Focus on Education
Charlie Bauer AMA Education Committee Member
Who needs education?
When you hear the word "education," what do you think of? Many people remember sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher. Education, however, should not stop when we leave the classroom. The current term is lifelong education — and it applies to modelers.
As Vice President for District VI I’ve visited many clubs, from groups of about 20 members to clubs nearing 200. One key component of a successful club is education. I don’t mean returning to formal classrooms, but always seeking information about our hobby.
Most clubs have a program chairman who should lead member education. In every club there’s someone who can cover an airplane with MonoKote or install retracts better than most — make them your program presenter. Club members must be willing to listen even when others do things differently. Take turns presenting methods and ideas. The most experienced modelers often continue to learn and look for new techniques and gadgets.
At one club I visited the officers distributed a questionnaire asking what members wanted to learn. Officers were surprised that many requested basic topics: the best way to mount servos, how to fashion the strongest pushrods, how to prevent stalling servos, and more.
I’ve been building and flying models for almost 60 years, and I still find new tips at the flying field or mall displays that might help my next project. Every member — newcomer or experienced — has something to offer.
One club holds a simulator session every two to three months. They bring a flight simulator and computer to the meeting, demonstrate maneuvers, and let members practice until they feel comfortable to try them at the field.
Clubs that die are often those whose meetings consist only of arguments about who should have done what. Clubs that grow and succeed make meetings places to pass on information so members can all do better work building and flying.
Continuing (lifelong) education is not only for work. Our hobby provides learning opportunities outside of work that clubs can make available to everyone.
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AMA History / Rosenstock
Continued from page 133
Norm Rosenstock, AMA Historian, got the job the old-fashioned way — he complained about the lack of such a position. In May 1996 the AMA appointed him Historian. History gives us heroes: people who have done things significant enough to become standard-bearers and leaders for future generations.
Notable examples include:
- Dick Korda — Wakefield winner in 1939 (39+ minute flight)
- Neil Armstrong — a modeler and the first person to walk on the Moon
- Walter Good — father of modern radio control
- Frank Ebling — modeler, competitor, AMA Technical Director
The AMA Museum recognizes people whose achievements changed and improved modeling. As Historian, I want to preserve their stories. I’m collecting biographies and photos of people who have made significant contributions to Modeling. Some of these individuals can no longer write their own histories or have passed away; I need volunteers to help retrieve and record their stories.
Send scanned biographies or typed submissions and photos to be entered into AMA’s databank. Volunteers (for example, Evan Towne) have helped write biographies; you can nominate someone to be the biographer and receive credit by having the biographer’s name placed on the file.
I am seeking biographies for the following ('*' = deceased / high-priority):
- Carl Goldberg*
- Ben Shereshaw
- Matty Sullivan*
- Joe Bridi
- Dolly Wischer
- John Brodbeck Sr.
- Jerry Stoloff
- John E. Clemens*
- Bill Siedler
- Harry Geyer
- Art Schroeder
- Fred Megow*
- Walt Schroder*
- Irwin G. Ohlsson*
- Carl Schmaedig
- John Pond
- Frank Tiano
- Richard Techenor
- Keith Shaw
Send material to: Norm Rosenstock 5485 Granada St. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 E-mail: nrosenstock@juno.com Tel: (561) 798-5154 Fax: (561) 753-6661
Norm Rosenstock AMA Historian
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DISTRICT II REPORT
New Jersey / New York / Europe
Wes De Cou Vice President 85 Riverside Drive Basking Ridge, NJ 07920-1305 Phone: (908) 221-1666 Fax: (908) 221-9297 decou@idt.net
A recent trip to Middlesex, New Jersey allowed me to visit a Navy Carrier event hosted by the Middlesex Modelers. A cold, blustery day didn’t keep stalwart fliers from getting in their laps.
I also visited Westchester, New York, for a meeting of the Miniature Aircraft Association of Westchester. President Jerry Radice leads a dedicated group working on serious sound reduction efforts to reduce neighbor complaints — an ounce of prevention we should all consider. Thanks for the great meeting and the T-shirt!
