Major Changes to FAI Policies
Last month's AMA News included all of the results of the September 18th Executive Council meeting except the following, which was the major item on the agenda. This item, concerned with changes to FAI (International) activity policies, was too extensive to include last month so it is presented here, with more details than would have been possible previously.
The AMA Executive Council, following a review of previous policies regarding travel to World Championships, voted at the September 18 meeting to revise several items. Basic reason for the changes was the discontinuance of military travel, formerly provided by special arrangements with the National Aeronautic Association. The discontinuance was caused by ever-tightening military budgets, somewhat similar to the situation which caused the dropping of Navy airlift travel for Nats officials in 1972.
CONTINGENCY FUND DEFICITS.
Although this military travel development had been anticipated when the Council authorized the establishment of team travel contingency funds in 1975, the necessity for sending the 1976 teams across the ocean by commercial travel resulted in fund deficits for Scale, Control Line, and Indoor teams. AMA advanced a total of about $5,000 to make up for the difference between the amounts in the funds and the actual travel costs. In other words the funds for these teams totalled about $6,400 and actual travel costs were about $11,400.
TEAM TRAVEL SUPPORT.
The Council voted to pay for team travel from the nearest point of departure from the U.S. to the port of entry (customs inspection) closest to the World Championships site. Thus, instead of paying for team travel within the U.S. and overseas, with dependency on the team contingency funds to get teams across the ocean, AMA will now cover the over-ocean travel, but not the travel within the U.S. Therefore, it now will be the concern of the team program participants to take care of team travel from hometown to the port of embarkation and also between the contest site and the nearest city of the World Champs country where customs clearance is provided. AMA will also pay World Championships entry fees, which provide for food and lodging at the contest, as per previous policy.
INBOARD TRAVEL POLICY REVISED.
The new policies somewhat are a return to those prior to 1975 by making inboard (within the U.S.) travel a matter for team selection program funds to cover, and with AMA responsible for getting teams across the ocean. Contingency funds, however, will no longer be necessary unless particular programs choose to maintain these as a means to cover inboard travel costs and/or that portion of overseas travel in the World Championships country which AMA funds will not cover.
CONTINGENCY DEFICIT WRITTEN OFF.
The Council agreed to absorb the $5,000 deficit caused by sending three teams to Europe this year via commercial travel. Had this not been done, each of the team programs involved would have begun their next team selection process under a cloud of debt to AMA. The AMA action, therefore, enables those programs to start clean under the new policies and future contingency fund deficits will be avoided.
NEW BASIS FOR FAI BUDGET.
As part of the overall revamping of team travel policies, the Executive Council also authorized a new basis for overall FAI budgeting. Beginning in 1977, 50 cents from each paid Open members' dues will go toward paying the FAI franchise fee, which enables AMA to represent the U.S. in all FAI activities, and another 50 cents will be set aside to cover team travel and other costs involved in our FAI participation. The net effect of this budgeting will be to define more precisely, rather than the open-ended nature of previous budgeting, how much money will be available for FAI activities. Thus, an overall FAI fund will be created which will carry forward from year to year, with surpluses from one year available to offset deficits in another year and vice versa. Under previous budgeting, each year was com- plete in itself with deficits often absorbed as losses, with no attempt to make up for them.
JUDGES AND WORLD CHAMPIONS.
One other change in FAI support policies concerns travel costs for judges and World Champions. It was noted by the Council that up to one-half of actual travel costs for judges and World Champions (where applicable) would be paid by AMA if team program participants agreed to pay a like amount. Thus, the decision concerning sending of these people lies with the participants — if they agree that judges and/or World Champions should be sent to a World Championships and are willing to cover as much as half the travel costs, then AMA will cover an equal share.
THE NEW SHARING PHILOSOPHY.
In general, the new policies are intended to help teams more concerning the critical portions of travel without giving a free ride all the way — team programs will need to provide some help, too, if team member expenses are to be minimized. This principle of sharing responsibility and costs was noted by a number of Council members to be important to the justification of FAI programs. In other words, AMA has said that it is willing to take care of most costs but the participants themselves should make up the difference.
SUPPORT RELATED TO INTEREST.
The Executive Council also noted that the new FAI budget policy is consistent with the apparent degree of membership interest in FAI activities — about 10%. Although less than a thousand members directly participate in team selection programs, many more have indicated interest by purchasing FAI stamps and patches, and by making donations for team support.
INCREASED SUPPORT EXPECTED.
Within the budget limitations noted, the Council unanimously voted to support FAI competitors to the fullest extent possible. It is expected that despite a considerable increase in the FAI franchise fee in 1976 and 1977 the amount of support available for future teams will be increased. Air travel within Europe, for example, will be possible rather than rail travel as has frequently been required in the past, thus reducing the need for as much overnight lodging and feeding enroute as has often been the case — items of personal team member expense.
HQ SUPPORT LIMITED TO TEAMS.
However, it was also agreed by the Council that HQ processing of relatives, mechanics, and others who accompany teams should not be done except where the increased numbers may effect some travel savings or other team benefits. It was noted that travel arrangements for people accompanying team members typically exceeded that required for the team, causing excessive workload for the HQ staff and diluting the help available to team members.
COST OF HQ SUPPORT.
In the review of FAI activities it was observed that the HQ staff support was considerable, amounting to about 10% of several salaries, and about 10% of rent, supplies, telephone and postage. The dollar value of the HQ services usually is more than the money actually spent for FAI activities. Future budgets, however, will reflect only the income and expense items directly chargeable to FAI activities, rather than the intangibles of HQ support.
Presidents Corner '76
by the President of the ACADEMY of MODEL AERONAUTICS JOHNNY CLEMENS P.O. Box 64573, Dallas, Tx. 75206
AEROMODELING -- IN THE PUBLIC EYE !!
