AMA News
Sig Memorial Scholarship Awards — 1989
Geoffrey Styles, Director of Public Relations
The Sig Scholarship Fund was created by Hazel Sig Hester to honor her late husband, Glen Sigafoss (often referred to as Glen Sig). Hazel and Glen cofounded Sig Manufacturing Company, one of the largest of its type in the U.S. Glen was killed in 1980 when his Pitts Special crashed during a full-scale air show.
The fund assists college-age students with higher-education plans. With contributions from Sig Manufacturing, friends, and other supporters, the fund is well established, although further donations are welcome. Model aviators who are AMA members qualify for awards based on a combination of financial need and modeling achievements. Recipients are selected by the AMA Scholarship Committee; the fund is administered by AMA. There is no set number of winners each year. The 1988 winners received awards of $500; funds have been forwarded to their respective universities.
Recipients
- Melinda Leigh Anderson — Mountain Top, PA
Michigan State University; enrolled in the aeronautical/aerospace engineering program. Melinda has long been active in model aviation, especially Free Flight, and was a member of the Free Flight team that visited Poland for an invitational World Championships meet. Although active with the Wyoming Valley R/C Flyers MAC, she has concentrated on free-flight aircraft, building dozens of airplanes and flying hundreds of competitive events. Model aviation has been important to her since age five. She has won Nats trophies, been a ski instructor in White Haven, PA, enjoys fishing, is a licensed hunter, and competes in golf, bowling, tennis, and skiing. Her scholastic achievements include membership in the National Honor Society; in 1987 she earned a bronze medal in the Keystone Games.
- Walter M. Eggert — Huntingdon Valley, PA
Pennsylvania State University (University Scholars Program); plans to major in mechanical engineering. From an aeronautical family (his father is a retired aeronautical engineer), Walter graduated from Abington Senior High School with a 3.5 GPA and was on the National Honor Roll three of four years. He has many first-place finishes in regional and national aeromodeling events, including four first-place trophies at the 1985 Nats as a junior. He enjoys piano and computers and worked part-time jobs to save for college. He also plays golf, bowls, and competes in tennis; he is an accomplished skier.
- Rand Sheldon — Wheat Ridge, CO
Colorado State University, Fort Collins; pursuing a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology while carrying a 17-credit-hour load. A graduate of Jefferson Senior High School (ranked 21st in a class of 190), Rand is active in the Rocky Mountain Soaring Association and began with an Olympic II glider. He has flown in many contests (including the 1981, 1982, 1984, and 1985 Nats) and frequently helped with equipment setup, chase duties, and scoring. He enjoys working on cars and lawn mowers and is an accomplished mechanic. His love of horses includes membership in a mounted group.
- James W. Ricketts — Sioux Falls, SD
University of South Dakota; majoring in criminal justice/pre-law. James made the high-school honor roll for two years, is active in the French Club and church youth group, and competed in football and track. He joined AMA at age eight and has been a keen aeromodeler ever since. He competed at the Nats in 1985–1987, specializing in CL events (also flies RC). At Nationals he won first places in Scale, Rat Race, and A Speed, and placed second in other CL events. He has saved earnings to help with college expenses.
We congratulate all the winners and wish them health and success in their studies. The scholarship program honors Glen Sigafoss’s memory and reflects the support of Hazel Sig Hester and Sig Manufacturing Company.
NVRC Creates Dulles Airport Display
Geoffrey Styles, Director of Public Relations
Dulles International Airport maintains large display cabinets on the lower level. Luther Hux of the Northern Virginia R/C Club arranged to have one cabinet devoted to model aircraft. Luther, active in NVRC and the Northern Virginia Air Show Team and a contributor to Model Aviation magazine, placed several unusual scratch-built models (including Burt Rutan’s Voyager) in the display.
With support from NVRC, AMA, and airport management, the display was approved for one 12 ft. (wide) × 10 ft. (high) × 4 ft. (deep) case. Volunteers lined the case with carpeting, added a backdrop, built ceiling supports to hang models, installed extra lighting, draped tables with attractive material, and placed models with professional signage and short write-ups identifying each model.
