, CA
• Bob Kuntzman — Orangevale, CA
• Darwin N. Barr — Scottsdale, AZ
• Bob Reynolds — Tucson, AZ
• Terry Stinson — Los Banos, CA
• Al Tuttle — Pukalani, Maui, HI
• Al Williamson — Chula Vista, CA

Highlights:

• Extensive travel and club visits in January: participated in International Modeler Show (IMS) in Pasadena, visited school model-building classes, and attended many club banquets and meetings across southern California.
• Reported on many upcoming events in District X (April–June), including soaring meets, scale fly-ins, pylon racing, tune-ups, and the Father’s Day quarter-scale fly-in.
• Encouraged broader participation in Scale and coordination within the District; suggested joining NAS (special interest group) for Scale coordination.
• Noted Carl and Beth Goldberg’s establishment of a foundation to award “unsung heroes” of model aviation; nominations encouraged.

District VIII and Other Notes (selected)

• District VIII (examples): Helicopter interest growing in East Texas; directories and local contact initiatives underway. AMA display booth is available to clubs; must be returned promptly for the next reservation.
• Eldon Wilson’s complaint about member treatment at HQ prompted staff to improve greeting and hosting procedures; staff volunteers now cover welcoming desk shifts.
• Regional charity events: Dallas RC Club and Mesquite unit of the American Cancer Society organizing "Race Against Cancer" events featuring Quickie 500 and Formula I racing.

Closing Notes

• Headquarters: Working on possible relocation due to nearby housing development; HQ continues to be a focal point for visitor reception and weekend volunteer staffing.
• Awards, scholarships, and member recognition: Council supported broadening scholarship criteria to include model aviation activities beyond competition and endorsed the Goldberg service award.
• Next Council meeting: May 5–6, 1984 at HQ in Reston, VA; additional dates and the nominating committee meeting in Reno in August noted above.

(End of reformatted AMA News material.)

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.