We are showing our "product", -- and OUR PRIDE: On October 16th from 10 AM to 4 PM some 300 of our most handsome model planes were on public display in beautiful weather in a two-city-block area in front of ROCKEFELLER CENTER in New York City. These models, representing the Cavalcade of Aviation, were furnished by members of three area associations of Clubs representing some 45 to 50 model clubs.
Credit for this outstanding public exposure of our "thing" primarily goes to the Public Relations Staff of Rockefeller Center. They worked with AMA's Special Events Director, Larry Polich, with AMA District II Vice President John Byrne, the Dist. II Associate Vice Presidents and the Officers of all of the area Association and Club groups.
And of course, each individual modeler who displayed his models deserves credit because if they hadn't shown up, well, just no show. Special recognition should be given to a couple of the finest people in all of model aviation, our cross-country flyers, Bob and Doris Rich. They smilingly answered the public's questions all day long. And my "spies" (an AMA G.I.A.?) reported to me that AMA Dist. II V.P. John Byrne did "gloss" the New York public with his glibly linguistic talents in explaining model aviation the entire day over the public address system. And after all that I'll bet John still had some words left that he hadn't even used!
To make the Rockefeller Center Model Aviation Day complete there were some actual flying demonstrations put on with control line models and with radio controlled helicopters on the Center's Ice Arena. (Pretty slick, eh?)
To add to the Rockefeller Center Model Aviation Day effectiveness, the story of it with pictures went out nation wide over the Associated Press Wire Service.
THANKS to everyone involved for adding to our pile of PRIDE!
DEFINITION -- A MODELING FANATIC --
A forecaster of doom was carrying a sign near our local model contest which read in large letters: "BEWARE, THE END OF THE WORLD IS NEAR!" One of our enthusiastic modelers glanced at the sign, and yelled over to the sign carrier, "HAVE I GOT TIME FOR A COUPLE MORE FLIGHTS?"
IN THE PUBLIC'S OTHER EYE ---
Looks like everyone in AMA has caught the spirit of proving to the public that airplane modeling is a handsome and beneficial thing to encourage in our communities. The list of "public exposures" events being put on all over the country by AMA groups is swelling every day. "SHOW TEAMS" are becoming THE thing for club projects. Public flying demonstrations and contest exhibitions to school, hospital and civic groups has been found to benefit not only those flown before but those doing the flying. Public service gestures like those sure helps "to open doors" and especially helps to obtain and hold flying sites.
Benefit performances to help raise funds for such worthy charities as Heart Fund and Muscular Dystrophy programs are fast becoming annual "things" for many of our clubs. AMA is even planning to coordinate a nation-wide effort along this line, to be announced as soon as solid planning can be done.
And of course there are the already-popular "shows" such as the Weak Signals in Toledo, the WRAMS in White Plains, EXPO in Chicago, the RAMS in Seattle, the MALL Show in Sioux Falls, the MASS Show in Cincinnati. Too, there are some big one-man shows planned, such as a big one to be known as the SOUTHWEST MODELERS SHOW right here in my ole home town, Dallas, January 15th and 16th.
Of course AMA wants to encourage those publicity efforts as much as possible. We can't be with you a lot of ways of helping but if you do have opportunities in planning such activities you might contact AMA Headquarters and see what they can do. LARRY POLICH, AMA Special Events Director would be the one to contact.
AMA has a beautiful booth which is used at the "NATS" and various other affairs, but it cannot be loaned on a general basis. We are, however, trying to develop several simpler booths and displays which in the future can be used at worthy gatherings around the country. It is proposed that we have several of these, stored at strategic spots across the country so that they can be sent to "Shows" and the like and be manned by our District V.P.s and Associate V.P.s. But first we must have a "plan" and then the funds, so please don't ask for them yet. Just wanted you to know "we ain't asleep!"
REAL GONE ADVICE ---
First build a trainer model. It will help bridge the gap between FUTILITY and UTILITY!!
MAKE GOOD ADVICE ---
It is best to never give advice before you are asked.
HEARD AT A MODEL CLUB MEETING ---
"DO I EVER SHOW YOU PICTURES OF MY MODEL AIRPLANES?" "NO, AND IT WAS VERY THOUGHTFUL OF YOU!"
ALCOHOL AND MODEL FLYING ---
Because of the modeler who goes into his local hobby shop and says to the clerk, "Give me a couple of fifths of model airplane fuel." A wise "old-timer" told me once that alcohol should never be used around model airplanes unless it has been thoroughly mixed with caster oil.
WEATHER FORECAST -- FOR MODELLERS
If weather reports were to include info for model airplane enthusiasts you might hear next reports, "For the expert glider tomorrow expect a 30% chance of overcast, and for the beginner about a 50% chance."
YOUR VERY OWN FCC LICENSE ----
It's very satisfying to see how many of our Chartered Clubs are joining AMA in "pushing" the idea of each member applying for his or her own individual FCC Radio License. This action is certain to impress the FCC with a more accurate picture of just how many dedicated radio control modelers (planes, cars, and boats) there really are.
It would impress you to see how many of AMA's Chartered Clubs have campaigns, usually promoted thru their newsletters, urging their members to hold individual licenses instead of the more convenient club license. Sure, it is a bit more trouble, and a bit more expensive ($4) but since the recent "frequency battle" we can all see the wisdom of the move.
My personal salute to all newsletter editors who have pushed that individual license idea. If you haven't done it yet --- DO IT!
Several of the newsletters even included a license application in the letter. Ed Sweeney even printed an FCC License Application right in a recent issue of his R/C Sportsman Magazine. Commendable.
I think that the recent "frequency happenings" have proven to us the correctness of an old saying, "UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL." We stood united, and won the first battle!
WE ALL KNOW ONE --- the kind of a person who never gets interested in anything until it is none of his business.
I'VE GOT ONE: Can you imagine having a typewriter that first misspells, and then types a bunch of "####" profanity!
