Edition: Model Aviation - 1994/05
Page Numbers: 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148
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AMA News

Academy of Model Aeronautics 5151 East Memorial Drive Muncie, IN 47302

Needed: help — share individual club successes, projects, and events with the rest of the AMA membership. If you have a newsworthy item you would like aired, please send it to the above address.

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PR Roundup

Geoffrey Styles — Director of Marketing

News Needed To help share individual and club successes and projects with the rest of the AMA membership, I need your input. If you have a newsworthy item that you would like aired, please send it.

New Address I am running the AMA–Washington office from a new address: Geoffrey Styles AMA, Inc. 106 Lugano Place Winchester, VA 22603

The office is equipped with an on-line computer and a fax machine for instant communication, plus a telephone with an answering machine. Located 75 minutes west of Washington, D.C., the office allows commitments to government business to be attended to easily. I continue to serve on the FAA Unmanned Aerospace Vehicle Committee and maintain contact with other key organizations and departments.

Travel and Assistance I will travel to areas where direct AMA assistance is needed for flying-site matters when the impact of such a trip can be multiplied by involvement in other business. Since AMA members’ funds pay for personnel travel, requests are evaluated on their merits; we try to combine trips with other scheduled events when possible.

The Power of Letters

Did you read Bob Underwood’s report on the FCC position regarding sharing radio channels (February 1994, MA pages 166–167)? One of the major factors in the success of AMA presentations was the large number of letters written by AMA members to the FCC, senators, and members of Congress expressing opposition to the proposed FCC action. Those thousands of letters carried great weight — AMA members and the club officers who led campaigns deserve recognition for taking the time to write.

Oregon Success Story

General Aviation News & Flyer reported on Oregon’s Senate Bill 1067 (the Airport Rights Bill). Powerful anti-aviation interests tried to kill the bill, which could have endangered many of the state’s 331 privately owned airports. Senator Rod Johnson of Roseburg credited determined action by pilots and aviation supporters — particularly calls to the state capitol — with keeping the bill alive long enough to be referred to committee. The lesson: unified action works. When something threatens your right to enjoy the pastime, contact local, state, and federal legislators and make your views known.

Aerospace Adventure Day

Bob Nelson of Bob’s RC Supply Store (Cedar Falls, IA) sent a write-up of the 1993 EAA Adventure Day. Highlights:

  • Attendance: more than 500 youngsters.
  • Location: University of Northern Iowa Dome.
  • Co-sponsors/participants: local EAA chapter, Iowa Space Grant Consortium, Navy Recruiting, Air Force Recruiting, FAA, Iowa Highway Patrol.
  • Purposes:
  • Primary: introduce young people to flying through hands-on activities and free airplane rides (participants under 18 required an adult).
  • Secondary: generate support for general aviation.
  • Third: career exposure.
  • Activities: Delta Darts, paper airplanes, model rockets, wooden gliders, flight simulator, RC flights using buddy boxes for beginner stick time.
  • Prizes: U.S. Savings Bonds, cameras, model kits.
  • Financial assistance: Iowa DOT, Iowa Space Grant Consortium, EAA Chapter 227.

Thanks to Bob and Nancy Nelson for the report. Best of luck for the 1994 event.

More next month.

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Executive VP’s Report

Dave Brown — AMA Executive VP

Travel & Weather Anecdote Upon returning home in Ohio I encountered record low temperatures, ice-covered roads, and widespread travel disruptions. It’s a reminder that trade-show travel can be unpredictable.

Business Opportunities Committee Proposal At a recent AMA Executive Council meeting I proposed creating a Business Opportunities Committee to reduce AMA’s dependence on dues. The idea: market select aviation-themed items to members and use profits to fund projects. Examples:

  • Aviation motif greeting cards (holiday cards).
  • Aviation-themed wallpaper or cloth.
  • Embroidered or silk-screened club shirts, jackets, or hats.
  • Unique tools or specialty items (e.g., channel analyzers, certain scanners).
  • Club trophies.

