President's Corner
By the President of the Academy of Model Aeronautics
Dave Brown 4871 Trudy Lane Hamilton, OH 45013
As many of you may have noticed, my column was quite short last month. In fact, it was a lot shorter than I wrote, but that's what happens when the lawyers get done with their work. It's very frustrating to live in our society today and find oneself dealing with the degree of influence lawyers have on our actions. For those of us elected by the membership to represent you and run your organization, it puts us in a position of having to determine what we would like to say, what we should say, and what is safe to say. In short, we often find ourselves in a Catch-22 situation.
I feel very confident in the attorneys AMA has as general counsel and that we will not get into too much legal trouble if we follow their advice. The problem is that in taking the safe route, in a legal sense, we often end up in a very dangerous situation with the membership, who don't understand why we did (or didn't do) whatever it was we did (or didn't do)! A perfect instance of this is the recently imposed waiver for all sanctioned Pylon Racing events. No one wanted this waiver — not the Executive Council members, not the Contest Board, not the competitors — and even the lawyers are not all that thrilled about it, but the lawyers strongly recommended it if we were to continue to sanction Pylon Racing. AMA has significant assets, assets which belong to the overall membership. As President my responsibility is to the membership AS A WHOLE, to see that the assets are not unduly put at risk. This waiver was necessary in order to protect those assets from undue risk.
Unfortunately, one peculiarity of our legal system is that we can't try to explain the waiver in plain language without jeopardizing its effectiveness. I sure wish we could. I know that others, outside of AMA, are trying to do this, and I hope they do it well, as I sincerely believe that once people understand the waiver, they will understand the need for it. As I said earlier, it's a Catch-22 proposition. Ironically, I am the 22nd AMA President and therefore have AMA number 22. Somehow it fits.
A different — and probably far greater — threat to aeromodeling is environmental concerns. Until about a year ago I had heard very little about alleged conflicts between aeromodeling and the environment, aside from noise. For the most part we have done a reasonable job of reducing model noise, but we now find a significant number of flying sites being jeopardized as a result of environmental concerns. Most are new sites sought by clubs across the country, but some are sites we have been flying at for YEARS and which are now coming under the watchful eye, if not the control, of various environmental groups.
Most of us who have been around aeromodeling for a long time realize our activity has little, if any, effect on the habitats and wildlife around our flying sites. The problem is that many environmentalists are not familiar with our activity and assume it must be detrimental. If we are to survive, we must help them understand that we are friendly to the ecology and not a threat. Sometimes it is an uphill battle — for example, a proposal to suspend flying at a site used for model flying for 30 YEARS in order to "preserve" the environment. If model flying has taken place there for 30 years, it has become part of that environment; to suspend it would be a greater change than to leave it.
WE NEED HELP. We need to compile case histories of successful integration of flying sites with various ecologies. Specifically, we would like letters of support from professionals in ecology and environmental protection fields. In particular, we need local clubs that fly in ecologically sensitive areas and that have good working relationships with parks, recreation, and wildlife preservation groups to let us know about your successes. We are about to embark on a first step: putting a "trailer" onto the Partnerships video dedicated to a few successful sites located in ecologically sensitive areas where local clubs have forged good working relationships with the parks, recreation, and wildlife preservation groups. If you think you might help, contact me or, better yet, Jay Mealy at AMA Headquarters.
Till next month! Dave Brown
Nominations for Office
Nominations for the offices of Vice President, Districts II, IV, VI, VIII, and X are due at Headquarters, Academy of Model Aeronautics, June 30, 1997.
- Any AMA Official or Open member who resides in the District in which the election is to be held may submit his or her own name, or any other resident of the District may submit a nomination.
- The nominee must be a Leader Member of the Academy.
- A letter of acceptance from the nominee must be filed at AMA Headquarters by July 7, 1997 (10 days prior to the Nominations Committee meeting date).
- The nominee must also submit a resume of professional qualifications and model aviation experience. The resume should include the following:
- A statement regarding Leader Member status, including date conferred.
- Background in the following areas of model aviation.
(Additional resume details were requested by the Nominations Committee; contact AMA Headquarters for full requirements.)
AMA News
Executive Director's View from HQ
Joyce Hager AMA Executive Director 5151 E. Memorial Dr. Muncie, IN 47302
Central Indiana's area code changed from 317 to 765 effective February 1. Please note this change — after June 30 you will no longer be able to use 317.
AMA has implemented a new automatic answering service. We hope this automated system will provide faster service to members. During December and January we received a tremendous number of calls; holidays, bad weather, and a flu outbreak affected staffing. The automated system should help maintain good service levels.
When you hear a recorded message you may at any time:
- Dial the extension of the person you want to talk with, or
- Dial "0" for the Operator to speak to a real person.
Periodically we publish a list of departments with extensions in Model Aviation. We have also updated business cards to reflect extensions — all to provide better service.
