AMA News

AMA News

Charitable Donations

Bob Reynolds Brady, Ware & Schoenfeld, Inc. Box 2297, Richmond IN 47375-2297 Tel: (765) 966-0531

Charitable Remainder Trust

If you have been considering making a contribution to the Academy of Model Aeronautics, you might want to consider establishing a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT).

A CRT allows the donor to make a contribution to the Academy while retaining an income stream for the life of the donor (and, if desired, the donor’s spouse). The donor places assets in trust during his lifetime; the trust pays the donor an annual income. At the death of the income beneficiary (usually the donor), the balance in the trust is paid to the Academy.

Key points:

• The annual income can be fixed when the trust is created or can vary with the trust’s value.
• The trust, being tax-exempt, can sell appreciated assets without immediate taxable gain.
• The donor may receive an immediate income tax deduction based on current interest rates, the life expectancy of the income beneficiaries, and the amount contributed.

Illustrative example:

• Dick (late 50s) has a stock portfolio worth $200,000 with a cost basis of $20,000. He needs an additional $12,000 annually for retirement.
• Instead of selling the stocks and paying capital gains tax, Dick transfers the portfolio to a CRT.
• The trustee can sell the stock without triggering taxable gain.
• The trustee invests the proceeds to produce Dick’s required income.
• Dick receives $12,000 per year for life; at his death the Academy receives the remaining principal (about $200,000). The trust assets are typically excluded from estate taxes, and Dick can claim an income tax deduction when the trust is established (example deduction ≈ $60,000 in the year created; unused deduction may be carried forward).

If a Charitable Remainder Trust might meet your needs, consult your personal financial advisors or contact:

• Bob Reynolds or Sue Miller, Brady, Ware & Schoenfeld, Inc. — (765) 966-0531

Email: rreynolds@bradyware.com

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Focus on Education

by Bob Underwood, AMA Education Committee Member

The AMA Education Committee kicked off what promises to be a very active year with a special exhibit area at AMA’s new show in Pasadena. Representatives from several groups, including the Airline Pilots Association and NASA, staffed booths to show that aeromodeling is educational, recreational, and fun.

Recent and upcoming activities:

• February — Hoosier Association of Science Teachers convention (Indianapolis): nearly 3,000 teachers (elementary through high school) visited and learned about AMA programs. Many reported successful classroom use of modeling programs; many others expressed an interest in starting programs.
• March — National Science Teachers Association convention (Boston): committee members staffed a booth and presented workshops to reach science teachers nationwide. Committee representatives also shared program information at an international science convention in Edinburgh, Scotland.
• May — California: a large program involving over 30,000 Boy Scouts exposed youth to aviation through AMA Cubs (Delta Darts), RC flying, and full-scale cockpit simulators. Chip Mull (US Airways captain) led the effort with volunteers and sponsors.
• June — The Grand Event in Muncie: AMA displays, demos, make-and-take activities, and model showcases will be featured alongside other hobby/sports displays.
• July/August — EAA AirVenture (Oshkosh): AMA’s “Focus on Education” will present two forums and arrange youth involvement.
• October onward — Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit Service (SITES) collaboration: a traveling program will visit more than a dozen sites over 2½ years, enlisting many AMA clubs and Leader Members for workshops, demonstrations, and programs. A special article in Model Aviation will outline plans.

Organizational notes:

• The Education Committee has grown rapidly; a full-time staff position was hired when volunteer activity outstripped part-time commitment. That position is open at this writing — contact AMA Headquarters if you know an educator/modeler who might be interested.
• Programs contributing to recent growth:
• Adopt-A-School and Scholarship programs
• Youth Education Stipend (YES) grants supporting club involvement in community programs
• Funding assistance from organizations such as the Radio Control Hobby Trade Association (RCHTA)
• Reduction in youth dues to $1.00 (or $13.00 with the magazine), increasing youth membership (25% increase in the first year; current youth numbers already exceed the previous full year)

Other accomplishments:

• Reached 70,000 young people through satellite programs via Indiana Academy at Ball State University
• Participation in Technology Student Association (TSA) programs
• Expanded web resources and outreach materials (handouts, youth-only membership forms)
• Working toward involvement in the 2003 Wright brothers centennial under the Education Committee chair, Dr. Gordon Schimmel

Call to action: Much has been done, but more is needed. The Education Committee and AMA leadership ask every member to help create awareness of aeromodeling. No one is too young or too old to participate. Consider signing up a youth — it’s less than the cost of a prop!

