Edition: Model Aviation - 1990/04
Page Numbers: 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130
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AMA News

Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Winners — 1989

Bill Baker, Assistant Director of Marketing

Recipients of the 1989 Charles H. Grant Scholarship fund have been announced by the AMA Scholarship Committee. Five university‑aged students were selected from a field of 22 applicants for the prestigious award. The recipients — Richard D. Carlton, Glenn A. Dean, Kevin A. Freeman, Brett A. Hoffstadt, and Christopher W. Wilken — were recognized for their academic excellence, extracurricular and community involvement, and participation in model aviation, according to committee chairman Bob Underwood.

"These students best exemplify the spirit of Charles Grant," Underwood said. "Furthermore, we believe these students will make significant contributions to the aeronautics industry once they have completed their education."

#### Richard D. Carlton — Grass Valley, CA

  • Award: $2,000 to assist studies at the University of California, Davis.
  • Program: Freshman, Aeronautical Engineering.
  • Career goal: Become a fighter pilot in the military.
  • College activities: Army ROTC, Aggie Marching Band.
  • Modeling background: Building and flying model aircraft for five years. Member of Sierra Eagles Air Show Team and Sierra Foothills R/C Fliers (newsletter editor, flight instructor). Founder of Nevada Union R/C Club. Built a TS-2A Grumman Tracker air tanker recognized by the California Department of Forestry.
  • High school: Nevada Union High School — top 10% of class, 3.5 GPA; California Scholarship Federation; Golden State Exam Honors Award (geometry); two‑year varsity soccer letterman; marching, concert, and pep bands.
  • Community/service: Plays trumpet and baritone in church orchestra; youth soccer instructor; 4‑H member. Summer firefighter for the California Department of Forestry; hopes to join its aviation program.

#### Glenn A. Dean — Moreno Valley, CA

  • Award: $6,000 from the Grant fund and $1,000 from the Weak Signal Scholarship fund.
  • Program: Freshman, Aerospace Engineering at Florida Institute of Technology (Melbourne, FL).
  • AMA membership: Since 1985. Clubs: Riverside R/C Club; Miniature Aircraft R/C Society (San Bernardino); League of Silent Flight.
  • Modeling background: Primarily R/C power; competes in Pattern events; judges Pattern Scale (Level Three Unified Scale/Pattern Judges Association); built several sailplanes; RC soaring sparked his career interest.
  • Notable project: 1988 Moreno Valley Science Fair — built an R/C sailplane and researched spoiler effects on glide path (first place).
  • High school: Graduated fourth in class with 4.0 GPA. National Honor Society (1987–89); High Honor Roll (1985–89); California Scholarship Federation (1987–89); Who's Who Among American High School Students (1988–89); National Merit Semifinalist (1988); four‑year Army ROTC scholarship; U.S. Achievement Academy National Leadership Merit Award (1988).
  • Activities: Math Club, College Bowl, track and cross‑country. Music: All‑City Band; marching, jazz and symphonic bands; Band Director's Leadership Award (1988). Recreation: Cycling (Knickerbockers bicycle touring club).

#### Kevin A. Freeman — Hickman, KY

  • Award: $4,500 for first year at University of Illinois, Carbondale.
  • Program: Honors program, Computer Science.
  • Modeling background: Involved in R/C flying for three years; started with trainers (e.g., Craft-Air Piece‑O‑Cake) and advanced to scratchbuilding (recently scratchbuilt an Aiguon V). Demonstrated sport flying at exhibitions (Goodyear employee picnic, Reelfoot Aeromodelers).
  • High school: Fulton County High School — salutatorian, 3.975 GPA (May 1989). Awards: All‑American Scholar Program, Governor’s Scholar Program, Who’s Who in American High School Students. Competitions: Future Business Leaders of America (Computer Concepts) — second in state; Governor’s Cup (2nd in math series 1988; 7th in 1989 science). Treasurer of Beta Club; Math Club; Academic Team; varsity basketball; band.
  • Community/service: Assisted Girl Scout troop with park renovation; 4‑H; leadership conferences in the UK and North Carolina.
  • Other interests/work: Computer programming and photography (blue ribbons at Kentucky State Fair); photographer and sports reporter for the Fulton Daily Leader.