A CLEVER LICENSE PLATE As in many states for an extra fee you can get a personalized auto license plate here in Texas. A few days ago I followed a car into the parking lot of my bank with a license plate whose six digits read "8 MAMAN". I thought what a timely reminder that wars in today's world. When I went up to the car and introduced myself I found I was talking to Bernice Human, and that her husband's name was Bill Human. I thought how fine it would be if we could all remember to follow the lead of Bill and Bernice and be "HUMAN."
THE LICENSE EXPERTS: Our AMA Executive Director, John North was the thirtieth president of AMA, and therefore holds AMA License #AMA-13. John is proud enough of that fact that his car license is (yes, you guessed it) "AMA-13."
And now that it is all in the past, while I was in Gaston Hospital three years ago, and not expected to ever leave the hospital alive, there was one of those famous "sneakers" who have AMA Headquarters! I received in the mail my 1974 AMA License with the legend "PAST PRESIDENT" at the bottom. Don't rush me, dentist!
BAD LUCK, YOU SAY --- The above story about my "PAST PRESIDENT" license you would probably say was just bad luck. Well let me tell you: my luck is always so bad that while I was telling someone about it, ... I BIT MY TONGUE!
HEALTH REPORT Mentioning that terrible hospital trip I took three years ago reminded me that my Doctor is such a picture of health that alongside of him his patients all look sick!
JUST REMEMBER SOME MORE BAD LUCK We had a cow once that just would not give milk; so we sold it!
THE IMPORTANCE OF SIGNS --- In AMA we know how to run contests; but all too often we leave out one very important ingredient of a truly great contest. SIGNS: We coax folks to come to our meet and then we don't tell 'em how to get there! We are so familiar with the route that it never dawns on us that there are others who need a "steering gear." It is very frustrating to be a stranger trying to guess where the fun is. At one of our major meets near Dallas I drove back and forth repeatedly past the turn-off point, and then when I mentioned it was asked, "Oh didn't you see the red rag tied on that post?"
Put yourself in the other guy's shoes, figure what you might need to know, and then make the signs BIG ENOUGH, SIMPLE ENOUGH, and INFORMATIVE ENOUGH that folks CAN'T MISS finding you!
Then, and only then, you can plan the rest of your meet. I suggest that you appoint one person with NO OTHER DUTIES but attention to the signs. It is wise also to check the signs occasionally during the meet to make sure they are still in place.
Special attention should also be given to providing along with your mailing pieces a good map. These suggestions are just common courtesies and are the first things you would look for if you were the guy hunting the contest.
And I remember one terrible sign right at the entrance gate to Wright-Patterson AFB at our NATS this year. The sign belonged to an Air Force, not us! They insisted it was O.K. but it was so badly faded that I am sure it must have had glaucoma, because I couldn't see it!
AT YOUR NEXT MEET --- SIGN UP: HEY, TODAY WAS A GREAT DAY!!! I MADE ANOTHER FRIEND!
MOST OF HISTORY'S GREATEST DEEDS have been performed by just two kinds of men, those smart enough to know that it could be done, and those too dumb to know that it couldn't.
AN ASTRONAUT --- BY ANSWERING AN AD: A short while back I was privileged to appear on the same stage at an awards ceremony with the crew of astronauts of the Skylab III world record flight. (86 days in space.) I was enjoying talking with astronaut Ed Gibson when I asked him how he got into the Space Program. He replied, "Johnny you won't believe this! I answered an ad."
I THINK I NEED ANATOMY LESSONS: An article in the newspaper the other day stated, "A WOMAN WAS SHOT IN THE FRAMES. THE BULLET IS IN HER LEG." I don't know where those places are, but I'll bet it hurts!
ARE YOU AWARE? WHEN YOU THROW A LITTLE MUD --- YOU PROBABLY LOSE A LITTLE GROUND!
THE FUN OF MODEL AIRPLANE: I have come to the conclusion that a great part of the real fun in modeling is going out to the flight line with a buddy and, when WATCHING HIS RISK PUTTING HIS AIRPLANE IN THE AIR!
A DISTRICT MEETING IN LANSING --- WE HOPE: One of the few areas of the country that has never hosted an AMA District Meeting is the Michigan area. I am told that District VII, Wayne, Macomb, Washtenaw and Ingham counties in Michigan, has started work to put on a District Meeting. The idea is being backed by prominent people in Michigan and it is hoped that the meeting will be set this spring. Remember, District Meetings are multi-purpose events. First it gives the membership a chance to meet in person AMA's top leaders. Then it affords the member a chance to ask those top leaders any questions that are puzzling and to clear away misunderstandings. The big benefit is the exchange of plans and thinking so that the individual member realizes that he actually does have a voice in AMA. It proves that AMA is OURS and not a vague "THEIRS." Too it brings the member into actual contact with his DISTRICT LEADERS, and these are the folks who must represent him in the voting and guiding of AMA.
With the District VII Meeting pending this will leave only District V (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, S. Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico) not having had a chance to meet with AMA's leaders. Hopefully one can be arranged in the near future.
DID JA EVER NOTICE --- All that that some people want out of life is a little unfair advantage!
FLYING SITE RESEARCH --- ENCOURAGING! A couple of issues back I mentioned an action that was pending in the Houston, Texas area to put 5,500 acres of land under the control of the U.S. Corps of Engineers to public use for recreational purposes. I attended a hearing in the Harris County Commissioners Court on October 25th that seemed to accomplish everything but the final signing of the lease agreement which will turn over authority of the land to Harris County (Houston). That action should take place November 4th.
Present plans are for 600 acres of the land (smack in the middle of the 5,500 acre tract) to be made into a FULL FACILITY model airport, supporting ALL PHASES of outdoor model plane activities. The other recreational activities to be in operation on the remainder of the land will include motor trail, picnic, boating, playgrounds, horse and archery sites, a balloonport, bicycle paths, and educational recreational facilities, and shooting ranges for the county's use by outdoorsmen. Harris County has been VERY REALISTICALLY AWARE of the need for facilities for all of these recreation interests which normally are "run out of town" but are very badly needed by huge numbers of people.
