AMA News
Synopsis — Executive Council Meeting, January 8, 1988
The Executive Council met in Pasadena, CA. A copy of the official minutes may be obtained from AMA Headquarters (available approximately May 15). The minutes are not official until reviewed for suggested changes or additions at the next Council meeting scheduled for April 30.
Attendance
- Don Lowe — President (Altamonte Springs, FL)
- Dave Brown — Executive Vice‑President (Hamilton, OH)
- John Worth — Executive Director (Fairfax, VA)
- Don Krafft — District I Vice‑President (Duxbury, MA)
- John Byrne — VP‑II (Bayside, NY)
- Bob Brown — VP‑III (Bradford, PA)
- Ard 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)
- Travis McGinnis — VP‑IX (Arvada, CO)
- David Peltz — VP‑X (Chatsworth, CA)
- Ed McCollough — VP‑XI (Portland, OR)
- Ev Langworthy — NAA Executive Vice‑President
Also present: former AMA EVP Jim McNeill (Birmingham, AL).
Present from Academy executive staff: Geoff Styles (PR Director); Vince Mankowski (Nats General Manager); Carl Maroney (Special Services Director); Doug Pratt (Special Projects Director); Micheline Madison (Competitions Department Director).
Guests included Lillian Worth; Dave Buck; Jeffrey Wolf; Jeffrey Hansen; Michael Myers; Nick Verna; Johnsen (Camarillo Flying Circus); Vic Garner (CLCB Chairman); Bev Wisniewski (Nats Management Committee); Cal Ettel (District VI AVP); Jim Scarborough (District X AVP); Darwin Barrie and Bob Reynolds (AVPs, District X).
The meeting was called to order at 9:05 a.m., chaired by the President.
I. Approval of Minutes
- The October 24–25 Council meeting minutes were approved unanimously as amended by written Council input.
II. Executive Vice‑President’s Report (Dave Brown)
- Financial reporting improvements:
- A first‑quarter balance sheet will be available for review at the April planning meeting.
- A new cost‑flow based reporting method is being developed.
- Ed McCollough was recommended and approved (no objection) for appointment to the Finance Committee.
- A proposed standing rule to hold Executive Council meetings at AMA HQ in Reston, VA, unless two‑thirds of the Council voted otherwise (except for the Nats meeting) failed (8 against, 3 for).
- A motion to add $1,200 to the 1988 capital equipment budget to purchase software for the Competitions and other HQ departments was approved unanimously.
III. Old Business
A. Executive Director’s Travel
- As required by his contract, John Worth submitted a list of scheduled trips for 1988; the list was approved without objection.
B. Noise Survey
- The draft of a proposed noise/site survey was discussed (development of a database to track noise and site problems was approved elsewhere in Council actions).
Insurance discussion (summary):
- The Council examined AMA’s insurance program and considered options to balance protection and cost. Several motions were voted on:
- A motion to purchase excess (umbrella) coverage of $5 million over AMA’s $2 million policy at a cost not to exceed $113,000 failed (4 for; 10 against).
- A revised motion to purchase excess (umbrella) liability coverage of $5 million over AMA’s $1 million policy, not to exceed a $150,000 premium, was approved (11 for; 3 against).
- A motion to authorize a $10,000 budget for the Insurance Committee (for an insurance analysis study and travel) passed (8 for; 6 against).
- The Council noted the need to examine insurance coverage levels and costs in light of current liability climate.
Safety Committee:
- The President requested a top‑to‑bottom review of the Safety Code with a new paper to be delivered by the June meeting.
- The existing Safety Committee was discharged and reconstituted with these members: Lee Webster (Chair), Bob Brown, Jim Sears, Bob Unterweger.
IV. National Newsletter Distribution
- It was agreed that the AMA National Newsletter shall be sent to all clubs and special interest groups in addition to club newsletter editors. Jim McNeill will continue as editor of the National Newsletter.
