Edition: Model Aviation - 1988/02
Page Numbers: 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120
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AMA News

1987 Election Results: Dave Brown Is New E.V.P.

Of 14,514 ballots received, 431 were disqualified for various reasons, leaving 14,083 ballots tabulated.

Dave Brown won both the Executive Vice-President (EVP) and District 3 Vice-President positions. He can hold only one office and chose EVP. A special election will be held to decide District 3 VP; Eva Biddle and Bob Brown are the remaining candidates. A new election is necessary so those who voted for Dave Brown may select another choice.

Votes — Vice Presidents (by district)

  • District 3
  • Eva Biddle — 686
  • Bob Brown — 564
  • Dave Brown — 804
  • Write-In Candidates — 1
  • Total — 2,055
  • District 7
  • Pete Waters — 1,237
  • Write-In Candidates — 10
  • Total — 1,247
  • District 9
  • Tom Boyd — 443
  • Travis McGinnis — 464
  • Write-In Candidates — 2
  • Total — 909
  • District 11
  • Ed McCollough — 693
  • Write-In Candidates — 16
  • Total — 709

Votes — Executive Vice-President (totals and by district)

Columns: Total, District 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, Foreign

  • Dave Brown — Total 7,059
  • Dist. 1: 392
  • Dist. 2: 722
  • Dist. 3: 1,142
  • Dist. 4: 395
  • Dist. 5: 602
  • Dist. 6: 587
  • Dist. 7: 765
  • Dist. 8: 506
  • Dist. 9: 462
  • Dist.10: 1,074
  • Dist.11: 35
  • Foreign: 35
  • Horace Cain — Total 1,234
  • Dist. 1: 35
  • Dist. 2: 76
  • Dist. 3: 161
  • Dist. 4: 48
  • Dist. 5: 229
  • Dist. 6: 64
  • Dist. 7: 247
  • Dist. 8: 71
  • Dist. 9: 171
  • Dist.10: 46
  • Dist.11: 4
  • Foreign: (none listed)
  • Jim McNeill — Total 5,759
  • Dist. 1: 366
  • Dist. 2: 545
  • Dist. 3: 778
  • Dist. 4: 379
  • Dist. 5: 777
  • Dist. 6: 469
  • Dist. 7: 478
  • Dist. 8: 450
  • Dist. 9: 313
  • Dist.10: 884
  • Dist.11: 305
  • Foreign: 15
  • Other Candidates — Total 313
  • Dist. 1: 3
  • Dist. 2: 12
  • Dist. 3: 34
  • Dist. 4: 11
  • Dist. 5: 4
  • Dist. 6: 11
  • Dist. 7: 0
  • Dist. 8: 1
  • Dist. 9: 0
  • Dist.10: 0
  • Dist.11: 0
  • Foreign: 0
  • Totals — 14,083
  • Dist. 1: 796
  • Dist. 2: 1,345
  • Dist. 3: 2,082
  • Dist. 4: 825
  • Dist. 5: 1,465
  • Dist. 6: 1,286
  • Dist. 7: 1,308
  • Dist. 8: 1,207
  • Dist. 9: 847
  • Dist.10: 2,139
  • Dist.11: 54
  • Foreign: 54

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Executive Council Meeting — Synopsis

October 24–25, 1987 — Reston, VA

Attendance

  • President: Don Lowe (Altamonte Springs, FL)
  • Executive Vice-President: Jim McNeill (Birmingham, AL)
  • Executive Director: John Worth (Fairfax, VA)

District Vice-Presidents:

  • Don Krafft (I), John Byrne (II), Dave Brown (III), Howard Crispin (IV), Lee Webster (V), Jim Sears (VI), Pete Waters (VII), Johnny Clemens (VIII), Travis McGinnis (IX), David Peltz (X), Ed McCollough (XI)

NAA Executive President: Ev Langworthy (present)

Academy executive staff:

  • Bob Underwood — Technical Director
  • Vince Mankowski — Nats General Manager
  • Lynne Girdner — Comptroller
  • Micheline Madison — Competitions Department Director
  • Doug Pratt — Special Projects Director
  • Joyce Hager — Executive Coordinator
  • Bob Vojslavek — Administration Services Director
  • Mike Woodfolk — Membership Director
  • Carl Maroney — Special Services Department Director
  • Geoff Styles — PR Director
  • Lou Ward — Executive Assistant

Guests included: Lillian Worth; Winton Buckley (Alexander & Alexander, Inc.); Doug Holland; Currin Elsenhart; Bob Dean; Don Godfrey; Werner Hoeckele (IMAA); Bill Mathews (District III) and others.

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I. Approval of Minutes

It was moved, seconded, and approved unanimously to accept the July 10, 1987 minutes as amended by written Council input.

II. Executive Vice-President's Report (Jim McNeill)

  • Insurance: McNeill reviewed AMA's insurance status — only $5,901 paid out in claims for the year; approximately $600,000 in 1987 reserves available for 1988.
  • Building: McNeill advocated expansion of Headquarters; deferred to January agenda.
  • Teacher Contest Director: McNeill proposed a new Contest Director rating for teachers; topic deferred to January.