Harris County plans to place the responsibility for the direction and protection of the Model Port in the hands of the newly formed COUNTY OF CLUBS. There are about twelve AMA Clubs in the area and three areas desirous of seeking facilities and privileges for their communities might well consider forming these Council Groups in order that they show more numerical strength and road, and in order that a UNIFIED approach be made.
I must doff my cap to Harris County Commissioner Don Cockrell, the Commissioners' Court, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, private enterprise, the city civic minded Cullen Foundation, and to the people of Harris County for having put this handsome "package" together. This should certainly be an inspiration, assuring us that "IT CAN BE DONE."
FLYING SITE EFFORT IN MILWAUKEE: A similar floodplain area in the Milwaukee area is being sought for a MILWAUKEE COUNTY PUBLIC MODEL AVIATION PARK by a group of dedicated modelers who are making a beautiful dignified approach to the County for use of the land not generally practical for other purposes, but ideal for model aviation. I'll give you more information on this fine effort later.
***** that's all for now *****
FAI Policy Changes (cont. from pg. 56)
PR SUPPORT FOR FAI. The need for increased PR aid was brought out at the meeting, in order to use team and world record activity as a means of promoting model aviation and the AMA, and to promote more support by the membership as a whole. It was noted that this activity is like that of the Olympics and that it should be appreciated and supported by all modelers rather than just those who are directly involved. It is expected, therefore, that a larger part of AMA's future PR effort will be aimed toward that end.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE. Considerable debate at the September AMA Council meeting had to do with impending changes to the number and types of World Championships. Such FAI activity is expanding as new events are added to the schedule. But many countries are balking at simply having World Championships each year and there is much talk of putting a limit on the annual activity.
THREE-YEAR CYCLE. The most talked about proposal is one which would accommodate the new events by spreading all over a three-year cycle. This is universally opposed by fliers involved in the current events since it would involve having such World Championships every three years instead of every two.
Yet proposals to have more than three World Championships per year have run into opposition by the national organizations responsible for team selection and travel support, because of cost problems.
THE COST CONFLICT. Caught in the controversy are those who have to foot the bill this year, want to support the fliers' wishes but are reluctant to escalate the financial problems. It was generally agreed by AMA Council members that the U.S. position would probably be to oppose the FAI proposal to institute a schedule which would automatically space each World Championship over a three-year cycle, in favor of some more flexible approach which might permit some of the more popular events to be held more frequently while holding costs in check. The Council decision which emerged from the debate is to seek a solution which will avoid any drastic changes in the current schedule. The specific motion approved by the Council is as follows: AMA's delegate is counseled to vote against a drastic change from the two-year World Championships cycle; that AMA provide the necessary AMA HQ support for the World Championships category cycles as the CIAM may determine; that the AMA delegate make every possible lobbying effort at international levels to keep the two-year cycles for existing and new categories.
FAI TEAM SELECTION CONCEPT STANDARDIZED
At the April 30 AMA Executive Council meeting the concept approved last February for the Free Flight Team Selection Programs was also approved for Radio Control and Control Line. As a result, team selection committees will be formed for the RC and CL programs, using help from special interest organizations where applicable.
The concept uses committees to explore and recommend programs which are voted upon by program participants for acceptance. Participant voting includes approval of program budgets concerning use of funds derived from program entry fees and donations. The aim is to have those most interested—the people actually participating in team selection programs—control the nature of programs and the disposition of their own money.
With the help of special interest organizations to provide input concerning committee member representatives and committee operating procedures, the council has designated AMA HQ to monitor committee and program operations.
The following organizations have been invited to provide recommendations concerning district representatives and committee procedures: National Miniature Pylon Racing Association, for RC Pylon; National Soaring Society, for RC Soaring; National Society for RC Aerobatics, for RC Pattern; Miniature Aircraft Combat Association, for CL Combat; Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Assn., for CL Aerobatics; FAI CL Society, for CL Speed and Team Race.
The goal is to have all committees in being by the end of 1976, so that programs can be developed under the new concept as soon as possible. The basis for program approval is an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the program participants, so that any such program is approved by a large majority. In this way it is hoped that future programs may be less subject to criticism than many of those of the past in which it has been charged that the rank and file had little voice in program planning and operation.
Program participants are defined as those who paid entry fees in either or both of the last two programs, plus any who pay $5 toward the next program prior to any voting. In this way, the most recent participants, plus new ones, may take part in the voting process.
The only exception to the new concept is the Scale category. Until an appropriate organization is available to represent Scale interests, the combination of presidential and HQ concurrence on Scale team selection will prevail. The special nature of Scale has dictated that teams should be selected in a time and place that can get all judges. This concept has resulted in teams being selected at the National Championships, as the natural place where all Scale interests come together simultaneously.
Unfortunately, the number of contestants trying for Scale team selection has been very small; thus, not many have been available to help develop programs which might encourage greater participation. Yet, Scale interest in general is very large. A need exists, therefore, to represent this interest in a way to increase participation so that more can get involved in the decision-making.
THE MINI-NATS
Regional contests are not normally covered in Model Aviation—there are too many. But one deserves special attention because of its size and history. AMA Secretary-Treasurer Earl Witt reports here on what the 1976 Mini-Nats was like.
"Mini-Nats" is the best way to describe the recent Eastern States Championships held at Warminster Naval Air Facility, just north of Philadelphia. In fact, the first item that caught my attention when driving aboard the Naval Station was the large number of cars with the Ohio '76 Nationals bumper stickers.
Model builders who would prefer to be spectators of top flight competition or those who would compete as experts or beginners in their own ability classes are missing a great opportunity if they do not attend this annual affair.
