AMA News
Sound & Model Aeronautics — Howard Crispin Jr.
Nationals, 1987: Much data were collected at the National Model Airplane Championships. All F3A flights were monitored per FAI rules; full figures will appear in the next issue. For now, 48 fliers met FAI regulations, and some far exceeded the requirements with very low readings. These results suggest the need for similar rules in other phases of aeromodeling.
Much time was spent measuring sound levels generated by various categories at greater distances from the flight path or circle — figures that matter for flying‑site retention and acquisition. Correlating the data takes time; more details will follow in the next issue.
Executive Council Meeting — Noise Discussion
Discussion at the Council meeting generated definite interest and proposed action on noise. A resolution will be presented at the next meeting to establish recommended sound‑level limits and a proposed date by which industry and modelers should be able to meet them. Many members have written asking what the Academy standard will be; until now it has been impossible to provide a figure — that will soon change.
There was disappointment that the Combined Contest Boards initially chose not to adopt a sound rule. One way to spur manufacturer action is to include sound limits in competition classes, but the major noise problem lies with the everyday, so‑called Sunday flier. That group makes up roughly 90% of membership and must provide the impetus for equipment changes.
Setting a standard alone is not enough. Modelers must take action at their fields: learn new engine and aircraft operating techniques, experiment with different propellers, and adopt new mufflers/pipes. We can hope engine manufacturers will cooperate and publish usable information to reduce sound levels far below what many think possible today.
Don Lowe, AMA President, is actively engaged in this project. Watch for the statement after the next Council meeting; the September issue of Model Aviation also carries a position statement on the subject.
Quieter Runs — Soundmaster Muffler
The Soundmaster muffler (Bob Davis, Diesel) is reported to meet the European requirement of 82 dBA at seven meters. Ground and test‑stand checks indicate it performs well.
Example test: an O.S. .60 with a 12 x 6 prop measured 97 dBA at three meters with the stock muffler. After installing the Soundmaster (without altering the needle) and restarting, the full‑throttle reading fell to 87.5 dBA at three meters; RPM increased by about 250. No power loss was apparent. Adapters allow the muffler to fit several engines. For pricing and ordering information contact Bob Davis at (203) 877‑1670 (see his ad for address).
Four‑Strokers — Custom Muffler by Roger Byrd
Roger Byrd fabricated a muffler for his Saito 1.2 installation in a Citabria. He removed the stock stack ends and welded plumbing tubing to them, preserving back pressure so there was no apparent change in power. The design:
- One inlet tube extends just less than halfway into the can.
- One outlet tube likewise extends just less than halfway into the can.
- A divider runs from the front to the middle, separating inlet and outlet.
- The rear chamber is loosely packed with steel wool.
- A small oil drain is provided at the rear of the assembly.
Result: on a pass at about 50 ft, the propeller noise is heard rather than the exhaust.
Sound — Call for Propeller Design Information
If you have studied propeller design or have data to share, please pass it along. Full credit will be given for any material used in this column.
---
AMA Air Show Teams
- ALABAMA — Bama Flyers, James Weems, 8617 77th Way South, Birmingham, AL 35206 — (205) 833‑0173 (h), (205) 836‑6534 (w)
- ARIZONA — Tucson R/C Club's Barnstormers, Russell Davis, 2929 East 6th Street, Apt. 102, Tucson, AZ 85716 — (602) 325‑4151
- CALIFORNIA — Capital City Barnstormers, Reginald Keva, 4500 Onyx Way, Sacramento, CA 95821 — (916) 961‑2163
- COLORADO — Denver Aero Ballet, Nat Lancaster, 4100 South Federal Boulevard, Englewood, CO 80110 — (303) 781‑3759
- COLORADO — High Country R/C Barnstormers, Jack Cole, 2007 Warwick Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 — (303) 596‑1187
- CONNECTICUT — R/C Pro‑Pilots Assn., James Parker, 17 West Main Street, Niantic, CT 06357‑2139 — (203) 449‑3471
- FLORIDA — Florida AST, Art Johnson, 932 Avenel Drive, Delray Beach, FL 33444 — (305) 278‑9625
- FLORIDA — Sun Bird AST, John Hudson, 7402 Kingston Drive, Tampa, FL 33619 — (813) 626‑0079
- ILLINOIS — Chicagoland Circle Cutters, John Korbus, 412 North Gerard, Villa Park, IL 60181 — (312) 530‑2606
- IOWA — Black Hawks, David Ramsey, 2635 Gloria Drive, Waterloo, IA 50701 — (319) 232‑2369
- KANSAS — Rapids Skyhawks, John Walter, 1410 30th Street North, Wichita, KS 67204 — (316) 262‑8486
- KENTUCKY — Sky Hawks, B. A. DeBoer, 414 South Lynn Drive, Le Mars, IA 51031 — (712) 546‑4609
- KANSAS — Air Capital Eagles, Jerry Hatfield, 226 Marion Court, Haysville, KS 67060 — (316) 942‑0181
- MARYLAND — District of Columbia AST, Jack Ames, 3302 Randolph Road, Wheaton, MD 20902 — (301) 942‑8435
- MARYLAND — Skycandles, William Dwyer, 3267 Florenco Road, Bowie, MD 20797 — (301) 854‑6423
- MICHIGAN — Aero‑Bats of Michigan, Frank Puleo, 8689 Jet Bee Northeast, Rockford, MI 49341 — (616) 874‑8206
- MINNESOTA — Blue Eagles R/C Flying Team, William Altenhofen, 6304 Dupont Avenue South, Richfield, MN 55423 — (612) 866‑5493
- NEW YORK — The Magnificent Men and Their Flying R/Cs, Charles Wilson, 2 Cowance Street, Cortland, NY 13045 — (607) 753‑2716
- OHIO — Buckeye Aero Squadron, William Collins, 1348 Central Park Avenue, Kettering, OH 45409 — (513) 298‑1843
- OHIO — Hurricanes of Cincinnati, Decker Doggett, 997 Walnut Court, Mason, OH 45040 — (513) 398‑9357
- PENNSYLVANIA — Alpha Aero Squadron, Donald Smith, 206 Armandt Court, Downingtown, PA 19335 — (610) 269‑1233
- PENNSYLVANIA — Dutchmen Aeromodelers, Al Schaeffer, 1706 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading, PA 19602 — (215) 372‑5846
- VIRGINIA — Virginia Air Show Squadron, Dick Roe, 1041 Springlake Terrace, Fairfax, VA 22030 — (703) 273‑2370
- WASHINGTON — Barnstormers Flying Circus, Race Dixon, 2800 Bruce Nelson, 801 S. Eastwick, Tacoma, WA 98402 — (509) 472‑8397
- WASHINGTON — Northwest R/C Flight Team, Lloyd Harroun, 621 South Prospect Street, Tacoma, WA 98409 — (509) 472‑8397
---
Member Programs — Insurance and Financial Services
As AMA's membership grows (now about 120,000), opportunities arise to offer members services not available to smaller groups. AMA has arranged optional programs such as special homeowners' insurance and a credit card/personal loan service with Colonial National Bank of Delaware. These programs have been approved by the AMA Executive Council and are official AMA offerings.
