Vital People Awards — 1987
Geoffrey Styles Director of Public Relations
Four years ago Beth and Carl Goldberg established a trust to provide funds used to honor some of the unsung heroes who have made special contributions to the sport of model aviation. Each year six people are selected from those nominated by AMA members. Any AMA member can nominate a person whose achievements have qualified that individual for the unsung-hero label. It might be a club member who always volunteers and gets the task completed; a flier who always helps beginners and barely finds time to fly; or a hard-working, persevering person who has quietly made solid efforts over the years for the benefit of others.
Nomination forms are available from Joyce Hager at AMA's National Center in Reston. Your candidate must have been an AMA member for at least four years and be living. Members who have received national recognition (AMA officers and employees, manufacturers or principals, magazine columnists, and similar people) are not eligible; this award is for the relatively unknown person who has worked behind the scenes in a valuable and helpful manner. The Academy administers the program on behalf of Beth and Carl Goldberg. The award carries a handsome plaque and a $250 check funded by the Goldberg Foundation.
The six recipients for 1987 are:
- Joe Beshar — Oradell, NJ
Joe has supported model aviation for more than 50 years. In 1940 he set an official world record in Class A Gas Free Flight. As a club officer, procurer of flying sites, teacher and Contest Director, he has helped countless people. He is currently directing a drive to reduce the AMA National Center mortgage, has served on FAI committees, and has written and published dozens of articles in a wide variety of hobby publications.
- Tom Kozell — Paoli, PA
Tom is a dedicated modeler: designer, builder, flier and flight instructor. He edited the Valley Forge Signal Seekers newsletter for five years and was named to the National Newsletter Honor Society. He was winch master at the 1985 Nats, chief winch master at the 1986 Lincoln Nats, acted as assistant Contest Director for the 1986 Scale Masters, and was Contest Director for the 1987 Scale Masters held at Valley Forge. An active worker, strong supporter and irrepressible conversationalist, Tom has earned recognition as an unsung hero.
- Milton McGuffin — Houlton, ME
Milton has been club president since 1979 and has promoted many good things for Maine modelers: a new club field, programs for kids, "Hands Across the Border" welcoming Canadian modelers, talks to nursing-home residents, demonstrations and presentations to service clubs, air shows, fun-fly events and public club barbecues. He has produced the club newsletter for six years, designed the club logo, and has given hundreds of hours to benefit the sport and his fellow hobbyists.
- Pancho Morris — Dallas, TX
Pancho is both a dedicated soarer and a dedicated helper. He has been involved in many phases of modeling (cars, boats, kites, sailplanes, gas and electric power). In 1987 he served as president of both the Eastfield Boomers and the Southwest Soaring League, providing guidance and leadership to the soaring community. He edits the SSL newsletter and has served as Contest Director, teacher, builder, flier, helper and organizer.
- Walter C. Throne — Syracuse, NY
Walt runs a hobby shop and his dedication to aeromodeling is known throughout New York and nationally. For more than 30 years he has been an active modeler and has served his club as president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary. He has organized and run hundreds of contests, is a charter member of the Central New York Model Aircraft Association (CNYMAC), helped establish its midwinter festival and symposium, and helped develop CNYMAC's scholarship program. Walt gives demonstrations to youth groups, often performs at fun-fly events (sometimes televised), and has served as an AMA associate vice-president in District 2.
- Hugh (last name not provided) — club stalwart
Hugh is a dedicated modeler who has not missed a meeting since he cofounded his club. He provides a winch to soaring pilots, instruction to newcomers, and a frequency-control system for field control. Trophies, awards, ceremonies and contest notices are among the chores Hugh routinely handles. He is a tremendous club asset and typifies the kind of person Beth and Carl Goldberg had in mind when they created their special fund.
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Executive VP's Report
Dave Brown AMA Executive VP 4560 Laughlin Rd. Hamilton, OH 45013
The buck stops here: I won the election for EVP! I was surprised by the outcome — not so much that I won, but that I won in nearly every district. I want to thank my predecessor Jim McNeill for his years of service as district VP and EVP. I hope to justify your confidence; I'll give it my best. Voter turnout was again very low (around 14%), which was disappointing. Thanks to everyone who voted.
The EVP position is primarily AMA's financial officer, although it carries other responsibilities. I’ll use this column to give you a better idea of how AMA spends your money and to clear up some misconceptions about the Executive Council (Board of Directors).
