Elder Statesman of Aviation Award to John Worth
The National Aeronautic Association's Elder Statesman of Aviation Selection Committee, composed of distinguished members of the aerospace community, announced the following individuals to be honored as Elder Statesmen for 1986: J. B. "Doc" Hartranft, Jr.; Anthony "Tony" LeVier; John Paul Riddle; and John Worth. Awards will be presented by Clifton F. von Kann, president of the NAA, at a luncheon hosted by the Aero Club of Washington on October 28, 1986, in Washington, D.C.
Biographies
- J. B. "Doc" Hartranft, Jr. — Chairman of the Board, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, headquartered in Frederick, Maryland.
- Anthony "Tony" LeVier — Veteran test pilot; formerly Director of Flying Operations, Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, California.
- John Paul Riddle — Founder of Riddle Airlines and the Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical Company, Florida.
- John Worth — Served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as an aerial gunner on a B‑29 during World War II. After military service he became an aeronautical research technician with NACA (later NASA). He worked with scale models for spin and stall research and was involved in flight testing the Rogallo wing and various concepts for returning spacecraft to earth.
John Worth left the NACA‑NASA program in 1963 after being elected president of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) in 1962, when the organization had about 20,000 members and was in severe financial difficulty. After one year as president he was asked to become executive director. Twenty‑one years later, at the end of 1985, AMA had over 110,000 members, its own building and museum, and an operating budget of over $3.5 million.
Selection committee (chaired by Duane Ekedahl, president, Aero Club of Washington) included:
- Albert W. Blackburn
- Walter J. Boyne (Smithsonian Institution)
- Jim Gormley (General Aviation Manufacturers Association)
- John Grigg (president, Academy of Model Aeronautics)
- William C. Laliberte
- Ed Milauckas (Aerojet Corporation)
- William Patterson (General Electric)
- Ed Pinto (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association)
- J. Rankin (Helicopter Club of America)
- John St. Peter (AVEMCO Corporation)
- Floyd J. Sweet (Soaring Society of America)
- Robert Van Housen (United Airlines)
About the NAA The National Aeronautic Association is the oldest independent public‑service, non‑profit aviation organization in the United States. Since 1905 it has been the U.S. representative to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). NAA sanctions and certifies U.S. full‑scale national and international aviation and space flights and honors citizens who have contributed significantly to the development of U.S. aviation, space, and education. Through NAA, the Academy of Model Aeronautics is the U.S. aeromodeling representative to the FAI.
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Safety
Safety is a serious subject but can be practiced easily by everyone through common sense and good habits. Problems that sound simple—such as noise from model engines and propeller injuries—are significant in the real world because there are literally millions of engines in operation. Until the time comes when all models can operate at acceptable sound levels, clubs must continue to work on obtaining and keeping flying sites, maintain good neighbor relations, and follow sensible operating practices.
Notes and warnings:
- Tune engines from the rear and take every precaution to avoid propeller injuries.
- Continued attention to noise control and community relations will help keep the sport healthy and acceptable to the public.
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Scholarships
Rosemary Hutchinson Scholarship
In late 1985 Rosemary Hutchinson established a permanent fund in memory of her husband Tom, an avid free‑flight enthusiast who helped beginners, especially young people. The fund supports an annual scholarship for college‑age students. The 1986 recipient was Bryan Fulmer of Mishawaka, Indiana.
Bryan Fulmer
- Keen free‑flighter with competition experience at local, state, and national levels.
- At the 1985 Nats he won first places in HLG, Wood HLG, Hi‑Tech, AMA Scale, Peanut Scale, and Easy B.
- Completing his first year in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University, Lafayette, IN.
- A check for $500 was mailed to assist his expenses.
Sig Memorial Scholarship Program
A scholarship fund created by Hazel Sig, president of Sig Manufacturing Company, in honor of her husband will help four college‑age students with higher education plans. Glen Sigafoose, co‑founder of Sig Manufacturing Company, is coordinating the program.
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Obituaries and Memorials
Dan Pruss
Dan Pruss, a respected contributor to RC soaring, passed away after a battle with cancer. He was widely admired and respected for his honesty, sincerity, and communication skills. At his funeral his brother noted the day of Dan's death had perfect thermal weather, and suggested thinking of Dan riding a great thermal as a happy image.
