A CELEBRATION OF EAGLES
John Worth
They're coming from all over the U.S. to celebrate AMA's 60th anniversary. More than 90 enthusiasts from 27 states had registered intent, as of March 1, to be in Muncie on the weekend of July 6–7, 1996, to participate in the Celebration of Eagles, a grand reunion of modelers, their friends, and families.
Based on phone calls and messages received by mid‑March it appears that approximately 300 persons may be expected to attend the weekend activities, which include flying vintage models on Saturday and Sunday, attendance at the AMA Museum on both days with a special reception on Saturday evening, and a grand honors banquet on Sunday night.
The common theme, expressed by most of those expecting to be on the scene in July, is that this will be a rare opportunity to visit with old friends and former model-flying competitors they haven't seen for many years — and to meet famous modelers they have heard about over the years but haven't yet seen in person.
Here's an early list of those who have said they are coming or hope to (next month we'll update the list with many more):
- Alabama: George Batiuk
- California: Sal Taibi; Ed Dolby; Michael MacCarthy; Keith Storey; Vic Cunnyngham Sr. and Jr.; Bryant and Ellaine Thompson; Cliff Weirick; Dale Kirn
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AMA SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
By Bob Underwood
The Academy of Model Aeronautics presents approximately $20,000 in scholarship awards to graduating high‑school seniors. Monetary awards are based on five criteria, including scholastic achievement, service, modeling activity, and character. This year 55 individuals applied. A six‑member committee reviewed the applications and recommended the winners to the AMA Executive Council.
The following biographical sketches outline each winner and the type and amount of award.
Charles Hampson Grant Award — Joe D. Rule
- Award: $6,000 (plus an additional $3,000 from the Weak Signals club)
- Hometown: Middleton, Idaho
- School: Albertson College of Idaho
- Field: Engineering
Joe epitomizes the all‑around student. Carrying a 4.0 grade‑point average and ranking first in his class, he participated in a wide array of school and community activities. In sports he held positions on the varsity basketball and golf teams. He was president of the student council and state champion in the academic decathlon. One of his most enjoyable experiences was his leadership role in Natural Helpers, a peer‑counseling program.
An Eagle Scout, Joe worked on a variety of projects and held a summer job at an aviation‑maintenance shop, which stimulated his interest in aircraft and becoming a pilot. He was a Boise State University science competition champion, recognized as his school's outstanding math and English student, named a National Merit Scholar and a Presidential Scholar, and was a delegate to the National Youth Science Camp.
Modeling activities began with 1/2A‑powered Control Line models and progressed to Combat and .40‑powered Speed models; he also participates in radio control. Largely self‑taught due to lack of local activity, his proudest moment was the spring morning he flew a Control Line scale S‑2 built from Model Aviation plans.
The additional $3,000 came from the Weak Signals club of Toledo, Ohio, which annually contributes funds generated by activities at the Weak Signals Toledo Expo.
Michael Hudson
- Award: $5,000
- Hometown: York, Pennsylvania
- School: Yale College of Engineering
- Field: Mechanical engineering
Michael graduated salutatorian and achieved a 4.382 GPA (out of a possible 4.486). He credits his parents and mentors for his success. His school reports that he meets demanding objectives, has a high energy level, and can formulate practical action plans without hesitation.
Michael's extracurricular activities include playing brass instruments in various bands and participation in science, physics, and history clubs. He has also volunteered with the March of Dimes and the American Cancer Society. His modeling career currently involves flying R/C helicopters; he began with plastic Control Line models and progressed through a variety of experiences. He and his father construct model aircraft for others.
Mac Schwager
- Award: $3,000
- Hometown: Seal Beach, California
- School: Stanford University
- Field: Mechanical engineering
Mac's modeling experience has been an important part of his education. Incorporating model gliders into high‑school projects, he performed tests on dihedral angles and spiral stability. Most of his modeling centered on sailplanes and free flight, and he continues to experiment.
He received the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award and was a National Science Scholar Program finalist. Mac was a four‑year varsity swimmer, setting school records in freestyle, butterfly, and medley events. He has competed in the International Karate Championships and is a self‑taught guitar player who now teaches others. He volunteers with Key Club, tutoring in physics and working for the American Cancer Society. In June 1994 he worked 120 hours under a university professor on nonlinear dynamics (chaos theory).
Mark Bibbey
- Award: $3,000
- Hometown: Powell, Wyoming
- School: Arizona State University
- Field: Aerospace engineering
Mark maintained a perfect 4.0 average in high school. He participated in football and track (earning an athletic letter), band, Art Guild, French Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the National Honor Society. His community service included work for the VFW/American Legion and his church.
Mark's modeling began with Guillow's stick‑and‑tissue models. In 1992 he moved to radio control and reports a zero‑crash record on the model he's flown since 1993. He is currently working on a P‑51 and is a member of the Wyoming Sagebrush Hoppers R/C Club.