Excellent coverage of Long Island events is included this month. Thanks to AVP Ray Juschkus for the following items:
- Nassau Flyers / Condors R/C Club held its annual swap shop at Levittown Hall in Nassau County. Modelers came from New England, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York. The event is run by officers President Archie Defendini, Vice President George McLean, and Treasurer Tom Scotto.
- Long Island Aero Radio Society (LIARS) held their annual fly-in at Sunken Meadow State Park, Suffolk County, on Sunday, May 3, 1998. The site is available for flying only before the beach season. The day started foggy but cleared; many beautiful models flew and the event drew lots of spectators.
Out of space. Lots more next month!
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DISTRICT III REPORT
On behalf of the New Hanover Township Board of Supervisors, I am pleased to announce the opening of the RC Model Field at Swamp Creek Park in New Hanover Township, Montgomery County.
In cooperation with the Spring Meadow Modelers Club (President: Mark Patrizi) and New Hanover Township, Swamp Creek Park (28 acres) was modified to support RC aircraft flight. The township purchased the park with Montgomery County Open Space Grant money. The township agreed to host the club and made modifications (earth moving for the runway, gravel driveway and parking) in exchange for the club maintaining the landscaping (mowing) and installing public amenities (picnic pavilion, benches, tables). The club also removed several unsightly and unsafe outbuildings — a significant contribution of sweat equity.
Flying hours:
- Monday–Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to dark
- Sunday & holidays: noon to dark
The park is open to the public. Anyone wishing to fly must obtain a permit from the township and follow the local frequency control plan. Spring Meadow Club members do not require a permit. Permits are available from the township building (less than a mile from the park) weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Permits are free but pilots must show proof of insurance (a valid AMA membership card is acceptable).
Directions: Swamp Creek Park is located off Reifsnyder Road near its intersection with Church Road (western end of Montgomery County). Reifsnyder Road can be accessed from Swamp Pike approximately one mile east of State Rte. 663. From State Rte. 73, turn south onto Church Road (one-half mile east of State Rte. 663), then left onto Reifsnyder Road; the park is on the right about 500 feet.
The Spring Meadow Modelers and the Township Board of Supervisors invite the flying public to visit Swamp Creek Park. The Academy commends this positive working agreement.
BEAVER COUNTY MODEL AIRPLANE CLUB Michael Zelsnack provided pictures and notes about activity at the Beaver County Model Airplane Club. The club’s site is near the Greater Pittsburgh Airport and attracts active and retired US Airways personnel. Several new members have been welcomed this year.
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DISTRICT IV REPORT
Delaware / District of Columbia / Maryland / North Carolina / Virginia
Chuck Foreman Vice President 412 Pine Cone Ct. Kill Devil Hill, NC 27948 Phone: (252) 441-5855 Fax: (252) 441-5654 cforeman@modelaircraft.org
Associate Vice Presidents:
- George Abbott, 8712 Westlake Court, Raleigh, NC 27613 — Home: (919) 848-6719 — E-Mail: GAbbott46@aol.com
- Robert E. Babura, 117 Otis Dr., Severn, MD 21144-1310 — Home: (410) 969-9356 — E-Mail: bbabura@juno.com
- Randy Elliott, 103 Virginia Court, Pulaski, VA 24301 — Home: (540) 980-8461 — Office: (540) 994-2316
- Steve Moulton, 2217 Johnston Rd., Chesapeake, VA 23322 — Home: (757) 421-4545 — Office: (757) 431-6009 — E-Mail: moultons@mindspring.com
- Richard (Dick) Smith, 761 Gwynne Ave., Waynesboro, VA 22980-3346 — Home: (540) 943-1684 — E-Mail: flyrs@cwf.com
- John Stare, 828 Mari Pl Rd., Middletown, DE 19709 — Home: (302) 376-7154 — E-Mail: vcrc36@aol.com
- Bliss Teague, 865 5th Ave., SW, Hickory, NC 28602 — Home: (828) 324-2164 — Office: (828) 733-9228 — E-Mail: blissteague@conninc.com
Frequency Coordinator: Paul Yacobucci, 6408 Winthrop Dr., Fayetteville, NC 28311-1007 — Evening: (910) 488-5986
DISTRICT IV WEB SITE: We now have a District IV website (still under construction): www.amadistrictiv.org. If your club has a website and would like a link, contact District IV webmaster Steve Moulton (email on the District IV site). If your AMA-chartered club does not have a website but wants to be listed, send a letter or fax with club name, address, contact name, address, phone number, and authorization to post this information.
