AMA News
Public Relations Roundup
Geoffrey Styles, Director of Public Relations
Now and then I get a call from a member who tells me he knows of some fellow fliers who don't want to join the AMA. In fact, I'm told that some of these people are quite abusive, saying that the AMA is "a bunch of crooks who take your money and party with it." Naturally I don't like to hear that. I have been here for over nine years and have yet to see the first party—much less anyone arrested or charged with crookery.
Isn't it amazing how wide the information gap can be? I am not going to wave the flag for AMA (those who know what we do in the office and in the field don't have to be told); but I will say this: anyone who wants to fly model aircraft—and for 1989 and into the future that generally means R/C—ought to join and support AMA.
If they don't, they could find their flying privileges curtailed. Having a national association helps us keep flying. First, there's no other association that works on behalf of the R/C modeler to get radio frequencies freed from freeloaders. I'll call freeloaders those folks who use R/C equipment for boats, cars, or aircraft but don't support AMA. They are riding on your back. They wouldn't have any channels without AMA. Look back to the 1950s and the channels then available for R/C. If we had been stuck with those channels, where would we be today? Flying an R/C airplane would have been unsafe and probably downright impossible.
Look at the Federal Aviation Administration. They have the power to shut us down on safety grounds if they choose. You would have to go to elected officials all over the country to attempt to turn such a federal decision around. Because your AMA staff works with the FAA, and through the years has convinced them that we are responsible, safety-conscious people, our flying privileges have been preserved.
What's all this got to do with PR? Public relations is improving our image before groups who need to be convinced that we are worthwhile and useful to have around. We convince people to buy your product or service (or that you are an asset to the community), or to permit you to pursue your goals. If your community saw you and your club as a hazard or a nuisance, and if everyone worked to put you out of business, then where would you be? A positive public image isn't merely desirable—it's a necessity for a healthy, functioning group.
In the grand picture, the more members AMA has, the better job we can do for everyone (even the freeloaders). Greater numbers impress politicians and appointed officials. To the public parks manager, the yardstick is man-use days for any given facility. If a facility is not being fully utilized, then it might be converted to another, potentially more worthwhile, publicly funded use—one that justifies the taxpayers' expenditure and makes the park manager look good.
In addition, greater AMA membership means more dollars in the overall budget, and more work that can be done on your behalf. It means that we can reach out and be with clubs when they need guidance and advice, and improve the service levels we can offer. It means we can work directly with clubs on their own turf by meeting with public officials in their town and spreading the model aviation story firsthand. You had better believe it makes a difference. Ask any club we've worked with!
But PR is everyone's job, and I'd like to give you a few examples.
- Siouxland Radio Control Modelers (Sioux City, IA) used a local radio call-in program to make people aware that they needed a flying site. Having lost their landfill flying site due to noise complaints, the club desperately needed a place to fly. Tom Pease, club president, called the radio show knowing the mayor and members of the city council usually listen for gripes from citizens. Later that day Tom was with the mayor. Within two hours the club had several sites to examine, arrangements were made, and they are now flying on 40 acres of partially filled landfill. The site should be usable for at least a couple of decades; nothing can be built on a landfill for 25 years after it is closed.
- Palm Beach Skyhawks (Palm Beach, FL) supplied radio-controlled aircraft for an episode of the B.L. Stryker TV show. Ed Powell of the Craft House Hobby Shop oversaw the project. A Sig Kadet was selected and three planes (two completed and one kit) were prepared so they would look identical. Glenn Barta and Phil Wherry of the Bush Pilots Club built, covered, and revamped the planes. Permission was granted to fly from a county street, insurance was provided by the film producers, and the shoot was completed in about four and a half hours. Both the county and the film crew were very impressed—great PR for the club and for R/C modeling.
Other PR ideas: model shows, youth programs, flying days for local charities, cooperative work with local schools—any one of these will get you positive publicity. A good image is like shaving; you have to work at it every day to be effective.
More next month.
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Protect Your Right to Fly!
Safe Flying Is No Accident!
Free flight or radio control flying near airports, or in any situation that might involve the possibility of models being in the vicinity of full-scale aircraft operations, must be avoided—or conducted so as to eliminate any dangerous situations. Models should not be flown in the proximity of full-scale aircraft operations unless the flier has someone else with him whose sole purpose is watching for full-scale aircraft and supervising the flying to prevent the possibility of an accident.
A Special Meet . . .
On Saturday, August 19, 1989, the Sixth MAN Aero Picnic will be held at the Mahwah High School baseball field, Ridge Road (off Route 17), Mahwah, NJ, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
What's special about the event? It's a low-key competition designed to give everybody, beginner and expert alike, an equal chance to take home an award. Beyond that, the object is to fly a lot and have a good time. The field is small but has served well in the five previous Aero Picnics; events are tailored to the size of the field.
Principal event: Timed Flight
- Any R/C model aircraft is eligible (except unpowered sailplanes—no winches or high-starts).