#### Brett A. Hoffstadt — Rocky River, OH

  • Award: $2,500. Sophomore, Aerospace Engineering at Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN).
  • Cooperative education: Works alternating semesters at McDonnell Douglas (St. Louis) on the F‑15 Eagle project.
  • Modeling background: Began building and flying with his father in junior high; RC sport flying; Control Line and Free Flight rubber experiments. Former member of Lorain County RC Club and newsletter contributor.
  • High school: Rocky River High School — 4.1 weighted GPA; top 4% of class; National Honor Society.
  • Activities: Co‑president of SADD; yearbook treasurer; student government representative; two‑year varsity lineman; marching and pep bands. Continues to play tuba in Purdue All‑American Marching Band.
  • Note: Plans to bring a three‑channel model back to campus.

#### Christopher W. Wilken — Fairmont, MN

  • Award: $2,000 to attend University of Minnesota (Minneapolis), Aeronautical Engineering.
  • Modeling background: Ten years in aeromodeling (R/C and Free Flight). Founding member of Elk Creek Fliers; served as secretary, treasurer, newsletter editor, and flight instructor. Participated in fun flys, mall shows, and public demos.
  • High school: Fairmont Senior High School — 3.858 GPA; Knowledge Bowl Team; Academic Excellence Society. Recipient of 3M Corporation’s Richard G. Drew Creativity Award (science).
  • Full‑scale aviation: Soloed at 16; private license at 17. Member of Experimental Aircraft Association and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
  • Other hobbies: Competitive rifle shooting, computers, amateur radio.

About the scholarship fund

  • The Charles H. Grant Scholarship fund was established in 1987 in memory of Charles H. Grant’s achievements in model and full‑scale aviation.
  • Eligibility (this year): 1989 or 1990 high school graduates who are currently enrolled in a college or university program and who have been involved in aeromodeling during the past three years.
  • Selection: Recipients are chosen by the AMA Scholarship Committee, chaired by Bob Underwood (Reston, VA). Committee members: Cliff Telford (Bethesda, MD); Betty Stream (Long Beach, CA); Charles Bauer (Chicago, IL); Russ Miller (Carrington, ND).
  • Applications: Obtainable from AMA Headquarters — AMA Headquarters, Attention: Scholarship Applications, 1810 Small Morse Drive, Reston, VA 22090. All applications are considered by the committee, which submits recommendations to the AMA Executive Council for final decision.

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Executive VP's Report

Dave Brown, AMA Executive VP 45600 High Rd., Hamilton, OH 45013

"Loose lips sink ships" is an old Navy saying that applies to nearly all forms of business — including the AMA's efforts to purchase land for a national flying site.

Finding an ideal site (ample local government support, nearby facilities, good climate, easy access, single owner willing to sell reasonably) is unrealistic. Realistically, acceptable properties require negotiation with multiple owners who will attempt to obtain the highest price possible. The more those sellers know about the buyer's position, the stronger their negotiating stance and the higher the price.

Leaks of information — rumors or premature press reports — hurt negotiations. Sellers may learn that a parcel is key to AMA plans and raise their ask accordingly. Memberships, local club memberships, or local newsletter items can unintentionally inform sellers. Newspaper articles often exaggerate or misrepresent model aviation, which can worsen local opposition. When the model press reprints such articles without verification or embellishes them, it compounds the problem and can cost the membership significantly.

Organizational growth requires changes in management style. As organizations scale, decision making moves from direct-town‑meeting approaches to elected officials and professional managers. Most members trust their elected representatives and the professionals they hire; a small, vocal group that questions every move can unintentionally interfere with effective management and add cost.

Key points and initiatives:

  • Trust elected officers and support the governance process; if you disagree, run for office or campaign for candidates you trust.
  • The AMA Executive Council comprises capable individuals who base decisions on available information and deliberation.
  • As AMA grows toward 170,000+ members (and potentially 200,000–250,000), dispersal of leadership and strengthening mid‑level volunteer management will be essential.
  • Headquarters will explore seminars and training for Contest Directors and leader members, provide information and assistance to club officers and district officers, and potentially reassign some roles traditionally handled by Headquarters to district officers.
  • Strengthening volunteer leadership will also allow Headquarters staff to shift some internal PR resources to external marketing, improving AMA’s public image and fueling membership growth.