— Bob Underwood

Education booth volunteers (Pasadena):

• Rocco Ferrario (Napa, CA) helped man the Education booth and provided hands-on demonstrations at Convention ’99.
• Dick Baxter (Laguna Niguel, CA) displayed models built by hundreds of youngsters in Marco Forster Middle School’s aeromodeling program (San Juan Capistrano).

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Events & Contest News

• Bear River Aeromodelers — Annual Fun Fly at Montpelier, ID: June 12–13 at Bear Lake County Airport. Overnight camping available. Contact Don Toomer: (208) 847-2211.
• Boeing Hawks Electric Meet — moved to the RAMS field near Sumner.
• Platt I Float Fly — June 19–20 at the reservoir east of Sutherlin (Umpqua Valley Modelers).
• Idaho Scale Squadron — Scale contest in Parma moved from mid-June to the last weekend in June.
• AVP Eric Hawkinson noted low turnout at a Billings event this year, possibly due to fewer local pilots attending other events in 1998.

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Massachusetts Reports

The Mass Cup — Control Line Championship (1998)

The Mass Cup Championship Control Line contest is held annually, usually at Westover Airpark in Chicopee, MA. There were six events. Top three winners in each event:

Old Time Stunt:

1. Dick Carville
2. Neil Simpson
3. Jack Patrolia

Classic Stunt:

1. Guerry Byers
2. Jack Patrolia
3. Dick Wolsey

• The Concours Award: Jack Patrolia

PAMPA Classes

Beginner:

1. Vincent Langella
2. Frank Schwager
3. George Sawn

Intermediate:

1. Len Minick
2. Len Harding
3. Rick Clark

Advanced:

1. Bob Robertshaw
2. John Duncan
3. Jack Patrolia

Expert:

1. Windy Urtnowski
2. Bill Suarez
3. Waldo Cargill

• The Mass Cup is awarded to the flyer who increased his score the greatest percentage above his class winning score in a fly-off. This year Windy Urtnowski received the Cup (again). Information provided by Leon Bowen (CD) via Dick Wolsey.

Acknowledgments:

• Joan Learned (Springfield, MA), Al Woodward (West Springfield, MA), and Wesley Hebert (Hadley, MA) are honored for year-round organizational help.

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Club and Local Reports

Meroke Radio Control Club (Long Island)

The club holds two monthly meetings (each up to three hours) with consistently high attendance. Meeting format:

• First hour: training/demo session (example: battery care and maintenance)
• Second hour: business meeting
• Final hour: guest speaker, video, or special event

A rigorous schedule that yields strong club participation.

Southern Tier Aero Radio Society (Olean, NY)

Annual awards banquet highlights a tradition of good-natured critique and awards:

• “Crasher of the Year” — Dan Hoopes (with complementary head protection photo)
• “Dumb and Dumber” — Ray and Dan Hoopes
• “Bonehead of the Year” — Dewey Barron (award accompanied by good-natured roasting)
• “Golden Prop” — Gary Fitch (recognizing long-term contributions)

South Park Area Radio Kontrol (S.P.A.R.K.S.)

From club newsletter (Flightline), Tom Morris, President:

• Two ways to avoid mistakes: (1) Do nothing (never be wrong), or (2) get involved, make mistakes, learn from them, and share experiences with others.
• Encouragement to contribute to your club.

Dayton Ohio Giant Scalers

Event: September 3–5. Opportunity to visit the U.S. Air Force Museum. Info/brochure: Frank Noll, 6042 Norwell Drive, Dayton, OH 45449 — (937) 435-9232.

Flying Dutchmen Aeromodelers (Reading, PA)

Club flying field owned by the city and maintained by the club. Field circles enlarged to:

• 70-foot circle
• 60-foot circle
• two 30-foot circles

Mahoning County Model Club (Boardman, OH)

Provided photos of the club’s mall show in Boardman, OH.

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Incidents & Safety

Model Shop Owner Shot

From Cabarrus R/C Flyers newsletter:

• Bobby Gene Wilson, 70, owner of Bob’s Place (northeastern Burke County, NC), was reportedly shot to death outside the hobby shop and grocery on Airport Rhodhiss Road on the night of Sunday, February 7.
• Wilson operated the store for more than 40 years, sold hobby supplies and model parts, and converted family land into Wilson Field for the West Hickory Aero Modelers. He will be missed; sympathy to his family.