V. PR Department Reports
- The Council directed the PR Department to produce monthly summary reports of activities (trips, progress, problems, etc.).
VI. Reduced Rates for Special Free Flight Events
- A constituent proposal calling for reduced‑rate AMA membership for rubber‑powered Free Flight Scale‑type contests did not receive a second; discussion was terminated.
VII. National Aviation Youth Foundation
- A motion to allocate $6,000 to study establishing a program to coordinate full‑scale and model aviation youth programs was approved (13 for; 1 against).
VIII. Joint Executive Council / Contest Board Meeting
- A unanimous motion approved scheduling a joint Executive Council and Contest Board chairmen meeting during the 1988 Nats.
Note to newsletter editors:
- Ensure your club name and editor’s name/address are included so copies of the National Newsletter can be sent.
IX. Travel Agency
- Due to some complaints, AMA’s travel agent was instructed to deliver tickets and travel information earlier than previously done, or risk losing AMA business.
X. AAAA Contests
- Two sanction requests for 4A status were reviewed:
- The SAM Champs petition was not acted upon because it contained entry restrictions (prohibited).
- The U.S. Free Flight Champs were granted 4A status permanently (no annual approval required).
XI. Additional Associate Vice‑President
- The vice‑president of District 7 petitioned for an additional associate vice‑president to cover the northern area of the district. The motion to honor the petition passed unanimously.
XII. Committee Reports
A. Frequency (Pete Waters)
- Fred Marks (Frequency Committee chair) will consult with AMA counsel about petitioning the FCC to tighten transmitter specifications for narrow‑band operation.
- Notes:
- Only channel‑numbered frequencies are now in effect.
- New equipment will be designed to meet 1991 specifications for phased‑in narrow‑band operation.
- Some older frequencies remain legal in Canada.
- Headquarters was instructed to develop a weatherproof poster listing all legal frequencies for model aircraft, cars, and boats, to be mailed to clubs for posting at flying fields.
B. Finance
- The EVP reported the budget is technically in the red based on recent Council decisions; the situation is expected to be temporary, and the Council was urged to be mindful of further budget increases.
C. Nats (Ard Crispin)
- A spring Free Flight contest will be held on the 1988 Free Flight Nats site and some site improvements will be undertaken then.
D. Films
- NFL Films has sold out its marketing group, affecting aspects of AMA’s new videotape distribution; the Council will revisit AMA’s future video/film efforts at the next meeting.
E. Marketing
- David Peltz reported that Lee Webster has written a committee charter; it will be included in the minutes at the next meeting.
F. Executive Director Search (John Byrne)
- A Comprehensive Criteria Survey form was distributed; Council members were asked to study it and submit additions or changes to committee members.
XIII. Awards
- All motions for awards were moved, seconded, and carried unanimously; publicity will follow presentations.
- The President presented Jim McNeill with AMA’s Meritorious Service plaque for many years of service on the Executive Council. Jim McNeill presented the original Diamond Zipper model (acquired from the Carl Goldberg family) to the AMA Museum. Dave Brown was also presented with a Meritorious Service plaque for his former service as District 3 VP.
XIV. Next Meeting
- The next Executive Council meeting will be held at AMA HQ in Reston: all day April 30, followed by a half day on May 1. The meeting will be devoted to strategic planning, organizational structure review, bylaws review, and related long‑range subjects.
- The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
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AMA HQ SERVICES STAFF
- Executive Director: John Worth
- Executive Coordinator: Joyce Hager
- Administrative Services Director: Robert Vojislavek
- Technical Director: Bob Underwood
- Comptroller: Lynne Collins
- Special Services Director: Carl Maroney
- Membership Director: Mike Woodfolk
- Public Relations Director: Geoff Styles
- Special Projects Director: Doug Pratt
- Publications Director: Carl R. Wheeley
- Nats General Manager: Vince Mankowski
- Museum Curator: Hurst Bowles
- General Counsel: Jeremiah Courtney
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Carl Beth Goldberg Vital People Award
- Recipient: Hugh W. Wagner (North County Clouds Sailplane Club, San Diego)
- Presented by: Dave Peltz, AMA District 10 VP, at the Southern California Soaring Clubs’ monthly contest, Cal State University, Carson, November 29, 1987.
