Edition: Model Aviation - 1990/01
Page Numbers: 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126
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AMA News

Sound & Model Aeronautics

Howard Crispin Jr.

Questions have been raised in other publications concerning the lack of sound measurement at several events during the Nats—RC Scale, for example. It would be wonderful if everything were simple and could be done as wished, but unfortunately that's not the case.

Radio Control Scale is one event for which the Contest Boards have not established any type of sound measurement or a proper muffler rule. That makes it difficult to get Contest Directors to do anything. A substantial number of sound‑level readings have been made of Scale aircraft and that information is available to generate rules. It is also true that very few Scale fliers attempt to operate in a quieter manner.

Although Nats literature and procedural information state that the Academy operates the annual championships according to the rule book, this has not been strictly true for some time. In an effort to hold Nats events at the same place and same time and within confining conditions, some fundamentals have fallen by the wayside. RC Scale is among the events so affected. The space allocated to Scale leaves little room for maneuvering and, as seen by several incidents at the 1989 Nats, judges have been placed at risk. Obviously there often isn't room to properly set up sound‑measuring equipment, and there are no procedures in place to make such measurements.

Sound measurement at the Nats is vital. Should the Executive Council take action to correct the situation? The Nationals team selection, the National Fun Fly and the Nationals themselves are contests run exclusively by the Academy, as opposed to competitions sanctioned by the Academy but run by individual clubs or other sponsoring organizations. Can these Academy‑run events be organized so that information about sound output can be gathered and recommended procedures and standards enforced? How can we make recommendations when we cannot exercise those same standards in our own contests? The October Executive Council meeting will address this question.

Propeller safety

Aeromodeling is growing, which means greater risk of injuries. This continues to be an area of major concern for the Academy, which contributes substantial funds to its insurance program. Among the more critical hazards is propeller usage.

Propellers remain a whirling mass with a leading edge capable of causing severe injury. Full‑scale aircraft accidents can be fatal; model aircraft prop strikes can cause anything from bruises to life‑threatening injury. Whether wooden or composite, propellers demand respect. Composite props may be stronger and hold sharper edges; both types can cause serious cuts.

Safety recommendations:

  • Never work in front of a running engine. Do not permit anyone to be in front of or to the side of a rotating propeller during ground operation.
  • Do not run up an aircraft with the nose pointing into the pits or toward spectators.
  • Use a starter or a “chicken stick” to prevent finger cuts from sharp edges, backfiring injuries, or being struck by an advancing blade.
  • Avoid reaching over the propeller to adjust the throttle after starting the engine. Many injuries occur this way.
  • If you are flying alone, never operate an engine without restraint and always follow recommended safety procedures.

Sanding propellers to remove sharp edges may be appropriate for some props, but altering the blade contour or balance can change its performance. With many modern, precision‑molded props, the safer course is to avoid contact rather than modify the propeller. Remember that electric models also use high‑speed propellers and require the same caution.

Electric: At a recent fly‑in, a comparison of the new smaller‑diameter APC props with wood props showed improved performance—higher RPM and better climb—with the APCs and a slightly quieter ground sound, though no measurements were taken.

RC Equipment Certified

The following radio systems (transmitters and receivers) have been independently certified by a registered professional test laboratory retained by the manufacturer, U.S. importer, or distributor as meeting or exceeding Radio Control equipment specifications detailed in the Academy Guidelines (operation on 20 kHz frequency spacing). Testing was done as part of FCC type‑acceptance procedures. The listing is provided for information and is not to be construed as endorsement.