The Eastern States Championships, sponsored by the Delaware Valley Federation of Model Airplane Clubs and the Delaware Valley Hobby Industry Association and hosted by the U.S. Navy, is one of the oldest annual model meets in the U.S. This year's meet was the 29th in the series, having started in 1948.
In this day of specialization, finding a contest with all categories of model competition, except Indoor, was a pleasant surprise. While still trying to orient myself from the parking area, with activities going on on all sides, I was greeted by Dave Wallick, one of the country's top competitors in Control Line Carrier, and found Bill Boss racking up trophy points in the same event and in Scale.
The Expert Class in the CL Precision Aerobatics events looked like the Nationals line-up with Bob Hunt topping the list, winning again, with Bill Simmons and Gene Schaffer taking the 2nd and 3rd spots. Keith Trostle and other top PAMPA fliers were also competing.
Radio Control was going strong a short distance beyond the Control Line Speed events. Flying from two sites, mixing 77 RC Pattern entrants and 22 Sport Scale fliers into the four flight lines and completing the competition in one day, 8 am to 4 pm, with eight judges, the RC event again looked like a Nationals repeat on a smaller scale with many of the same contestants.
One member of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Aeromodelers Radio Control Society which was sharing the event operation with the Bucks County Radio Control Club pointed out Henry Haffke with a Scale Wendell Williams Racer and stated that this made the event official. Apparently Henry, who had flown the same plane for a TV news report at the Northern Connecticut Sport Scale contest the previous day, was one of the regular contestants as far back as anyone could remember.
Just north of the RC site the demolition derby known as CL Combat was being held in the fallout area from the Free Flight events taking place on the opposite side of the field.
In place of the Delta Dart Program flown at the Nationals, the Eastern States Championships has a Sub-Junior event for those under 11 years old, flying hand-launched gliders.
This year's annual meet, held on the runways and well-maintained grass areas between the runways of Warminster Naval Air Facility, drew 320 contestants with over 600 event entries competing in 26 different events. Most events had all three age groups or three proficiency levels.
This one day contest even wound up with an Officials Buffet Supper after the trophy presentation, similar to the one held at the '76 Nationals in Dayton, Ohio.
The Delaware Valley Federation of Model Airplane Clubs, which I am told is made up of three RC and four multi-interest clubs, along with the Delaware Valley Hobby Industry Association, Bob Leishman, Contest Director, and his many assistants are to be commended on an outstanding "Mini-Nationals."
Ama News
money paid by AMA to support FAI programs. It should also help to stabilize programs by making them less subject to change by a relatively few people, except where changes have the support of a majority of those directly involved.
The specifics of how the team selection process will work under the new concept are contained in the following document.
FAI PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND LINE OF AUTHORITY
- The president of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, as provided in the by-laws, is the individual officer with final authority for international competition determination.
- Committees for FAI team selection programs will report (be responsible) directly to the president.
- It will be the basic responsibility of each committee to deliver a program format acceptable to the president and to a two-thirds majority of qualified program participants responding to a vote of acceptance of the program format. The approved program format is due 30 days before the date of commencement of a new program.
- The committees will be comprised of one member from each of 11 AMA districts, where possible, each member to be acceptable to the AMA vice-president of the district. When little or no program participation exists in a district, the omission of a committee member for that district will be a matter for acceptance by that district vice-president. The task of timely recruiting of committee members and the naming of committee chairmen will be the responsibility of the president of the appropriate AMA-organized special interest organization. The committee membership and chairman selection will be confirmed by vote of two-thirds of those responding. Eligible to vote at all program participants having a valid AMA license and FAI stamp.
- The power to remove a committee member rests with the AMA vice-president for his district or by a two-thirds vote of all other committee members or by the president of the AMA. The replacement of such a committee member will be similar to the original format of selection, through recruiting by the appropriate special interest organization and a vote of acceptance by a simple majority of those program participants responding to a vote within the district involved. A committee member who is also chairman may not be removed except if the committee votes, by a simple majority, to remove him as chairman and simultaneously names a new chairman.
- The committees are required to follow certain procedures, as follows:
A. Provide a period during which recommendations are solicited and received from individual program participants.
B. Submit the final form of the team selection program format to a vote of acceptance by the program participants. A two-thirds majority of those responding is required. The option is available to the committees to submit preliminary ideas or concepts for test response from program participants through polls or questionnaires.
- Program administration is the responsibility of AMA Headquarters in the assigned responsibility of Chief Program Administrator.
The Chief Program Administrator will:
a. Report directly to the AMA president.
b. Implement the program format as approved by the AMA president.
c. Monitor the progress of committee work during the period of program format development such that he is satisfied that a program recommendation will be delivered in the required schedule.
d. Handle mailings and tabulations of polls and questionnaires and other AMA HQ support functions as required or requested by the committee chairman.
e. Otherwise effect the implementation of team selection programs including selection and appointment of Contest Directors, timely tabulation and publication of competition results, final certification of team members and alternate selection and all other administrative details necessary for the conclusive determination of team membership for each class, as well as other requirements specified or implied in the program format as approved by the AMA president.
Note: Program participants are defined as those who were entered in either of the last two team selection programs, or who have paid, at the time of new program balloting, a $5 fee toward participation in the next program to come. The intent is to enable a significant number of those most concerned to have the final say in program determination and expenditures of program funds.
ELECTION RESULTS NEXT MONTH
It will be the end of November before all the AMA election ballots are counted and the results are known. The counting process begins after the November 15 postmark deadline and continues for about a week.
UPS STRIKE A PROBLEM
The East Coast has been suffering from the effects of the strike of United Parcel Service employees. The effects extended all across the country since the strike prevented packages from getting to the areas where UPS was still operating. It hit the AMA Film Library Service particularly hard since UPS was the principal means of film distribution. The AMA Supply and Service operation also uses UPS to a large extent.
Both operations switched to the regular postal service but the difference in delivery times is tremendous. So, at press time, these AMA services were limping along and hoping for restoration of UPS service.
