Edition: Model Aviation - 1995/02
Page Numbers: 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172
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AMA News

Sound & Model Aeronautics

Howard Crispin, Jr.

#### Observations Radio-control aerobatics is one area where rules exist for measuring sound levels for competition aircraft, yet enforcement has been minimal. The measurement procedure consumes little time and does not appreciably increase manpower needs; procedures are well defined and should create no difficulty for contest sponsors. The only interpretation usually required is whether measurements are to be taken over pavement or other surfaces.

Equipment is a concern. Many clubs use a Radio Shack sound meter to check compliance with local rules. While useful for casual checks, this meter is not satisfactorily temperature-compensated for contest work and is not ideal to leave on the line during a full day of competition.

A higher-quality solution is a professional sound meter with a calibrator. Expect a cost upward of $600 for a unit that includes a case, extension cable, and tripod adapter for the microphone. You will also need a tripod capable of mounting the microphone about 11 inches above the surface. This setup permits neat, easily operated field measurements. Readings take only a few seconds during aircraft operation at maximum throttle.

The procedure and parameters are documented in the AMA Sound column, the AMA Model Aeronautics handbook, the AMA and FAI competition rulebooks, and other publications. Two reference measurements are commonly used:

  • AMA recommendation: 90 dBA at 9 feet (flying-site overall operation level for site retention).
  • FAI (F3A) mandatory value: 96 dBA at 3 meters (approximately twice the AMA recommendation).

Two-stroke engines typically comply with the FAI/AMA aerobatics limits; most two-stroke aerobatic aircraft probably operate under 90 dBA. Four-stroke engines are different: when run on high-nitro fuel, tuned for maximum RPM, and paired with large-diameter propellers, they can approach or exceed sound limits. Because of daily variables, closely monitored measurements should be introduced at aerobatics contests.

#### Future Wishes By 1995 we should dedicate ourselves to making the year the quietest yet. This is achievable — quality mufflers, vibration isolators, and propeller options are available to help meet field requirements. There really is no need for sport fliers to operate above 90 dBA. We must increase efforts (publications, letters, seminars) to help members meet dB requirements.

If your site currently has no sound rule because it seems isolated, anticipate that restrictions can come later and that gradual reductions in noise are easier to manage than sudden, large changes. Manufacturers should be encouraged (and demanded) to publish sound-level testing for engine/muffler systems, including:

  • sound level (dBA, slow response),
  • measurement distance,
  • engine RPM,
  • propeller diameter and pitch, and
  • propeller type.

We are increasingly affected by local, state, and federal ordinances (e.g., restrictions for leaf blowers, trimmers, outboard motors) that could influence model aircraft operations. Designers and manufacturers should consider muffler fit, mountings, headers, and vibration-isolating couplings for larger engines and scale models. If demand exists, manufacturers will provide improved components.

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Executive Council (EC) Meeting — Highlights

  • Strategic Planning: Lance Zellars recommended forming workgroups around Finance, Organization, Membership, Communications, and Programs. Chairs of these groups will meet in Muncie ahead of the next EC meeting.
  • National Flying Site Master Plan: Bob Brown presented a Master Plan targeting development of a new central flight facility at the Muncie site for 1995. Completion would accommodate hosting the entire Nats at Muncie in 1996. The Council accepted the plan unanimously.
  • Lost Hills Interest: The committee is following interest in AMA possibly acquiring the 6,000-acre Lost Hills (CA) flying site (1993 Free Flight World Championships location), but no concrete proposals yet.
  • Finance & Budget: Ed McCullough presented the 1995 budget, approved with little discussion. Increased expenditures include museum operations, replacement vehicles, and support for an electronic bulletin board system.
  • Visalia Regional Site: EC voted to show developmental costs for Visalia Regional Site within AMA's operational plan and budget.
  • Insurance: Motion passed to require additional insurance for some racing events. AMA-sanctioned races with aircraft over 20 pounds must have $1 million liability coverage providing underlying, primary coverage for AMA members.
  • New SIGs: Two Special Interest Groups approved — National Electric Flyers Association (NEFA) and Model Rocketry Technical Panel. The Warbird Scale Racing Association was also accepted as a SIG.
  • Fundraising: Jay Mealy (Resource Development Manager) reported the AMA fundraising project needs EC support. EC unanimously approved forming a development committee to participate in fundraising.
  • F3D Pylon World Championships: Bob Brown’s proposal to host the F3D Pylon World Championships at the Muncie National Flying Site next August passed unanimously; it will be combined with the Great Lakes Regional Balloon Fest to boost spectators and media exposure.
  • Model Aviation Magazine:
  • A readership survey was approved for the April issue to identify member content and appearance preferences.
  • The EC standardized the "AMA News" section font size to 9 points for uniformity.
  • A Publications committee will be formed (advisory) to address future magazine issues and relay EC questions to staff.
  • National Championships (one-year compromise): Due to location uncertainties in the Tri-Cities (WA), the Nats will be spread over three locations with SIG assistance:
  • Tri-Cities: Control Line, Scale, Indoor (dates tentatively July 8–16).
  • Lawrenceville, IL: Pylon and Pattern (tentatively July 8–16).
  • Muncie: Helicopter, Soaring, Free Flight (Soaring: July 29–Aug 6; Free Flight combined with US Outdoor Championships June 26–30; Helicopter: July 8–11).
  • Failed motions: establishing the Museum as a separate administrative entity; requiring non-compete agreements for AMA employees; allowing Directors to elect nominations committees; establishing term limits for AMA officers.
  • Awards: Betty Strean and Lou Ward received the AMA Lifetime Service Award. Antelope Valley Skylarks received the AMA Award of Excellence.
  • Upcoming EC meetings: next meeting in Muncie (Jan 28–29); following meeting in Visalia, CA (Apr 21); Summer meeting tentatively Jul 29 (near EAA fly-in if possible).