  • Airtronics Spectra PCM 7P/7H — Receiver Part No. 92985
  • Airtronics Quantum PCM 8P/8H — Receiver Part No. 92985
  • Airtronics Module Series FM MD7P/75P — Receiver Part No. 92785
  • Airtronics Vanguard FM/PCM 4/6 — Receiver Part No. 92965
  • Airtronics Vanguard FM 4/6 Channel — Receiver Part No. 92765
  • Airtronics Vision PCM OSP/OP — Receiver Part No. 92985
  • JR RC Max PCM‑NET W125 VZ — Receiver Part No. NER‑627X
  • JR RC Max FM‑NET W125 V/H & W124 FM — Receiver Part No. NER‑327X
  • JR RC Vegas FM‑NET 8125 V/H — Receiver Part No. NER‑327X
  • JR PCM 10‑NET (All10) — Receiver Part No. NER‑910XZ
  • JR Max Computer‑NET W126 EZ HZ — Receiver Part No. NER‑627X
  • JR Vegas Computer‑NET W126 EG HG — Receiver Part No. NER‑627X
  • Apollo‑7 Heli‑NET DL127HM — Receiver Part No. NER‑327X; Tx Module NET‑J72M
  • Apollo‑7 Airplane‑NET DL127MM — Receiver Part No. NER‑327X; Tx Module NET‑J72M
  • Century‑7 Heli‑NET N127H — Receiver Part No. NER‑327X; Tx Module NET‑J72M
  • Century‑7 Airplane‑NET N127M — Receiver Part No. NER‑327X; Tx Module NET‑J72M
  • Century‑7 SS Heli N7C4SHS — Receiver Part No. NER‑327X; Tx Module NET‑J72M
  • Century‑7 SS Airplane N7C4SMS — Receiver Part No. NER‑327X; Tx Module NET‑J72M
  • Century‑7 PCM Heli‑NET N127AH — Receiver Part No. NER‑627X; Tx Module NET‑J72P
  • Century‑7 PCM Airplane‑NET N127M — Receiver Part No. NER‑327X; Tx Module NET‑J72P
  • RCD, Inc. Platinum Series AM replacement receiver — Part No. PGP21AM
  • RCD, Inc. Platinum Series FM replacement receiver — Part No. PGP31FM

Future issues of Model Aviation will contain expanded listings and additional information received by the AMA.

AMA HQ Services Staff

  • Executive Director: John Worth
  • Executive Coordinator: Joyce Hager
  • Administrative Services Director: Robert Voslavek
  • Technical Director: Bob Underwood
  • Comptroller: Lynne Collins
  • Competition Services Director: Micheline Madison

Place Christmas Plans Orders Early

Orders for Model Aviation plans that arrive after December 1, 1989 will not be delivered until after Christmas.

How to Put AMA in Your Will!

Members who wish to perpetuate support for model aviation can include the following clause in their will:

"I give and bequeath (amount of dollars) to the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Inc."

Specify the amount both in words and numbers, for example: five thousand dollars ($5,000).

Life Membership Information

For a contribution of $1,000 you become an AMA contributing member with Life Membership privileges. As a contributing Life Member you receive automatic annual renewal of AMA membership, including:

  • Model Flier's License
  • Publication service (Model Aviation magazine, including AMA News and Competition News)
  • Permanent metal license card
  • Life member cloth patch
  • Recognition of your contribution in current AMA publications
  • Continuing recognition through issuance of a special "L" AMA number (example: L30)

Tax note: Your contribution is tax‑deductible. The IRS may, if your return is audited, exclude an amount equal to the direct cost of servicing the Life Membership; currently estimated at approximately $20 per year.

Alternate payment plans are available: $250 down, then $250 per year for the following three years, or any combination over three years or less with a minimum down payment of $250.

