Sound & Model Aeronautics
Howard Crispin, Jr.
Mufflers: Fox Manufacturing Company recently began production of a new muffler for .40–.45 cubic-inch displacement engines. The .45 engine was operated for the test. Weather and other factors prevented early evaluation, but recent tests produced very good results. Users should be pleased with the muffler’s ability to reduce sound levels to acceptable limits, especially when the engine is run within reasonable speeds.
Notes on testing:
- The focus was sound suppression, not power or full performance tuning.
- The engine had been rebuilt and required break-in; it was not run aggressively or extremely lean.
- Several propellers were tried:
- APC 11×8: a bit too much prop for the engine on this test (8,900 rpm); decibel level measured 80 dBA — very quiet.
- APC 10×8: more typical for this engine. With the needle set to yield about 11,000 rpm, the meter read 84.5 dBA, indicating an .40 engine could meet many site sound limits. Another 1,000 rpm increase would likely still keep levels below 90 dBA.
- Recommendation: choose a propeller that keeps propeller speed near the tested speeds to maintain low noise.
Interesting footnote: Some past correspondence with Duke Fox was mentioned in relation to the muffler.
Cherry-picked event notes:
- Joe Nall Fly-In: Saturday evening featured the traditional shrimp barbecue and bean supper. About 600 people attended, enjoying food, music, camaraderie, and a huge bonfire. Pat Hartness opened his estate for self-guided tours and hosted flying from a full-scale airstrip with five pilot stations — often five aircraft aloft at once. The weekend was a special event with great weather and memorable flying.
- Charleston, West Virginia: Sixth-grade students from Holz Elementary visited the Flying Hillbillies (AMA Club 0657) flying site. Jean Cropley and Tony Turley organized a program to show students the links between math, science, and aircraft modeling. Tony covered basic electricity for his electric-model demonstrations. The event included in-class seminars, demonstration flights at the field, and plans to be involved with a local summer science camp.
Well done to the Flying Hillbillies — keep up the outreach.
President's Corner
Flying site support — Illinois incident:
- On 21 May AMA learned a proposed Illinois bill would have outlawed model flying within one mile of any structure or dwelling in incorporated areas. The bill was prompted by some unsafe flying incidents.
- AMA and modeling industry partners (Tower Hobbies, Hobbico, Goldberg, etc.) quickly contacted legislators and members. The potential cancellation of the NATS in Lawrenceville was raised as a consequence.
- Result: the bill was withdrawn.
Two points to remember:
- Foolish or unsafe flying by one person can jeopardize the hobby for many.
- A large, influential association and an engaged industry help defend modelers’ interests.
Example — Jacksonville, Florida:
- A beautiful community-sponsored flying site was made possible in part because AMA supplied a list of some 600 local members, demonstrating voter/user interest to officials.
Call to action:
- Encourage others to join the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Strong membership helps sustain advocacy, facilities, and technical progress.
Muncie development:
- The National Flying Site / Headquarters / Museum facility at Muncie is progressing thanks to hundreds of member contributions.
- AMA is running a fundraising prospectus drive (about 5,000 distributed) to complete major improvements and prepare Muncie to host the NATS and other events.
- Reese Airport, adjoining the property, is for sale; purchasing it privately would aid development by providing existing runway and buildable land and a landing site for full-scale aircraft.
Why Muncie matters:
- A centralized facility increases operational efficiency, provides an events site, and creates an image of quality to use with local communities, Congress, the FCC, FAA, and other authorities.
- The aim is to make the Academy of Model Aeronautics synonymous with Muncie — analogous to EAA and Oshkosh.
FCC update:
- AMA received over 70,000 letters (by end of May) and submitted flight-testing reports and a video documenting that a proposed frequency separation of 2.5 kHz is problematic with current equipment.
- The FCC will consider comments and respond sometime this year. AMA expects further meetings.
- An AMA Frequency Committee meeting is scheduled for June to update members.
Good stuff — Joe Nall Memorial Fly-In (1993):
- Hosted by Pat Hartness in Greenville, SC; over 250 entries and 500 models; stretched to a four-day event. Pat’s hospitality, a superb site, and strong modeler spirit made it a memorable gathering.
AMA News
Executive Director’s View from HQ
Vince Mankowski, AMA Executive Director 5151 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie, IN 47302
Relocation update:
- Moving to Muncie involved substantial logistics: moving vans delivered many loads in May and June. Carpentry and drywall work is complete; thousands of boxes remain to unpack.
- Telephone service is being restored and should be fully operational within a couple of weeks. The AMA uses many voice and data lines.