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Media Coverage

  • ESPN aired one-hour coverage of the T-6 Race at the National Flying Center (August). The program featured racing, the museum, and model history — excellent exposure for model aviation.
  • The Discovery Channel covered the 1994 Nats in Texas.
  • AMA plans to send press releases regularly to pursue more aggressive marketing.

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Changes for 1995

  • Insurance certificate fee increase (effective January 1995): standard insurance certificate will cost $20; special wording requests will add $10.
  • Base sanctioning fee increased from $10 to $15 (applies to new sanction requests).

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Results — 1994 AMA District Elections

  • District II: John Grigg 1,285; Joe Beshar 1,008; Robert Aberle 11
  • District IV: Howard Crispin 584; Chuck Foreman 569; Brad Booth 350
  • District VI: Charlie Bauer 1,007; Gary Bussel 892
  • District VIII: George Aldrich 1,170; Gene Hempel 854
  • District X: Richard Hanson 1,637; Clyde Pannier 1,074

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DISTRICT I REPORT

Connecticut / Maine / Massachusetts / New Hampshire / Rhode Island / Vermont

Don Krafft — Vice President PO Box 1828, Duxbury, MA 02331-1828 Phone: (617) 934-6248

Associate Vice Presidents:

  • James M. Semonian — 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 04730-2312
  • 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

#### Scale/Pattern Seminar

  • Date: March 26, 1995
  • Location: Comfort Inn Suites, Haverhill, MA (off Route 495 at the River Road exit)
  • Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Presenter: Jim Parker (judging and contest flying information)
  • Contact: Don Krafft at (617) 934-6248 for info or suggestions

#### District Patch Contest

  • Winning design by Al Marchand Jr., original design by John Keating. Production in progress; availability to be announced.

#### Club Recognitions

  • New England Sport Scale Association (Berwick, ME) and East Coast Swamp Flyers (Guilford, CT) qualified for the AMA Gold Leader Club program.

#### 1994 State of Maine Scale Shootout (August 6–7, 1994) Hosted by Skybreakers and Propsnapper Club members (CD listed: Ray Labonte). Top three finishers (by event):

Sport Scale — Sportsman

  1. Bren Bailey — Mystery Ship
  2. Eric Guilmet — Clipped-wing J-3
  3. Jack Buckley — P-47

Sport Scale — Expert

  1. Nick Ziroli — Hellcat
  2. Charlie Johnson — Waco
  3. Jack Buckley — P-47

Team Scale

  1. Reeve / Estabrook — SBD Dauntless
  2. Mitchell / Guilmet — Spacewalker II
  3. Deltwas / Killiam — L-5 Stinson

Fun Scale

  1. L. Hauser — J-3
  2. T. Blanchard — Weeks Special
  3. W. Killiam — Piper PA-18

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DISTRICT II REPORT

New Jersey / New York / Europe

Joe Beshar — Vice President 198 Merritt Drive, Oradell, NJ 07649

#### In Sympathy Manny Radford (longtime East Coast Indoor Modelers member) passed away Oct. 5, 1994. He made significant contributions to indoor modeling and pioneered the five-flap design.

