AMA News

AMA News

Hall of Fame 1996

The Academy accepts nominations for the Hall of Fame award. This honor is bestowed upon individuals who have contributed to the advancement of the association and aeromodeling in general over a significant period of time. Each candidate's qualifications are reviewed and voted upon by a panel consisting of past presidents of the Academy.

In 1995, five individuals were granted the Hall of Fame award. The following biographical sketches provide information attesting to the contributions to aeromodeling made by each of the recipients.

Robert Boucher (Marina Del Rey, CA)

Robert Boucher is best known in the modeling community for his pioneering work in electric power. As co-founder and later owner and president of AstroFlight, he has continued to develop new products for modelers and contributed to technology associated with electric power systems and power tools.

• Modeling career began in the 1940s; as a competitor he has flown control-line aerobatics (1948), R/C pattern, R/C scale, electrics, and sailplanes.
• At the 1973 Nats in Oshkosh he flew electric models in both R/C Scale and Pattern against the standard models of the day.
• In 1971 he set a closed-course world record of 302 kph at Waimanalo, Hawaii, using his sailplane design, the Malibu.
• As designer or co-designer he created sailplanes, electric trainers, and scale models; AstroFlight kitted many designs (Malibu, Astro Sport Trainer, Astro Viking, Partenavia P-68 twin, Porterfield).
• Together with his brother Roland he designed, built, and flew a radio-control model in 1949 (72-inch model with single-channel proportional rudder control powered by an Arden .19).
• Co-inventor of electric flight; holds U.S. Patent 3,957,230.
• Developed high-power, lightweight cobalt motors, quick-charging systems, speed controls, gearboxes, and other components for practical electric flight. In 1973 he developed an electric drone that flew 1 hour 29 minutes at 75 mph while carrying a six-pound payload.
• Has held leadership roles in clubs and national organizations, served as contest director, and authored numerous articles, newsletters, and technical papers.
• Active in civic affairs, including chambers of commerce and the California Industry Leadership Council; has lobbied on workers' compensation insurance reform.

Nominated by Joe Beshar.

Dr. Ralph C. Brooke, DDS (formerly Seattle, WA)

Dr. Ralph C. Brooke passed away June 6, 1989. He practiced dentistry from 1959 until ill health forced him to retire in 1976, and he believed his success in dentistry and education was directly related to experience gained through modeling.

• Began modeling at age six near Kansas City and honed a competitive nature by entering free-flight contests.
• Introduced to radio control while a student at the University of Washington School of Dentistry.
• From 1959 he competed in hundreds of R/C aerobatics events, local to international.
• Member of the U.S. World Championship teams in 1963 and 1965; won first place in Genk, Belgium (1963) and Ljunbyhed, Sweden (1965), becoming the first person to win consecutive world championships in FAI Pattern competition.
• Helped organize the Radio Aero Modelers of Seattle (RAMS); helped acquire and develop a club flying field.
• Founded the RAMS RC Symposium in 1964 (now the Northwest Expo), held annually the first weekend of February in Puyallup, WA.
• Founded and managed the Northwest Kidney Benefit Model Airshow, raising thousands for the Northwest Kidney Center.
• Received the Pan American Award for modeling achievements (1976) and the AMA Distinguished Service Award (1982) for 20 years of service, including representing District XI on the Radio Control Contest Board.
• Started a custom model business in 1979 producing model products; operated it until 1985 when health prevented continued management.
• Participated in notable scale events, including flying a Scale F4U Corsair from the deck of a "scale" aircraft carrier on Lake Washington, performing multiple takeoffs and arrested landings.

Nominated by Paul Cole.

Victor (Vic) Cunningham

At age 78 (at the time of writing), Vic Cunningham remained active in free-flight competition. In 1994 the association of Southern California free-flight clubs (FFMAC) presented him the first Spirit of Modeling Award.

• Began modeling in 1927 at age ten in Winnetka, IL; later tutored by Christy McGrath in St. Louis, MO.
• Joined a large club sponsored by Stix, Baer & Fuller in 1931 and began receiving national attention.
• Moved to California in 1952; became active in competition and officiating contests.
• Served as overall director for free-flight events at the Nats (1967); early member of AMA (formerly AMLA and NAA).
• Served as an AMA contest coordinator, Vice President of District X, and on the Free Flight Contest Board.
• Worked with Howard Johnson to secure sponsorship of Cal-Western model meets through the Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department, events which evolved into the United States Free Flight Championships in Taft, CA.
• Member of the Hall of Fame for both the National Free Flight Society and the Society of Antique Modelers; charter member of the NFFS and West Coast membership chairman.
• Member of the 8-Ball Society.
• Has held nine national records and designed the Space-Rod, which set 15 national records; continues to authenticate and build many twin-pusher types.