FIRST 1977 RENEWAL
Stanley T. Lewis of Bethesda, MD, was the first 1976 AMAer to renew membership for 1977. His check for $17.00 was received on October 14, less than a week after over 60,000 renewal mailings were sent. Since then many hundreds of renewal members have been received, indicating pretty fair postal service.
1977 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL RATE FANTASTIC!
Only three weeks into the new AMA membership season the renewal rate was four times greater than at the same time last year. Even allowing for the fact that this year's renewal mailing got out a week earlier than last year, the 1977 rate is still more than twice what it was two years ago when the mailing dates were comparable.
Here's a five-year breakdown of the transition period for the cut-off of current year membership statistics (end of September) and the start of the new year membership figures.
Week/Year 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 Sept. 86 116 50 181 1st Wk Oct. 713 146 169 89 661 2nd Wk Oct. 714 156 307 276 530 3rd Wk Oct. 368 463 512 284 1510 TOTAL 1881 765 1104 699 2882
Note that the 1977 total is 4.1 times greater than 1976, 2.6 times greater than 1975, 3.8 times greater than 1974 and 1.5 times greater than 1973.
We ended the 1976 membership figures with a total of 63,451—a gain of 2,972 over 1975 (4.9%). This was slightly better than the budgeted total of 62,500; predicted last January.
The number of members choosing the magazine option was also up—2 out of 3 (67.1%) compared to just 50% at the same time last year.
CITIZENS RADIO SERVICE EQUIPMENT IN MEXICO
The government of Mexico does not distinguish between Class C (RC) and Class D (voice) Citizens Band radio equipment. Under Mexican law, CB equipment (RC or voice) may be operated only by Mexican citizens duly licensed by the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation. Foreign visitors, including United States citizens, are prohibited from operating CB equipment during their stay in Mexico, and there is no legal way for them to obtain permission to do so.
The importation of CB equipment into Mexico is also prohibited and equipment installed in vehicles admitted into Mexico for a temporary stay must not be sold, or otherwise disposed of while in Mexico. The prohibition would also apply to RC equipment.
United States citizens planning to visit Mexico using vehicles in which CB equipment is installed are strongly advised to (1) leave the equipment in the United States, if at all possible or (2) include CB equipment in the customs declaration made when entering Mexico, (3) refrain from operating CB equipment (including RC) while in Mexico, and (4) refrain from selling or otherwise disposing of CB equipment while in Mexico.
Failure to do so, or to comply with points 3 or 4, above, may result in legal prosecution by Mexican authorities and punishment which could be severe.
Any U.S. modeler planning to participate in an RC meet in Mexico should have written assurance from the sponsoring club that the proposed RC use raises no question under Mexican law and policy.
OVERSEAS INSURANCE COVERAGE IS LESS
Due to the fact that AMA's insurance coverage is provided by a different company than the one which handles domestic coverage, it has not been possible to get, at a reasonable price, one million dollars coverage outside of the U.S. and Canada. The overseas coverage is limited to half a million dollars. This should be no problem for most overseas situations—half a million ($500,000) coverage is more than adequate. In any special situations requiring more, individual quotations can be made for special coverage through Lloyd's of London.
The full million dollar coverage applies to the U.S.A., its territories or possessions, or Canada. The half million dollar coverage applies to all other countries except Cuba, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, China, Tibet, Vietnam, North Korea and Outer Mongolia.
Yours for the asking. Also in my desk are publications on field procurement, noise problem handling, and a lot of other goodies that some of you might need for your present, or new, club.
Short column this month. Promise a list of all clubs that send me regular copies of their club publications next month. Will never be able to publish club field locations, because I never received any great quantity of details. Some clubs have good reasons, so will not knock it. information booth at the State Fair this year and they deserve a great deal of credit for this particular effort which was expended under rather trying circumstances. We are certain that as the Association acquires a broader membership and finds itself able to instill the necessary morale to get things done, the going will be a lot easier in connection with future events of this nature. The organizers of the State Fair project are entitled to a round of applause for their worthy efforts.
GEAR UP AND LOCKED!!!
Publicity Director, and others to join the fun. And, fun they had, attracting an estimated 15,000 spectators in the two days of frivolity. A great time was had by all. Our special thanks must go to Father Ric of St. Francis Seminary, who has played a vital role in securing excellent flying sites on seminary property for the local modelers. The present site is in a beautiful wooded area, with picnic grounds, paved runway and a super winterized club house on site with fireplace! What we need across this country are more "guardian angels" like Father Ric.
Probably the key ingredient to "getting the crowd out" was the super publicity job put on by the Greater Cincinnati R/C Club. A show without a crowd isn't more than a fun fly and it takes work to sell yourself to the public. Hats off to my old buddy, Russ Brown, who again did a super job of announcing and creating that vital activity/spectator link that adds so much to the enjoyment.
your latest metal monstrosity, all the way to proving to some agency that the blockhead you recently fired really deserved to work for somebody else. Another is passing those long lines of motorists who had been stopped to donate to the county government's budget by exceeding the double-nickel duty, while others simply luck out because the dozen or so stiff-hatted civil servants can't write any faster. It bugs me.
Oh well, it will get worse and the only bright thought might be that our sons will not really know what they do is different from what we did many years ago. Only your lifetime gives you any experiences, it seems.
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The voting results will be history by the time you read this, but is still a mystery to me here as I write this. However, I'd like to thank, without regard to the outcome, the people in this district who have worked so hard these past few years that I've held this office.
All the Associate Vice Presidents, Chuck Foreman, Bill Helms, Bob Karlsson, Ron Sonderegger and Bill Yacobucci.
The unsung, but so very effective heroes of contest coordination, Joe Lawrence and Warren Sanders.
...To our own Contest Board members, Joe Boyle, FF; Hurst Bowers, SC; George Hill, RC; and Ron McNally, CL, probably suffocating in rules correspondence about now.