AVIATION PROGRAM (Denbigh High School Aviation Academy): The Denbigh High School Aviation Academy at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport is a specialized three- or four-year program preparing high school students for careers in technology with an emphasis on aviation. The academy is in its fourth year, with the graduating class scheduled for June 1999. Teachers collaborate across subjects to incorporate aviation topics, emphasizing critical thinking and practical applications.
Subjects covered include principles of flight (four forces), aerodynamics of maneuvering flight, aircraft parts identification, technical writing, and reading drawings. Since 1995, eight AMA volunteers have assisted students in building gliders (first semester) and Control Line airplanes (second semester). The volunteers have provided hundreds of hours and mentorship to more than 300 students.
Volunteers: Fred Baldwin, Joe Block, Bob Champine, Eddie Israel, Jim Kelley, Lee Person, Ed Sullivan, Abram VanDover. Information and photographs submitted by aviation teacher John Behny and volunteer Eddie Israel.
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DISTRICT VI REPORT
Charlie Bauer Vice President
NORMAL, IL: AVP Jerry Worden sent photos and notes from the Streator Breakfast Fly-In:
- Streator RC members Chip Fisher and Ken Baker frying eggs.
- Ron Yenerich of Normal, IL with his Telemaster "Candyman" loaded with candy for a children’s candy drop; children scramble for the candy after the drop.
- A large DC-3 jointly owned by Dave Gurney and Marv Ducci.
- Streator member Roger Kaprun on the flight line (owns a hobby shop in Benson, IL).
- An Acro-Sport owned by Frank Buzukanov of Plainfield, IL, equipped with a smoker to leave trails.
- A Hellcat from a Wing Manufacturing kit owned by Steve Breckinridge of Yates City, IL.
- A scratch-built B-17 by Mike Asher of Galesburg, IL (enlarged from a Guillow design).
JACKSONVILLE, IL: Club 1328, the Jacksonville Propkickers, held their annual January 1st President’s Challenge. From left to right in the group photo: Jeff Bruninga, Jay Bruninga, Roger Russell (kneeling, president), Brian Ward, John Althoff, John Hunter. The wind was 17 mph with a wind chill of 17 below.
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WHY, the AMA! A gathering of the clan of aircraft modelers!
On Saturday, April 24 the AMA Board of Directors (Council) favored my concept for producing a major modelers’ gathering in the Southwest (most likely in District VIII). The event would include a convention/tradeshow, educational and technical symposiums, swap meet, auction, and static displays.
I was assigned to draft a working proposal and business plan. This will be a large undertaking requiring significant preparation and planning before a formal presentation to the Council.
The Southwest has a rich history of AMA-sponsored gatherings, including Navy-sponsored National Championships at NAS Dallas and other large regional events. This concept would return AMA production of a major member gathering to the region and showcase aircraft modeling to the public.
Volunteers wanted: If you can assist in planning or presenting this event, please contact me directly.
AMA CARES: The "Committee to Achieve Responsible Environmental Solutions" seeks empirical information from AMA members and clubs. An automated data-collection website is available: www.ama-dist8.org/cares. If you have had environmental situations involving model aircraft flying (resolved or otherwise), please submit your experience. The system allows data gathering and sharing of successful practices nationwide. Members helping members!
Public relations at the Nats: I reviewed AMA archives and found a successful program used at past Navy Nats — attendees voluntarily filled out a form providing hometown newspaper information so event results could be sent as press releases. I intend to reinstate this for the 1999 Nats. I will have my laptop available to help entrants and volunteers send press releases to their hometown papers (voluntary; entrants can choose to omit placing information). This has the potential to provide excellent local and regional PR for aeromodelling. I’ll be attending the 1999 Nats and welcome volunteers to assist with this project.
Flying, fun, and fellowship!
Dr. Sandy Frank
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Contact / Closing Notes
Norm Rosenstock 5485 Granada St. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 E-mail: nrosenstock@juno.com Tel: (561) 798-5154 Fax: (561) 753-6661
(End of reformatted AMA News content.)
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