- With the exception of Executive Director John Worth (a full-time AMA employee), no member of the Executive Council draws any salary. This includes the president, the EVP and all district VPs. The NAA representative is an employee of the NAA and draws no salary from AMA.
- There is no requirement for elected Council members to live in the Washington, DC area; they perform duties from their homes. District VPs must live in the district they represent.
- Elected members may receive expense allowances. Most district VPs are allowed up to $3,000 per year for travel and telephone, plus $1,000 that can be used to pay some AVP expenses. A couple of districts receive a bit more due to geography or population density. The EVP is allowed up to $3,000 for travel and has unlimited telephone use, and is authorized expenses for quarterly trips to Reston to review AMA financial and corporate affairs. The President is allowed up to $12,000 for travel and unlimited telephone use.
- These are reimbursement allowances: the officer pays out of pocket and seeks reimbursement; most phone expenses are billed directly to AMA by AT&T.
- For quarterly Executive Council meetings, each member is provided transportation, motel room and a per diem (meals) of $25 per day. Car mileage is reimbursed at 22¢ per mile.
A significant amount is allocated for Executive Council expenses, but it's reimbursement-only. No one is profiting from what AMA pays out. I am comfortable with this method; it is efficient and reasonable.
AMA dodged a bullet recently when our Self-Funded Insurance program was tested in a Florida case where a member was sued for a six-figure sum after an RC helicopter accident. Our insurance provided legal defense; the insurers found for $20,000 in damages which was covered by the AMA program. We learned a few things and may see changes to our insurance plan as a result.
My next trips: three days in Reston for an insurance meeting, then three weeks until the Executive Council meeting in California.
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AMA News
Setting the Record Straight
In the December 1987 issue of Model Aviation (page 111) the story about Hewitt Phillips being inducted into the Hall of Fame had an error. It said Hewitt had won the Stout Indoor trophy at the 1937 National Model Airplane Championships. He did win the trophy, but in 1938. The 1937 winner was Wally Simmers (a Hall of Famer inducted in 1982), noted for outdoor free-flight performances and famous rubber-powered models like the Gollywock and Jabberwock. The Stout trophy is on display in the AMA museum at Reston, VA; its winners form a Who's Who of modeling history.
Welcome Aboard — Bud Roane
We welcome Robert C. ("Bud") Roane as our associate vice-president in central and southern New Jersey. He resides at 39 Monroe St., Keyport, NJ 07735.
Club Notes and Local Events
- West Windsor Flying Club (NJ) — photos and coverage of their Turkey-Fly on October 18, 1987.
- Radio Control Society of Marine Park (Brooklyn) — long-time club flying in Marine Park (AMA Charter No. 466). Contact Hal Bock at 1065 East 3rd St., Brooklyn, NY 11230; phone (718) 752-2554. Kudos to their newsletter editor and corresponding secretary, Carlo Francavilla.
- Mercer County Radio Control Association — noted for innovation; newsletter Propwash (editor Jack Dempsey) reported a club vote to adopt a modified George Myers Frequency Segregation plan for 1988.
- Mall shows and regional events — Aeroguidance Society of Endicott mall show (Jan 23–24, Oakdale Mall) and Radio Control Aircrafters of Western New York 23rd Annual Auction and Model Show (Mar 20, 1988, Haggerty Manor). Contacts: Dick Fish (Endicott) at (607) 642-3378; Chester F. Booz, Jr. (Cheektowaga) at 18 Ridgewood Drive, Orchard Park, NY 14127.
AMA Outreach and Media
Geoff Styles provided a tape titled "AMA: Working for You" intended for AMA offices to use at club and trade-show meetings. The tape is VHS and available for loan; contact your district office for details. Several District 8 clubs have used the AMA display extensively — example, Fort Worth Planesmen at the Carswell AFB Open House.
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District I Report
Don Krafft District I Vice-President P.O. Box 1828 Duxbury, MA 02331 (617) 934-6248
Associate Vice Presidents:
- Abe Bratko — P.O. Box 4864, Middletown, RI 02840
- Bill Chandler — P.O. Box 441, Orono, ME 04472
- Drew Davenport — 37 Ash St., Townsend, MA 01469
- Don Lough — 80 Main St., Essex Jct., VT 05452
- Richard Sherman — 218 High St., Plymouth, NH 03264
- Bob Wallace — 91 Sylvan St., Avon, CT 06001
Frequency Coordinator:
- George Wilson — 82 Frazier Way, Marstons Mills, MA 02648
Bob Wallace, AVP for Connecticut, contributed material on NEPRO and the Central Connecticut Club.
