Edition: Model Aviation - 1984/12
Page Numbers: 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114
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AMA News

Synopsis — Executive Council Meeting, August 13, 1984

The following summarizes actions of the AMA Executive Council meeting, Reno, NV. A copy of the official minutes may be obtained upon request from AMA Headquarters; available approximately November 1. Minutes will become official after Council review at the next meeting in October.

Present (Executive Council)

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

Present (AMA executive staff)

  • Vince Mankowski, Assistant Executive Director
  • Micheline Madison, Competition Department Director

Guests

  • Lillian Worth; Mr. and Mrs. Bryant Thompson; Bev Wisniewski; Loren Holm; Dick Marra; Gordon Burford (Australia)

The regular meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by the President, who chaired the meeting.

Announcements and Actions

  • Hardy Brodersen’s request for release from the Headquarters Review Committee and the Safety Committee was accepted. The President will appoint a replacement to the Headquarters Review Committee; Jim McNeill will recommend a replacement for the Safety Committee.
  • A letter from the chairman of the Free Flight Team Selection Committee requesting permission to hold an in‑person meeting was approved. AMA will fund one‑half of the airfare and all room charges; Micheline Madison will attend the meeting as in the past.

E.C. Meeting — Business Items

  1. Previous Meeting Minutes
  • The minutes of the Executive Council meeting on May 5, 1984 were approved as amended by written Council input (one negative vote — District XI).
  1. Executive Vice President Report (McNeill) — Mortgage
  • McNeill reported on the mortgage status of the AMA Headquarters building. The Maryland National Bank of Baltimore holds the mortgage. Current mortgage: approximately $900,000 over 20 years; monthly payments about $10,000 (one‑third principal, two‑thirds interest). A balloon payment is due at the end of 10 years. The Council asked McNeill to explore the possibility of obtaining additional financing with the bank and report back at the October meeting. McNeill distributed a dossier of checks issued for the building program to date.
  • The E/C asked McNeill to develop a program to raise funds to retire the mortgage earlier than 20 years.
  1. China Trip

A. Model Box Costs

  • The President noted oversight of model box transportation costs. It was approved to reimburse individuals 80% of model box transportation costs incurred on the China trip. Vote: 9 for; 2 against; 1 abstained.

B. Reciprocal Exchange

  • Grigg recommended planning a similar competition offer to the Chinese in 1986. Details to be presented later.

C. Fuel Costs

  • McNeill reported AMA had paid for shipment of fuel to China and this cost had not been factored into the China budget. It was approved to pay approximately $350 additional for fuel. Vote: 8 for; 4 against.
  1. Committee Reports

A. Nomination (Mathews)

  • Committee selections for the 1984 election ballot: EVP: Jim McNeill; Ed Izzo; Dave Brown. District III: Fred Blacksmith, Dave Brown, Earl Witt. District VII: Hardy Brodersen, Larry Phillips, Peter Waters. District XI: Ed McCollough.

B. Headquarters Review

  • The committee recommended that, due to AMA’s size, the Executive Director should focus on future planning, public relations, and interfacing with industry and government rather than day‑to‑day operations. The committee recommended reorganizing headquarters operations accordingly. The recommendation was approved (10 for; 1 abstained; 1 against). The President directed the Executive Director to report implementation progress every 60 days. The Council then gave the Executive Director a unanimous vote of continued confidence.

C. Special Interest Groups

  • It was approved unanimously to accept PAMPA (Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association) as a Special Interest Group under AMA.

D. Films (Byrne)

  • The new AMA RC film will be delayed a few months, but production is making good progress.

E. Safety

  • McNeill presented a laminated pre‑flight checkoff list as a merchandisable item. Discussion occurred; no action taken. Dave Brown raised safety concerns at the Nats; the issue was referred to the Nats Executive Committee.

F. Noise

  • Ed Izzo reiterated previous remarks on noise containment and noted collaboration with Doug Pratt (AMA HQ) on articles for Model Aviation.

G. Bylaws (Mathews)

  • The committee recommended amending the bylaws to include the Executive Vice President as a member of the Nominating Committee. The proposed amendment to Article IX, Section 1 was approved by Council (10 for; 2 against). Note: A Leader membership vote is required to make this amendment official.
  1. Hall of Fame (Worth)
  • It was recommended and approved unanimously to award lifetime AMA membership to those appointed to the Hall of Fame (present and future appointees). Worth explained approximately five people are added to the Hall of Fame each year.