Rationale and Concerns:

  • Many organizations derive 30–60% of income from merchandising.
  • Merchandising could fund member benefits without raising dues.
  • Some members will oppose AMA entering commerce; unrelated business income tax and competition concerns must be considered.

Till next month.

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Events & Suggestions

Events (Florida)

  • Flying season is in full swing in Florida; most events are held in winter.
  • Golden Hawks Club (DeLand) hosts several events. Recent back-to-back Jet Rally and Festival of Giants weekends included 160 entries from 12 countries.
  • Turbine engine models are emerging; safety, reliability, and affordability remain challenges. AMA has been testing the French JPX engine (currently propane) and expects a kerosene version soon.

Suggestion Hosting events is a positive way to strengthen community relationships.

Youth

The EAA has initiated a youth program to introduce youngsters to the thrill of flight. AMA has been asked to participate and will propose a program for chartered clubs to promote youth involvement in model aviation through events allowing kids hands-on flying experiences. More details to follow.

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Free-Flight Friend — Obituary

Seymour Hertzson (age 80) — reprinted from the Asbury Park Press

  • Died at Community Medical Center, Toms River.
  • Born in New York City; lived in Beachwood since 1948.
  • Career: teacher and supervisor of Industrial Arts at Toms River High School South for 25 years (retired 1973). Helped establish drafting programs at other local high schools.
  • Activities: coached football and soccer; started chess and bowling teams; organized drafting and troubleshooting competitions that became part of the Vocational Skills Olympics at Lakehurst Navy base.
  • Education: B.Ed., New York University (1948); M.A. (1949); Industrial Arts Certification (1951).
  • Associations: N.J. Teachers Association; National Teachers Association; Shop Teachers’ Association of America (vice president and board member for 38 years, retired 1993). Three-time N.J. Teacher of the Year.
  • Modeling: life member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics; founder and life member of Ocean County Modelers; free-flight enthusiast and RC sailplane flyer; co-authored four articles in Model Airplane News.
  • Military: U.S. Army veteran, World War II, sergeant; wounded in the Battle of the Bulge.
  • Survived by wife Heide Berchert Hertzson; brothers David and Leon; two nieces and two nephews.

Kedz Funeral Home, Toms River, in charge of arrangements.

Seymour did much to help young people get started in modeling.

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Club & Regional News

Blennerhassett Area R/C Club

Chalmer Monroe and Chris Monroe rang in the New Year flying Telemasters in 26°F weather.

Ashland Cloud Chasers

Bud Green and Dave Maurer received local press coverage (Ashland Times-Gazette); Maurer’s son provided the photograph showing club members flying off the snow. They fly a 1937 Quaker Flash.

Westmoreland Electric Soaring Society (WESS)

  • Event: Flying After Thanksgiving (FAT) day introduced local electric pylon racing (1/2A SSTs, Graupner Speed 600 on seven cells).
  • Early results were promising; plans for a full 1994 season. Participants pictured included Bob Markle, Scott Koschosky, and Dave D’Antonio.

Mon Valley R/C Club

Scott Brierley landed safely despite wing dents after flying too close to surrounding trees in his Goldberg Chipmunk.

Toledo — Weak Signals Show

  • Date reminder: April 8–9, 1994.
  • Noted as a major RC trade show with sanctioned contests and a SAM meet.

Chicago Circle Cutters & Other Photo Submissions

Photos from Kenosha (Petrifying Springs Park) and other club events show jet starts, display models (e.g., Sassy Saucer), WWI scramble events, frozen fly-ins, Road Kill fly-ins, and various club gatherings. Contributors include Bill Dahlgren, Nagio Forbes, Donald Hershberger, and others. The Steuben club sends many photos illustrating their activities and winter challenges.

Milan Cloud Dusters (Milan, IL)

Photos show members displaying twin designs and a Corsair on a pleasant Sunday; club field appears large and well-used.

Effingham Illinois Radio Control Sport Flyers Club

Members enjoyed Sunday afternoon flying sessions.

