AMA News
Sound & Model Aeronautics — Howard Crispin, Jr.
Community service: One difficulty today is the proliferation of ordinances often drawn up by well-meaning but misinformed individuals. Ordinances are frequently developed in a hurry to meet the demands of certain constituents. Authorities are not always well versed on the subject and may be unaware of resources that can make things easier.
The news media are often at fault by printing incomplete reports. For example, a report that “a dB level of 50 was established as a nighttime level” is meaningless without stating the distance or location of the measurement. Without that information the level report has no context. Similar incomplete statements appear in press reports on airport rules for full-scale aircraft, where no method or location for measurement is given.
Standards and measurements:
- AMA recommendation: 90 dBA measured at nine feet, using dBA weighting and SLOW response.
- FAI Sporting Code (F3A): sound level measured at three meters, no higher than 96 dBA.
- International practice (UK, Germany, etc.): 82 dBA measured at seven meters for many model operations — roughly comparable to 90 dBA at nine feet.
These are established standards and generally can be complied with legally; hardware/application issues may present practical challenges.
Get involved: Members should participate in local noise-ordinance formulation. No agency can substitute for members informing authorities where they stand on sound-level rules. Typical responsibility for writing ordinances often lies with the Zoning Department — the same department that usually controls flying-site approvals.
Resources:
- The Sound & Model Aeronautics handbook references several helpful documents available to local agencies.
- Copies of ordinances from other jurisdictions can provide useful examples.
- For sample ordinances, contact Howard Crispin, Jr., 611 Beechwood Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22901.
If you have an upcoming meeting with ordinance writers, present documentation and examples — that can influence the final ordinance.
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Syracuse, New York — CNYMAA Symposium/Model Show
Central New York Model Aircraft Association held its 18th annual Symposium/Model Show at the Horticultural Building, State Fairgrounds. The show featured:
- 40 exhibitors
- Indoor helicopter flying
- Boat pond and hands-on activities
- Support from 15 clubs forming CNYMAA
Scholarships: Over the years CNYMAA has awarded $15,000 in scholarships. The top award ($500) in 1994 went to Jeremy Mosher. Eight other awards were presented at the banquet.
Thanks: Chip Smith (AMA Competitions Department Director) staffed the Academy booth and provided public-relations support. Thanks to Walt Throne, Show Director, for photos and information — visit his hobby shop in Syracuse when you can. Walt is a founding member of the National Retail Hobby Shops Association.
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Free Flight World Championships / Austrian World Championships
- Free Flight World Championships — Bakersfield, California. Dr. Georg Breiner (Austrian Aero Club president) was photographed chatting with AMA District III VP Bob Brown.
- Austrian World Championships — photos from the World Championships held in Austria, September 1993, were shared by contributors.
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Statement of Income and Expense (Academy of Model Aeronautics — January 1 through December 31, 1947)
Academy of Model Aeronautics, 5151 East Memorial Drive, Muncie, IN 47302
Income:
- Leader memberships ........................................ $2,004.00
- Gas & Rubber Licenses .................................. $18,485.00
- Sale of Supplies ........................................... $2,182.13
- Sale of Pamphlets & Bulletins ......................... $266.08
- Dealer Memberships ..................................... $3,120.00
- Insurance *2 .............................................. $3,359.20
- Model Aviation ............................................ $871.75
- Contributions .............................................. $78.00
- Contests .................................................. $244.85
- Contributing Memberships .............................. $975.00
- Miscellaneous ............................................. $52.02
Total Income .............................................. $31,638.03
Expense:
- Telephone & Telegraph ................................. $336.63
- Postage ................................................ $1,756.98
- Office Supplies ...................................... $695.05
- Rent ................................................... $1,025.00
- Travel ................................................ $930.50
- Salaries *1 ......................................... $16,003.93
- Membership Supplies ................................. $2,661.62
- Aviation Education .................................. $185.51
- Publicity ............................................ $1,772.75
- Fund Raising ......................................... $467.67
- Contests ............................................. $644.10
- Promotion ............................................ $292.12
- Model Aviation ...................................... $1,121.62
- Advertising .......................................... $142.16
- N.A.A. Affiliation .................................. $2,048.90
- Insurance *2 ........................................ $3,359.20
- Trophy Expense ....................................... $54.03
- Flight Library ......................................... $2.07
- Dealer Memberships .................................. $838.11
- Administration ........................................ $17.80
- Miscellaneous ........................................ $57.63
Total Expense ........................................... $32,818.38
Notes:
- *1 Covers 6 full-time and 4 part-time employees
- *2 Contra account
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WRAM Show / District II Meeting
At the WRAM Show District II meeting, AMA Headquarters staff present included:
- Bob Underwood, Executive Director
- Carl Maroney, Special Services Director
- Jay Mealy, Marketing and Public Relations Director
- Joyce Hager, Operations Director (staffing the AMA booth and processing memberships)
Highlights:
- Bob Underwood reviewed headquarters progress, leasing and staffing.