Important points:
- AMA does not sell membership lists; these programs are provided through arrangements approved by AMA.
- Mailings about the programs are sent to adult members so they may be informed; participation is optional.
- Hundreds of members participate: by the end of May several hundred had used the personal loan program (just over $3 million), and the credit card program totals were just under $3 million — over $6 million combined.
- AMA receives income from these programs, but they cost AMA no money and require minimal HQ staff time for monitoring.
- If you want another look at these offerings, contact AMA HQ or the Colonial bank toll‑free at 1‑800‑523‑1888.
---
Cloud Nine — Museum Patron Program
Cloud Nine is a quarterly newsletter available to Museum Patrons (send $10 to AMA to join). It collects letters and memories from modeling pioneers and is highly regarded by subscribers. Benefits of joining:
- Four issues of Cloud Nine per year.
- Museum Patron pin, patch, card, and membership recognition.
- Access to a small but growing community of members who appreciate model aviation history.
To subscribe, send $10 to AMA and request Museum Patron status.
---
Safety
Reports have been received of unsafe practice: flying over populated areas. This violates the safety code and common sense, and has resulted in crashes. Such behavior risks losing flying sites. Follow good practices and fly safely.
---
Recognition
Hewitt Phillips (member of the Brainbusters, Hampton, VA) has been selected for induction into the AMA Hall of Fame. Hewitt's modeling career dates to the 1920s. He earned an M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from MIT (1940), worked at NACA/NASA until retirement in 1979, and remains active in modeling and NFFS publications. Congratulations, Hewitt.
---
Passing from the Scene
Dick Crowley, who joined the Executive Council in January as vice‑president for District II, has passed away. Dick had been active on the Nats Committee and was well known in the soaring community. He will be missed.
---
Events & Regional Notes (Pacific Northwest examples)
- Northwest F1 Champs: September 26–27 (contact Roger Pierce).
- HAWKS F‑500 race: October 4; HAWKS SWAP Meet: October 3.
- Old‑Timers' Fun Fly (age 50+): Pfeiffer Field near Puyallup, hosted by Mount Rainier Radio Control Society — September 12.
- Four‑Stroke Fun‑Fly: Marymoor Park — same day as Old‑Timers.
- Portland Sky Knights’ Seaplane Meet: Vancouver Lake — September 13.
- VGMC Internats (control liners): Richmond Field — date TBA.
- SRAC All‑Electric Fly‑In: September 19 at SRAC field near Snohomish.
- SEEMF (electro‑flight group) meeting: third Wednesday of each month at Genesee Playfield (Seattle).
- Barnstormers Fun‑Fly: Hubbard, OR — September 20.
- Red Apple Flyers / Chelan R.A.F. Fun‑Fly: Chelan, WA — September 27.
- RCFCBC Fun‑Fly: Fry’s Corner, BC — September 26–27.
- Big Bird Fly‑In (RCBCF): Boundary Bay, BC — October 4.
- Corn Feed and NW Flight Demo Team: September 27.
Note: For specific contacts, local AVPs, and additional meet details, contact regional organizers.
---
RC Fliers / Youth Involvement
Younger modelers are showing great enthusiasm. Example: A. J. Sahlolm (age ten) is progressing well in racing with his father Earl. Efforts to recruit and support youth participants remain important.
---
Model Notes
- Jim Miller’s Pacific Ace (scaled up, Saito .45) has an 82‑inch wingspan — notable local project.
- More pictures and reports will appear next month.
Happy flying!
---
AMA Guidelines: Narrow‑Band Operation — 72–75 MHz Radio Control Frequencies
Fred Marks
In the previous article we covered background, basis, and guidelines for transmitters and receivers and additional requirements. Part B supplements the foregoing with detailed coverage of operational details and equipment testing.
Part B Elements — Receiver Susceptibility
- Radio‑frequency interference (RFI). This is caused by RF energy of sufficient level at a frequency the receiver will pass, primarily the receiver's tuned frequency. No realistic full protection...
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