#### Events & Reports

  • Mercer County RC Society — Sunshine Benefit Giant Fly-In (May 29): successful charity event for Sunshine Foundation.
  • Long Island Silent Flyers — Glider Soaring Contest (June 18–19, Syosset, Long Island): well organized; Joe Coppolo (president) and Ray Jusckus (District II AVP) noted.
  • RAMS Grand Opening (Macedon, NY — July 30–31): Rochester Aeromodelers Society opened a new field on 109 acres. Geoffrey Styles represented AMA. The site includes access road, parking, grass runway; future plans include pavilion, storage shed, utilities.
  • Wayne Modelers — New field opening at Barbours Pond Recreation Facility, Wayne, NJ (August 9).
  • Air Fair in South Jersey (Sept. 17–18, 1994): Pine Barons R/C Club participated in an Air Fair at South Jersey Regional Airport to support the planned Air Victory Museum project. Approximately 5,000 attendees; model aviation well represented with large-scale display and flying demonstrations (great PR and outreach).
  • Beltzville Flying Machine Society — Boy Scout Merit Badge Days (Sept. 25 & Oct. 2): flight demonstrations and full-scale aviation activities, including discounted plane rides for Scouts.
  • Central Pennsylvania Balsa Busters — Annual picnic fly (Bellewood, PA): highlight included helicopter demonstration by Chris Keppler.
  • Western Ohio Radio Kontrol Society (WORKS) — 32nd Annual Flying Circus (early August): attracted several thousand spectators; notable pilots attended.

Contact for Pine Barons: Larry Hill, Assistant Editor, P.B.R.C. Club, Inc., P.O. Box 452, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054

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DISTRICT IV REPORT

Delaware / District of Columbia / Maryland / North Carolina / Virginia

Howard Crispin — Vice President 611 Beechwood Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22901

Associate Vice Presidents:

  • Robert E. Babura — 117 Otis Drive, Severn, MD 21144-1130 (Phone: (410) 969-9356)
  • Bob Champion — 206 Tipton Road, Newport News, VA 23606-3663
  • Chuck Foreman — 5811 Rinker Drive, Mechanicsville, VA 23111
  • Doug Holland — 3517 Fernwood Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612-6215
  • Scotty Moyer — 1 Orchard Lane, Wilmington, DE 19809-1719
  • Richard (Dick) Smith — 781 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: (919) 488-5596)

#### DISTRICT IV EVENTS — 1995 Two major events planned:

  1. Frederick, Maryland — Giant Scale airshow (26–27 August 1995)
  • Location: Frederick Municipal Airport (off I-70).
  • Concept: Giant Scale models will duplicate performances by the East Coast Wing Confederate Air Force (e.g., Doolittle Raid, Midway, Ploesti, bombing of Japan).
  • Target: ~117 aircraft in scales ranging from 1/10 to 1/5.
  • AMA and IMAA rules apply; separate qualification for static and flying demonstrations.
  • Contact: Ken Kortright, 5200 Crest Court, Jefferson, MD 21755-8416. Phone: (H) (301) 371-5406, (W) (301) 846-1098.
  1. New trade show (October) — Chesapeake, Virginia
  • Organized by the Tidewater Radio Control Club.
  • Aimed to draw aeromodellers from the East Coast; vendors already lined up.
  • Further contact details to be announced.

#### Other Happenings

  • Model Aircraft Expo 94 — Frankie Coburn Model Field (Greenville, NC): successful first event; proceeds to Ronald McDonald House. Ram Horn RC Hobbies (on-site shop owned by Frank Coburn) provided outstanding support and a meeting room for forums.

Holiday note: Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable 1995 flying season.

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DISTRICT VII REPORT

Iowa / Michigan / Minnesota / Wisconsin

Peter Waters — Vice President 7420 7 Mile Rd., Northville, MI 48167

Assistant Vice President:

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

PR/Insurance Coordinator:

  • Joseph M. Hass — 5394 English Drive, Troy, MI 48098

Associate Vice Presidents:

  • Bud Gorman — P.O. Box 33, Knife River, MN 55609
  • Russell Knetzger — 2625 E. Sherwood Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI 53211
  • Jean Laski — 305 Patti Place, Holland, MI 49423
  • Carl Mohs — 5024 Lake Mendota Drive, Madison, WI 53705
  • Mark E. Robotti — 28540 Olympic Trail North, Lindstrom, MN 55045
  • Leroy Satterlee — 1805 Lark Lane, Waterloo, IA 50701-3638
  • Mike Zingery — 6496 S. Summerton Rd., Shepherd, MI 48883-9308

Frequency Coordinators:

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

Notes from the Vice President:

  • District meetings and swap meets (e.g., Minneapolis) are valuable for sharing ideas and keeping clubs connected.
  • Appreciation for club newsletter editors — essential for club communication.
  • Election time: encourage members to support club officers and participate.
  • Seasonal wishes: best to all for the holidays and the coming flying season.

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Miscellaneous AMA Items

  • Fundraising: National raffle (trip to regional site in California, lunch and photos with Gen. Chuck Yeager, and a ride in a full-size P-51) is being offered through the magazine and commercial outlets. See advertisers' index under AMA Western Regional Site for details.
  • Recognition: Peninsula Channel Commanders (San Mateo, CA) lauded for youth programs and community involvement. Circle City Flyers (Corona, CA) and Channel Island Condors honored as Club of the Month for their newsletters.
  • Planning: A second planning conference was held Oct. 8 with Council members and other interested parties.

(End of AMA News)

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