AMA HQ Services Staff
- Executive Director: John Worth
- Executive Coordinator: Joyce Hager
- Administrative Services Director: Robert Vozalavek
- Technical Director: Bob Underwood
- Comptroller: Lynne Collina
- Competition Services Director: Micheline Madison
- Special Services Director: Carl Maroney
- Membership Director: Mike Woodfolk
- Public Relations Director: Geoff Styles
- Special Projects Director: Doug Pratt
- Publications Director: Carl R. Wheeley
- Nets General Manager: Lynne Mankowski
- Museum Curator: Hurst Bowers
- General Counsel: Jeremiah Courtney
President's Corner
Don Lowe 902 Little Bend Rd., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
AerOlympics II (Chesapeake, VA — Navy Fentress facility) combined F3A (RC Aerobatics), F3C (Helicopters), and F3D (RC Pylon Racing) over seven days and was, by many accounts, the largest world contest held to date with more than 500 contestants and thousands of spectators. Distinguished guests attended, helping raise public awareness of model aviation. AMA staff, volunteers, and event directors — including Bob Underwood (Competition Director), Vince Mankowski (Contest Manager), Mike Ingalls (F3A), Horace Hagen (F3C), and Wayne Yeager (F3D) — were instrumental in the event’s success.
U.S. teams performed well: two team wins and one second place; Dave Shadel repeated as individual Pylon Racing World Champion. The Japanese dominated in Helicopter competition. Thanks were extended to Captain Michael Matton for use of the Fentress facility and to local club volunteers.
Youth
Feedback on youth participation in aviation has been strong; many believe something must be done to attract young people. The President described a conversation with Hanno Pretner about Austria’s youth program (successful and centered on Pretner’s influence) and noted that while growth in the hobby currently comes from adult members, attracting youth benefits the hobby and the aviation industry. The Council will continue to consider ways to involve youth in modeling.
Executive VP's Report
Dave Brown, AMA Executive VP 4560 Layhigh Rd., Hamilton, OH 45013
The World Championships in Chesapeake provided many memorable moments — from generous volunteers to equipment mishaps and competitive drama. Anecdotes included staff and volunteers going above and beyond, a generator problem during opening ceremonies, and a sold-out banquet that caused ticketing issues. Competitive highlights for the U.S. included Dave Shadel’s Pylon Racing championship defense and strong team results in Pylon and Pattern events; Curtis Youngblood finished third in Helicopter. Special thanks to Bob Underwood for his leadership. The net cost of the event was about $5,000 (less than $0.04 per AMA member). The author was preparing to attend an FAI General Conference in Bulgaria.
District Reports
District III Report
Bob Brown, District III Vice-President 1255 High Street, Bradford, PA 16701 (814) 362-7702
Associate Vice Presidents: Francis Fairhurst; Nelson Gould; John Matchett; Joe Hovey; Joseph S. Visoky; Lawrence R. Werner; Gil Weiss. Frequency Coordinator: John Otte, Forty Fort, PA.
Highlights and concerns:
- Safety: many clubs need a visible, well-stocked first-aid kit at their fields.
- Alcohol and competition: questions raised about banning alcohol at sanctioned races; liability concerns to be considered.
- District patch/pin: proposed previously; no designs received — if none arrive by January 1, 1990, the idea will not be pursued.
- Events and club efforts: Dayton Wing Masters hosted the 1990 FAI Scale Team Selection; Johnstown R/C Club hosted a well-received fly-in; Vienna Sky Sharks repainted a full-scale F-84 for community PR; Westmoreland Electric Soaring Society introduced scouts to electric and hand-launched RC; Tri-County Wingsnappers’ Giant Scale Fun Fly drew over 1,000 spectators; Frequent-C-Flyers and other clubs held successful fun flies; a new Bob Evans RC Fly-In concept combined Scale contest and open flying.
