AMA News
Synopsis — Executive Council Meeting, April 20–21, 1985
The regular meeting of the Academy of Model Aeronautics Executive Council was held at the Midway Motor Lodge, Chicago. The meeting was brought to order at 8:22 a.m. by President John C. Grigg, who chaired the meeting.
Attendees:
- President: John C. Grigg, Lockport, NY
- Executive Vice President: Jim McNeill, Birmingham, AL
- Executive Director: John Worth, Fairfax, VA
- District Vice President: Don Krafft, Duxbury, 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: Peter Waters, Northville, MI
- VP VIII: Johnny Clemens, Dallas, TX
- VP IX: Travis McGinnis, Arvada, CO
- VP X: Jim Scarborough, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
- VP XI: Ed McCollough, Portland, OR
- Ev Langworthy, National Aeronautic Association
AMA executive staff present:
- Micheline Madison, Competitions Department Director
Guests:
- Frank Nekimken, Chicago Aeronuts
- Dan Cohen (13-year-old AMA member observing the meeting)
- AVPs District VI — Chicago Aero Angels
- District VI Contest Coordinator — Bud Bodzioch
- MACA District VI Vice President — Malcolm Fawley
- Contest Boards Coordinator — Don Lindley
- Rae Underwood; Barbara Krafft; Rita Waters
A copy of the official minutes may be obtained on request from AMA Headquarters; minutes will be available approximately August 15 and will become official after review at the next meeting (August 5).
Notable opening items:
- Johnny Clemens introduced Dan Cohen, who was welcomed as an observer.
- Mark Bundick, Vice-President of the National Association of Rocketry, presented a $100 check to AMA's Building Fund.
I. Previous Meeting Minutes
- The January 26, 1985 minutes (as amended by written Council input) and the March 7, 1985 telephone conference minutes were approved unanimously.
II. Executive Vice President's Report
- Jim McNeill reported that AMA was recognized in the Congressional Record (Aug. 2, 1984); copies were distributed to Council members.
- He praised recent work by Geoff Styles (PR Director) and Doug Pratt (Special Projects Director) and handed out a file with recent promotional materials.
III. Budget
- The Executive Director explained that changes to the budget since the January presentation resulted from receipt of 1984 year-end actual figures not previously available.
- The lateness of receiving bills was cited as the reason budget information could not be provided earlier; an end-of-year preliminary statement with better expense estimates will be produced in the future.
- The Museum was noted as requiring a continuous source of income.
- The Council requested that future financial statements and budgets be identified with page and version numbers, dates, and references to changed page numbers and line items.
- A motion to approve the budget report as presented, with instructions that the Executive Director respond at the next Council meeting to questions posed, passed (12 for, 2 against).
- A motion to add 1985 salary budget for the position of Technical Director, including fringe benefits, passed (11 for, 2 against, 1 abstention).
- Bob Underwood announced his resignation from the Council effective June 30, 1985, to accept the position of Technical Director about July 1 under Article 10, Section 2 of the By-laws. He appointed Bryant Thompson.
IV. Committee Reports
A. Film Projects Committee
- John Byrne reported that the project is progressing as expected; part two will premiere at the end of the year.
B. Special Interest Groups Committee
- Ed McCollough raised the question of whether SIGs should review rules changes pertaining to their specialties before the Contest Boards or have veto power. The consensus was not to change the existing rules process; SIGs should develop and make recommendations but not replace the established process.
- Note: Don Krafft was appointed by the President to the SIG Committee.
C. By-laws Committee
- Bill Mathews, chairman, recommended amending Article XII, Section 3 to read:
"Except as provided in Section 4, international modeling activity, including FAI matters, shall be supervised and coordinated by the President or his appointed delegate(s). Actions taken by the President or his appointed delegate(s) may be changed by 2/3 vote of the Executive Council. Additionally, the President or his appointed delegate(s) shall represent the United States at international model activities when necessary."
- The motion passed unanimously.
- As prescribed by the bylaws, Leader Members must vote upon all amendments; a ballot will be distributed later in 1985.
D. Safety
- McNeill reminded the Council that May was AMA Safety Month.
- All club safety officer patches are now available and being sent to designated persons.