AMA Air Show Teams

  • ALABAMA — Bama Flyers, James Weems, 861 77th Way South, Birmingham, AL 35206. Phone: (h) 205‑838‑8314, (w) 205‑836‑6334
  • ARIZONA — Tucson R/C Club's Barnstormers, Bill Olmstead, 4961 W. Ferret Dr., Tucson, AZ 85741. Phone: (h) 602‑428‑2463
  • CALIFORNIA — California Air Show Team, George Normington, 850 E. 17th St., #11, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Phone: (w) 714‑547‑6244, (h) 714‑554‑1487
  • CALIFORNIA — Capitol City Barnstormers AST, Pat Grubbs, 925 S. 5th St., Elk Grove, CA 95624. Phone: (h) 916‑685‑1009
  • CALIFORNIA — Central California Air Show Team, Ross Shell, 1003 Tanglewood Ave., Redding, CA 95975. Phone: (w) 916‑273‑9524, (h) 916‑673‑7089
  • COLORADO — Denver AST, Nathan Lancaster, 4100 S. Federal Blvd., Englewood, CO 80110. Phone: (h) 303‑781‑3579
  • FLORIDA — Florida AST, Art Johnson, 932 Banyan Drive, Delray Beach, FL 33444. Phone: (h) 407‑278‑9621
  • IOWA — Blackhawks, Davis Ramsay, 2635 Gloria Drive, Waterloo, IA 50701. Phone: (w) 319‑292‑7093, (h) 319‑234‑1297
  • IOWA — Rapids Skyhawks AST, Walter Mecke, 114 S. St. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403. Phone: (h) 319‑366‑0112
  • IOWA — Cornell Kernels, Bernard DeBoer, 414 S. Lynn Drive, Le Mars, IA 51031. Phone: (h) 712‑546‑4009
  • ILLINOIS — Chicagoland Circle Cutters, John Korabos, 412 N. Gerard, Villa Park, IL 60181. Phone: (w) 312‑530‑8876, (h) 312‑530‑2061
  • KANSAS — Air Capital Eagles, Larry Weaver, 240 N. Wood, Wichita, KS 67212. Phone: (w) 316‑283‑9402, (h) 316‑721‑2357
  • MARYLAND / DC — District of Columbia AST, William Savage, 5719 Brandywine Dr., Rockville, MD 20852. Phone: (h) 301‑770‑6066
  • MARYLAND — Skylanders AST, William Dwyer, 3627 Florence Rd., Woodbine, MD 21797. Phone: (h) 301‑854‑6423
  • MICHIGAN — Aero‑Boats of Michigan, Frank Pulte, 8698 Je‑Ne‑Be NE, Rockford, MI 49341. Phone: (h) 616‑874‑8326
  • MINNESOTA — Blue Eagles RC Flying Team, Richard A. Heil, 17680 Cannon Ave. W, Rosemount, MN 55068. Phone: (h) (number not listed)
  • NEW YORK — Thunderbolts, Robert Kasilik, 119 Hudson Ave., Green Island, NY 12183. Phone: (h) 518‑273‑4747
  • OHIO — Buckeye Aero Squadron AST, Bill Collins, 1348 Central Park Ave., Kettering, OH 45409. Phone: (h) 513‑298‑1843
  • OHIO — Hurricanes of Cincinnati, Don Seidl, 411 N. Third St., Hamilton, OH 45011. Phone: (h) 513‑863‑5472
  • OHIO — Spirit of America AST, Jim Hubbard, 721 Rockwell Ave., Findlay, OH 45840. Phone: (h) 419‑422‑5589
  • PENNSYLVANIA — Alpha Squadron, Donald Smith, 206 W. Amstard Ct., Downingtown, PA 19335. Phone: (h) 215‑873‑6999
  • PENNSYLVANIA — Expos, John Ryniewicz, 47 Loomis St., Nantucket, PA 18634. Phone: (h) 717‑735‑5786
  • PENNSYLVANIA — Flying Dutchman Aeromodelers, Al Schaefer, 1706 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, PA 19602. Phone: (h) 215‑372‑5486
  • PENNSYLVANIA — Model Airs Show Team, Ted Lucas, 431 Moosic Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17201. Phone: (h) 717‑264‑2905
  • SOUTH DAKOTA — Prop Busters AST, Bob Bailey, 3605 Wisconsin Ave., Rapid City, SD 57701. Phone: (h) 605‑348‑6406, (w) 605‑342‑2242
  • TEXAS — Lone Star Squadron, Ivan Shomer, 1928 Shomar, Carrollton, TX 75007. Phone: (h) 214‑398‑6921
  • UTAH — UT RC Flight Demo Squadron, David D. Turner, 2104 S. 1600 W., Riverton, UT 84065. Phone: (h) 801‑254‑3981, (w) 801‑254‑3029
  • VIRGINIA — Virginia Air Show Squadron, Frank Himerman, 3439 N. Edison St., Arlington, VA 22207. Phone: (h) 703‑536‑8255
  • WASHINGTON — Barons Flying Circus R/C Demo Team, Bruce Nelson, 807 E. Vicksburg, Spokane, WA 99208. Phone: (h) 509‑456‑2611, (w) 509‑467‑3188
  • WASHINGTON — Northwest RC Flight Demo Team, Lloyd Matson, 6221 S. Prospect St., Tacoma, WA 98409. Phone: (h) 206‑472‑8397
  • WISCONSIN — Circlmasters Air Show Team, David Heit, 7442 N. 2689 Maple Ave., Sussex, WI 53089. Phone: (h) 414‑246‑3814