...And to our special committeemen, John Strong and Walt Good, of the Frequency Committee; Hal Crane and Bob Sifleet, of the FF FAI Advisory Committee.
...And a special note to all you regular guys who've been writing me these years and chiding or enthusing. Thanks to Bob Lopshire, John Novak, Tom Vallee, Bill Pardue, Dave Bills, Henry Bergen, George Abbott, Red Gunning, Larry Woolard, John R. Smith, Jerry Barnette, Bill Firesheets, Gene Stocksdale, Scotty Moyer, John Preston, Ernie Pennington and others.
My thanks also to the people at Headquarters and the men on the Council. I'm lucky to know all of you.
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Over these years, I've written about my AMA philosophy and opinions in this column and it's difficult for me to remember that everyone does not recall my remarks or has never read them.
So, I'll review a bit in these next few columns. Let's take my general view of the Executive Council first.
The Executive Council, in my view, must be the single guiding force in the Academy. It must be small enough to work but large enough to sound most views. The Council members must think toward the future for better ways to do the job of bringing the national association within the confines of the monies available.
Our contests and competition programs are our sport's impetus, and most important; but we've got to have the machinery to regulate and administer that segment of the Academy's activities aside from, but not unwatched, by the Council.
In the years ahead, the Council must solve the problems of growth, communications, membership representation in the agencies that benefit and/or regulate our sport, provide better insurance protection, obtain flying fields, improve our public image, and improve our membership benefits package.
Back to the bench...
DISTRICT REPORT
Alabama • Florida • Georgia • Mississippi • Puerto Rico South Carolina • Tennessee
Jim McNeill Dist V Vice-President 512 South 2d Avenue Birmingham, AL 35205
Assistant Vice-Presidents: Richard E. Jackson, 107 White Blvd., Summerville, SC 29483 Chris Joiner, 5941 Warner Road, Columbus, GA 31904 Bill Kite, 550 West Stone Dr., Kingsport, TN 37660 Tom McLaughlin, 4140 Fern Ct., Pine Glades, Pensacola, FL 32503 Luis Rodriguez, E-10, 5th St. Ext., Villa Rica, Bayamon, Puerto Rico 00619 Jim Whitley, 1605 Woodland St., SE, Decatur, AL 35601 Julie Woods, PO Box 127, Scooba, MS 39358
Pictured below (L-R), Judge Paul Moore, Parks Director Fred Brinkman, Skyknights Club Advisor Howard Spry, Club President Dennis Shattuck. Howard is holding up the October issue of our own Model Aviation mag, wherein was featured a write-up of their club in this column. The occasion? Formal opening of the Skyknights' model field at Camp Craig, SC.
South Carolina State Legislator Tom Moore Craig, seated below left, made opening speeches for presentation. Next to this gentleman are: Judge Paul Moore again, Fred Brinkman, Richard Jackson, Dennis Shattuck. In the photo below is the AMA SC AVP, Richard Jackson, who mailed me the information and who is doing a FINE job serving the Academy in his state.
On behalf of AMA and all our magazine staff, let me say we are happy to help this fine club in our way, in getting a model flying field in the Spartanburg, SC area.
It's nice to know we do something right once in awhile.
June 4, 1935, Al and Fred Key leapt into their racy Curtiss Robin, lifted its nose off the grass, kept its nose aloft 27 days. An endurance record set by two Meridian, MS, boys still unbroken today, 41 years later. Mary Corbin sent me this picture of Dr. Bill Anderson's scale static Curtiss Robin. Dr. Bill is holding, the gentleman drinking in the photo is Ms. AVP Julie Woods' husband, Harvey Woods. A very nice man and a friend of mine.
DISTRICT 5 "CLUB-OF-THE-MONTH"
This month meet the West Palm Beach Skyhawks. A fine RC club with an unbelievable 800 acre sod farm flying site. Jack Carter, who mailed all the pictures to me and supplied the information, says the field is big enough for FF, Gliders, anything!
Shown above, Club president, Don Eddy, supervising Kathy Carter, flying her new RC Glider. Jack Carter patiently watching, too. Other club officers include: Bill Lavers, VP; Ron Day, Sec.; Mrs. Jackie Carter, Treas.; Dan Donaldson, Field Safety Officer; Harry Lewis and Jackie Carter, Newsletter Editors.
This club has grown with blinding speed. Chartered in 1972 with six members, it grew to 42 in two years, has mushroomed to 63 this year, all active and many contest oriented. The club hosts "Quickie 500" contests, Glider meets, etc. Everybody has fun.
You might ask, why show all these people and list all these names? Well, it's sure important to me. I cannot think of a better way to use this column space than to present all these wonderful, dues-paying AMA club members and fliers. Each and every one of them is just as important as you and me in this model world, and it is a pleasure to work with Jack Carter and others who have contributed their time and energy to make this Club-of-the-Month possible.
If you live in the West Palm Beach area, go join this fine club, or join the Palm Beach Aeronauts, or join both. Give my regards to my buddy, Fred Comosky, and I wish I had an 800 acre sod farm like the fast growing West Palm Beach Skyhawks... See you next month.
AMA News
From AMA Headquarters — Executive Director, including reports from the AMA President and Vice‑Presidents.
Last month's AMA News included results of the September 18th Executive Council meeting except the following major agenda item. The item concerned changes in international activity policies. It was too extensive to include last month. The AMA Executive Council, following review of previous policies regarding travel to World Championships, voted at the September 18 meeting to revise several items. The basic reason for the changes was the discontinuance of military travel formerly provided by special arrangements. The National Aeronautic Association's discontinuance was caused by ever‑tightening military budgets; a somewhat similar situation caused dropping of Navy airlift travel.
CONTINGENCY FUND DEFICITS
Although the discontinuance of military travel was anticipated, the Council authorized establishment of team travel contingency funds.
