AMA NEWS
Sound & Model Aeronautics
Howard Crispin, Jr.
Much has been written over the past year about sound as it relates to our sport. We have a very good overview of the problem, its causes, and some basic solutions. Primarily, we have had the opportunity to discuss what needs to be done at the local level toward the goal of preserving our flying sites.
We're aware that we're dealing with localized situations: each one is different. Some methods of checking the field and its surroundings have been covered, as well as techniques for checking model-aircraft power systems. There is considerably more understanding now—and increased appreciation for the causes and solutions.
Where do we go from here? The importance of manufacturers and the modeling public getting involved in the problem was stressed early on. There is a need for groups to experiment, test, and pass on to the modeling public any advancements that come out of these experiments. Very little has been passed on so far. I would like very much to be able to print some useful ideas each month—ideas that could be applied somewhere. A few items have appeared, but much more needs to be done.
Some of you may have reservations about sharing whatever you might come up with, in consideration of its potential monetary value (manufacturing possibility). However, copyright protection, if obtained, shields your invention from duplication. Printing information in Model Aviation about a copyrighted device does not dilute the exclusive legal right to that invention. Nothing passes on to the Academy. As in the past, if the individual providing the information desires it, a cautionary statement accompanies the printed information to the effect that anyone desiring to duplicate the device must contact the individual holding the copyright (the individual is named in the statement). Of course, manufacturers understand this to be the case.
How can we encourage such submissions? One suggestion is that we continue to foster an open environment where inventors can protect their rights yet freely share practical sound-reduction techniques with the membership.
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Synopsis — Executive Council Meeting (April 25, 1987)
The regular meeting of the Academy of Model Aeronautics Executive Council was brought to order at 9:02 a.m.
Attendees:
- Don Lowe, President — Altamonte Springs, FL
- John Worth, Executive Director — Fairfax, VA
- Don Krafft, District I Vice President — Duxbury, MA
- John Byrne, VP-II — Bayside, NY
- Dave Brown, VP-III — Hamilton, OH
- Howard Crispin, VP-IV — Charlottesville, VA
- Lee Webster, VP-V — Manchester, TN
- Jim Sears, VP-VI — Burgin, KY
- Pete Waters, VP-VII — Northville, MI
- Johnny Clemens, VP-VIII — Dallas, TX
- Dick Crowley, VP-IX — Aurora, CO
- David Peltz, VP-X — Chatsworth, CA
- Ed McCollough, VP-XI — Portland, OR
- Ev Langworthy, NAA Executive Director
Present from the Academy's executive staff:
- Bob Underwood, Technical Director
- Micheline Madison, Competitions Department Director
A copy of the official minutes may be obtained upon request from AMA Headquarters; they will be available approximately May 15. Minutes are not final until review and any suggested changes to the original draft are made at the next Council meeting.
Key points and actions:
- Newly elected President Don Lowe introduced himself, gave a brief biography of past activities in AMA, thanked those who voted for him, and expressed his desire to meet members' needs during his tenure.
- Outgoing officers, past President John Grigg and past Vice-President Travis McGinnis, were presented with Meritorious Service plaques. They then conducted a farewell/induction ceremony.
- Two agenda items were taken up out of sequence to accommodate visitors:
- F3B (FAI R/C Soaring): The Council was asked to finance an eight‑man team instead of the customary four; a detailed proposal was distributed and discussed (see item IX).
- Show Teams: Mr. Reginald Keyawa urged that show teams receive improved financial and procedural assistance from Headquarters (see item VIII).
- Previous minutes (October 18–19, 1986) were approved unanimously as amended.
- Executive Vice-President's report: In Jim McNeill's absence, Dave Brown delivered the report (details noted in the minutes).
- The meeting lasted about 12 hours.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 p.m. The next meeting shall be at AMA HQ on April 25 (next scheduled date).
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Personal Loan Program Limit Increased to $10,000
AMA members are eligible to apply for personal, unsecured loans up to $10,000 under a joint program of the Academy of Model Aeronautics and the National Aeronautic Association. The program, offered since June 1984 through Colonial National Bank (U.S.A., Delaware), previously had a $7,500 credit limit.
Known as the "Freedom" loan program, it allows members to apply by telephone and handle all arrangements by mail. The current annual percentage rate for both fixed and variable interest rates is 14.50%. Special terms permit members to choose either a fixed or a variable rate (based on a prime-rate index) and to select repayment terms up to five years.
An added benefit is that members apply just once. Thereafter, qualifying members can simply call Colonial National's nationwide WATS line whenever additional funds are needed. For more information, call Colonial National at 1-800-523-1888.
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E.C. Council — NAA Fee Proposal
The Council discussed the National Aeronautics Association's proposal to raise NAA division fees (the Finance Committee had recommended an across-the-board 10% increase). The Council instructed the AMA representative (Mankowski) on the NAA Division Relations Committee to "hold the line" and not agree to an increase.