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DISTRICT VII REPORT

Iowa / Michigan / Minnesota / Wisconsin Peter Waters — Vice President 115 East Main, Upper Level, Northville, MI 48167

Assistant Vice President

  • Don Benfield, 1440 W. Minnehaha Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104 — Phone: (612) 645-2984

PR / Insurance Coordinator

  • Joseph H. Hass, 5394 English Drive, Troy, MI 48098

Associate Vice Presidents

  • Bud Gorman, P.O. Box 33, Knife River, MN 55609
  • Russell Knitzer, 2625 E. Shorewood Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI 53211
  • Jean Laski, 305 Patti Place, Holland, MI 49423
  • Carl Mohs, 5024 Lake Mendota Drive, Madison, WI 53705
  • Mark E. Robnett, 26540 Olympic Trail North, Lindstrom, MN 55045
  • Leroy Satterlee, 1505 Lark Lane, Vermillion, IA 50761-3638
  • Ron Sears, 132 S. Rosslyn, Watertown, MI 48328-3551
  • Mike Gingery, 6468 Summerton Rd., Shepherd, MI 48883-9308

Frequency Coordinators

  • West: Bob Stamm, 3116 Boyce Drive, Rhinelander, WI 54501
  • East: Bert Kelly, P.O. Box 39001, Redford, MI 48239

Milwaukee-area Aeromodelling Photography Art Schmidt, a long-time aeromodeler and professional photographer, has documented four decades of Milwaukee-area aeromodelling activity. Selected highlights:

  • A 1956 control-line contest photo (possibly showing EAA founder Paul Poberezny).
  • Mall shows during cold winters (Brookfield Square).
  • Frozen-water flying (MARKS Club fun-fly on Wind Lake, February 1990).
  • Muck-recovery incidents from floodplain landings (RAMS Club field).
  • Tree retrievals (RAMS field, 1987).
  • Fun-fly scenes on regional sod farms (1988 MARKS Club).
  • Social and food moments at fun-flies (RAMS Club treasurer enjoying a sandwich).

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Nebraska & Regional Contest News

SWIFT Soaring Club (Omaha, NE)

Soaring contest held June 26 at Ak-Sar-Ben Arboretum. Twenty-four pilots participated.

Open Class winners:

  1. Loren Blinde (Lincoln, NE)
  2. Larry Puls (Council Bluffs, IA)
  3. N. Chris Knowles (Omaha, NE)

Two-Meter Class winners:

  1. Steve Filips (Boulder, CO)
  2. Steve Rohlman (Lincoln, NE)
  3. Steve Dvorsky (Lincoln, NE)

Prizes: plaques, first pick of donated prizes, discount coupons. Further prizes distributed by drawing so all entrants received something.

Larry Puls, SWIFT Soaring Club

Sky Knights R/C Club (Nebraska)

Night-flying event featured lighted models (light sticks and battery-powered lights). Emphasis: use a stable model with adequate power that does not fly too fast.

Timed flight (target 4:37) results (selected):

  • Steve Cartagena: 4:11 (22 sec short) — 1st
  • Tom Wilde: 5:02 (25 sec long) — 2nd
  • Craig Sparks: 5:14
  • Tom Hefley: 5:39
  • Others: Dave Rieber, Joe Moritz, Don Svoboda, Kent Leonard, Brent Jensen

High/Low limbo event:

  • 1st: Steve Cartagena (46 seconds)
  • 2nd: Craig Sparks (1:05)

Many pilots cut the ribbon or touched the runway while passing under the ribbon.

Dave Rieber, Sky Knight R/C Club

Valley R/C Flyers (North Dakota)

  • Membership: just over 100; strong newcomer interest.
  • New beginner training program pairs newcomers at kit purchase with an instructor; more than 15 new potential pilots so far.
  • 1994 fun-fly: August 13–14. Skyhawks R/C show team scheduled to perform twice each afternoon. Expect a show featuring nearly 30 large-scale warbirds (1/5, 1/4, 1/3 scale).

Craig Sturm, President, Valley Flyers

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Notes & Closing

  • If your club or region has news, event reports, contest results, or photos, please send them to AMA Headquarters so we can share your successes with the rest of the membership.
  • Continued thanks to all volunteers, club leaders, and members who support modeling activities, youth outreach, and legislative advocacy.

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