Central Connecticut Radio Control Club
- Founded in 1947 (originally the New Britain Model Airplane Club), membership has grown from early limits of 26 up to present levels (about 76 regular members and 48 applicant members).
- Applicants must demonstrate RC flight proficiency before being voted in as regular members. Applicant members have most club privileges except voting rights and field use when no regular member is present.
- A current AMA license is required. Flight instruction is available for both Mode 1 and Mode 2.
- Meetings: third Wednesday of each month at Plainville Town Hall council chambers.
- Flying field: Meadow Road, Farmington, CT — grass runway and taxiways.
- The club conducts a full season of activities and competitions and hosts the Connecticut Pylon Racing Championships each June.
- Contacts: Bob Joselyn, 101 Claire St., Bristol, CT 06010; Malcolm Nichols, 69 Cedar Dr., Southington, CT 06489.
North East Pylon Racing Organization (NEPRO)
- Purpose: unite modelers interested in RC Pylon Racing and promote pylon racing in the Northeast.
- Promoted events: Quickie-500 and Formula One/FAI combined events.
- NEPRO Quickie-500 rules emphasize inexpensive, reliable K&B (.401) engines with mufflers and a stock 9x6 Master Airscrew. Two contestant categories: Expert and Standard (entry-level emphasis).
- Formula One/FAI combined event follows standard Formula One rules with allowance for FAI-type aircraft.
- NEPRO maintains all necessary equipment (pylons, protective enclosures, timing and communication gear, trailer) and provides it free to clubs or groups hosting a pylon contest. Experienced help and presentations on pylon racing are available.
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District III Report
Bob Brown District III Vice-President 1255 High Street Bradford, PA 16701
Voter apathy? Not in District III — members showed concern in the recent AMA election. Congratulations to Dave Brown on his election to EVP. Appreciation to those who voted for me; special thanks to my wife Carolyn and daughter Brigitte for campaign help.
To improve representation and communication in District III:
- My phone (814) 362-7702 is available for assistance.
- I am on-line with CompuServe (ID 73767,712). Doug Pratt (ModelNet systems operator at AMA HQ) can help with service needs.
- I plan to visit club meetings and activities; invite me and I will try to attend.
- Associate vice-presidents will have increased capacities; a greater portion of the district budget will fund this operation and place AVPs geographically close to members.
Criticism is valuable only when problems are identified and solutions suggested. Negative ideas alone are not progressive. The vice-president's column in Model Aviation is for you; send news and happenings (remember the three-month lead time for publication).
Noise is an issue worldwide. As an FAI subcommittee chairman, I am charged with producing a noise rule for the Pylon Racing class; similar requirements will apply to other internal-combustion competition classes. Some competitors may seek exemptions — that is not possible. The Academy is paying close attention to the FAI effort. In the future, should the competition board adopt similar procedures as directed by the Executive Council? Should a muffler be required to compete in an AMA‑sanctioned event?
District III events and notes:
- Salt Fork weekend — February 13–14: a weekend of relaxation and modeling camaraderie.
- Murrayville RC Society annual auction — Sunday, February 7.
- Butler Area Radio Flying Society static display — February 29 at Butler County Community College (includes swap shop and flea market).
- The Toledo Show — April 8–10: major hobby items on display, a great place to renew acquaintances.
- 1988 Nats at Virginia Beach — expected to be family-oriented with many side attractions.
Get those new planes under way — spring will be here before you know it.
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VI District Report
Jim Sears District VI Vice-President
Mail and photos this month included:
- Gary Frost's tip for quick engine changes at the flying site: use a cordless drill for bolts and nylon ties to hold tanks in place (useful for Combat fliers).
- Group shots from the Flying Cardinals of northern Kentucky showing their last fun-fly of the year (Pilot of the Year determined from four contests).
- Photos of the Kansas City area trip to the Nats (sponsored by the Kansas City Area Council of Aeromodellers) — many attended and had a lot of fun.
- Photos from a Johnson County RC Flyers fly-in showing a large, roomy field.
- KCACA activity photos, including Operation Handshake at Richards-Gebaur AFB.
- Photos from the 49th Jumbo Squadron fly-in (50 pilots, 65 models).
I had many photos to choose from this month; regrettably I couldn't show them all.
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Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