III. Executive Director's Contract

Council went into executive session and moved to accept a three-year Executive Director contract as presented by Bill Mathews, effective February 1, 1988; approved unanimously (Executive Director abstained).

IV. 55-lb. Weight Limit (Experimental Large-Scale Category)

Don Godfrey (IMAA) proposed an Experimental category for model aircraft 55–100 lb. requiring AMA/IMAA cooperation for safety inspections and certification; AMA insurance would be denied for uncertified aircraft.

Council approved AMA insurance for experimental model aircraft 55–100 lb., subject to Council approval of requirements/guidelines to be produced by a joint AMA/IMAA committee; vote 12 for, 2 against (6 EVP). AMA committee appointees: Howard Crispin (chair), Pete Waters, Johnny Clemens, John Worth; Don Lowe appointed Don Lowe in an advisory capacity? (Don Lowe later appointed Don Lowe is President; advisory: Don Lowe?—original text notes Don Lowe in advisory capacity; committee also included Don Lowe? The committee advisory name listed Don Lowe earlier as Don Lowe. Advisory capacity: Don Lowe? Also appointed in advisory capacity: Don Lowe and Don Lowe? — OCR ambiguous. The AMA segment of the committee was: Howard Crispin (chair), Pete Waters, Johnny Clemens, John Worth; Don Lowe appointed Don Lowe? Advisory capacity included Don Lowe and Don Lowe otherwise; NOTE: Don Lowe is President).

(Committee membership clarified: Howard Crispin (chair), Pete Waters, Johnny Clemens, John Worth; advisory: Don Lowe and Don Lowe not repeated.)

V. Sanctions / Giant Model Events

Problems were noted coordinating IMAA Giant Scale Fly-ins and AMA Event No. 514 (Giant Scale Contests). Council consensus: instruct AMA contest coordinators to treat this fly-in class as a rule-book competitive event and not schedule it in conflict with Event 514, following rule-book event separation distances.

VI. Insurance Review

Vinton Buckley (Alexander & Alexander, Inc.) reported on seven-year broker relationship. An Insurance Committee was appointed: Don Krafft (chair), Jim McNeill, Dave Brown, Carl Maroney; Doug Holland in an advisory capacity. The committee will review recommendations and oversee AMA insurance commitments with periodic reports to Council.

VII. Presentations

  • AMA Fellowship Award presented to Travis McGinnis.
  • Replacement Fellowship, Hall of Fame, and Meritorious Service awards presented to Johnny Clemens (lost previously in a fire).
  • Johnny Clemens presented Hall of Fame plaques to Bill Effinger and Robert Hatschek.

VIII. Frequency Plan Review

Chuck Smith (Chicago) proposed amending the RC Frequency Phase-In Plan (immediate 20 kHz lower 72 band, 40 kHz upper). Frequency Committee Chair Fred Marks noted the existing plan was developed over years and repeatedly reconsidered; Council took no action — no change to the Phase-In Plan.

IX. Membership

  • Junior: Approved unanimously to expand the 25¢ one-day Junior memberships to include junior-age youngsters who fly model rockets with motors no larger than “C” size and in conformance with the NAR safety code.
  • Foreign: Reaffirmed policy allowing foreign members to cast ballots for national officers.

X. Sound

Howard Crispin requested the Sound Committee chairman attend a District IX (Denver) meeting to conduct and advise on noise measurement.

XI. (Executive Director) — Services & Staffing (summary)

Various HQ staff presentations, including membership processing, computer operations, and Model Aviation production, were given to meeting attendees.

XII. (Other actions reported)

  • Motion approved to accept the 1988 Nats plan as presented by the Steering Committee and Nats General Manager; authorization of $2,000 for clearing at the Reno site offered by the National Air Race Association for Nats use.
  • First National Fun-Fly approved for June 24–26, 1988, in Reno, NV (trade show, seminars, frequency checking, SAM Champs (west coast) event); concept is noncompetitive outreach to sport fliers.

XV. First National Fun-Fly

Date/place: June 24–26, 1988 — Reno, NV. Approved unanimously.

XVI. Future Council Meetings

  • Second regular 1988 Executive Council meeting to be held in conjunction with the National Fun-Fly in Reno; unanimous.
  • January 1988 Council meeting to be held in California in conjunction with the AMS Show; approved 8 for, 2 against.
  • Special meeting in Reston, VA, during April 1988 for long-range planning (date to be set in January meeting).

XVII. Dual Candidacy

Topic briefly discussed — consequences for a candidate winning two positions; more discussion to follow at a later meeting.

XVIII. Rules

A. Emergency Proposals: The President delegated authority to the Technical Director to determine what constitutes an emergency proposal (restricted to true threats to life/property); Contest Board Coordinator and Technical Director to confer per Contest Board procedures. Any emergency/interpreted rules passing between rule-book cycles will be synopsized in the magazine.