- There had been no response to the safety videotape contest.
E. Nats (National Championships)
- Johnny Clemens, Nats Steering Committee Chairman, reported progress and equipment needs (computers, generators, frequency monitors).
- Loren Holm addressed computer requests, noting private individuals can no longer donate equipment as before; AMA must find loan sources or acquire its own equipment.
- A motion to authorize $13,000 for new Nats equipment (computer software; computer network & interface cards; 2 generators; 3 frequency monitors) was discussed and the vote delayed pending more information.
- On the following day, after additional information was received, the motion failed (11 against, 2 for).
- An amended motion to purchase all recommended equipment except the computer network/interface items (i.e., computer software; 2 generators; 3 RC frequency monitors) passed (10 for, 2 against).
- It was agreed that a full written presentation explaining additional Nats computer needs be sent to each Council member, after which a mail vote would be conducted.
- The President will develop responsibility guidelines for the Nats Steering Committee using October 1984 minutes as a basis.
F. Executive Search Committee
- President Grigg reported the committee met Jan. 27 to consider a job description for Staff Administrator; a description submitted by the Executive Director was sent to the full committee for review.
- The committee reviewed and approved Bob Underwood's qualifications for Technical Director.
G. Frequency Committee
- Dave Brown reported on April 14 meeting in Reston:
- Testing indicated 900 MHz could be used for RC operation but FCC coordination is required.
- A new frequency display system will be established for 1988.
- HQ is compiling a list of FCC type-accepted equipment.
- The committee recommended an AMA position statement encouraging compliance with FCC regulations and use of type-accepted equipment, but AMA will not assume enforcement responsibility. Contest Directors may require such transmitters or make special frequency control arrangements to reduce interference.
- The motion passed unanimously and the statement will be included in the 1986–87 Rule Book.
- A motion to begin planning transmitter processing at the Nats, with criteria and methods to be determined by the Frequency Committee, passed unanimously.
H. Noise Committee
- Howard Crispin observed promised articles on noise abatement have not materialized.
- The Executive Director was instructed to confer with Committee Chairman Ed Izzo to develop publication material.
- The NFFS has developed a paper of recommendations concerning free flight noise control.
V. Pylon World Championships
- Executive Director John Worth reported five countries had indicated they would field teams for the 1985 event in New England.
- A preliminary budget was approved unanimously, though some income figures were incomplete.
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President (Cont. from page 89)
- Discussion on Nats site rotation: some Council members prefer returning to a familiar location with established facilities (similar to EAA Oshkosh), while others favor rotating the Nats to reach new communities. Members were urged to write to their VP to express preferences.
- An insurance company has been authorized to use AMA's mailing list to offer members a free accidental-death policy for travel to, during, or from AMA-sanctioned activities and the AMA Museum. The policy is free for those who sign up; the company will have the members' names and addresses and may attempt to sell additional insurance. AMA receives no payment for use of the mailing list in this arrangement.
- Closing note: "It is that time of year to fly. Let’s do it."
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Executive Director's View From HQ
John Worth AMA Executive Director 1810 Samuel Morse Dr. Reston, VA 22090
50th Anniversary
- 1986 will mark AMA’s 50th anniversary. Plans include a special emblem (modified from Frank Zaic's 1936 wings) and a special anniversary issue of Model Aviation scheduled for June (Volume 1, Number 1 was June 1936).
- Historical notes: AMA was originally the American Academy for Model Aeronautics; Willis Brown was the first President and H.W. Alden the Secretary-Treasurer.