Operational note — 1990 membership renewal glitch:

  • Some members were inadvertently overcharged by an AMA bank processing software error. The bank's deposit totals exceeded AMA's records, leading to duplicate or excess credits and refunds, and some members also contacted their card issuers, which complicated reconciliations.
  • AMA is correcting the credit card charges. Members affected may have extra steps to regain proper billing. The issue illustrates why some businesses apply credit card fees or wait for charges to clear before shipping.

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II District Report

John Byrne, District II Vice‑President 35‑29 213 Street, Bayside, NY 11361 | (718) 225‑8319

Associate Vice Presidents

  • Pete Bianchini, Yonkers, NY
  • Tom Brown, APO NY
  • George Buco, Hyde Park, NY
  • Frank Costello, Dover, NJ
  • Frank Drozdow, Piscataway, NJ
  • John Grigs, Lockport, NY
  • Ray Jusckus, New Hyde Park, NY
  • William Keppel, Olean, NY
  • Robert Moore, Keyport, NJ
  • Adam Salinas, Latham, NY
  • Lou Salzer, Phoenix, NY

Frequency Coordinator

  • George Myers, Hicksville, NY

Second (District) Thoughts:

  • Publication timing can create a freshness gap between reporting and receipt; the effort is still worthwhile for sharing information readers may not see elsewhere.
  • Free Flight interest: The 19th U.S. Free Flight Championships (Taft, CA, 1989) followed a championship-style format across a wide variety of categories (Gas, Nostalgia, FAI, Outdoor Rubber, Glider, Old Timer, Electric, Scale, Indoor, Night Flying). Winners included Jerry Thorkildsen (Grand/Open/AMA Champion), Mike Keller (Senior Champion), John Keller (Junior Champion), and Hal Conover (Old Timer Champion).

Club and community items:

  • Long Island Silent Fliers RC Association (Charter 1276): Paul Bell (newsletter editor) was inducted into the AMA Honor Society for Newsletter Editors.
  • Photo captions and community highlights: (Noted) Ray Jusckus greeting the Pope (photo noted), and other club highlights.
  • Obituary: Robert (Bob) Kaplan (Model Masters, Brooklyn) — his passing prompted many tributes highlighting his contributions to the hobby and local modelers.
  • Harris Hill: The Clarence Sailplane Society reported Harris Hill hosted a two‑day RC Soaring classic (November 4–5) — the mecca of soaring in the U.S.
  • Safety/frequency control: Oswego Valley Modelaires instituted Flight Authorization Pins to ensure only authorized transmitters are turned on (two‑pin system: numbered pin plus flight authorization pin).
  • Miniature Aircraft Association of Westchester: Adopted a sound‑minimization policy limiting powerplant sound to 94 dB at three meters from the nose over a paved runway, with standardized measurement and spot checks.
  • West Windsor Flying Club: Provided photos and coverage of their Annual Helicopter Meet and Big‑bird/Scale entries.

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III District Report

Bob Brown, District III Vice‑President 1255 High Street, Bradford, PA 16701 | (814) 362‑7022 CompuServe: 73767,12

Associate Vice Presidents

  • Francis Fluharty, Vienna, WV
  • Nelson Gould, Allentown, PA
  • John Hathaway, New Stanton, PA
  • Jay Merrill, Clearfield, PA
  • Joseph S. Vick, Massillon, OH
  • Lawrence R. Wesner, Maple Heights, OH
  • Gil Weiss, Bensalem, PA
  • Mark Wilcox, Dayton, OH

Frequency Coordinator

  • John Cottle, Forty Fort, PA | (717) 287‑8970

Main items:

  • Pennsylvania State Parks 2000 Plan: Public hearings began; strong turnout with many modelers attending. Members are urged to write local politicians and Arthur A. Davis, Secretary, Department of Environmental Resources (P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105‑2063) to support modeler access to public lands. Free Flight needs are included; all disciplines should participate.
  • District III patch: Winning design by Mike Shivley (Gahanna, OH). Patch to be produced and distribution details to follow.
  • VRCMCC Award: Valley Radio Control Model Club of Sayre, PA celebrated its 25th anniversary. The club received the Award of Excellence for community service.
  • RC paratrooper: A Philadelphia group developed an RC parachutist project; contact details available from district sources.
  • Junior Free Flight World Championships: Team selection and support ongoing; 1990 team includes Roger Jaeger (F1B) and Craig Lippman (F1C). Funding and donations are requested for practice and participation — send donations to AMA Headquarters designated for the Junior FF Team Fund.
  • Club news highlights:
  • Miami Valley R/C Club (Middletown, OH) — active and class act.
  • Safety officers and active club volunteers spotlighted (e.g., Jerry Skinner of Dayton Rotarywing Masters).
  • Clinton Model Aviators — active membership and strong newsletter (The Balsa Obituary).
  • Upcoming events: Delaware Valley Federation banquet, Murrysville Area Radio Control Society Annual Greensburg (large auction).

