PR Roundup
Air show teams
The AMA Air Show Team program has been a going concern for about 20 years. Tremendous thanks are due to the men and women who have unselfishly given their spare time to make the program function. It has been demanding and challenging and has cost effort, money, and much personal time devoted to the cause. Showing the sport to the public has been an excellent promotional activity for model aviation — thousands of nonmodelers have had their first exposure to the sport because of air show teams.
Thanks are also due to the many manufacturers who have supported the teams. Their contributions have been well received and extremely helpful. The list of firms is too long to appear here, but most show teams list supporters on a large poster at demonstrations. The program couldn’t have gone on without this support, and we hope those firms have received sales benefits as a result.
Flying sites
The biggest challenge remains acquiring and retaining flying fields. Last year AMA staff worked to help the situation, including exhibiting at the 1989 National Parks & Recreation Congress in San Antonio, TX, where they met hundreds of parks professionals — the people on the front line for model flying on parklands.
AMA clubs should get to know their local parks boards and parks managers now. Even if you don't need help yet, build relationships:
- Do a program for youngsters.
- Help the local recreation department with a youth show-and-tell day.
- Run a Delta Dart building session.
Involvement now can pay dividends later. AMA will be at the 1990 NRPA Congress in Phoenix, AZ — clubs in Phoenix are encouraged to visit in October 1990.
AMA has met with key people in the Department of the Interior. The Bureau of Land Management has revised its policy to stress recreation on public lands under its control. Talk to local BLM representatives and let them know your needs; tell them to contact the AMA Marketing Department for assistance. AMA has also met with Fish & Wildlife personnel to explain the needs of aeromodelers.
Conservation groups sometimes oppose model flying on the grounds that models bother wildlife. AMA contends this is not so. Observations at flying sites often show birds and other wildlife undisturbed by model activity. If your club has documentation (letters from park or conservation officials) showing model flying does not bother wildlife, please send copies to AMA; these documents can be useful in helping other clubs.
Club PR
A nice report came from Bob Sloan of Santa Barbara, CA. He sent a Santa Barbara News‑Press clipping covering an AMA Cub contest run by the Santa Barbara Radio Control Modelers for the Parks Department. The event provided fun for kids and helped cement the club’s relationship with the board of supervisors. Coverage ran four columns with two photographs — excellent publicity.
New Jersey Pine Barons RC Club (Mt. Laurel, NJ) provided subscriptions to Model Aviation for several local schools and libraries (Cherry Hill Public Library; Mt. Laurel Middle School; Neeta School, Medford Lakes; Medford Memorial School; Hainesport Middle School). The club assumed the yearly cost (about $9 per subscription) and regularly provides copies of its newsletter. Kudos to the club leadership.
DCRC Show Team
The very active DCRC Show Team has published a well‑designed black‑and‑white brochure with photos of team members, a typical program, and a short team history. Most important: the brochure includes a contact name and telephone number for groups that want the team to perform. Thanks to Bill Savage, team manager, for sending the brochure.
Volunteerism
In a recent speech to the American Society of Association Executives, President George Bush (a supporter of AMA and model aviation) stressed the role of volunteers. Hundreds of AMA members turn out for volunteer efforts nationwide — adopting schools, working with Boy Scout troops, assisting churches and libraries, and helping 4‑H youngsters. Members are encouraged to take community leaders to local service clubs (Rotary, Lions, Optimist, Kiwanis) when speaking about model aviation.
Mall shows
Clubs that run mall shows usually generate publicity and interest. One mall show spectator from Bristol, TN wrote asking for more information after seeing a club display. Clubs that run mall shows should provide pamphlets and brochures to spectators and follow up on leads.
AMA News
Pennsylvania situation and PR effort
AMA became involved in litigation with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania due to difficulties with the state parks department. AMA staff and volunteers — including Bill Baker, Judy DiLoreta, Marty Neubauer, and Debbie Neubert — assembled and mailed more than 6,000 pieces in two days to mobilize member turnout for public hearings. The strong grassroots turnout helped convince state officials that model aviation is active and important. AMA officials (including Carl Maroney, Bill Baker, AVP Gil Weiss, counsel, and others) met with the parks director to seek a settlement beneficial to all. The Executive Council has allocated additional funds to support efforts like this.
AMA reminds members that political and administrative influence often depends on numbers; supporting the national association and grassroots participation matters.
Lobbying and government relations
AMA provides representation and relationship-building with agencies (including DOI and BLM) but, as a non‑registered lobbyist organization, cannot perform formal lobbying. Members who support a registered lobbying effort would need to make that decision known to their district vice presidents.
Overseas and international relations
AMA staff continue international outreach. One staff member planned travel to England, Leningrad, Vienna, Italy, and France to visit aeromodelling contacts and strengthen international relationships. The trip was personal vacation time but also intended to foster international goodwill and possibly yield a magazine story on return.
Events and contests
- Congratulations to Toledo West Signals for winning the bid to host the 1990 Pylon Team Selection. That event (Labor Day weekend) will determine the U.S. team for the 1991 World Championships.
- F3B Team Selection Finals to be hosted in District IX by Rocky Mountain Soaring Association and Pikes Peak Soaring Society; winners will represent the U.S. at the World Championships in the Netherlands.