- Carl Maroney addressed insurance matters and answered questions.
- Jay Mealy outlined a communications-focused program to improve relations between aeromodelling and the public.
District II AVPs present:
- Dave Babcock
- Gus Pandajis
- Walt Geary
- Wes De Cou
- Terry Tenore
- Woody Woodman
- Ray Juschkus
- Vince Juliano
Honors: Don Brown received the Howard McEntee Annual Award, sponsored by the WRAM Club.
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Toledo Weak Signals
The Toledo Weak Signals club is renowned for its annual trade show — a club-run event that has been successful for over forty years and is a major activity in District III.
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Helicopter Jamboree (IRCHA)
International Radio Controlled Helicopter Association (IRCHA) selected R/C Aviation Country Club and R/C Park of Columbus, Ohio for the '94 Heli-Internationals and IRCHA Jamboree.
- Dates: August 12–14, 1994
- Event features: factory-sponsored flying demonstrations, limited competition, IRCHA World Record Holder Events, technical seminars, fun-flies, helicopter trade show
- Contacts: Don Chapman (513) 236-8853; Mark Powelson (614) 924-1242
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Valley Forge 100th Anniversary
Valley Forge National Park celebrated its 100th anniversary with an RC model aviation demonstration produced by the Valley Forge Signal Seekers and the Alpha Squadron show team. The demonstration will be repeated on July 23. AVP Bud Klopp provided photos of the flight line and spectators.
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Leader Club
The Skyhawks Model Airplane Club of Weirton, West Virginia, is the first club of 1994 to achieve Gold Leader Club status. Clubs must renew annually to maintain their status.
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District III Safety Reminder
As the flying season begins, members are reminded to follow the AMA Safety Code. Accidents can happen — don't be the cause of one.
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National Newsletter / Importance of Local Clubs
The National Newsletter contains construction articles, hints, news from AMA Headquarters, cartoons, and information on modeling activities. If your newsletter editor is not receiving it, local records at AMA Headquarters may need updating.
The individual AMA member is vital to the national organization, but local chartered clubs bring the hobby to life — obtaining and maintaining flying sites, fostering camaraderie, and sharing knowledge. A short illustrative dialogue from the High Sierra R/C Club’s Sierra Signals (condensed):
- Joe reminds Sam that without the club there would be no maintained field, no enforced safety rules, and facilities would deteriorate.
- The message: clubs and members are mutually dependent — pay dues, participate, and help sustain the sport.
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District IV Report
Howard Crispin — Vice President 611 Beechwood Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22901
Associate Vice Presidents:
- Robert E. Babura — 177 Otis Drive, Severn, MD 21144-1130 — Phone: (410) 969-9356
- Bob Champine — 205 Tipton Road, Newport News, VA 23606-3663
- Chuck Foreman — 5811 Rinker Drive, Mechanicsville, VA 23111
- Doug Holland — 3517 Fernwood Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612-6255
- Scotty Moyer — 11 Orchard Lane, Wilmington, DE 19809-1719
- Richard (Dick) Smith — 761 Gwynne Avenue, Waynesboro, VA 22980-3346
- Charles Spear — 106 Crestview Drive, Mocksville, NC 27028-2644
Frequency Coordinator:
- Paul Yacobucci — 6408 Winthrop Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28311-1007 — Evening Phone: (919) 488-5986
Honors
Robert Champine was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame by vote of the Council of Past Presidents. Highlights of his career:
- Pre-WWII free-flight National wins and Wakefield placings
- Team manager at the 1955 event
- Indoor rubber events and records (Stout and Mulvihill)
- Twice achieved Level Five in the League of Silent Flight
- Radio-control soaring endurance record: 9 hours, 53 minutes, 10 seconds (1984)
- Full-scale career: Naval Aviator in WWII, test pilot at NACA/NASA, extensive X-series experience, work on VTOL prototypes (including Harrier and early V-22/Osprey work), and involvement with Apollo trainer programs
Air Show Teams
District IV hosts multiple air show teams that promote model aviation through long hours of practice and dedicated leadership. A new team — the Southern Virginia Radio Control Air Show Team — will serve eastern Virginia and into North Carolina for full-scale air shows, half-time performances, corporate events, and contests.