Statesville Model Flyers R/C Club

At Bill Davis Flying Field, a Sig Senior Kadet and a Gentle Lady glider were hung on a power line during a first flight attempt; the combination failed to clear the lines. The models were safely retrieved with assistance from club members and two professional power-line transmission workers who are club members. Note: such retrievals should not be attempted without professional help.

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Plane Crazy R/C Club — Winchester, VA

District IV AVP Dick Smith attended the club’s annual banquet. Highlights:

• Maynard Hill discussed his R/C world records: 26,800 ft altitude, 808-mile distance, and 33+ hour duration — all flown with his own design “Marvelous Martha.”
• Hill unveiled a new GPS-guided design planned for a nonstop flight from Newfoundland to Ireland (completion date not given).
• Maynard was accompanied by John Patton, former AMA President.

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Kent County Aero Modelers

District IV AVP John Stare visited in November on a cold, windy day. He noted:

• A student was flying successfully despite the wind.
• The club collected canned goods for "The Home of the Brave."
• The club has a beautiful field and is well-run.

Outer Banks note:

• Local flying halted due to a landfill fire that started in December and continued burning into late winter; smoke and wind prevented flying. Reminder: landfills can smolder for months — be cautious if your field is on or near landfill property.

Closing encouragement: Let’s all go take a kid flying.

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District VIII Report

Dr. Sandy Frank, Vice President 105 N. Brazos St., Weatherford TX 76086-3207 Phone/Fax: (817) 599-7131 E-mail: sfrank68@amail.net Web: www.AMA-Dist-8.org

Associate Vice Presidents

• George Aldrich — 12822 Tarrytown, San Antonio TX 78233 — (210) 656-2021
• Max Blose — 1001 N. Betsy, Waco TX 76706 — (254) 662-5587
• Ervin “Chick” Frierson — Box 188, Haskell TX 79521 — (817) 864-3086
• Marlin McGee — 126-a SE. 25 St., Oklahoma City OK 73129 — (405) 634-6331
• Randy Randolph — 4873 Fallon Pl., Dallas TX 75227 — (214) 381-7624
• Jim Simpson — 604 San Juan Del Rio, Rio Rancho NM 87124 — (505) 891-1336
• Steve Staples — 4811 Coach Dr., Little Rock AR 72212 — (501) 868-2604
• Charles Stevens — 226 Delta St., Pasadena TX 77506 — (713) 473-4995
• John Walls — 2502 Montgomery, Box 2241, Laredo TX 78044 — (512) 723-9018
• Ward Watts — 13415 Joe Rd., Baton Rouge LA 70818 — (504) 261-5974

Frequency Coordinators:

• North: Joe D’Armond — 2626 Valley View Suite 4, Farmers Branch TX 75234 — (972) 241-8492
• South: Gene Kent — 2811 Cort Dr., San Antonio TX 78230 — (210) 308-8043

AMA Display Coordinator:

• Karen Hopkins — 5515 Bridgerton Avenue, Arlington TX 76018 — (817) 467-9211

District VIII Notes

• The January 1999 AMA Council Meeting included a “Sunset” review of all AMA committees; the Education Committee was recognized as exemplary.
• Debra and Scott Justice (Temple, TX) have been appointed District VIII Education Coordinators: 3321 Sam Houston, Temple TX 76502 — (254) 778-8967.
• Flying Sites Directory: Dr. Frank is compiling a directory of flying sites across Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana to help clubs facing field issues. Don R. Nix has been appointed District VIII flying site assistance coordinator: Don R. Nix, 2001 Meadow Lane, Taylor TX 76574-1342 — email: FLYERDON@aol.com. Clubs are asked to contact Mr. Nix with detailed information about their flying sites (including non-chartered fields).
• Railroad land grants: If anyone has experience using railroad land grants for flying fields, contact Mr. Nix.
• The AMA seeks member input and constructive criticism to improve services — Dr. Frank invites members to contact him.
• The ASDA (American Scale Dogfighters Association) has become the RCCA (Radio Controlled Combat Association), representing all radio-controlled model combat flying. Contact: RCCA, 20300 Lochmoor, Harper Woods MI 48225 or visit their website.

Closing: Flying, Fun, & Fellowship — Sandy Frank

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Additional Notes

• Rocco Ferrario (District X, Napa, CA) and Dick Baxter (Laguna Niguel, CA) helped staff the Education booth at the Pasadena exhibition, supporting hands-on demonstrations and showcasing youth programs.
• If your club has events, news, or corrections for district or national reporting, please send them to the appropriate AVP or AMA Headquarters for inclusion in future reports.

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