AMA News
Museum Minutes
Gary Prater, Museum Director
5151 E. Memorial Dr. Muncie, IN 47302
I hope AMA members share my excitement about the contributions the AMA History Program and John Worth's column (debuting on this page) will make to the future National Model Aviation Museum.
About a year ago I sat in an extended meeting of the Resource Development Committee searching for answers about what our historical operations might provide. Discussion kept returning to a central question: what are we doing that is wholly worthwhile, that benefits everyone (member and nonmember alike), and that justifies the public and private support we seek? I took 15 pages of notes and read them repeatedly trying to find an answer. Perhaps we couldn't see the forest for the trees; maybe our ambitions obscured simpler truths.
Then one member blurted out, "Look what the members have done." I think we have been underestimating how much aeromodeling has contributed to what we are today. We have an image problem — and the Eagles' Legacy and the AMA History Program will help change that.
As we look back in time, readers will discover the powerful legacy of model aviation: lives enriched, friendships formed, and skills developed that launched careers. We have file drawer after file drawer of letters attesting to model aviation's role in national defense and thousands of photographs showing how it captivated generations of youth and launched careers that otherwise might not have happened. People such as John Worth, Norm Rosenstock, Hurst Bowers, Dave Thornburg, and many others have rich recollections that need to be preserved.
Model aviation has provided avenues for positive youth development, scientific inquiry, and technological innovation — from advancing aircraft design to records in speed and endurance, and even contributing to achievements like walking on the moon. The museum staff cannot do this alone; the AMA membership must help gather and preserve this history.
AMA History Program — Committee and Projects
The AMA History Program was initiated last year. Current efforts include identifying and labeling museum items on display and cataloging books, magazines, and model plans in the AMA Library. A major effort is producing biographies of notable figures in AMA history to create a Who's Who of model aviation.
Committee:
- Norm Rosenstock (Royal Palm Beach, FL) — Chairman
- John Worth (Fairfax, VA) — Assistant
- Hurst Bowers (McLean, VA)
- Dave Thornburg (Albuquerque, NM)
Request for help:
- Volunteers are needed to research and write biographies, especially where subjects are too old or ill to write themselves.
- Biographies may carry the contributor’s byline.
- Contact Norm Rosenstock: 124 Granada St., Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411; Tel. (561) 798-5154; Fax (561) 753-6661.
Please contribute — this is your chance to help preserve AMA’s legacy.
Maintenance and Site Work
Regular site work continues: setting up picnic tables, emptying trash receptacles, installing electricity to additional areas, filling low spots with dirt and grass, trimming bushes, and preparing for weekend contests. The Maintenance Department maintains the HQ building, three houses, equipment, and vehicles. Many hours of hard work and long days are put in by the maintenance staff — thanks to all involved.
Nats / Nationals
Preparation is well underway. Applications have been received and confirmations mailed. We hope for a larger Nats than in 1997, weather permitting. If you plan to attend, get your registration in — deadlines vary by event (first deadline for Indoor is April 28). Even if you don't compete, come out to watch, visit the site, and the museum. Event-day information will also be posted on our website.
Museum Upgrades and Patron Program
New displays are planned for the summer, including two new cubicles and another 18-inch foot case. The library cataloging project aims to put book records on the computer so members can search by title, subject, or author to see if a resource is available at AMA HQ.
The Museum patron program helps fund these projects. Museum patrons receive Cloud 9, a pin, a patch, and a bumper sticker. See the Membership Manual (page 15) for patronship levels and consider supporting the Museum.
First USA Credit Card Program
Offered to Academy members since March 1995, the First USA credit card program benefits members and generates revenue for the Academy. To date the program has yielded $151,973.52. To request an application, call the Membership department; the card depicts many phases of modeling.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to building and developing the Muncie site — through volunteer work, financial support, donated items, or other contributions. These are investments in the future of our hobby.
Watch for information on the Homecoming / AMA Expo (first weekend in June) — we look forward to showing our appreciation.
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The Eagles' Legacy
John Worth
The Look Back / Future Celebration — the "Eagles" held in Muncie last July — highlighted the important participation of AMA's earliest members in developing the Academy of Model Aeronautics. The Celebration focused on people, acknowledged individual contributions, and showcased museum display items that illustrate what AMA members accomplished in the first 30 years. That perspective helps indicate what we might expect in the future.
The event provided a milestone for how far we've come. Starting the next 30-year period, AMA begins with:
- More than 150,000 members
- Ownership of property that includes Headquarters, Museum, and a flying field
- A Headquarters staff roughly ten times larger than thirty years ago
Looking back helps us avoid past mistakes, concentrate on what works, and not reinvent the wheel. The past can guide us into the 21st century with momentum.