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III. Committee Reports
A. Bylaws
- Howard Crispin distributed a bylaws revision draft for review and possible action at the next Council meeting.
B. Executive Director Search
- John Byrne reported progress developing selection criteria. President Lowe appointed Lee Webster to the Committee, replacing Travis McGinnis.
C. Safety
- Dave Brown (on behalf of Jim McNeill) opened discussion on the Council-imposed 55-lb model weight limitation and its ramifications. No change in policy was made (see item XII).
D. Special Interest Groups
- Ed McCollough reported receiving an affiliation request from the Ornithopter Society. Discussion continued.
E. Frequency Committee (summary)
- The Frequency Committee, chaired by Fred Marks, reported testing procedures and proposals for transmitter specifications. For 1988 it was proposed to permit only transmitters meeting the 1991 specifications to operate on channels 12–34. The committee requested a vote of confidence on its actions; the Council approved (12 for, 1 against).
F. Re-districting
- President Lowe approved Dick Crowley to replace Travis McGinnis on the re-districting committee. An analysis focusing on Districts 8 and 10 will be sent to the Council for review. Options include dividing District 10, leaving it as is, or establishing a weighted vote system.
G. Award Criteria
- Jim Sears reported duplicated criteria in established awards and proposed a rewrite.
H. Council Legal Advisor
- The previously discussed option of retaining Bill Mathews was no longer available in full; Mathews could help in a limited capacity. The Council agreed to invite Bob Jackson (from J. Courtney's office) to the next Council meeting to discuss a permanent arrangement.
I. District Newsletters
- Headquarters can distribute district newsletters at a cost (22¢ first-class plus 3¢ per page). As an alternative, HQ will provide monthly club and district officer mailing labels to each Council member, upon request, at no charge.
J. Headquarters Video
- The Council unanimously approved producing a combination slide/video presentation about AMA Headquarters; production costs to be included in the PR budget.
K. 1986 Technical Award
- Discussion was continued (see full minutes).
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E.C. Council — Club Charters and Probationary Period
To address conflicts where a new club forms in proximity to an existing club and creates competition for radio airspace, the Council voted unanimously to include a probationary proviso in new club charters (not exceeding one year). During this probationary period, the new club must demonstrate cooperative operation; interference with a previously-chartered club may be cause for charter revocation.
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XII. Overweight Aircraft (55-lb Limit)
Concerned members raised issues about heavy aircraft. The Council was asked to reaffirm the 55-lb weight limit for models. The executive director noted that IMAA agrees with the 55-lb limit but wishes to discuss possibly establishing a separate class for models over 55 lb. The president requested that the executive director arrange a meeting with the IMAA president at AMA HQ to explore possibilities.
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XIII–XIV. Publication Concerns
XIII. Column Content in Model Aviation
- Ed McCollough reminded the Council of a Standing Rule (August 1968) providing for delay or removal from publication any item deemed by the executive director to be defamatory, after Council review. The executive director noted this is a judgment issue complicated by late-arriving material; no specific action resulted.
XIV. Speculative Publication
- Howard Crispin called attention to misunderstandings resulting from speculative statements in officers' columns and asked the Council to consider methods to prevent such occurrences. No action was taken.
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XV. Awards and Adjournment
All motions for awards were moved, seconded, and unanimously approved, with information to be published after presentation. The meeting adjourned at 10:55 p.m.
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From One of You to All of You
Jeff Troy, Assistant Public Relations Director, AMA HQ
Some of you may already know me through my work with the Nats or my articles for RC Video Magazine. About four months ago I became an employee of AMA and now work in the Public Relations Department at Reston, VA. For me, this position is like heaven before death—I spend my days surrounded by models and modelers. With your help I hope to do good for AMA members and our hobby.
A little about me: I'm an ordinary modeler who likes sport flying, occasional scale or sailplane contests, and the people of our sport. I'm an active Contest Director and hold an AMA Life Membership (L-79). For five years I managed a major hobby shop in Pennsylvania and for three terms I was president of the nearly 300-member Valley Forge Signal Seekers (PA). I write because I believe that if you know more about what goes on at Headquarters, we can eliminate some "us vs. them" attitudes and work together.
Auctions and banquets: Barb and I have attended several events this winter, including auctions by the Clarks River RC Club, Cape Ann RC Club, Southern New Hampshire RC Club, and the 495th RC Squadron; and banquets by the Green Mountain RCers, Southern New Hampshire RC Club, Ponderosa RC Hawks, and the Northwest Connecticut Radio Control Club. Auctions we plan to attend include those by the Lazy Looper, South Shore, and Discover Flying RC Clubs.