- Club of the Month: Lancaster County R/C Club, Lancaster, PA.
District V Report
Lee Webster, District V Vice-President 1000 Sycamore, Manchester, TN 37355
Free Flight remains strong in Tennessee; the Air Foiler 30th Annual Free Flight contest at Tullahoma was successful. Contests celebrated multi-generational participation and featured strong performances from long-time competitors (e.g., Ben Cleveland, Bob Gracey, Russ Timmons). Juniors remain active — David Payne was Junior High Point Champion.
Noise abatement is a key concern. Clubs are setting limits and acquiring enforcement equipment. Reports on muffler experiments were encouraging (home-built mufflers dramatically reduced decibel levels on some installations), though some commercial mufflers have experienced material failures. A humorous retrieval story reminded readers to take safety precautions when searching for lost models. District V reminded members to vote in upcoming elections.
District IX Report
Travis McGinnis, District IX Vice-President 8027 W. 81st Circle, Arvada, CO 80005
Associate Vice Presidents: Tom Boyd; Nathan Lancaster; Russ Miller; Don Hodge; Jim Ricketts; Chuck Smith. Frequency Coordinator: Steve Morales.
District IX annual meeting: November 17–19 in Bismarck, ND (Kirkwood Motor Inn). Agenda and highlights:
- Technical presentations and organizational information (national, district, local)
- Special interest seminars and AMA videotapes
- RC transmitter stickering all weekend
- District awards and recognition; many door prizes
- Banquet honoring Executive Director John Worth (retirement)
- New: Ladies’ Day program (tours, lunch/fashion show, shopping, prizes)
- Social and networking opportunities with AMA officers and staff
Contact for reservations and information: Russ Miller, Carrington, ND; (701) 652-2321 (home), (701) 652-2739 (work).
Events and Announcements
Model Aviation Day
Date: November 12, 1989 Features: displays, seminars, films, District 1 meeting. Contacts: Bob Main (203) 928-0380 or Don Krafft (617) 934-6248.
Rhode Island Balloon Fest
Held July 29–30, 1989 at the University of Rhode Island campus; featured model airplane, ultralight, and balloon flying events, a car show, band, and arts-and-crafts displays. The South County R/C Club coordinated model flying; high spectator interest noted.
Long Island Condors — Large-Scale Fly-In
An annual event at Cedar Creek Park flying facility in Wantagh, Long Island; successful turnout and notable attendees (including modeler Nick Ziroli).
Super Fly '89
First annual Giant Fly-In of the Pennsylvania Avenue R/C Society at Floyd Bennett Field (Brooklyn, NY) on August 27; dozens of large models, aerobatic demonstrations, static displays, and strong spectator engagement. Good PR for the hobby.
ALL SEASON FLYER PATCH
Modelers who fly every month of the year may purchase the All Season Flyer Patch. To obtain one, send a photocopy of your signed declaration (typewritten or handwritten; see the AMA Supply and Service Catalog) with your club secretary’s signature (or another adult AMA member if you are not in a club). Include a check or money order for $2.50 (no cash) payable to the Academy of Model Aeronautics.
AMA Film Library — Beta Tapes for Sale
The AMA Film Librarian has Beta videotapes available at $25.00 each. Titles:
- Those Marvelous Miniatures — 0:46
- Adrift on the Air — 0:30
- Diamonds in the Sky — 0:30
- Grand Illusions — 0:36
- The Pioneers — 0:27
- Wired for Excitement — 0:30
Order from: AMA Film Librarian, 1810 Samuel Morse Drive, Reston, VA 22090. Include $25.00 per tape, specify "Beta." Shipping prepaid by AMA.
Closing Notes
- Clubs are encouraged to maintain visible first-aid kits, address noise issues proactively, involve youth, and continue community outreach for positive public relations.
- Congratulations to all scholarship recipients and volunteers who advance model aviation through competition, education, and public events.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