Joseph S. Ott
Joseph S. "Joe" Ott, a pioneer in model aviation, died on June 25, 1986, at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois, age 86. He was a long‑time resident of Niles, IL.
Highlights of Joe Ott's life and career:
- Well‑known designer and manufacturer of model airplanes; member of both the National Free Flight Society Hall of Fame and the AMA Hall of Fame.
- Gained prominence in the 1930s as model editor for Popular Aviation and author of Model Airplanes — Building and Flying.
- Formed partnerships with Donald F. Duncan and Whitman Publishing; later formed Joe Ott Manufacturing Company producing model kits and molded ABS plastic parts.
- In the 1940s his company employed over 600 workers and produced more than 50,000 kits a day.
- Served in the U.S. Army Air Corps at Kelly Field, TX; after WWI he was an Army instructor in aeronautics at Texas A&M; during WWII he joined the Civil Air Patrol in the Chicago area.
- After retiring from manufacturing he worked as a design engineer for several major corporations; at age 81 he briefly returned to model manufacturing, focusing on more sophisticated radio control models.
- Suffered a stroke in 1985; had shown recovery but later deteriorated.
Clarence Barnes
Clarence Barnes of the South Eastern Virginia Radio Control Group passed away. He served as Vice President and acting President of his club and contributed to newsletter and PR work; he will be sorely missed.
Seymour Poppoly
Seymour Poppoly (AMA 13776), noted for his tireless promotion of model aviation and for strengthening the Interstate Model Flying Club, has died. Sympathy is extended to his family.
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District Reports
District I — Don Krafft
Don Krafft District I Vice‑President P.O. Box 1828 Duxbury, MA 02331 (617) 934‑6248
Simsbury RC Club
- Formed in 1968 (AMA Charter No. 192), about 50 members.
- Interests: trainers, old timers, stunt, growing interest in helicopters and sailplanes (mostly two‑meter, some using .049 power assist).
- Club field borders Talcott Mountain with active thermals.
Raffle at May 31, 1986 meeting
- Prizes: an .049 engine (donated by Dave Jansen) and a needlepoint (donated by Jean Moore, valued at $100 for raffle purposes).
- Both prizes were won by Julian Glassman.
Wingbusters Control Line Contest (May 18, Bridgewater College)
- Directed by George Higgins; 18 contestants.
- Father‑and‑son teams participated.
- Notable incident: an aircraft took off with handle and lines and ended in a tree about 65' high; Bridgewater Fire Dept. retrieved it with no damage.
- Results:
- Expert — Casale
- Advanced — Cook
- Intermediate — Morris, Connors
- Beginner — Rudzinski, Steller (John), Gregoire, Fisher, Rudzinski Jr.
Bridgewater Pattern Contest (June 21–22)
- Fifth Pattern contest; 43 contestants from NJ, PA, NY.
- Weather: Saturday windy but manageable; six rounds flown using contestant judging.
- Ten novice entries — encouraging sign.
- Volunteer shortage noted; a minimum of five people is needed to run a Pattern contest.
- Thanks to Tony Almeida, Jerry Brown, John Quero, Barbara Kraft, Chuck Smith, Bryan Birtwell, and Bob Engleman for their help.
Scanner
- District I scanner available for use; useful for frequency checking before flight. Contact George Wilson, District I frequency coordinator, for information.
Model Aviation Day
- Planned for November 9, 1986 at Halifax Country Club.
- Planned events: displays, control line demonstrations, seminars on electric aircraft and float flying/design, and a session on flying sites and community relations by Geoff Styles (AMA HQ).
- Clubs encouraged to send at least one member.
Safety reminder
- Propeller injuries remain a problem; two recent serious accidents were reported (one requiring at least a month off work; another with severe thumb injury and significant medical bills). Always follow safety guidance.
District III — John Byrne
John Byrne District III Vice‑President 36‑29 213 Street Bayside, NY 11361 (718) 225‑8319
Associate Vice Presidents
- Pete Benjamin, 260 S. Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10705
- Tom Brown, P.O. Box 816, APO NY 09123
- Frank Costello, 27 Kearney St., Dover, NJ 07801
- Frank Dresch, 9 Willow Ave., Piscataway, NJ 08854
- Ray Juszkiewicz, 7 Evergreen Ave., New Hyde Park, NY 11040
- Hank Lishes, 86 Cory Dr., Toms River, NJ 08753
- Adam Satter, 41 W. Perry Ave., Latham, NY 12110
- Don Sauter, 2602 Rainbow Lane, Phoenix, NY 13135
Frequency Coordinator
- George Myers, 70 Froehlich Farm Rd., Hicksville, NY 11801
District items
- Flight in the Round: Photos and trophies presented at Edison Recreation Area M.A.C. contest; thanks to Bill Lindemann and Alex Ortiz.