Sig Scholarship — Aaron Seaholm
- Award: $2,000 (provided by Sig Manufacturing of Montezuma, Iowa)
- Hometown: Billings, Montana
- School: Billings West High School; plans to attend Arizona State University
- Field: Aeronautical engineering (planned)
The Sig Award is based on modeling performance and financial need. Aaron's modeling experience spans recreational flying with free‑flight rubber and R/C models and competitive events including Pattern, Q‑500 (in which he set a junior national record), and 1/2‑scale Combat.
Tom Hutchinson Scholarship — James (Jim) Troutman
- Award: $1,000
- Hometown: Marion, Texas
- School: Texas A&M University
- Field: Marine biology
This award recognizes involvement in free flight activity. In 1995 Jim placed first in Senior in all nine Nats events he entered. He has been a team member at the United States Junior World Championships as an F1C flier three times, with a highest individual placing of fourth. In 1994 he was first in F1C at the Antonov Cup in Kiev, Ukraine, and he won ten events at the 1994 Nats in Lubbock, Texas.
Jim was voted Modeler of the Year in 1990 by the Tri‑City Flyers Club and has used his own designs in several wins. His next goal is to qualify for the 1996 Open World Championship team.
The Academy of Model Aeronautics is proud to assist these outstanding AMA members and modelers. Thanks to all who applied, and congratulations to our winners!
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Executive VP's Report
Doug Holland AMA Executive VP
3517 Fernwood Dr. Raleigh, NC 27612 (Home) (919) 787‑5163 (Office) (919) 787‑7454
Everyone knows about pack rats — some people are better at it than others. We all save a lot of things and in some very strange places.
Librarians save everything in an organized manner. They know what they have and can find it. Others save things but do not know where anything is.
A friend (who shall remain nameless — but you can look up the VP for District IV for a clue) brought me a financial statement of an AMA dated December 31, 1947. The comparison with 1995 is revealing:
- Total receipts: 1995 — $6,642,407.21; 1947 — $32,818.38
- Number of employees: 1995 — 52; 1947 — 10
- The AMA magazine expenditures: 1995 — $1,671,451.46; 1947 — $1,121.62
- Net Profit (Loss): 1995 — $364,500.54; 1947 — $(1,180.35)
It's interesting to see how much AMA has grown and developed in forty‑eight years. We now offer scholarships, participate in international activities, own buildings, have a great flying facility and museum at Muncie, offer services including insurance protection to members, and many other activities. I'll write about some of them later.
Just think — if we did not have organized pack rats, we would not have had the opportunity to see those numbers.
Until later.
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The National Model Aviation Museum
The Frank V. Ehling National Model Aviation Museum was the first part of AMA HQ to move from the Reston, VA facility. Thanks to the efforts of many dedicated people, its initial exhibit was up and running for the AMA Homecoming Celebration at the Muncie site on June 10, 1994. It's amazing that they were able to safely move the entire museum with its collection of models, books, magazines, and archives and set it all up in such a short time!
It has taken longer to get a truly professional staff in place to manage the museum and plan its growth and improvement. In this introduction to the departments and employees that make the AMA run, we get to peek behind the scenes and examine the museum, its staff, and the parts they play in the development of this beautiful child of the AMA.
The museum's roots go back to around 1983 when the EC decided to build a new headquarters building in Reston, VA. The architect designed it for displaying models in a large central atrium. Former AMA Executive Director John Worth convinced retired Air Force commander and active modeler Hurst Bowers to volunteer and begin collecting, organizing, and exhibiting models at the new HQ building.
Over the years the collection grew to become the largest collection of items representing the history of model aviation in the world — and it's still growing.
Gary Prater, a Muncie resident and museum professional, has been appointed Director of the Frank V. Ehling National Model Aviation Museum. He brings exhibit planning, design, fabrication, and volunteer supervision experience from the Minnetrista Cultural Center in Muncie, where he served as Preparator/Conservator and later Chief Preparator. Gary worked closely with Mike Fulmer during earlier aviation exhibits and is an active member of the National Association for Museum Exhibitions and the American Association of Museums. He has a degree in history with minors in math and physics from David Lipscomb University. His brother Greg is president of the local AMA club, the Muncie Sky Chiefs.
Dick Kennison has joined the museum as Registrar/Librarian, bringing a wide and deep background in aviation. He retired from the Air Force after flying as an officer in Strategic Air Command and serving as a staff officer. He holds both a pilot license and an airframe-and-power‑plant license, and has degrees from Colgate and Ball State, plus aviation technology study at Purdue University. With 50 years of modeling experience and 30 years as an AMA member, he serves as research librarian and registrar, indexing and organizing the Lee Renaud Memorial Library and responding to inquiries from the public. As Registrar, Dick assesses donations and ensures proper documentation for the collection.