With illnesses, holidays, Council meetings, and the beginning of the trade-show season, Headquarters is busy planning next year's on-site events. A lot of work goes into preparing the grounds, arranging restrooms, picnic tables, equipment for events, and scheduling mowing. We are hoping for an early spring with much less rain than last year.
Following is a list of events currently scheduled to be held in Muncie. For additional information see the "Contest Calendar" in Model Aviation.
- May 17–18: SCAM waivered Rocket Launch and Thermaleers Free Flight
- May 24–26: Helicopter F3C Team Selection
- May 31–June 1: Muncie CL Contest and COFFC FF Contest
- June 6–8: AMA Homecoming and AMA Model/Hobby Expo
- June 13–15: JPO Jet America
- June 21–22: Muncie Pattern Contest
- June 26–29: F3A Team Selection
- July 6–10: Scale Team Selection
- July 11–August 5: AMA Nationals
- August 14–17: Hobby Country/Mid-America Challenge
- August 23–24: Chicago Aeronuts FF
- August 25–Sept. 1: CLPA FAI Team Selection
- August 29–31: ISC/IMAA Fly-In
- August 30–31: FAC FF Scale Event
- September 6–7: Spacemodeling Team Selection
- September 13–14: CIA Free Flight and SCAM Rocket Launch
- September 27–28: Boy Scouts Fall Camporee
- October 18–19: CIA Free Flight
We hope you'll get a chance to attend some of the scheduled events or just come and fun-fly. By popular demand we are hosting Homecoming June 6–7, primarily aimed toward a weekend of fun-flying. We will also incorporate a new Model/Hobby Expo — attended by train, boat, and car hobbyists — to create an atmosphere for everyone and expose the public to other hobbies. Watch for advertisements as plans develop and be sure to bring the whole family.
District IV Report
Delaware / District of Columbia / Maryland / North Carolina / Virginia
Chuck Foreman Vice President 412 Pine Cone Ct. Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Phone: (919) 441-5565 Fax: (919) 441-6554
Associate Vice Presidents:
- George Abbott, 8728 Westlake Ct., Raleigh, NC 27613. Phone: (919) 848-6719
- Robert E. Babura, 117 Otis Drive, Severn, MD 21144-1130. Phone: (410) 969-9356
- Douglas Barry, 5300 Olde Millbrooke Dr., Glen Allen, VA 23060. Phone: (804) 270-5039
- Allen Eklund, 8405 Macee Ct., Clemmons, NC 27012. Phone: (910) 766-1231
- Bob Champion, 205 Tipton Road, Newport News, VA 23606-3663. Phone: (757) 595-0997
- Steve Moulton, 2217 Johnston Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322. Phone: (757) 421-4545
- Scotty Moyer, 11 Orchard Lane, Wilmington, DE 19809-1719. Phone: (302) 798-8447
- Richard (Dick) Smith, 761 Gwynne Avenue, Waynesboro, VA 22980-3346. Phone: (540) 943-1684
Frequency Coordinator: Paul Yacobucci, 6408 Winthrop Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28311-1007. Phone: Evening (910) 480-5986
The January Council
The January Council meeting is over and I am back home. The most time-consuming item on the agenda was the Pylon waiver. The vote was in favor of the waiver; AMA had no choice but to accept it. It's due to the society we live in today — we do not accept responsibility for our own actions anymore, and litigation fears drive many decisions. When you see me at the flying field, club meetings, or district meetings I will be happy to discuss this matter with you.
Leader Member Program
AMA will be contacting current Leader Members about revitalizing the Leader Member program. We will be asking for input and ideas. In the meantime I would like input from District IV Leader Members about what the program should accomplish and how it should be used.
Delaware R/C Club
The Delaware R/C Club has offered to host the Delaware District IV Mini-Meeting during their annual May Fun Fly, May 2–4. The District IV meeting will be on May 3 at the flying site in the evening. We're trying to get someone to furnish a barbecue at the site. The fun fly is open to all AMA members. A flier will be sent to all clubs in the Delaware area. For more information contact Scotty Moyer at (302) 798-8447 or Joe Asher, Delaware R/C Club. Bring your airplane and let's fly and talk about AMA.
Roanoke Valley R/C Club
I will be at the Star City Expo in Roanoke, VA on March 29 with the District IV AMA Booth. This is a large static model aircraft show and swap meet sponsored by the Roanoke Valley R/C Club, moved to the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibition Hall and including R/C cars and model trains. For more information contact David Yeager at (540) 427-4843.
Danville Aeromodelers
I have been appointed by AMA Council to be the AMA liaison with the special interest group IMAA. I am an IMAA member and look forward to working with this group — a new addition to our hobby since I served on Council.