- Scale modeling remains popular; the Scale Masters qualifying contest in the district will be hosted by SPARKS in Philadelphia on July 28–29. Contact Melvin Katz for details.
District news and clubs
- Marion Airfoils Club (Marion, OH) held a successful static show and swap meet; local press provided favorable publicity.
- Clinton Aero Modelers Swap Shop and Model Show (Wilmington, OH) was successful with strong attendance.
- Philadelphia Hobby Show (March 25) drew many newcomers; local clubs should follow up on leads.
- Lorain County R/C Club announced its Fourth Annual Helicopter Fun Fly and Scale Competition on July 22. Contact Dennis Feike for information.
Computers and communications
AMA utilizes Compuserve and ModelNet. Members like Tim Nash (Dayton, OH) are contributing to ModelNet (he manages the helicopter segment). Two District III clubs operate bulletin board services:
- Miami, OH R/C Club: 1-513-427-1520 (6:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m. daily).
- Pegasus Flying Club (SE Pennsylvania): 1-215-493-4566 (24/7).
If you have a computer and modem, consider using these services for club communication, want/sell ads, event advertising, and files.
Contest coordination (pilot program)
Beginning in 1991, AMA plans to pilot centralized coordination of Free Flight and Control Line meets in Districts 3, 6, and 7 via computer at Headquarters. For now, sanction filing remains unchanged with district coordinators. If feasible, future sanctioning may be handled at AMA Headquarters to improve coordination across districts.
Membership and elections
This is an election year in District III. Incumbents seek reelection to continue progress on flying site acquisition and improved service to members.
EC Synopsis
- Investigate feasibility of new member and renewal programs; a marketing report considered corporate memberships.
- Executive Director Emeritus reported on preparation of an FAI document to be voted on at the next Executive Council meeting. Council authorized copies of two completed videos for Council members.
- Property acquisition: Council recommended and approved development of a multipurpose site and museum on newly acquired Indiana property. The property committee was restructured and the museum/multipurpose area was designated the Ething Complex. The Executive Director was instructed to prepare a Headquarters relocation feasibility study to be completed over three years. Council authorized the President or Executive Vice President to sign financial commitment and purchase documents.
- Bylaws: Council declined to act on proposed bylaws changes deemed redundant with the Executive Director’s contract and did not adopt additional disciplinary bylaw amendments, believing existing bylaws are adequate.
- Frequency: Frequency management plans for 1991 were well received. Industry arrangements made to assume AMA’s role of checking transmitters at trade shows.
- Insurance: Council agreed to pursue a reciprocal insurance agreement with MAAC (Model Aeronautics Association of Canada), targeting January 1, 1991.
- Safety: Safety remains paramount. Concerns about Control Line Speed lines and safety margins were referred for in-depth study by Safety and Insurance committees and the Contest Boards Coordinator. Study to be completed before the Nationals; if unresolved, an injunction against Control Line Speed flying is possible.
- Sound: Council approved purchase of an octave‑band analyzer and a telemeter device. A sound booklet and noise handbook update are in progress. FAI approved major changes for noise reduction.
- Events for 1990 (including the Nats and the U.S.-hosted Indoor World Championships) are proceeding without difficulty.
Good News
The AMA Film Librarian now has videotapes available for sale at $25 each (specify Beta). Titles available:
- Those Marvelous Miniatures — 46 min.
- Adrift On The Air — 30 min.
- Diamonds in the Sky — 30 min.
- Grand Illusions — 36 min.
- The Pioneers — 27 min.
- Wired For Excitement — 30 min.
Order from: AMA Film Librarian, 1810 Samuel Morse Drive, Reston, VA 22090. Include $25 per tape and specify format ("Beta"). All shipping charges prepaid by AMA.
AMA Awards
Officer awards
- Award of Appreciation — First‑level award presented at the discretion of the Vice‑President, President, or Executive Director for district service or special recognition.
- Superior Service — Second‑level award presented with Executive Council approval; often for local service.
- Distinguished Service — Third‑level award presented with Executive Council approval for long‑term service in AMA office or committee.
- Meritorious Service — Automatic award to outgoing Executive Council members.
- Fellow Certificate — Automatic to outgoing President; also for long and dedicated AMA service on behalf of others; recipient need not hold office.
Club or individual awards
- Technical Award — Presented with Executive Council approval for technical achievements that better modeling.
- Vital People's Award — Up to six cash awards per year to unsung heroes at the club level as recognized by fellow members.
- Hall of Fame — Presented with Council of Past Presidents approval; roughly equivalent to Fellow Certificate but not primarily for service to others.
- President's Legion of Honor — Presented with approval of the President, Executive Director, and Executive Vice‑President for major personal donations, major fundraising, or exceptional financial contribution.
- All Season Flyers Patch — Awarded for flying at least once each month for 12 months (club officer approval required).
- Award of Service — Issued to clubs with vice‑presidential approval for community service.
- Award of Achievement — Issued to clubs with vice‑presidential approval for competition/service achievements.
- Award of Excellence — Issued with Executive Council approval as an upgrade for significant achievement (e.g., upgrade of Award of Service or Award of Achievement).
Contact and closing
If your club would like a visit from your AVP or VP, please contact AMA Headquarters. Think flying sites — involvement with local parks and recreation officials is essential.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