- Computers were turned off in Reston on June 2–3, shipped, arrived June 11, and testing began by June 16. Full computer service expected by June 25.
- Membership department has been re-staffed (100% new hires) and is processing memberships during the move — a slow period helps.
A note of thanks to members for patience during the relocation.
(See separate reports for additional news items about mufflers, youth programs, and the Joe Nall Fly-In.)
Headquarters / Muncie and contact numbers
- Public Relations, Supply and Service, NATS Competition, Special Services: (317) 287-1256
- Model Aviation: (317) 288-4899
- Membership Help: 1-800-I-FLY-AMA
Pennsylvania State Parks:
- AMA efforts helped preserve model aviation activity in Pennsylvania state parks. Clubs now fly in several parks.
- Tuscarora RC Club participated in the parks system’s 100th birthday celebration on May 30, 1993, producing demonstrations and outreach.
Valley Forge and educational outreach:
- Valley Forge Signal Seekers featured a presentation on Valley Forge history and conducted an educational project at Stewart Middle School in Norristown, PA, where 32 students participated.
Soaring contests — Metro R/C Flyers (Akron, OH):
- Dates include August 21, September 4, and October 2. Winches and retrievers furnished.
- Contact: Brian Smith, P.O. Box 85, Clinton, OH 44216; Tel. (216) 825-5456.
Delaware Valley Federation:
- A “club of clubs” in the Philadelphia area including R/C, Free Flight, Indoor, Control Line, and Old-Timers clubs.
- Contact: Pete Van Dore at (216) 635-0486.
District III building accomplishments:
- District III modelers have produced notable building projects; check local newsletters for highlights.
Youth and club programs
Hastings, Nebraska — youth program:
- The Hastings R/C Model Club ran summer 1992 classes at the Hastings Museum for children ages 9–12. Twenty-one youngsters learned to build and fly .049-size control-line planes.
- Materials, plans, kits, engines, and hardware were donated to keep costs reasonable. Club plans to repeat the program in summer 1993.
- Appeal: Robert Lyons received requests for control-line plans (.049, .19–.35) and old magazines. Donations can be sent to:
Hastings Museum, c/o Joan Janzen, 1330 North Burlington Avenue, Hastings, NE 68901.
DISTRICT I REPORT
Connecticut / Maine / Massachusetts / New Hampshire / Rhode Island / Vermont Don Krafft, Vice President PO Box 1828, Duxbury, MA 02331-1828 Tel: (617) 934-6248
Associate Vice Presidents:
- James M. Seminohan — 166 Allen Road, Billerica, MA 01821-5240
- Bob Landry — 80 Main Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452-3146
- M.C. McGuffin — 8 Robinson Street, Houlton, ME 04730-3212
- Harry S. Newman — 36 Sherwood Drive, Hooksett, NH 03106-1077
- Richard Sherman — 28 High Street, Plymouth, NH 03264-1223
- Ed Thompson — 27 E. Greenwich Ave., West Warwick, RI 02893-5405
- Bob Wallace — 91 Sylvan Street, Avon, CT 06001-2230
Frequency Coordinator:
- George Wilson — 82 Frazier Way, Marstons Mills, MA 02648-1866
Rally of Giants '93
- 13th annual rally at Barnes Municipal Airport on September 3–6, 1993 — first time in the Northeast.
- AMA members may join IMAA on-site if not already members.
- Aircraft must conform to AMA and IMAA guidelines.
- Info: George Woods at (203) 259-4025.
William A. Dion
- Guest speaker at a 495th R/C Squadron meeting; WW I collector who lectured on uniforms and history.
- Available for club meetings and buying/selling WW I items: (413) 596-6088.
Sebago Lake Fly-In
- 10th annual event, with proceeds donated to the Camp Sunshine Fund.
- Included flying, a Saturday chicken barbecue, and concurrent country-and-western weekend entertainment.
- Thanks to volunteers and Carl Maroney from AMA HQ for attending.
- Next event scheduled for late October.
Harry Newman
- Appointed AVP for southern New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. AVPs have flexible boundaries — contact the closest AVP.
Joe Nall Memorial Fly-In (May 13–16, 1993)
- Held at Pat Hartness’s 300-acre estate in Greenville, SC, in memory of Joe Nall (former FAA executive).
- Attendance: about 5,500 people; ~600 airplanes in pits/runway/air; ~300 pilots flying giant-scale models.
- Full-scale aircraft were also present. Volunteers, contest staff, and Hartness International employees contributed heavily. Weather cooperated most days.
- Saturday evening barbecue had about 600 ticket buyers; the event included music and a relaxed, festive atmosphere.