From AVP Bob Babura: The CBRC Indian Creek School program would like to thank Doug's Hobbies of Waldorf; Hobbytown USA and The Home Depot of Glen Burnie, MD; Hobby World, Pasadena; The Home Depot, Annapolis, MD; R/C Report Magazine; and Tower Hobbies. It is surprising how many items are needed to support a program of this type. These donations are certainly appreciated by parents, teachers, students, and current and future participants. Sorry these names were omitted in last month's article. We expect to have the first in a series of activities in March with full media coverage.
The Southwest Area Park R/C Club
Baltimore Highlands, MD is planning round two of their T.O.C. — a Fly-In Demo. Dr. Stan Blum is this year's organizer. No firm date is set yet. Your Hobby Center and Charlie Banks have donated prizes for the event. This affair is with the full cooperation of the Baltimore County Recreation and Parks System.
Dare County R/C Flyers
(Information not supplied in OCR. Contact District IV for details.)
AVP Phone Numbers
Phone numbers for the District AVPs are listed after their names at the head of this column. This was requested by most AVPs to save callers directory assistance charges. Now that you know their phone numbers, call them for assistance — they are eager to help and are quite knowledgeable.
AMA News (Council Actions and Leader Member Notes)
We have just finished another AMA Council meeting. Votes and actions I supported:
- Accept the Executive Director Contract Committee report and hire Joyce Hager as Executive Director. — Voted YES. Passed.
- Adopt the Pylon Racing waiver as amended and conduct a further study to see what the waiver means for the complete membership. — Voted YES. Passed.
- Convene the Pylon Contest Board Committee to examine the waiver and explore future safety implementation. — Voted YES. Passed.
- Change the name of the Finance Committee to Budget Committee. — Voted YES. Passed.
- Accept existing site and road names: International Aeromodeling Center; Frank V. Ehling Complex; National Model Aviation Museum; Lee Renaud Memorial Library; McLaughlan Road. — Voted YES. Passed.
- Accept the statement: "One of the purposes of the Academy of Model Aeronautics is to establish and continue the National Model Aviation Museum for the collection and exhibiting of the historic, scientific, technical, and artistic legacy of model aviation." — Voted YES. Passed.
- Approve $20,000 for phases I and II of the Marketing Proposal, subject to earmarking those funds by the Finance Committee. — Voted YES. Passed.
- Accept recommendations for Revised Appointment Procedures for AMA Contest Board Members. — Voted YES. Passed. (Anyone wanting to see these procedures may write and request a copy.)
Our AMA President, Dave Brown, suggested we study and consider a plan to offer all elected Club Presidents an opportunity to become AMA Leader Members. I said the idea was so good it was worth driving from Birmingham to Muncie just to hear it. I am asking District V Club Presidents to write, call, or fax me a request for a Leader Member form so I can mail it to them. Currently the transfer fee to change one's membership to Leader Member is only one dollar; I will gladly pay this fee out of my annual AMA VP allowance for any applications.
Recent Leader Member applicants include:
- Dick Toman, President of the Middle Tennessee RC Society
- Kenneth Davis, President of the new Helicopter Club in Nashville
- Irv Gandel
- Charlie Brown
- Ronnie Cravens
A Leader Member is a member who chooses a status above the average member by signing a pledge: "I pledge and agree that I will, at all times, conduct myself as befits a Leader, with my own best efforts to advance model aviation as a science and a sport, and will stress safe flying of model aircraft under the official regulations and Safety Code of the Academy of Model Aeronautics." Applicants mark one or more of three categories on the LM form:
- a) Administrative
- b) Scientific
- c) Industrial
A Leader Member is available when needed. Whenever there is a By-Laws change in AMA it is the Leader Members who vote on the change. A Leader Member can also have a lower AMA number if he or she chooses. Any person who desires to run for elected office in AMA (President, Exec. VP, District VP) or seeks appointment as an Associate VP must already be a Leader Member.
A brief history: Leader Member status dates to AMA's early years. Frank Zaic and Lt. H. W. Alden were instrumental in establishing early AMA publications and membership categories. Frank Zaic (16915 Kinzie Street, Sepulveda, CA 91343) would appreciate letters from members. Headquarters has numerous books written by Frank Zaic; consider his 1934 Model Aeronautical Year Book for early AMA history.
Don Schumpert, Secretary-Treasurer of the Congaree Flyers Club of West Columbia, SC, writes: "Our flying site will be closed for two months while the city sewer plant cleans its sludge reservoir and spreads this sludge on our field. We canceled our May 10 Fly-In. We missed out at our last May Fly-In. We would appreciate your help in finding a new flying site. Can you send us a copy of the Partnerships video and a copy of the Getting and Keeping Flying Sites publication? Are they still free?"
Yes, Don — they are still free and always will be free as long as I am in office. I mailed them to you last week.
News Flash: I have just returned from Miami/Perrine, Florida, covering the Aeromodelers of Perrine IMAC Scale Aerobatics. Chris Hogan was CD. After explanation, 16-year Club President Art Silver wants Leader Member status. Tom Cornell has mailed his completed LM form. Tom served as Secretary-Treasurer for 7 years.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