Contact for bookings:
- Timothy J. Toutant, Coordinator — 4 Dulcy Court, Hampton, VA 23666 — Evening: (804) 838-5594
Appreciation
Colonial Virginia Aeromodellers received a letter of appreciation from Richard S. Carr, Director of the Williamsburg Regional Library and Arts Center, for a popular exhibit of small-scale models. The exhibit included videos, handouts, drawings, engines, radio-control equipment, books, and magazines. Club member Dwight McSmith delivered a lecture, “The Use of Model Aircraft in Research,” highlighting the value of the exhibit in raising public awareness.
New Club
The Flying Aces Pilots Association of Charlotte, North Carolina, is a new chartered club flying at Mecklenburg County’s David Waymer Flying Field (a county-developed site on a landfill). The club held a Polar Bear Fly-In (in very cold weather) and supports control-line and R/C activity with excellent facilities, including paved R/C runways and both paved and grass control-line circles. The site is well maintained by the county.
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Obituaries & Memorials
- Cole Palen — Operator of the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome since 1952; passed away at his home in Florida on December 8, 1993, at age 68. Shows are expected to continue, though they will not be the same without him.
- Bernard (Bucky) Perrault — Longtime member of the Berkshire R/C Club of Pittsfield, Massachusetts; passed away December 23, 1993. Bucky was an exceptional builder who preferred slow-flying planes and gliders. He produced the club newsletters and assisted members with building and repairs.
- John Florio — Of St. Marys, Pennsylvania; passed away March 4, 1994. An avid modeler for over 40 years, remembered for sport and fun-fly designs. His son Jim plans to continue kit production with the Florio Flyer Corporation.
- Myrl Ingram — Longtime Boise Area Radio Kontrol Society member and friend to many; passed away recently. He will be missed.
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Cappy Aerodrome
Cappy Aerodrome is the field used by the Jasta "2" fliers, focused on WW I aircraft. Photographs taken in October 1992 show a field reminiscent of WW I-era sites. (Full foliage not captured in the images, but it was beautiful.)
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Events & Club News
- Syd Russell (SRAC) was honored at the SRAC Christmas Banquet for two decades of service, including ten years as editor and teaching new pilots. He received a plaque and a handcrafted 1/2-scale Spitfire gift from students.
- Seattle Skyraiders Roundup: Bob Palmer (designer of many Henry Engineering kits) was a special guest, attended contests, and was guest speaker at the banquet.
- Plat 1 Water Fun Fly: June 4–5 at Sutherlin, OR (take I-5, Sutherlin exit). Hosted by Buddy Schwenninger and the Umpqua Valley flyers.
- Scalemasters at Farragut State Park: June 17–19. Farragut is a scenic site and hosts an established Scalemasters qualifier.
- Melon's Follies (SPAN): The 2nd Annual event was coordinated by Pete Melin. Volunteers and participants included Clyde Burks (registration), Gene Fisher (cooking), Marie Melin, Tiffany Duncan, Hope Kelley, Bob Suling, Dale Sunderman, Alan Lasneski, Mary Mayt, and others. The event featured flight demonstrations and community support.
- Salem-area picnic: Clubs from Salem, Keizer, and Dallas held a joint picnic. Notable participant Linda Morris flew a Stevens Akro 1/4-scale plane and received praise for her enthusiasm and skill.
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Keep 'em safe and keep 'em fly'n.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