District II Report

John Byrne District II Vice‑President 36‑29 213 Street, Bayside, NY 11361 Phone: (718) 225‑8319

Associate Vice Presidents:

  • Pete Braunich, 260 S. Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10705
  • Tom Brown, PO Box 4933, APO NY 09099
  • George Busso, 11 Maple Ln., Hyde Park, NY 12538
  • Frank Costello, 27 Kearney St., Dover, NJ 07801
  • Frank Drazin, 9 Willow Ave., Piscataway, NJ 08854
  • John Grigg, 6387 Badger Dr., Lockport, NY 14094
  • Ray Jausnakus, 7 Evergreen Ave., New Hyde Park, NY 11040
  • Kenneth Koeppel, 184 N. Union St., P.O. Box 217, Olean, NY 14760
  • Robert Roane, 39 Monroe St., Keyport, NJ 07735
  • Adam Safier, 41 Perry Ave., Latham, NY 12110
  • Lou Sauer, 2052 Rabbit Lane, Phoenix, NY 13135

Frequency Coordinator:

  • George Meyers, 70 Froelich Farm Rd., Hicksville, NY 11801

Second (District) Thoughts: Having participated in virtually every facet of aeromodelling over many years, I value the diversity of our hobby and urge respect for all specialties. Denigrating another's preferred aeromodeling choice undermines our efforts to gain public approval and secure flying sites.

Mid‑Hudson R/C Society's 23rd Annual WW I Jamboree at Rhinebeck Aerodrome is a must for East Coast modellers—an opportunity to enjoy long‑term friends and the picturesque setting. The 1990 event will continue this tradition.

Safety note (from Atlantic County Skyblazers): be careful when transporting batteries and glow‑plug cans—shorting can cause fires.

Community outreach example: Jericho Radio Control Flyers delivered a lecture and building program to a Glen Cove High School transportation class—good PR and youth involvement.

Reports from area events:

  • Flushing Fall Control Line Stunt Championships: a successful two‑day affair with a Saturday clinic and a pizza party.
  • Keystone Radio Control Club Electric Fly: 118 participants; notable for being very quiet except for a lively PA announcer. Excellent place for electric flying.
  • Columbiana County Centaur RC Club public air show and Flying Tigers of Toledo show: both good public presentations of the hobby.
  • SPARCS of Wamsher: small club (14 members) ran a successful Scale Master qualifier.

The Academy is working to secure additional flying sites in District III; be prepared to assist if requested.

District V Report

Lee Webster District V Vice‑President 1000 Sycamore, Manchester, TN 37355

I expect by the time this magazine reaches you the new District V VP will be known. Whoever it is will need membership support—use him, give him a chance to help. AMA depends heavily on volunteer labor, but the complexity and scale of AMA operations—insurance, multimillion‑dollar budgets, personnel, property, a national magazine, and government relations—mean Council members need administrative and managerial skills, not only technical modelling expertise.

Many members feel isolated from AMA because communication tends to report what has happened rather than what is about to happen. One long‑range idea is to establish paid AMA employees in each district to provide face‑to‑face contact—costly but effective.

On jet engines: the Executive Council must consider insurance risk. AMA cannot currently insure model jet engines until safety practices and enforcement are demonstrated. The EC is studying ways to support jet development under controlled conditions without incurring unacceptable insurance risk.