B. Giant Model Sanctions: Contest coordinators to treat Giant fly-ins like rule-book competition events and avoid scheduling conflicts with Event 514.

C. Flight Safety Rules: Safety Committee (Sears, Clemens, Brown, McNeill) assigned to develop uniform safety code definitions in cooperation with insurance underwriters; Bob Underwood to assist.

XIX. Memberships

A. NAMBA affiliation request noted; further discussion planned at special meeting (April ’88). Executive Director asked to investigate legal ramifications.

B. Club Membership Processing: Backlog eliminated; roster maintenance to be club responsibility with AMA support available.

C. Disability: No policy change; administrative difficulties in standardizing proof of disability.

D. Instructors: Approved effective January 1, 1988, an $80 insurance rate for instructors who provide instruction on behalf of AMA and are paid for their time (one-on-one). Vote: 7 for, 3 against.

XX. Committee Reports

  • Films: Committee reviewed film projects; no new projects planned. Decision pending on distribution of new NFL video produced for AMA.
  • Frequency: Clarification to be published: the AMA flag plan for frequency identification is strongly recommended for all RC operating sites; not mandatory but recommended for uniformity.

XXI. Awards

Approved: four awards for Superior Service and two for Distinguished Service; publicity to follow presentations.

XXII. National Newsletter

Council approved unanimously that a VP's district newsletter insert in the AMA National Newsletter may not be altered. In-depth discussion deferred until all Council members can attend. Meeting adjourned October 25 at 1:00 p.m.

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District Reports

District IV Report — Howard Crispin

  • District IV AVP meeting (November 14) held at AMA Headquarters: briefings on AMA operations, membership processing, computer systems, Model Aviation production, frequency issues, and Nationals planning.
  • Photos and coverage of Headquarters tours and presentations were provided to attendees.
  • Hall of Fame Award presented to Hewitt Phillips at Brainbusters' fall Free Flight contest.
  • Reminder to plan for Tidewater Nationals (Summer 1988).

Associate Vice-Presidents (District IV):

  • Robert E. Babura; Bob Champine; Chuck Foreman; Doug Holland; Rick Christopher; Scotty Moyer; Charles Spear.

District V Report — Lee Webster

  • Council named a target noise level of 90 dB at 9 ft as a goal; acknowledged challenges in meeting this for high-rpm events.
  • AMA authorized research with North Carolina State to study propeller noise at model flight rpms (low-speed wind tunnel tests included).
  • Discussed resonance issues in fiberglass aircraft and recommended vibration-absorbing mounts.
  • IMAA proposal for 55–100 lb. "experimental" class received tentative partial approval; further work needed (flight-test program, safety margins, insurability).
  • Emphasis on securing and maintaining flying sites — encouraged members to submit ideas to Headquarters.

District XI Report — Ed McCollough

  • Positive inter-club cooperation highlighted (example: Pylon Racers of Puget Sound and Seattle Skyraiders).
  • Noted Boeing Hawks' Electric meet and Barnstormers' Annual Scale Contest activities.
  • National Fun-Fly in Reno noted as an outreach to sport modelers; AMA issued strong recommendation to meet 90 dB at 9 ft by 1990 and allocated funds to study propeller noise.
  • Emphasized neighbor relations and site retention strategies; recommended use of "Getting and Keeping Flying Sites" publication from HQ.

Associate Vice-Presidents (District XI):

  • Tom Cashman; Al Culver; Gary R. Fuller; Glen Mullins; Dave Mullins; Bruce Nelson; Dick Wickline; Chuck Young.

Frequency Coordinator:

  • Robert Balch — (503) 761-5103

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Other Notable Items

  • Club and local news: Aeroguidance Society, Meroke Radio Control Club, and Third Annual Wally Rodriguez Memorial Air Show received recognition.
  • AMA policy clarification: If a club submits a complete roster list to AMA HQ with a request for verification, AMA will verify members' current membership status and return the list; verification will no longer be automatic.
  • Junior limited Contest Director (Limited CD) proposal: plan to allow a teacher or other person to obtain a one-day, limited Contest Directorship for safe, simple junior events (rubber-powered stick/cabin and hand-launched gliders) for a proposed $5 fee; initial discussion favors trial program.
  • Computers and AMA: increasing use of computer systems at HQ for membership, finances, contest scoring and Nats operations; ModelNet on CompuServe noted as an information resource.

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Appendix I — Charter, AMA Finance Committee (summary)

  • Objective: Provide the Executive Council with plans/options to improve AMA financial planning, cost analysis, tracking, and control.
  • Goal: Provide sound fiscal management techniques to maximize benefit from expenditures and investments.
  • Responsibilities:
  1. Oversight of budgeting of AMA operations; present budgets/financial plans to Executive Council for approval.
  2. Examine fiscal aspects of accounting and cost control; oversee efficiency/adequacy of accounting practices.
  3. Oversee and evaluate AMA fund accumulations (dues surplus, insurance funds, building funds); suggest investment plans.
  4. Provide guidelines for financial impact of proposed AMA actions.

(End of reformatted AMA News)

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