(To be continued)

Museum Report

Hurst Bowers reports a busy summer for the National Center for Aeromodeling in Reston:

  • The Reston museum expansion project is nearly complete and work on a research library is beginning. New display counters and library shelves have been installed.
  • Walt Stevick completed hardware for additional mobile display units. He attended the Flying Aces biannual event at the Ford Test Center, Utica, MI, and visited Plymouth, NH.
  • Dick and Ruth Sherman hosted modelers from around the world; the museum has seen exceptional visitorship.
  • The Nats in Reno and the Internationals at Westover AFB, MA brought wonderful visits by hundreds of modelers and political delegations, and resulted in coverage in the New York Times and the Congressional Record.

Recent donations and exhibits

  • Sal Taibi donated a magnificent Powerhouse complete Forster .099 engine.
  • Walter Parker (Salinas, CA) donated an exceptional .099 engine.
  • John Grigg brought back items from his China trip including a white silk commemorative banner, a signed poster, and a well‑built control line glow engine.
  • John Worth brought a replica of T. H. Newell’s 1928 "Falcon" monoplane (Wakefield winner), built and presented by R. Vince Bentley of Avery, CA. Bentley also donated a four‑channel B&D Quad‑Proportional Pulse‑tone radio system (c. 1964).
  • Mrs. Joy Kelley (McKinney, TX) lent a remarkable hand‑built two‑cylinder model aircraft engine (magneto ignition, fuel and exhaust systems, laminated propeller) for exhibit; she is the daughter of the late George Meyers.

Appeal for donations

  • The museum still has gaps, notably a shortage of pre‑ and early post‑WWII engines, especially ignition types. Donations are solicited; such contributions are tax‑deductible. Loans or temporary placements are also welcome.
  • The research library is being developed; many gaps exist. Members are asked to consider donating or loaning books and magazines to make them available to researchers.

Visiting

  • Autumn is an excellent time to visit Reston and the National Center for Aeromodeling. Visitors are encouraged to view exhibits and share flying stories.

Academy Mall Show Program (February–March 1984 and planning for 1985)

Overview

  • During February–March 1984, AMA‑chartered clubs across the country participated in the Academy Mall Show Program. Several hundred club members set aside a weekend for public relations to further public understanding of model aviation. AMA awarded 2,000 souvenir pins to participants. Planning for the 1985 program is already underway.

How to take part in 1985

  1. At a club executive meeting, introduce a motion for the club to sponsor a shopping center/shopping mall display.
  2. Appoint a committee to contact the local mall and obtain permission to hold the display in February, March, or April 1985.
  3. Coordinate with mall marketing to have the weekend promoted in mall advertisements.
  4. Inform AMA Headquarters in advance so handout literature and videotapes can be supplied.

What the mall show should include

  • Completed models (small and large)
  • Models under construction (covered and uncovered)
  • Representative types and variations (Control Line, Profile, Free Flight, Radio Control)
  • PLANES: demonstrations with airplane‑shaped boards; servos/receiver/battery mounted; operating control surfaces
  • Exposed control systems for Control Line/Profile models
  • An audio‑visual center with a video recorder/TV — AMA films can be shown. AMA videotapes are available in Beta and VHS formats for sale.

Benefits

  • Mall shows attract shoppers, generate interest, recruit new members, and can help build community support for flying fields.

Additional Council Item

  • President Grigg noted the Chinese had video‑taped the China trip and provided AMA a copy; releasing the tape to media could provide additional public exposure for AMA.
  • Gordon Burford addressed the Council about the annual Asian Pacific F3A (RC Aerobatics) contest and asked if AMA would consider sending a team if invited. The Council was receptive and will consider a specific proposal.

District Reports

IV District Report

Howard Crispin, District IV Vice‑President 611 Beechwood Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22901

Associate Vice Presidents

  • Wayne Abernethy, Upper Marlboro, MD
  • Bob Chapin, Newport News, VA
  • Bill Helms, Charlotte, NC
  • Raymond Ferraraccio, Christiansburg, VA
  • Scotty Moyer, Wilmington, DE
  • Charles Spear, Mocksville, NC

Frequency Coordinator

  • Paul Yacoubian, Fayetteville, NC — Evening: (919) 488‑5986

Notes

  • August–mid‑September is a busy period for outdoor activity in District IV. Many contests and events take place; the district is large and active.
  • Clubs are successfully recruiting youth; Valley R/C Club (Harrisonburg, VA) signed five new members under 14, aided by use of the buddy‑box training system.
  • Concerns were raised about model magazines’ presentation to youngsters (e.g., cover imagery) and the decline of Free Flight and Control Line coverage in some publications. District IV urges broader outreach and consideration of advertising and sponsorship opportunities to present model aviation as a sport to wider media.
  • PGRC (Bowie, MD) is developing a new field; the club is working diligently to ensure safety and appropriate layout.
  • Recent contests: Tidewater R/C Pattern Contest, IMAA Fly‑In at Greensboro, NC, and the Bealeton Scale meet were all successful. Garland Hamilton (C/Sgt.) has returned to District IV, increasing local scale competition.