DISTRICT IX REPORT
Colorado / Kansas / Nebraska / North Dakota / South Dakota / Wyoming Russ Miller, Vice President 980 N. 3rd Street, Carrington, ND 58421 Days: (701) 652-2739 | Evenings: (701) 652-2321
Associate Vice Presidents:
- Nathan Lancaster — Denver, CO
- Travis McGinnis — Arvada, CO
- Loren Moen — Bottineau, ND
- Don Moden — Salina, KS
- Jim Ricketts — Sioux Falls, SD
- R.L. "Doc" Scraper — Overland Park, KS
- Jack L. Siebert — Lincoln, NE
- Chuck Smith — Casper, WY
Frequency Coordinator:
- Steve Mangles, Radio Service Center, 918 S. Sheridan, Denver, CO 80226
News from Nebraska — Y-Knot Contest
- Lincoln Area Soaring Society hosted the second annual Y-Knot contest on May 15 at Hendricks Sod Farm.
- Format: preregistration, one contestant per frequency, unlimited-duration task, one launcher per pilot, relaxed procedures (no complex order or scoring).
- Landings scored inside/outside a 50-foot-diameter circle; landings used to break ties.
- Results:
- Loren Blinde — 1:36:59
- Jim Frickey — 0:23:15
- Dan Lorimer — 0:22:43
- Jack Fluehr — 0:20:06
- Several midairs and some damage occurred, but participants enjoyed the format. Y-Knot will be held again next year with minor format changes.
News from South Dakota:
- Photos and reports from the Beresford Area Radio Flyers were submitted.
News from North Dakota:
- Correction: trophy and door prize total at a recent mail show was $3,500 (not $350).
- Art May, a longtime modeler and hobbyist, passed away. Condolences to his family; a brief history of his career will appear in a future column.
DISTRICT X REPORT
Arizona / California / Hawaii / Nevada / Utah Richard Hanson, Vice President PO Box 3312, Scottsdale, AZ 85271 Evenings: (602) 964-2817
Summer activities and travel:
- District X offers a wide variety of flying sites and modeling events across beaches, mountains, parks, lakes, and excellent flying weather.
- Torrey Pines: International Slope Race (May 1–2, 1993) hosted by Torrey Pines Gulls — about 30 contestants. Great lift conditions, camaraderie, and some spectacular beach landings and midairs.
- Greater Los Angeles trip (May 15–16): attended multiple events, including the NSRCA Pattern Meet at Mile Square Park, NMPRA Formula I Hollywood Nationals '93 at Sepulveda Basin (top three prizes totaling $1,750), and the F-Troop Scale Fly-In at De Leo Field in Corona.
Control line and vintage stunt:
- Mike Keville (in Kuwait) reported that control line remains active worldwide. His wife, JoAnn, serves as Contest Director for the Vintage Stunt Championship in Tucson, AZ, which often rivals the AMA Nationals in CL Stunt entries and draws international competitors.
Leader Clubs:
- Congratulations to Chula Vista Model Radio Control Club (Chula Vista, CA) and Southern California Aircraft Modelers and Pilots Society (Cerritos, CA) for earning Gold Leader Club status.
Publication note:
- Because of the AMA Headquarters move, district columns will be withheld from the October issue to ease the workload. District X will return in the November issue.
Closing note: Keep safe and keep flying.
Region Events & Notices
Pacific Northwest / Oregon events:
- Snake River Valley Modelers (Ontario, OR) fall Pattern event: August 28–29 at Malheur Butte Airfield. Contact Mike Dunphy, 257 Rosewood, Medford, OR 97504; Tel. (503) 779-7986.
- MECA Collecto (Model Engine Collectors Association): September 11, 6–10 p.m., South Albany High School cafeteria. Table space $1; trophies and door prizes. Info: Rod Russell (503) 390-1022.
- Silents Please and Old-Timers Championship (free flight) at Parker's Field near Tangent, OR: September 11–12. Coupe Cup Finals, Category II AMA Meet.
- Directions: take exit 228 to Highway 34E; follow signs to the field.
- PASS Hand-Launch meet (Portland Area Sailplane Society): Sept 11; Novice Sailplane Sept 12.
- Keizer Big Bird Fly: September 12 at Carl Weatherford’s strip north of Keizer, OR. Setup Saturday the 11th.
Great Oregon EXPO:
- Pattern seminar and many notable aircraft and demonstrations. Photos and highlights circulated.
In memoriam:
- SkyKnights lost two members in two weeks: Curley Gibler and Don Anderson. Both were valued members and friends. Condolences to their families (Alicia Gibler and Barb Anderson).
Enough for now.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