- Citation: Hugh began modeling on the East Coast in 1933 and later moved to the West Coast. Despite a disability, he was an active club leader, missing none of 90 club meetings. He provides exceptional liaison to AMA and has held nearly every club officer position — a true example of the Vital People Award.
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District Report — District III
Bob Brown, District III Vice‑President 1255 High Street, Bradford, PA 16701
Associate Vice Presidents:
- Nelson Gould — 1944 S. Idle St., Allentown, PA 18103
- Jay Mealy — 2046 Winter St., Clearfield, PA 16830
- Gil Weiss — 3004 Havelock Ct., Bensalem, PA 19020
Frequency Coordinator:
- James Breed — 5520 Foxrun Ct., Cincinnati, OH 45239
Phone: (513) 542‑5402
Report highlights:
- A hectic start to the term: election notice, family bereavement, and attendance at the Executive Council meeting in Pasadena.
- An AMA instructor license is being developed to provide structured, safe instruction for new fliers; details will be announced once Headquarters finalizes the program.
- Loss of established flying sites remains a primary issue. The Council voted to provide additional funding and assistance avenues. The PR Department (Geoff Styles and Jeff Troy) can help clubs develop plans to maintain or create flying sites.
- A field/site and noise database will be established; clubs will receive questionnaires — please complete and return them accurately.
- Insurance costs are a concern. The Council is discussing possible changes to basic coverage to manage costs; site‑owner coverage will not be reduced.
- AMA and FAI rule books will be distributed only to members who request them to economize. If members do not need a copy, inform Headquarters.
- Contest Board and Team Selection Committees for District III will remain unchanged for now. AVPs will have increased responsibility and will receive pertinent correspondence from Headquarters.
- Jay Mealy (Clearfield, PA) is the new AVP for central Pennsylvania.
- An informal District III meeting is planned at the Toledo Show (listen for announcements on Saturday, April 9). All are encouraged to attend or introduce themselves to the VP on the show floor.
- The Flying Hillbillies RC Club (Charlestown, WV) publishes a noteworthy newsletter, The Hillbilly Hotline, and hosts events such as Q‑25 Pylon Racing.
Safety reminder:
- As the flying season approaches, everyone is urged to pursue SAFE flying practices. The Council is reviewing the safety code — input is welcome.
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President’s Corner (selected notes)
- Insurance and flying‑site protection are major Council concerns. The Council is examining all aspects of insurance to strike a balance between adequate protection and reasonable cost.
- 1988 is a busy year for AMA events:
- Indoor World Championships — May (Johnson City, TN)
- AMA National Fun‑Fly — June 24–26 (Reno, NV)
- National Model Airplane Championships — July (Tidewater, VA)
- Electro Power World Championships — August (East St. Louis, MO)
- Planning for 1989 includes a combined RC world championships (AerOlympics II), probably in September in Chesapeake, VA, for Aerobatics, Pylon Racing, and Helicopters; a separate RC world championships for Soaring may be held at a different time and place. Efforts are also underway to propose a west‑coast site package for the 1989 Nats.
- National Fun‑Fly details (Reno, June 24–26):
- Theme: informal, no rule‑book events — fly what you bring with minimal regimentation for safety (crowd control, radio impound, etc.).
- Venues: Reno RC Club field for RC events; a new Free Flight site north of Stead airfield for Free Flight; Stead field aircraft parking ramp for Control Line.
- Nighttime activities include a trade show, seminars, meetings at the Reno Convention Center.
- The event is aimed at the Sunday sport flyer and family participation; instructors will be available to help new fliers.
Please plan to attend and support these events.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