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Club News and Features
News Flash — Aero Modelers of Perrine (Perrine, FL)
Club President Art Silver and Secretary/Treasurer Tom Cornell faced a 65-member club without a good field. They found a suitable 5-acre site priced at $25,500 and purchased it using the following plan:
- The club, incorporated and nonprofit, had $15,000 in the treasury.
- They sold shares to club members at $1,000 each.
- After selling about 40 shares, they had enough funds plus club money to purchase the land in the club’s name.
- Share buyers are repaid over time with 8% interest on diminishing principal; annual payments begin on Feb 1.
- Club annual dues are $100.
Results:
- Membership grew from about 65 to 180–200 members.
- The incorporated club owns the land outright.
Contacts:
- Art Silver: (305) 248-4047
- Tom Cornell: (305) 247-7860
The plan can be adjusted (share cost, payback method) and reportedly worked well for them.
Insight to Flight (Educational Tape)
Robert Underwood (former AMA Technical Director and Executive Director; current Educational Director) produced a 60-minute tape explaining what makes an airplane fly — suitable for club meetings and youth education. A scene features Charlie Bauer (who introduced himself as "Orville Wright" for the segment); Mr. Bauer is a modeling pioneer and an AMA Board member (District VI). District V clubs can request a tape free (postage covered) — contact the column for details.
Family Winners and Historic Photos
- Father-and-son winners: Gary Parenti (won RC Sportsman Sport Scale, 1996 Nationals) and his father Hal Parenti (won AMA Precision Scale) — a winning father-and-son team.
- The "Bauer Bunch" (Peter, Mark, Matthew, Paula Bauer) were prominent competitors in the 1970s and 1980s and recipients of AMA scholarships.
Club Notes
- BLOOMINGTON, IL — Club #621 (Central Illinois Radio Society) held an open house last fall with strong spectator turnout. Demonstrations included freeflight and RC parachute. S.I.R.S. President N. Phillips presented a complete airplane to raffle winners (father and son, Nelson family). J. Worden earned his solo pilot's license. (Contributed by J. Worden.)
- FORT WAYNE, IN — Club #285 (Fort Wayne Flying Cutlins, Inc.) hosted a two-day 1996 Giant Scale Meet with 53 pilots and 65 aircraft and large spectator crowds. Many great-looking planes flew both days.
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Club Practices and Events
Club Card / Frequency Control System
One club combined frequency control with laminated membership cards:
- New cards issued only after verifying current AMA card (or copy of dues mail-in).
- Card colors:
- Instructors: hot pink
- Pilots: bright green
- Student Pilots: fluorescent orange
- The presence of a member’s card on the frequency board marks frequency use. Cards include member name and, on the back, the gate combination (changed each year). Members receive new cards (and new combination) annually for a fee.
This system helps identify instructors, student pilots, club members, and visitors (no AMA card → no flying until briefed).
Mentoring and New Member Integration
- BARONS (Spokane, WA): mentors present prospective members at club meetings. New members write a short bio for the newsletter after acceptance.
- Fern Prairie Club (Camas, WA): assigns mentors to help new members integrate and runs a standard "trainer night" where new pilots and instructors have the field to themselves.
Events and Announcements
- Float II: June 7–8 at the reservoir east of Sutherlin, OR — a popular float-plane fly-in hosted by the Umpqua Valley Modelers (food and fun).
- Scale R/C Combat Western Nationals (July 5–6, Billings, MT): sponsors and donations include Airtronics (donated radios), AirKill products, Zigg's Originals, and others. Organizers are arranging kits, radios, and engines for competitors.
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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 St., Denver, CO 80235
- Troy Lapp — 1618 Houston Dr., Bismarck, ND 58504
- Travis McGinnis — 8027 W. 81st Circle, Arvada, CO 80005
- Don Moden — 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 Mangels, c/o Radio Service Center, 918 S. Sheridan, Denver, CO 80226
News from Colorado
Ted Hibbs (Arvada Associated Modelers) submitted photos of the club's youngest member, Geoffrey Loyal Hibbs (6 years old). For questions: (303) 421-4184 or thibbs@usa.net.
News from Kansas
W.R.C.C. participated in the 1996 McConnell Air Force Base Open House & Air Show in Wichita, KS:
- Static display and R/C combat demos reached an estimated 80,000+ spectators over two days.
- Flying demos were staged from the flightline; high winds canceled some events but allowed additional combat rounds.
- The club received a Certificate of Appreciation and an invitation to return.
Report by Dennis C. Harris, W.R.C.C.
As the flying season continues, clubs are encouraged to gather photos and send short articles for publication. This column needs your support — thank you for contributing to your district column.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