Sheila Tweedy started with AMA in April 1993 as receptionist and soon moved to Museum Assistant. A Muncie native who previously owned a clothing store, she now serves as Museum Store Manager. Sheila maintains an attractive shop with changing displays, evaluates records, buys merchandise, and trains volunteers and staff in store procedures. During the flying season she is often the front‑line greeter and information source for visitors.
Gary Prater will write a continuing column on the museum to tell the story of the growth and maturity of the National Model Aviation Museum — a fascinating adventure that sums up what model aviation has meant to us all and what we leave for the future.
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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 (617) 934‑6248
Associate Vice Presidents:
- James M. Semonicin, 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
District Club List
The last two columns contained a list of all the clubs in New England. This was done at the request of several members. I hope it is useful and that you save the list for future use.
New England R/C Soaring Convention
Information provided by Harry Newman, AVP from New Hampshire.
"November 18–19, 1995 marked the second biennial New England Soaring Convention, sponsored by the Down East Soaring Club. This first‑class convention was held in Portland, ME. It was ably conducted by Jim Armstrong and Steve Savoie of the DESC. Manufacturers' displays graced the hall perimeter while several nationally known experts presented topics. The all‑day affair included lunch and an evening hospitality room, complete with snacks, beverages, and videos. On Sunday, rain did not stop slope soaring from the city's oceanside cliffs. If you have any interest in any form of sailplane flying, do not miss the next convention."
Speakers included Bill Kuhlman (Flying Wings); Dave Garwood (Slope Soaring and Racing); Pat Flynn (Cross‑Country); Mike Lachowski (Thermal Soaring); Ed Slegers (Electrics); Jerry Slates (Scale Construction); and Steve Savoie (Retriever Construction).
Sponsors included Aerospace Composite Products; Airtronics, Inc.; B2 Streamlines; California Soaring Products; Major Hobby; R/C Sparrows; Gidge; Slegers International; SR Batteries; The Birdworks; and Viking Models, USA.
Rhode Island Aeromodelers Flying Circus
Provided by Charlie Hochstrasser, VP of the R.I. Aeromodelers:
"The Rhode Island Aeromodelers held their Sixth Annual Flying Circus for the benefit of the Providence Journal Summertime Fund on August 27, 1995. We helped promote the Circus by presenting a mall show at the Warwick Mall a few weeks earlier. John Garlock coordinated the mall show and president Gary Berard was the MC for the Flying Circus. The record crowd was treated to great aerobatic flying by club members, and the biggest hit was spectator flying, where spectators could fly R/C trainers with the help of club instructors. We held a kids' glider contest and served food at the Flying Gourmet food tent. The Club raised $1,500 for the Summertime Fund — a fund that sends underprivileged kids to summer camp."
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DISTRICT II REPORT
The theme for this issue of Model Aviation is the beginner in model aviation. A beginner can be anyone from 5 to 85 years old, which opens new concepts of what we should be doing. This column follows that theme and shares happenings in the district involving beginners.
Twin Tiers Hobbies (Elmira Heights, NY)
From the WASP HAPPENIN' newsletter of the Wellsville Area Small Plane Society:
"Twin Tiers Hobbies is located at 2108 College Ave., Elmira Heights. The proprietor is Mike Jacobs, a transplanted Long Islander and a very knowledgeable modeler. Mike is concentrating on plastic models and R/C airplanes, with plans to expand further. He had a Dave Brown R/C flight simulator set up in the store, and he invites hobbyists to use the back 'shop' every evening. This is a great way to get new blood into the sport — beginners' problems can be handled right away with Mike there to help. Twin Tiers Hobbies is open every day (most to 8 p.m.)."
Mike is supported by modelers such as Ernie Hayworth, Jim Hughson, and Ed Lookin. This is the kind of local support that builds the sport.
Ithaca Radio Control Society
The Ithaca Radio Control Society helps train people in building and flying model aircraft. Each year they hold the COSMOS Triflyathon and an open house in mid‑June with flying demonstrations, open flying, static displays, and an airplane contest for the COSMOS Triflyathon competition. The club does a solid job introducing newcomers to the hobby.
Reminiscence and Giant Scale History
Many years ago a small club in Olean, NY, held a meet for larger size models that grew into something bigger. Don Godfrey had an idea for an organization later called the IMAA, possibly inspired by those early meets. The STARS of Olean took their show to Rhinebeck for the annual jamboree, and the Giant Scale concept spread widely. From little acorns grow big trees.
I'll be in Olean again on July 6–7 at the airport just north of town — may the weather be kind!
A Brief Update
Several of you know I am experiencing a significant physical ailment. My prognosis is good, and I expect to have it subdued in time to be flying by late spring. Thank you to all who have sent cards and letters of support — they mean a great deal. For now, the runway is clear!
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Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