Scale Control Line and Indoor teams: AMA advanced about $5,000 to make up the difference between amounts of funds and actual travel costs. In other words, funds for the teams totaled about $6,400; actual travel costs were about $11,400.
FCC MAY BE CRACKING DOWN ON CB VIOLATORS
Key points made in opposition threatened the FCC awarding 27 MHz RC frequencies. Class D voice CB operators (voice CBers) operate largely within the law and would be penalized. It was acknowledged that rampant violations by voice operators have been ignored. Since this point was strongly made, the FCC may be taking a sterner look at Class D violators. Two geographically widespread actions indicate the FCC has cracked down on Class D CB operators — Iowa and Alabama.
Federal law provides penalties up to $500 per day per offense for violation of FCC rules and regulations, years imprisonment and up to $10,000 fine for unlicensed use of CB equipment. We haven't seen cases of violator prosecution until recently. In Des Moines, Iowa, over $5,000 in CB radio equipment was seized last August 25 in a crack‑down on illegal Citizens Band operators. The seizures resulted from an extensive FCC investigation of radio stations transmitting unauthorized frequencies.
In Birmingham, Alabama, four voice CB operators were fined in U.S. Magistrate's Court August 23 after pleading guilty to charges of operating illegal transmitting equipment on unauthorized radio frequencies. The U.S. Magistrate fined two violators $200. Two violators waived fines but had seized amateur radio transceivers and U.S. Government equipment returned; the case value was approximately $400–$500. The Alabama cases arose from an April 1976 crackdown on illegal operators ordered by the United States Attorney. Operators were monitored transmitting unauthorized frequencies interfering with bands used by U.S. Government business and special industrial services. A couple of small steps in the right direction — it's a good start. If such action by the FCC continues, we hope the horizon for RC operation will improve.
TEAM TRAVEL SUPPORT
The Council voted to pay team travel to the nearest point of departure — U.S. port of embarkation or customs inspection — closest to the World Championships site. Thus, instead of paying team travel within the U.S. or its overseas dependencies, AMA will pay ocean travel. Team program participants will need to take care of travel from their hometown to the port of embarkation and also between the contest site and the nearest city in the World Championships country for customs clearance. AMA will also pay World Championships entry fees and provide food and lodging at the contest per previous policy.
INBOARD TRAVEL POLICY REVISED
The new policies somewhat return to the prior 1975 policy, making inboard U.S. travel a matter for the team selection program. AMA funds will be responsible for getting teams across the ocean. Contingency funds, however, will no longer be necessary unless particular programs choose to maintain some means to cover inboard travel costs and/or a portion of overseas travel in the World Championships country. AMA funds will cover the ocean travel portion.
CONTINGENCY DEFICIT WRITTEN OFF
The Council agreed to absorb a $5,000 deficit caused by sending three teams to Europe.
FCC MAY BE CRACKING DOWN ON CB VIOLATORS
Key points made in opposition threatened the FCC awarding 27 MHz RC frequencies. Class D voice CB operators — RCers operate largely within the law — would be penalized. It was acknowledged that rampant violations by voice operators had been ignored. Since the point was strongly made, the FCC may be taking a sterner look at Class D violators. Two geographically widespread actions indicate the FCC has cracked down on Class D CB operators — in Iowa and Alabama.
Federal law provides penalties up to $500 per day per offense. FCC rules and regulations provide for years imprisonment and up to a $10,000 fine for unlicensed use of CB equipment. We haven't seen cases of violator prosecution until recently.
In Des Moines, Iowa, over $5,000 worth of CB radio equipment was seized last August 25 in a crack-down on illegal Citizens Band operators. The seizures resulted from an extensive investigation of radio stations transmitting unauthorized frequencies. U.S. Marshals accompanied FCC agents as they simultaneously executed five search warrants in the metropolitan Des Moines area, seized equipment and closed down stations.
Also, four Birmingham, Alabama, voice CB operators were fined in U.S. Magistrate's Court August 23 after pleading guilty to charges of operating illegal transmitting equipment on unauthorized radio frequencies. The U.S. Magistrate fined two violators $200; two others waived fines and had in their possession seized amateur radio transceivers — U.S. government equipment — in a case valued at approximately $400–$500.
The Alabama cases arose from an April 1976 crackdown on illegal operators ordered by the United States Attorney. Operators were monitored transmitting unauthorized frequencies and interfering with bands used for U.S. government business and special industrial services. A couple of small steps in the right direction — it's a good start.
CONTINGENCY FUND DEFICITS
Although the military travel development could not have been anticipated, the Council authorized establishment of team travel contingency funds. Necessity of sending 1975 and 1976 teams across the ocean by commercial travel resulted in fund deficits. Scale, Control Line, Indoor teams and AMA advanced teams were short about $5,000 — to make up the difference between the amounts in funds and actual travel costs. In other words, funds for the teams totaled about $6,400; actual travel costs were about $11,400.
TEAM TRAVEL SUPPORT
Council voted to pay team travel to the nearest point of departure in the U.S., port of entry or customs inspection nearest the World Championships site. Thus, instead of paying team travel within the U.S. and overseas dependency, team program participants will be responsible for travel from their hometown to the port of embarkation and also between the contest site and the nearest city of the World Championships country. Customs clearance will be provided by AMA. AMA will also pay World Championships entry fees and provide food and lodging at the contest per previous policy.
INBOARD TRAVEL POLICY REVISED
The new policies somewhat return to those prior to 1975, making inboard U.S. travel a matter for the team selection program. AMA funds will be responsible for getting teams across the ocean. Contingency funds, however, will no longer be maintained unless particular programs choose to maintain means to cover inboard travel costs and/or a portion of overseas travel in the World Championships country. AMA funds will cover the overseas portion as described above.
CONTINGENCY DEFICIT WRITTEN OFF
Council agreed to absorb the $5,000 deficit caused by sending three teams to Europe.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