Field reports:

  • Emory Cole Field dedication (Columbia, TN, Sept 23, 1989): an excellent, landscaped flying field leased from Monsanto—an excellent model for other clubs.
  • Chattanooga R/C Club's new field: an attractive setup with carpeted taxi and pit areas.
  • Palm Beach Skyhawks noise abatement idea: use a low‑rate throttle on the transmitter to reduce maximum noise, using full throttle only for takeoff and initial climb.
  • RC Flyer (Paxton Field): a reminder to practice safe starting methods—humorous incident underlines the point.
  • Ron Foster's approach to 1991 radio changes: be prepared to invest in equipment that meets future requirements—pay now or pay later.

Welcome to the incoming District V VP.

District VI Report

Jim Sears District VI Vice‑President P.O. Box 308, Burgin, KY 40310

Associate Vice Presidents:

  • Ron Ballard, Ft. S. Box 20, Decatur, IN 46733
  • Charlie Bauer, 9944 N. Orchard, Romeoville, IL 60566
  • William Kerr, 1808 12th St., Bedford, IN 47421
  • Dick Taylor, 7509 Jefferson, Kansas City, MO 64131
  • Stan Watson, 14014 W. 34th St., Paola, KS 66064
  • Charlie Watts, 1253 Pioneer Ln., Apt. G, Manchester, MO 63021
  • Bill Zimmer, Box 72, Varna, IL 61375

Frequency Coordinator:

  • Paul Hostetler, 616 W. 30th St., Higginsville, MO 64037

Home: (816) 584‑2481; Work: (816) 584‑7121; Fax: (816) 584‑7766

September highlights:

  • Served as team trials jury member for Control Line Aerobatics at Mt. Comfort airport (Indianapolis, IN). Weather was nice, competition tough, and lots of full‑size aircraft activity added interest.
  • Falls of the Rough State Park (KY): attended a large Quarter Midget Racing event—exciting multi‑plane starts and close pylon racing.
  • Visited St. Louis contests (Scale Masters at Arrowhead airport and a Soaring meet at Buder Park). Scale Masters had 76 entries including vintage WW I models and jets; Soaring meet included winch launches.
  • Encourages use of Buder Park's CL circles to avoid losing them to other uses.
  • Attended a new‑club fly‑in by the Braxon Flyers—15 entrants despite rain; they plan to hold it again.
  • Congratulates new CL Scale team members and notes ongoing planning discussions about splitting the Nats to better accommodate all events.

District XI Report

Ed McCollough District XI Vice‑President 53 S.E. 61st Ave., Portland, OR 97215 Phone: (503) 234‑4439 CompuServe and FAX for EMAIL: 76067,2422

District XI continues to lead in competitors per 1,000 members—quality participation. Event updates and local activity:

  • Drizzle Circuit at Delta Park, Portland (NW Sport Race and NW Super Sport Race): scheduled dates include December 10, January 14, February 11, March 11, and April 1. Contact John Thompson at 1520 Anthony Ave., Cottage Grove, OR 97424, (503) 342‑7324. Sport .40 engines will be allowed against traditional .36 engines this year.
  • Control Line: Howard Rush (FAI Combat winner at the Nats) will lead the Combat team to the World Championships.
  • Indoor Free Flight: tentative dates at Lake Union Naval Reserve Armory, Seattle: December 16 (fly), January 27 (contest), February 17 (fun fly), March 31 (contest).
  • Bend Aero Modelers: agreement with Bend Metro Park & Recreation District to use Tillicum Park for RC soaring; club has been active in local racing and field development.
  • Red Baron RC Club (Idaho Falls, ID): developed an impressive field at North Bingham County Recreational Park—two side‑by‑side runways (grass and paved) and significant club investment and volunteer labor.
  • Bill Raser: developing a ducted‑fan capable of water takeoff; his first attempt suffered water ingress, and a later attempt resulted in a crash at the Columbia water fly at the Nats.

In closing, best wishes for a joyous holiday season.

Happy holidays.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.