Ed Izzo (L‑1220) — Winter Springs, FL (deceased)

Ed Izzo, AMA life member L-1220, passed away in 1994 from a massive heart attack. Born in 1922, he devoted much of his life to building outstanding models and competing across all disciplines: free flight, control line, and radio control.

• Mechanical engineer (Syracuse University) who applied his skills to the hobby.
• Produced and marketed the metal pan used to form the lower half of control-line speed model fuselages, improving safety when using larger engines.
• In 1964 developed the concept of foam wings—cutting wing panels and covering them—to simplify and speed accurate wing production; this technique is widely used in kits and scratch-built models today.
• Served in many club positions in the Syracuse area; served on national contest boards (1960–64, 1978–82).
• Served as District I Vice President (1982–1985) after relocating to New England; helped secure Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, MA as a site for the Nats.
• After retirement moved to Florida and served on the IMAA Board of Directors; continued involvement with larger scale models, particularly scale competition.
• Known for generosity and mentoring newcomers; famously relinquished a Canadian Nats first-place award in the 1970s as a gesture of sportsmanship, saying he was a guest in the country and appreciated the opportunity to fly with Canadians.

Nominated by Walter Throne.

Frank Hoover (W5LQW)

Frank Hoover has been a radio-control modeler since 1939 and is also recognized by the amateur radio community as W5LQW. Born in 1916 in Sinking Spring, PA, his early interest in modeling led to a lifelong involvement in electronics and radio systems for the hobby.

• Flew a Scientific Mercury model in 1939 using homemade equipment.
• Trained in electronics at Fort Monroe (1941); worked on electronic autopilots at Honeywell (Minneapolis, 1942); trained bombardier navigators at Kirtland Field; served 5½ years in the U.S. Army Air Corps as Bombardier-Navigator.
• After WWII stayed in Albuquerque; worked at Sandia Laboratories, then Gulton Industries (1954).
• Formed ECE Company and later F&M Electronics; designed small airborne receivers, selective-tone activation receivers, training electronics, and one of the first successful digital multi-channel control systems for the hobby industry.
• Influenced other designers; credited with inspiring Howard Bonner toward digital proportional radio in 1963.
• Sold his business in 1968, returned to Gulton Industries, and in 1977 formed an electronics consulting practice.
• Life member of the 8-Ball Society (certificate number 211, dated July 1, 1961).

Nominated by James Simpson (Rio Rancho, NM).

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CORRECTION

In the February issue (page 136, second column) the heading "Sound Power Level" was incorrect. It should have read "Sound Power / Pressure Levels."

There is often confusion between Sound Power Level and Sound Pressure Level. To clarify:

• Sound power is energy measured in watts.
• Sound pressure (intensity) is measured in decibels (dB).
• A doubling of sound power results in a sound pressure level change of approximately +3 dB.
• Conversely, a reduction of 3 dB in sound power corresponds to halving the sound level.
• When discussing sound pressure levels required for quiet operation, we are usually concerned with very large reductions in the generated sound power.

A full mathematical treatment would be helpful, but to avoid excessive complexity the above clarification should resolve the primary error.

Migrating Combustion Chamber (MCC) Engine

The column recently mentioned the soon-to-be-produced first MCC engines. The engine was expected to be introduced to the aeromodeling public at the Toledo show. Manufacturer: Engine Research Associates, 5710 Industrial Road, Fort Wayne, IN.

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Executive Director's View from HQ

Jerry Rouillard AMA Executive Director 5151 E. Memorial Dr. Muncie, IN 47302

Our International Aeromodeling Center improvements have the potential to increase awareness of the important position aeromodeling occupies within the sport aviation community. Over the past year and continuing through the summer, Headquarters staff worked closely with the Executive Council's Property Acquisition and Development Committee (PADCOM) to plan and develop the improvements necessary to host this year's events.

• Last summer the Stage Center and Control Line Speed sites were completed in time for the Pylon World Championships and the Control Line Team Trials.
• By the time the Nats begin in July we will have closed public access to a county road that bisects the property, constructed a new grass strip for Pattern and Helicopter, and built a new north–south road providing internal connection to the new strip and a chase lane for free-flight modelers using the southern end of the Center.

Much credit goes to our Facilities Director, Gary Hover — a well-known pylon racer from Visalia, CA — who joined AMA last year. Gary brings free flight and control-line experience and several years as Facilities Director for San Luis Obispo County. His background as a modeler and degree in architecture have added important capability to our facilities management staff.