- Goal: fly for exactly two minutes from takeoff (or hand launch) to touchdown.
- Scoring: +1 point per second of flight time; −1 point per second over two minutes.
- Pilots must estimate time without timing aids (clocks, watches, friends, etc.).
- Note: weather or number of entries may dictate a time other than two minutes.
Other events:
- People's Choice static judging: contestants enter models to be judged by spectators. Winners receive an Olympic-style medal in memory of Lee Renaud, plus a chance to win an Airtronics radio in a national sweepstakes drawing.
- Spectator event: spectators are invited to build and fly Delta Darts (donated by the Mahwah Model Club). Club members will assist with construction and flying. Mass launches will be used; the goal is to fly as many Delta Darts as possible at once.
All events are free—no entry fees—and there will be free refreshments for contestants. Credit goes to AMA Contest Director Joe Beshar, Model Airplane News magazine (sponsor), Assistant Director Tom Reaveley, Jay Karcowski, and the host Mahwah Model Club. Bring a picnic lunch and models. Questions: call Tom at 201/529-2329 or Jay at 201/529-3506. Rain date: August 26.
District I Report
Don Krafft, District I Vice-President P.O. Box 1828, Duxbury, MA 02331 (617) 934-9488
Associate Vice Presidents:
- Bill Chandler, P.O. Box 441, Ashland, ME 04472
- Drew Davenport, 33 Ash St., Townsend, MA 01469
- Bob Landry, 90 Main St., Essex Jct., VT 05452
- Richard Sherman, 28 High St., Plymouth, NH 03264
- Bob Wallace, 97 Sylvan St., Avon, CT 06001
Frequency Coordinator:
- George Wilson, 82 Frazier Way, Marstons Mills, MA 02648
Attention Contest Directors: There is a new contest coordinator for District I. Bernice Williams is planning to move to Florida, so effective now please send all sanction requests to Robert Wilkie, 19 Everett Street, Rockland, MA 02370. Remember to plan ahead: allow a minimum of 30 days lead time for sanction approvals and CD applications.
SAM-7 Banquet: Barb and I attended the SAM-7 banquet at the Enlisted Men's Club at Westover. The day began with a tour through the C-5A; despite cool, rainy weather, the tour was worthwhile.
Club note: Activity on six meters has increased. Check the AMA membership manual for usable frequencies and ensure your frequency control system accommodates six-meter frequencies. One known incident involved a plane being shot down due to an inadequate pin system. Also be aware that users of these frequencies must be properly licensed.
District III Report
Bob Brown, District III Vice-President 1255 High Street, Bradford, PA 16701 (814) 362-7702 CompuServe: 73767,12
Associate Vice Presidents:
- Francis Fuchs, 544 21st St., Vienna, WV 26101
- Nelson Gould, 1945 S. Market St., Alliance, PA 44601
- John Haleigh, 1028 Woodlawn Dr., Parma, OH 44134
- Jay Mealy, 208 Winter St., Clearfield, PA 16830
- Joseph S. Vardy, 311 Scarbrook Rd., Maumee, OH 43537
- Lawrence R. Weimer, 15613 Greendale Ave., Maple Hts., OH 44137
- Gil Weiss, 3004 Hallowell Ct., Bensalem, PA 19020
Frequency Coordinator:
- John Coble, 102 Wymore Ave., Forty Fort, PA 18704 — (717) 287-8970
Highlights:
- New associate VP for southwestern Ohio: Mark Wilson, 4913 Marcy Road, W. Carrollton, OH 45449. Contact Mark for local AMA assistance.
- The second AMA National Fun-Fly in Dayton, OH was a success. Thanks to local modelers. Plans are in progress to expand next year; send suggestions.
- George Steiner (AMA Frequency Committee) designed a compact frequency flight-line layout used at the National Fun-Fly. Flight stations were spaced 10–12 ft apart with no third-order problems; the system was safer and didn't generate frequency issues. Contact George for details.
- 1989 U.S.A. Helicopter Team: Tom Dooley, Robert Gorham, Tim Schoonard, team manager Cliff Hiett; Tim Schoonard is alternate. They have potential to place first at the World Championships in Virginia Beach (Aug 26–Sep 3).
- Presented Distinguished Service Award to Marge Weisenbach for 30 years as Contest Coordinator in District III.
- Central Ohio Free Flight Club's Spring Meet in Dayton was well attended.
- Indoor free flight activity is popular in the Philadelphia area; a session of the Delaware Valley Federation was held in Huntingdon Valley.
- SOTS group will sponsor a full day of relaxed rubber-powered flying on Sunday, September 24 (Philadelphia area) to commemorate Dick Korda's 43+ minute 1939 Wakefield flight. Contact Fred Bahnenburg, 103 Tower Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18901; (215) 345-8958.
- Float flying is growing: Second Annual Spring Float-Fly at Sutton Lake, WV drew 18 pilots despite poor weather.