Reminder: Political action yields flying sites — members are encouraged to be involved.

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Other District and Regional Highlights

Ed Wisser, AMA 5946

  • District II member Ed Wisser, a recent Vital People Award winner, passed away January 16, 1990. Survivors include his wife Kay, a son, daughter, three granddaughters, and a grandson. He will be missed for his volunteer contributions.

AMA Museum Patron's Program

Benefits, service, prestige, recognition. Categories (tax deductible):

  • Regular: $15/year — special card, pin, bumper sticker, patch, Museum Newsletter.
  • Life: $1,000 one‑time — all Regular benefits plus Life pin, patch, and two‑digit number.

The Museum Newsletter compiles correspondence and reminiscences among Hall of Famers and pioneers of model aviation, preserving historical views for future generations.

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VII District Report

Peter Waters, District VII Vice‑President 115 E. Main, Upper Level, Northville, MI 48167

Key points:

  • Contest Board for Pattern: Brian Crosley stepped down; Dave (surname omitted) accepted the post and is a strong choice.
  • District PR coordinator: Joe "Mick" Haas appointed as district PR coordinator/AVP to assist with field problems and local outreach; funded partially by AMA HQ PR.
  • Assistant VP: Boyd Bowdish appointed to handle Minnesota and surrounding areas, improving local input and visibility.
  • Shared secretary idea: Discussing sharing a district secretary among Districts III, VI, and VII to centralize and speed local support.
  • Club initiatives and kudos:
  • CAMS of Michigan donated Model Aviation subscriptions to school libraries.
  • MARCS formed a grievance committee.
  • Signal Seekers have a Sunshine Committee.
  • Bay Fliers of Wisconsin and other clubs recognized for community service.
  • PAMA and others continuing field upkeep and noise management.
  • District roundup: New club newsletters, noise-dB monitoring initiatives, community tool donations, and motivational quotes from clubs.

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VIII District Report

Gene Hempel, District VIII Vice‑President 301 N. Yale Drive, Garland, TX 75042

Associate Vice Presidents

  • Glenn Greeson, Baton Rouge, LA
  • Mike Harrison, Hot Springs, AR
  • Gil Hofmann, Mandeville, LA
  • Bill Kimbro, Texarkana, TX
  • Ron Stanfield, Maumelle, AR
  • Charles Voss, Poteau, OK
  • Jim Traw, Norman, OK
  • Chuck Wood, Crains, WI

Frequency Coordinator

  • Joe DuMond, Carrollton, TX

Column by Jim Traw (Oklahoma AVP):

  • Observations on modeling activity in Oklahoma between Thanksgiving and Christmas: many clubs busy, but recognition often requires submission of club news.
  • CORCS (Norman) — 1990 officers and planning for the 14th annual Pattern contest (oldest continuous contest in north Texas/Oklahoma area). Unique site on University of Oklahoma campus fosters student aeronautical projects (payload vs. engine size, TV camera projects for storm flight).
  • New club in Ada (AMAC): Found site, recruited members, started a newsletter and sponsored a Big Bird Fun Fly within six months.
  • Westside Club (Oklahoma City): Conducted a member survey to better understand member demographics and activity.
  • Bartlesville Falcons Model Club: Small club accomplishing significant results — exemplary flying site with paved runway, grass runways, sailplane lanes; hosts multiple event types.
  • Baxter Field Club (Midwest City): Diverse flying interests (Scale, Helicopters, Sport, Pattern, Control Line) and strong Pattern results; notable volunteer leadership (Jerry Stuckey, Jerry's Kids).
  • ORFFS SIG: Old Retired Fliers Society — a lighthearted special interest group for retired fliers (soloed, opinionated, $3.30 pin fee, no officers, no dues).
  • Local club note (Owasso Skylazers): Small club north of Tulsa with regular weekend flying and social activity.

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