Maintenance Manager Greg Chartrand (with AMA since 1983) handles day-to-day operations. Paul Garrett was hired as full-time maintenance worker and has become critical to the team; he manages grounds and equipment maintenance and supervises seasonal employees. During the Nats Paul fills in for Greg and manages maintenance matters not directly related to competition.

Operating the International Aeromodeling Center involves more than routine facility work: building roads and airstrips, snow removal, manning gates, mowing fields, emergency planning, and keeping facilities clean. Regardless of the challenges, the Center is becoming an asset the membership can view with pride — a showcase for aeromodeling and an appropriate home for the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

Come visit us in Muncie and see for yourself.

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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 01821-5420
• 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 03106-1072
• Richard Sherman, 28 High Street, Plymouth, NH 02364-1223
• 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

By request, the following begins a list of AMA chartered clubs in District I. The list will be completed in the next couple of columns.

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DISTRICT II REPORT

New Jersey / New York / Europe

John Grigg, Vice President

This month’s column began with sad news: the passing of long-time sailplane enthusiast Dave Burt (District III) and George Clapp of Central New York (“Mr. Fairchild”), a precision scale builder and flier active in the Syracuse Thunderbirds Aero Radio Society (STARS). George helped locate and obtain the permanent STARS flying field and was voted their first Life Member.

Also noted: a delayed resignation letter from Walt Geary, AVP in New Jersey, was received in damaged postal condition. His resignation was accepted.

Responses have been strong to the offer to supply copies of R.T. (the Clarence Ragland instructional technique for new fliers). Requests came nationwide, showing many modelers want to help beginners—Person Helping Person! Consideration was suggested for AMA to have a full-time instructor to visit clubs and teach better instruction techniques.

Recent events:

• Christmas dinner hosted by the RC AirCrafters of Buffalo; the club was presented with the Gold Leader Club Award.
• Discussion about club loans for flying-site acquisition: write to Bob Brown, V.P. for District III and chairman of PADCOM, for details.

The author regrets not being able to attend every event due to time constraints and winter weather. Encourages contacting local government officials to develop good relationships and invites them to fields, meetings, or swap shops.

A reminder to thank Executive Council members like Pete Waters for their volunteer service, and to send club newsletters and pictures to the district column.

For now: "The Runway is Clear!"

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DISTRICT III REPORT (Notes excerpted in District II)

(Parts of this material appeared in the District II column above. For full District III content see the appropriate issue.)

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DISTRICT VIII REPORT

Guest column by Russ Snyder — Free Flight news highlights from 1995.

• District well-represented at the AMA Free Flight Nationals in Muncie.
• Noteworthy performances: Robert Dunham, Steve Spence, Bob Combs, Bob Hanford, Don Chesson (power events); George Hilliard and John O'Dwyer (P-30); Arik Donde (F1A glider); Jim Troutman (senior events).
• Texas Cloud Climbers contest (15–16 July, Allen, TX) had 38 contestants; excellent field and weather.
• Results highlights: Bob Junk (C/D Gas), Robert Dunham (A/B Gas), Bob Combs (1/2A Gas and ABC Nostalgia), Steve Spence (F1J), John O'Dwyer (P-30), Arik Donde (Mulvihill), Fred Pearce (Small Field), Mike Fedor (FAI combo).
• Tri-City Flyers 14th annual meet (Memorial Day weekend): 25 contestants, 82 event entries; Bill Shaw won D Gas with 1,008 seconds and won Nostalgia; Bob Junk won Hi-Time AMA Power (C Gas, 1,030 seconds).
• Spring and Autumn Cups attended; mixed weather. Reid Simpson won Open Power at Spring Cup; Marvin Mace, Steve Spence, and Mark Troutman notable at Autumn Cup.
• Tri-City hosted an FAI semifinal on Labor Day weekend; entries were down but F1B fared best.
• Tulsa Glue Dobbers held their 46th annual contest at Perry, OK.
• Interest is shifting from AMA Power to non-gas-powered events in some regions; elsewhere (Seguin) AMA Power and Nostalgia remain strong.
• FAC (Flying Aces) active in Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston.

Free Flight Contest Board: 1998 rules change cycle is open until 1 Sept. 1996. Guidance:

• Don't bend to unsound ideas.
• Don't add events unnecessarily.
• Don't introduce "luck factors."
• Don't overcomplicate flight time tabulations.
• Don't degrade model performance.
• Do think, fly to evaluate new ideas, and submit rule-change proposals when needed.

Closing notes: District happenings, personnel moves, and a reminder about member voting participation.