A highlight was the Southern New Hampshire RC Club annual banquet on January 31, 1987, which featured Harvey Tomasian's talk on model engines. Awards given included:
- Newsletter Editor: Fred Kruse
- Best Crash: Jerry Kean
- Best Model: Maurice Thériault
- Best Flight Instructor: Fred Kruse
- Most Improved Flier: Ernie Jobin
Gifts were presented to Bob Brodeur and Fred Kruse for all-around help to the club. Maurice Thériault built a Sig Kadet that the club awarded to Jerry Kean for his efforts in maintaining the club field.
(To be continued)
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DISTRICT REPORT
John Byrne District II Vice‑President 36-29 213 Street, Bayside, NY 11361 (718) 225-8319
Associate Vice Presidents:
- Pete Blanchin — 260 S. Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10705
- Tom Brown — PO Box 861, APO NY 09123
- Frank Costello — 27 Kearney St., Dover, NJ 07801
- Frank Cress — 8 Willow Ave., Piscataway, NJ 08854
- Ray Ruckus — 7 Evergreen Ave., New Hyde Park, NY 11040
- Kenneth Koeppel — 184 N. Union Street, Olean, NY 14760
- Hank Likes — 46 Cory Dr., Toms River, NJ 08753
- Adam Satter — 41 Parley Ave., Latham, NY 12110
- Lon Sauter — 2022 Beaver Lake, Phoenix, NY 11365
Frequency Coordinator:
- George Myer — 70 Froelich Farm Rd., Hicksville, NY 11801
Second (District) Thoughts: Our recent Executive Council meeting was memorable for the formal transfer of the AMA presidency from John Grigg to Don Lowe, and the District 9 vice‑presidency from Travis McGinnis to Dick Crowley. The transition was pleasant though sentimental for many. Don Lowe is a longtime friend of mine and a returning Council member; we welcome him. My first impression of Dick Crowley indicates he will be an outstanding member of our group.
Sad news: Dwight G. Holley of Bethel, CT, passed away unexpectedly. His contributions to R/C soaring and electric flight were widely recognized. We dedicate John Gillespie Magee Jr.'s sonnet "High Flight" in his memory.
Pictorial parade: A note on the district column's monthly photo—see the portrait I made of Ed McCollough at the AMA HQ groundbreaking to show what he really looks like off the top-of-column disguise.
Syracuse Symposium (11th Edition): I recently returned from this successful District 2 event produced by the 14 upstate clubs of the Central New York Model Aircraft Association (CNYMAA). Special thanks to Bob Lenhart (president), Jim Abrams (VP), Fay Fabrizio (secretary), Chris Herzog (treasurer), and Walt Throne for planning and executing the show. Jeff Troy represented AMA HQ at the show and I was assisted onstage by AVP Lon Sauter.
CNYMAA 1987 Scholarship Awards:
- 1st: Tonya Fancher
- 2nd: Elizabeth Throne
- 3rd: Teresa Fabrizio
Gear up and locked!
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E.C. Council — Additional Notes
- Club Charters: The Council decided to require a probationary period (up to one year) for new charters to ensure cooperative operation and to avoid conflicts with existing clubs.
- Show Teams: Mr. Reginald Keyawa advocated for greater support of show teams.
- Freedom Loan Program: The Council approved AMA members' eligibility for loans up to $10,000 via Colonial National Bank (see Personal Loan Program above).
- WRAM, Toledo, and Timonium shows: Membership and vendor participation continues to grow; the Council encourages attendance and family-friendly events.
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Sound (continued)
Howard Crispin, Jr.
(Continuation) We must continue to raise awareness, experiment, and report results. Even small practical fixes can help preserve flying sites. If you have proven methods or tested devices to reduce model noise, please submit them—copyright protection can be retained where appropriate; publication does not forfeit exclusive legal rights when handled correctly.
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Columns & Miscellany
Giant Scale and Safety:
- Several letters raised safety concerns, including reports of alcohol use by fliers operating large models. Responsibility rests with the pilot and, when necessary, the Contest Director (CD) to determine a flier's fitness to fly. Safety must be paramount; please act responsibly.
New Trends:
- A resurgence of "return to basics" events and fun-fly formats (e.g., triathlons combining R/C, Free Flight, and Control Line) indicates a renewed trend toward varied, fun-focused participation. Events like Hand‑Launched Glider meets and Electric R/C sailplane categories are growing and provide quiet, clean alternatives compatible with public outreach.
Record Attempt:
- Bill Smith (Nashville) and crew are attempting a new model-helicopter world altitude record (target ~14,000 ft). Their preparations included high-altitude calibration flights near Mt. Elbert, CO. Best wishes to Bill and team.
Newsletter Good Practices:
- District 8 notes: limit membership for safety where field size requires it; use tape instead of staples on newsletters to avoid damaging readers' hands; check CD applications for completeness before submission to avoid delays.
Encouraging Newcomers:
- Welcome newcomers of all ages. Invite them to meetings, provide training, and help them get started. A strong training program secures the hobby's future.
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Closing
Good flying—and soft landings.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