1985 Toledo Winners
At the Toledo Weak Signals Expo raffle (proceeds divided between the AMA Building Fund and the Glen Sigafoss Memorial Scholarship Fund), thirty-four winners included:
- Edwin Hawk, Shelby, OH
- Ray Kesteloot, Irvine, CA
- Douglas Dingel, Flint, MI
- L. W. Taylor, Cary, NC
- Bill Adam, Omaha, NE
- Robert Havens, Lake St. Louis, MO
- Jim Hickle, Perrysburg, OH
- Ken Allen, Dayton, OH
- D. Draskovich, Torrance, CA
- Paul Mangold, Warren, MI
- Diane Vail, Toledo, OH
- Jim Voltz, Waterville, OH
- H. Hagen, Red Bank, NJ
- D. P. Chapman, Dayton, OH
- Robert Bazydlo, Roseville, MI
- Aaron Harrison, St. Clair Shores, MI
- Bob Babura, Severn, MD
- Frank Costello, Dover, NJ
- R. Beckmann, Perrysburg, OH
- Dick Daron, Toledo, OH
- Chuck Anderson, Tallahoma, TN
- Cathy Mirabur, Livonia, MI
- Stuart Warner, Huron, OH
- Mike Seedman, Agoura, CA
- Mike Stebbins, Ft. Wayne, IN
- Sterling Smith, Drayton Plains, MI
- Ed Thompson, Chatham, Ontario
- Jess Modelbuilder, Toledo, OH
- Bob Depew, Livonia, MI
- Jean Vanderberghe, Overtville, Ontario
- John Wojtowicz, Westland, MI
- Tom Smith, Tecumseh, MI
- John O'Dell, Mt. Clements, MI
- Chris Williams, Carmel, IN
AMA Member Financial Services
- As of March 1985, AMA and NAA members had signed up for over $2,000,000 in business with the Colonial National Bank of Delaware: $1.5 million in credit card accounts and $0.75 million in personal loans.
- The programs are optional, administered by the bank, and have produced $2,720 in commission income for AMA to date.
Public Relations and Local Effort
- Webster’s defines public relations as efforts to create a favorable image. Model aviation’s image is best improved at the local level—clubs, air-show teams, and individuals are crucial.
- Example: a letter from Jack Sonneborn of Lancaster County R/C Club highlighted mall shows and the value of local outreach.
AVP Appointment
- Drew Davenport named Associate Vice President for MA (Massachusetts), focusing primarily on R/C Scale and Pattern.
Delta-Dart Program and Youth Outreach
- The Delta-Dart Program continues to be a valuable tool for introducing newcomers to model aviation. Members are encouraged to run Delta-Dart sessions to involve youth and beginners.
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Western New York Air Show '85
- The full-scale Western New York Air Show will be held July 13–14 at Niagara Falls (NY) Airport. Model aircraft activities are scheduled from 9:00–11:00 a.m. both days.
- Contact: Mr. William Golden, Model Airshow '85, 2080 River Road, Box 46, Niagara Falls, NY 14304.
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Personalities, Travel, and Event Notes
- Recognition and photos: John Miske (Garden State Circle Burners) captured the moment when the AMA Certificate of Merit was presented to Jim Casale for his performance on the U.S.A. CL Stunt Team at the FAI Internationals.
- Costa Rica Fun Fly: Worth recommends the Third Annual Costa Rica Fun Fly for its hospitality and highlights, including the Cloud Dancers Show Team and a memorable banquet raffle.
- Upcoming events mentioned: the Masters Tournament in Lake Charles and the Nats in Massachusetts.
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Regional Reports and Soaring Notes
- The Sugarloaf Classic (Point of Rocks, MD), a new cross-country contest sponsored by the Capital Area Soaring Society (CASA), had 11 teams and over 50 participants; course layout and variable weather made the event challenging and rewarding. Best distance reported: 24.5 miles by Al White (flight time 1:27:35).
- Electric power is increasingly important in modeling; examples included an electric-powered conversion of a Dynamo and a large electric B-24 model powered by four Astro .35 motors with reduction drive.
- Officials and AVPs are encouraged to promote junior involvement (rubber-powered free flight, indoor, radio control) to build the hobby’s future.
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Club Spotlights and Miscellaneous
- District 5 officers (Ed Moorman, Harry Sheram, Joe Micalizzi, Richard Jackson) noted for dedication and local activity.
- Clubs continue public outreach (mall shows, demos); example: Chicagoland Circle Cutters’ February show at Yorktown Mall demonstrates the vitality of control-line flying.
- Photo credits and local meet notes: submitters such as Bob Payne, Bob Balch, and others provided images and reporting for local events and expos.
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Note: Official minutes and additional documentation may be requested from AMA Headquarters; minutes will become official after review at the next Council meeting.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