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DISTRICT IX REPORT

Colorado / Kansas / Nebraska / North Dakota / South Dakota / Wyoming

Russ Miller, Vice President P.O. Box 128, Solen, ND 58570 Days: (701) 445-3332 Evenings: (701) 220-3190 Fax: (701) 445-3323

Associate Vice Presidents:

• Max Hansen, 1909 Wisconsin SW, Huron, SD 57350
• Nathan Lancaster, 3597 S. Kendall Street, Denver, CO 80235
• Travis McGinnis, 6027 W. 81st Circle, Arvada, CO 80005
• Loren Moen, 607 E. Vera St., Bottineau, ND 58318
• Don Maden, 410 Hart St., Salina, KS 67401
• Jim Ricketts, 4921 Fernwood Drive, Sioux Falls, SD 57103-5573
• Jack L. Sibert, 3611 Kimberly Circle, Lincoln, NE 68506-4524
• Chuck Smith, 1091 Cheshire Street, Casper, WY 82609-3214

Frequency Coordinator:

• Steve Manglas, c/o Radio Service Center, 918 S. Sheridan, Denver, CO 80226

News from Kansas

Newton Area R/C Club (NARCC) held its first-ever R/C auction (10/21/95) at the National Guard Armory. More than 50 sellers and 150 buyers from several states participated, and the event raised about $17,000 in transactions. The club thanks all volunteers and plans to repeat the event next year.

Acknowledgments:

• Auctioneers: Keith "Doc" Watson, Jim Finley, Bret Chilcott
• Administration: Connie Schmidt
• Snack bar: Joyce Wiggers, Luanna Laswell, Cindy Wood
• Impound: Bob Sattford, James Schmidt

Report by Dennis C. Harris, Wichita Radio Control Club.

News from Nebraska

The Annual GI Modelers Fun Fly had 38 registered pilots and 66 aircraft. AVP Jack Sibert attended and photographed the event. Appreciation was expressed for the AVP's participation.

Report by Dennis Tjaden (#1991), Grand Island Modelers.

Notes from the VP

Thanks for feedback and votes. Plans include District IX events across all six states, with Colorado initiating plans for August. Appreciation for club newsletters is noted. The VP enjoys serving members and invites contact for assistance.

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DISTRICT X REPORT

• The Western Division of the Vintage Sailplane Association participated in the 2nd Annual Winter Soaring Festival (December 9), hosted by the Soaring Union of Los Angeles and the D.U.S.T. Club of Palm Desert. VSA displayed three full-scale sailplanes: Slingsby T-31B Tandem Tutor, Schleicher K8, and Diamant HEV.

• During the 1995 holiday season many District X clubs hosted charitable events (Toys for Tots fly-ins, food drives, charity raffles). Clubs donated models, proceeds, and access to flying sites to youth and community programs. Thanks were extended to all participants.

Communication within District X needs improvement. The column is limited in space; efforts are underway to reinstitute a district newsletter ("Ten Forward") in a cost-effective way, possibly distributing mailings to charter clubs for redistribution via local club newsletters or electronically for direct insertion into desktop publishing. A District X World Wide Web page could also help.

AVPs are encouraged to attend local club meetings and events. Plans for area meetings to provide forums for discussion will be published when scheduled.

Closing line: "Till next time ... Keep 'em safe and Keep 'em flyin'."

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Additional AMA News and Photo Captions (Selected Items)

• Bloomington, IL: Raffle winner of a complete R/C model at the S.I.R.S. (Central Illinois Radio Society) open house. Jeff Carnahan presented the prize to Sam Graham. Photo credits: AVP Jerry Worden.

• Columbus, IN: Photos from the Johnson County R/C Club annual 1/4-scale Fly-in at Camp Atterbury; 60 planes entered. Photos courtesy AVP Kenny Kern.

• Canton, IL: Greg Hahn's B-25 was held for static judging at the Scale Qualifier—the model flies as well as it looks. CD: Steve Ort.

• Muncie, IN: The AMA donated a used utility van to Boy Scout Troop 25 for hauling camping gear. Gary Hoover presented keys to Scout Master DeWayne Baird and Assistant Scout Master Greg Chartrand. Photo courtesy Ruth Chin.

• Peoria, IL: Photo of the beginner/intermediate flight line at the Peoria Area Wrye-Flyers Stunt contest (September 10). CD: Bill Zimmer. U-Control entries: 38 from three states.

• Bloomington/Normal, IL: Local AMA members contributed a static model display for the EAA open house at the Bloomington/Normal Airport. Photos include a Travel-Air owned by Al LaRochelle.

Notice: Want to see your club activity in print? Send pictures and information to the district column editor.

Personal notes from an AVP:

• Winter fly-ins, model building, and swap-shop season anecdotes.
• Encouragement to contact local government officials about flying sites and to invite them to events.
• Appreciation for volunteer Executive Council members and newsletter editors.
• Encouragement to send club newsletters and photos to the district office.

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