From AMA HQ, By the Executive Director:
1976 NATS
AUGUST 1-8--DAYTON, OHIO
That's official, pending final Air Force confirmation of the site at Wright Field, adjacent to the Air Force Museum. Air Force approval is expected to be given by year-end. In the meantime, plans are proceeding on that assumption. A meeting between AMA and Air Force officials on October 15 was very favorable.
Arrangements have already been made for dormitory accommodations at the University of Dayton, about 15 minutes from Wright Field. No air conditioning in the dorms, but linen will be provided (sheets, pillows, pillowcases) and each room has a sink. Previous Nats dorm users will appreciate the latter two improvements.
So start planning now for what should be a bigger Nats than ever--at least 2,000 contestants are expected in Dayton next year.
THE EPIC FLIGHT--ALMOST TOO EASY
A View from AMA HQ
by the Executive Director
When AMA President Johnny Clemens first proposed a transcontinental model flight, in early 1975, the goal was to achieve success in 1976. AMA's story on the idea (Model Aviation, August 1975 issue) was aimed toward that goal, with the hope that some shorter flights might be tried in 1975, building up to attempts in 1976.
(Continued on page 50)
COUNCIL MEETING (Continued from page 46)
side of Europe (more distant places) provided FAI budgeting is sufficient for the year when such additional travel is needed.
e. Contingency over-ocean travel. Anticipating a greater need for commercial transportation by 1977, due to probable end of current subsidized travel arrangements, planning will be initiated to develop alternatives. Substantial cost increases expected, with likelihood of price increases for FAI stamps.
f. Donations, souvenir patch sales, and other fund raising efforts will be used for aid to teams rather than team selection program expenses.
g. Team selection deadline authorized in same year as world championships provided at least 90-day separation is available between picking the team and the date of the world championships.
- Scholarship Program to be continued until alternatives are offered for more Junior involvement. Alternatives to the current program are desired, to attract youngsters to model aviation.
- 1975 Nats. Problems were reviewed and success of financial aspects noted: $9,000 more income (due to higher entry fees) even though there were fewer contestants; $11,000 less expenses due to use of more local workers to save travel cost reimbursement—the $20,000 improvement produced a breakeven operation.
- 1976 Nats. Dates of Aug. 1-8 and location at Dayton, Ohio approved; pending Air Force confirmation of Wright Field site. Nats planning to proceed; no better alternatives known.
- HQ computer operation. HQ to proceed with planning for in-house mini-computer operation, to replace current outside services; possibility of sharing U. S. Parachute Assn.'s computer in the same building as HQ to be explored.
- Hutchinson Property Purchase.
a. Negotiations are continuing to finalize financial details and use of adjacent airport property. b. Roof repairs, needed before winter weather, approved before immediate action upon AMA's acquisition of the property.
- Membership Representation. Various proposals for state representation discussed and discarded due to inequities in membership and club population in various states (1 rep. per state not a fair representation). Other possibilities involving club and special interest representation were considered as were changes to the number of executive council members and the by-laws. Further study is to be made, but the general consensus seems to be that the existing system is better than some critics realize and that the criticism involves a comparatively small percentage of members—most members apparently disinterested or satisfied. The contingency used is to better define the desired size and extent of desire for change.
- Club Associations. Chapters, composed of AMA chartered clubs, approved for official recognition and benefits, as a means of encouraging the development of larger groups of members and cooperative efforts between clubs.
- Charter flights. AMA involvement discouraged, especially where AMA is not in control of the operation and liable to suffer bad PR if the flight has problems.
- Microfiche distribution. AMA's microfilmed list of members not to be made available for commercial purposes; distribution at the discretion of HQ.
- District meeting financial support. No need seen. Obtaining meeting places a local responsibility, without expense obligation to AMA beyond the travel reimbursement of AMA officers involved.
- Local vs. National PR. AMA's effort to be primarily national though participation in regional programs possible where significant news media attention is likely.
- Awards. Fellowships approved for Sal Taibi, Bob Lopshire. Distinguished Service Award for Jack Josaitis; Meritorious Service Awards to Bob Stallick and Jim Perdue.
- New business:
a. Contest Director Handbook Status. In final preparation for 1976 printing. b. RC Contest Board Action. Special vote for acceptance of Soaring classes approved. c. Cash Prizes at Contests. Lack of policy noted, but tradition and history shows that cash prizes have been made frequently, going back to the twenties. No policy action seen necessary. d. VP Columns. Standards set regarding amount of material acceptable for magazine publication. e. Rules Change Cycle. Current Contest Board operation noted to be near end of first 2-year cycle; too early to evaluate results in comparison with previous 1-year cycles. Stability of competition for '75 season needed to be a plus. f. Frequency Committee Review. It was noted that the committee is resuming active operation under new chairmanship and that more visibility could be expected soon. g. RC Helicopter Activity. Need for rules proposals by April 1976 noted if such activity is to gain official competition status. Lack of previous rule proposal activity noted as base reason for problems of recognition and promotion.
Note: Full council present: all VPs, President, Sec.-Treas., and Exec. Director. Next meeting tentatively agreed to be in California next February.