- Greater Cincinnati Radio Control Club will host its 29th Annual Flying Circus on August 12–13, featuring Combat, Pylon Racing, Ducted Fans, Helicopters, a mock WWII battle, and an R/C rocket-powered Space Shuttle. The club donated a video of the event to the District III video library—contact me for viewing.
- Tenth Annual Keystone Radio Control Club Electric Fly: September 16–17 at Buc-Le Aerodrome, Quakertown, PA. Contact Bob Kopsik, 25 West End Drive, Lansdale, PA 19446.
C U There!
District V Report
Lee Webster, District V Vice‑President 1000 Sycamore, Manchester, TN 37355 District V: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee
The first-ever District V AMA meeting was held at the Atlanta IMS show. AMA President Don Lowe and staff (Dave Brown, Bob Underwood, Jeff Troy, Carl Manoney) attended to discuss frequency problems, flying sites, and insurance. Many District V AVPs were present. The meeting was useful, but it revealed communication issues: AMA Headquarters had sent notices to club contacts, yet many did not receive them. We'll try different methods next time.
Notable items:
- Thank you to the District V AVPs—if you see yours, step up and say hello.
- A touching letter from Calla and Dawn Brown (Cleveland, TN) about their father John Brown and his Waco YMF3 reminded us that modeling is a family activity.
- Mall shows: season winding down. Mid-Mississippi RC Club (Jackson, MS) reported a successful mall show—about 400 club brochures handed out and strong spectator interest. Contact Mike Lauman for brochure examples.
- Wiregrass Radio Control Model Airplane Club displayed a fine flight-line at the 1989 Alabama Air Fair, Napier Field, Dothan, AL.
- Memphis Model Market trade show: first year with local airplane club representation (Memphis Area Soaring Society) — strong interest.
- Election year in District V: I have decided not to be a candidate for reelection due to increasing work demands and health considerations. I will serve through the end of the year.
- Personal notes: building a new shop, traveling to shows (Pot-O-Gold in South Bend, IN; Crawfordsville, IN), and presenting awards. The Pot-O-Gold show was large and well-rounded—thanks to Edward Kuzmitzowicz (new Life Member) and award recipients South Bend RC Club and Tri-Valley RC Club.
- Enjoy the season's contests and fly-ins—get to the field when you can!
Enough for now.
District VIII Report
Gene Hempel, District VIII Vice‑President 301 N. Yale Drive, Garland, TX 75042
Indoor flying:
- Most indoor flying in District VIII is at the Bedford Boys Ranch gymnasium (Bedford, TX). Monthly Saturday evening sessions and Thursday morning sessions are available during the school year.
- Recent events included an Indoor Team Selection Trials and an AMA Record Trials. Notable performances: Don DeLoach set a Senior Manhattan Cabin record (5:40); Stan Chilton raised the Easy B record to 15:54 and 16:09. For more information contact Ralph Tenny, Box 545, Richardson, TX 75080.
Club news:
- East Texas Aeromodelers (Longview) dedicated a new flying site (leased from Gregg County) and held a fly-in; Ben Hall entertained with his "Flying Lawnmower."
- Bomber Field, Inc. (B. B. Weber) plans a first-of-its-kind B-17 formation gathering and Big Bird Meet over Monaville, TX on October 28–29, 1989. B. B. Weber, P.O. Box 721950, Houston, TX 77272; (713) 498‑7935.
- Northwest Houston RC Club's Memorial Day Big Bird Fly-In featured two 600-ft grass runways and a 480-ft water floatplane runway. Raul Pavon demonstrated a piggybacked large glider configuration that performed impressively.
- Green County Wing Benders (Deer Park, OK) hosted a successful Helicopter Fun-Fly (May 6–7); Air Evac provided a full-size helicopter demo. Plans are underway for a 1990 event.
Please keep the letters coming.
District X Notes (Highlights)
- AVP roster expanded; three new AVP slots created (total of 13).
- Marketing Committee: Regg Keyawa named chairman; committee tasks include producing marketing guidelines and using AMA PR mechanisms (magazine, trade shows, ModelNet, videos, publications) to develop markets. Committee members include Vince Mancowski and Lee Webster.
- District treasury concept and fund-raising approved in principle to support district goals (flying sites, education, participation).
- District symbol design competition planned for patches, shirts, pins, and fund-raising items.
- First district flying site project continuing; Las Vegas considered as initial site but more sites planned.
- AVP meetings and conference calls are active and generating volunteer support and ideas.
Club of the Month: Arizona Model Pilots Society (AMPS), northern Phoenix
- Hosted 1/4-scale Air Force Fly-In (March 17–19) with live TV coverage and front-page newspaper coverage.
- Performed for crowds up to 5,000 per day; 125 pilots and over 200 scale planes; attendance at the Arizona National Air Show was 30,000–40,000 daily. AMPS has become a permanent part of the show.
The Leading Edge — Regg
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If you have items for your district report, club news, or PR successes to share, please send them in—PR is everyone's job. Keep your landings soft and intentional.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