- Back in Action: Blue Angels' Ferry Point Park runways repaired after vandalism; the Angels hosted a "Youth Day" celebrating a year of uninterrupted flying.
- Richmond Model Flying Club: Gateway Recreation Area Model Air Show on Staten Island (May 24) exceeded 4,000 attendees and was cited for excellence by President Reagan and the NY State Legislature.
- Flushing Control Line Association (AMA‑chartered): Doug Figgs invites inquiries for control line activity at Flushing Meadows; contact 329 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn, NY 11238 or (718) 857‑9874.
- Radio Control Club of Rochester: Celebrating the 25th anniversary of contests sponsored by RCCR.
- Pine Barrens Modelers' Club: Newsletter received; two separate clubs in the area noted.
- Under the Wire: Article in the Olean (NY) Times Herald about a one‑quarter scale Curtiss A‑1 Triad hydroplane model built by Bob Dunn (STARS member). Further publication pending permission and photos.
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Contest Activity
Bealeton, Virginia — Radio Control Scale contests
- Two contests annually; the June contest (sponsored by Howard County RC Club of Columbia, MD) had improved turnout.
- Flying Circus display on Sunday included the only CAP‑20L in existence (the "L" stands for light; all‑wood construction).
Notable competitor
- Janice Belton of Catonsville, Maryland — second place in Team Scale with a well‑done PT‑19 at Bealeton. Janice is new to contest flying and intends to become a competent pilot; more women competitors are encouraged.
Other events
- Seaplane scramble at Terre Haute — many aircraft flew from water, including some first‑timers; close operations near trees provided excitement.
- Indy East Side Annual Open House (Indianapolis) — public demo day attracted good crowd despite wind.
- WACO and Luscombe fly‑ins in Ohio — excellent scale material and hidden hangar finds.
- RC Thunderbirds and Thundertruckers joint fun fly (Marion and Hopkins Co., KY) — included egg‑catching event and plans to repeat joint events.
- Hamilton RC Modelers' fourth stroke contest (June 28) had good fun but low turnout due to a conflicting air show.
Club publicity tip
- Small town newspapers often need filler—club news can be good free advertising.
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AMA Film Library
AMA Chartered Clubs and Open members may rent films (16mm, most with color and sound) for $10 plus a $10 deposit. Send a pre‑addressed, stamped No. 10 business‑size envelope to the Film Librarian at the Academy of Model Aeronautics for a full listing and order form.
Selected titles:
- Diamonds in the Sky — AMA's 1986 film showing major aspects of Radio Control activity (Soaring, Helicopters, Electric Power, Aerobatics, Pylon Racing, Scale). Approx. 35 minutes. (AMA film by Jay Gerber.)
- The Pioneers — AMA film about the Good brothers' development of early radio control systems, includes pre‑ and post‑WWII footage. Approx. 27 minutes. (AMA film by Jay Gerber.)
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Landfills and Flying Sites
Landfills nearing completion can be excellent remote flying sites: they are typically unsuitable for major construction, located away from populated areas, and can serve clubs well. If a landfill in your area is approaching closure, contact local authorities with sketches and details of your requirements. AMA Headquarters can assist clubs in preparing outlines and presentations.
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AVP Insert (Carl Mohs)
Carl Mohs, AVP for central and southwest Wisconsin, reports:
- Presentation of an AMA Hall of Fame plaque to Mrs. Randy Kampen honoring Owen Kampen for his contributions to R/C design and the origin of V/A Pylon and Pattern.
- Concerns about land‑versus‑air frequency conflicts; Technical Director Bob Underwood has responded promptly on these issues. Sellers of sites could be exposed to liability if frequency conflicts result in accidents—obeying frequency regulations is essential.
- MARCS challenge: when members were asked to contribute to build an AMA headquarters building, MARCS calculated $16 per member would cover the building without interest and collected those contributions. Clubs are encouraged to meet similar challenges locally.
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Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
