AMA News
Flying Site Assistance
Finding—Preserving—Maintaining Joe Beshar Flying Site Assistance Coordinator 198 Merritt Dr. Oradell, NJ 07649 Fax: (201) 261-1281 Tel: (201) 261-0223
The Flying Site Assistance program is underway and currently working to establish a network of volunteers to serve as the AMA's eyes and ears. These volunteers must be willing and able to devote time to reading newspapers and listening to and watching broadcast news programs. In addition, the volunteer must be aware of any activities in their location of residence that could impact either negatively or positively an existing or potential flying site.
It is simply a matter of collecting such information, passing it to the Flying Site Assistance Coordinator and, in turn, having that information distributed to the modelers for their involvement.
Anyone interested in being involved in this ambitious program please contact me at the headed address.
Jay Mealy reports a most positive reception.
NATCA Convention (Seattle, September 3–8, 1998)
The Academy of Model Aeronautics was proud to be invited to the 7th Biennial NATCA Convention as one of the charter exhibitors. For the first time, the organizers of the National Air Traffic Controllers' Convention offered an exhibit area where participants could investigate everything from the newest technical offerings in radar display screens to cooperative education programs.
Companies such as Planar Advance, National Association of Air Traffic Specialists, Miami-Dade Community College, Systems Atlanta, Inc., Aeronautical Data Link Systems Management, Inc., and the Academy were provided with the prospect of meeting and conversing with approximately 800 controllers representing the entire air traffic control community.
The convention was held in Seattle, Washington, at the Westin Hotel Seattle. The accommodations were exceptional, with warm hospitality setting the tone for the entire event.
The decision to attend this event on behalf of the AMA was based on the opportunity to present our organization to a group who, for the most part, were not our regular "customers." The NATCA Convention allowed controllers who were aware of model activities to ask pertinent questions about the sport and allowed those unfamiliar with modeling to be introduced.
I set off for Seattle with some preconceived notions that there was separateness between modelers and controllers, and I was determined to bridge that gap. Because of the work I do with clubs in maintaining their flying sites, I felt that this gap really did exist.
Air traffic controllers have a very demanding job. When you stop to realize the tremendous responsibility these individuals have in providing safe and efficient air commerce in this country, you quickly become aware that this is a very special group.
Because of my dealings with clubs and their flying site concerns, my only exposure to the mix of air traffic controllers and modelers had been when a "problem" existed. The problems I refer to have normally been situations where modelers were operating in close proximity to full-scale airports or within controlled airspace, or were otherwise not fully aware of the other's mode of operation.
The "gap" I felt existed was an assumption that, with the controllers' workload, they should not have to contend with modelers flying in their airspace. The NATCA Convention was a forum at which we could address some of those problems.
I am here to report that I was dead wrong; many air traffic controllers have a very high regard for modeling and modelers.
A large percentage of air traffic controllers are either AMA members or are at some stage of returning to the sport. They fully appreciate what benefits can be derived from modeling and, in some cases, admitted that early involvement in modeling influenced their decision to pursue a career in aviation.
I was ashamed of myself for making the assumption I did. I'm thankful I discovered the error of my ways very early in the convention; from that point on I listened intently to what the air traffic controllers had to say and came away with a message for all modelers.
The message is this: Air Traffic Control personnel are aware of and respect modeling activities and what modeling represents. All they ask is that modelers communicate with them. Many modelers are hesitant to let others know about their work because of fear of causing problems for themselves or for the club. As far as the air traffic controllers are concerned, that's not something to worry about. Many told me that they experience very few problems with clubs that have established a good working relationship with them.
If ATC doesn't know that a club exists, it can't work with that club in maintaining a safe environment for all users of the airspace. It's as simple as that.
If your club, or you as an individual, are flying close to or within controlled airspace, let ATC know who you are, where you are, what you are doing, and when you are doing it. The Academy has addressed this situation in the Safety Code and the Federal Aviation Administration has addressed it in Advisory Circular AC 91-57.
I departed the NATCA Convention with a much better understanding of, and a greater appreciation for, the service that air traffic controllers provide. They are friends of modeling and are sincerely in favor of the activity as long as it is conducted in a safe and responsible manner. So communicate. Invite the controllers in your area to your field, let them fly on the buddy box, answer their questions, and make yourselves known to them. They are truly special people.
AMA News
AirVenture '98 — Control Line Activities and Demonstrations
Volunteers filled the void, providing models, engines, fuel, and instructor pilots. The model used for flight introductions was Sig Manufacturing's Skyray, powered by a Cox .049. There were 12 models used during the course of the six days. Nearly four gallons of Sig fuel were used (one ounce at a time) for a total of approximately 2,000 flights. Certificates commemorating the event and signed by myself were handed out to 690 first-time pilots. How did we arrive at nearly 2,000 flights? There was a line of repeat pilots who just couldn't get enough of going around in circles!
Harold Hester, Mike Gretz, and Justin VanDee from Sig Manufacturing kept busy throughout the week repairing airplanes, rebuilding engines, and providing instructor pilot services. What an enthusiastic trio!
The Milwaukee Circlemasters, under the guidance of Jim Krueger, provided instructor pilots and noon-time Control Line flight demonstrations. In addition, Jim and Pat Schuett and Richard Spoula from Illinois provided instructor pilot services and demonstrations.
Since this was a first-time event with little prior announcement or notice, we started flying on Tuesday afternoon at the entrance to the campgrounds. Model engines still provide a draw for young and old, and it wasn't long before we had a line of youngsters on bicycles waiting to "fly" a model airplane.
We continued to fly from the campground site through Wednesday evening, moving to the lush grass runway of Pioneer Airport Thursday morning. We remained at Pioneer for the remainder of the week and terminated model flying at 5:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. At any given time after moving to Pioneer, we had as many as three circles going at once.
Young and old took part in flying the Skyrays, many reliving their youth. I was asked many times as to the age we would "let" fly. My response throughout the week was that we encouraged youngsters from 2 to 82, boys and girls, to come fly with us. I was impressed by how many moms tried their hand at flying and did very well. Also impressive were the kids' reactions; more than one was heard shouting from outside the circle, "That's my mom!" or "Dad, look at mom!"
Was the event worthwhile? Did we make an impression? Consider that plans are already underway for next year's model flying activities during the annual convention. In the works are a shuttle from the main exhibit area to the Control Line flightline, an announcement in the program, and signage placed strategically around the area.
I, for one, plan on being back, and maybe even getting a chance to fly a Control Line model again to relive my youth.
I would like to extend a special thank you to:
- Tom Poberezny for giving model aviation a forum at AirVenture '98.
- The Milwaukee Circlemasters for their tireless support (especially Vickie Bobb and Ann Schneider, who worked with me tracking pilots and certificates and keeping the lines moving).
- Sean Elliott, without whose efforts we would not have been there burning methanol and making noise.
As a side note, Sean was extremely busy throughout the week but still found time to stop by, check up on us, and provide instructor services in the Control Line circles!
At Oshkosh during the week following AirVenture '98, the Unlimited Scale Air Racing Association—AMA's newest Special Interest Group—repeated last year's Giant Scale Air Racing event. The Sig Manufacturing trailer was on hand, complete with Skyrays and support staff, and soloed 70-plus pilots. All in all, a positive statement concerning model aviation today.
Till next month.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