V District Report

Bill Mathews, District V Vice‑President 1718 Somerset Circle, Birmingham, AL 35213 — (205) 879‑5550

Associate Vice Presidents

  • Greg Doe, Smyrna, TN
  • George Arsen, N. Charleston, SC
  • Arthur Nichols, Delray Beach, FL
  • Joseph Iquillonas, Earleton, FL
  • Ed Moorman, Shalimar, FL
  • Harry Sherman, Shoalwater, AL
  • Tom Thacker, Stone Mountain, GA

Frequency Coordinator

  • Burns Fields, Interlachen, FL — (904) 684‑2517

Notes

  • International reach: Haitian‑American Modelers (Port‑au‑Prince) have been organized with 27 members; conditions are favorable for year‑round flying.
  • Club volunteers continue to support local activities—e.g., newsletter volunteers, contest organization.
  • Upcoming events: Control Line meet in Marietta, GA (sponsored by Atlanta Skyraiders, Complete Model Supply, and Controlline Sales).
  • Support for local hobby shops and prize programs for Model of the Month were highlighted.
  • The community aspect of modeling (support during personal tragedies) was emphasized.

VI District Report

Bob Underwood, District VI Vice‑President 4109 Concord Oaks Dr., St. Louis, MO 63128 — (314) 487‑1957

Associate Vice Presidents

  • Loren Helm, Quincy, IL
  • William Kern, Bedford, IN
  • Raymond Meyers, Smithville, MO
  • William G. Smalley, Auburn, IN
  • Stan Watson, Hazel Crest, IL
  • Bill Zimmer, Vevay, IN

Notes

  • September 1984: busy season with World Championships, Nats, and many local events.
  • Terre Haute R/C Modelers participated with the Indiana Air National Guard at Hulman Field; the AMA display and static exhibits were well received.
  • Davis Creek Model Flyers (IL) faced a neighbor petition threatening their flying site; AMA assisted alongside NAASC and FAA representatives to help resolve the complaint.
  • Flite Line (Screaming Eagles, IN) improved facilities with a 24 x 350 ft all‑weather runway surfacing.
  • Free Flight activity: Marion, IL Free Flight contest and Tri‑County Aero Club upcoming events.
  • Kansas City Indoor Fliers hold sessions Nov–Feb at Westport Community Center.

X District Report

Jim Scarborough, District X Vice‑President 30717 Rue Langlois, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90274

Associate Vice Presidents

  • Darwin R. Barrie, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Glenn Carter, Walnut Creek, CA
  • Bob Kampmann, Orangevale, CA
  • Mike Lee, (address incomplete)
  • Bob Reynolds, Tucson, AZ
  • Betty Streem, Long Beach, CA
  • Al Tuttle, Pukalani, Maui, HI
  • Al Williams, Chico Vista, CA

Treasury Coordinator

  • Hal Jackson, Fair Oaks, CA — (916) 961‑9603

Notes

  • The Executive Vice President race drew strong interest; the nominating committee placed Jim McNeill, Ed Izzo, and Dave Brown on the ballot.
  • Headquarters review committee proposals for organizational changes were discussed and will be implemented over time.
  • Charter fee changes approved: charter fee increased by $5; the 50¢ per member fee was dropped.
  • The 1986 Nationals were approved to be held at Lake Charles, LA; the 1985 Nats are in Massachusetts.
  • Membership recruitment incentive: starting in 1985, each Open member will receive a $5 credit for each Open member recruited (six recruits equal a free membership).
  • Myrtle (Mom) Coad (Roberts) was honored with induction to the AMA Hall of Fame.
  • Reports from local AVPs: IMAC fly‑in at Sepulveda Basin; FAI team selection finals for F3B Gliders (team: Michael Reagan, Michael Bame, Steve Neu; alternates Rick Schrameck, Jerry Kiranach); FAI Free Flight and Wakefield team selections.
  • Field improvements: Arizona Model Pilots Society obtained a 10‑year lease; runways are being upgraded.

Miscellaneous Items and Columns

  • Various columns and letters to the editor were mentioned, reflecting member feedback on public perception, safety, and field preservation.
  • Newsletters from clubs across districts were praised for their role in keeping membership informed and united.
  • Club activities such as parades, float entries, park partnerships, runway installations, and community outreach were highlighted as successful PR and recruitment efforts.

Closing

  • The Council and Headquarters continue work on organizational improvements, membership outreach, museum expansion, and community programs such as the Mall Show. Further details and official minutes will be available from AMA Headquarters when published.

(To be continued)

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