AMA: News
NATS AUGUST 1-8 — DAYTON, OHIO. That's official pending final Air Force confirmation; site Wright Field adjacent Air Force Museum. Air Force approval expected given the favorable meeting between AMA and Air Force officials October 15. Arrangements have already been made for dormitory accommodations at the University of Dayton about 15 minutes from Wright Field. No air conditioning in dorms. Linen will be provided — sheets, pillows, pillowcases; room has sink. Previous Nats dorm users will appreciate the latter two improvements. So start planning now what should be the biggest Nats ever — at least 2,000 contestants expected in Dayton next year.
THE EPIC FLIGHT — ALMOST TOO EASY
View: AMA HQ Executive Director
AMA President Johnny Clemens first proposed a transcontinental model flight early 1975 with the goal to achieve success in 1976. AMA's story idea in Model Aviation (August 1975) was aimed toward that goal. Hope some shorter flights might be tried in 1975 building up attempts in 1976.
But Bob and Doris Rich decided it could be done much sooner and they wasted no time in proving the point. They, along with Carl Goldberg, did a lot of talking about the possibility at the 1975 Nats, in August. It was obvious that they were enthused, had given the idea a lot of thought, but it seemed that the target of an October 1975 flight was unrealistic.
During several conferences at AMA's Nats Headquarters in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the details of the planned flight were discussed and AMA's degree of involvement was developed, but it just didn't seem possible that the Richs could really get their show on the road that soon. However, AMA cooperation was promised in many areas: fund raising support, logistics, PR, certification of performance, communications, and many others.
Between mid-August and October 1, only about ten weeks, the model and spares had to be built, test flying was needed, support vehicles had to be modified, sponsorship had to be solicited, news media coverage and traffic planning arranged, enroute club support enlisted, and many other intricate details planned.
Somehow it all came together even though there was much doubt and uncertainty. Two things were sure, however. The Richs' work ethic would speed ahead with model and vehicle preparations; sponsors were getting on the bandwagon. By mid-September, the Richs were departing from Chicago, so as to be at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on the weekend before the October 1 takeoff target. During those last two weeks, the preparations got hectic. There was still much skepticism but nobody wanted to be caught short in case the flight really did get going. So, while there was much behind the scenes talk about what was going there was no reason to be over on the flight arrangements; the pace of the Richs' kept everybody moving and hoping that somehow it might not be an exercise in futility.
On the weekend before the flight was to begin, AMA sent HQ assistant Hobie Steele to Kitty Hawk. He was immediately caught up in the final frantic preparations. Bob and Doris had arrived at the site and were confident. No CP radios were installed in the vehicles as well as warning lights on Bob's command car — his camper which would also serve as the pilot's perch. Test flights were made and there were some more doubts. Bob seemed to have difficulty making flybys for PR photos.
Also, it seemed that the very first few miles would make the whole project a farce. Kitty Hawk was a clever choice for PR purposes, but it was a nightmare for flight considerations. Almost immediately after takeoff, the caravan would have to proceed over a long bridge across the bay in between the Kitty Hawk beach and the mainland. This overwater leg caused a lot of worries as did a long stretch of wooded land afterward. It was only natural to think that the effort would come to a sad end within the first few miles.
But it didn't. Bob did some intensive test flying to sharpen his piloting skills and he soon showed he could fly and land tightly when needed. It was also obvious that he and Doris were determined to go, on schedule, come what may. And they did. And very quickly it developed that the flight had more than just a slim chance.
All of a sudden the mental obstacle of the overwater bridge was passed. The caravan was on the mainland and headed cross-country at 50 mph. The goal was to arrive at Raleigh, N.C., the next day for some special bicentennial ceremonies by civic officials. They made it on time, and with comparatively little trouble—plenty of anxious moments here and there but it all soon settled down to a regular routine.
And so it went for the whole month of October. It was soon established that the model and equipment were very reliable. Bob Rich made the flying appear easy (it wasn't but Bob did such a professional job that this part of the project soon got taken for granted). Day after day passed with similar reports of success: on schedule, good media coverage enroute (due to lots of frantic day and night phone coordination by AMA's PR man, Larry Bolich). Hobie Steele had come back to HQ after seeing the caravan make it to Raleigh. He reported that, barring equipment problems and assuming the flight team (Bob and Doris, Bob Sutlaski, Ed Sweeney, and Lee Taylor) would continue to work together as well as for the first hundred miles, the rest of the trip was assured.
Hobie was right. The flight continued on steadily for four weeks. Lots of detail problems and irritations along the way but on the whole an amazingly consistent operation. Bolich manned the phones at home and at HQ to keep the support and publicity effort going; then flew to Los Angeles to be part of the welcoming party for the final landing.
It all happened in a manner that at the end made it seem like there had never been any question of success. Everyone involved had pitched in and made it happen. But, it was Bob and Doris Rich who made it seem easy. Their confidence was unshakable and they showed it at Wetherford, Texas, when the team members of the caravan on schedule, and others took off anyway and made that day's leg practically on their own. The others caught up that night.
The plane was aptly named, Liberty Bell: symbol of individual courage and determination that made the U.S. great — the free spirit that enabled people to overcome odds and doubt. Bob and Doris Rich made the spirit behind the Liberty Bell come to life again, as an example to us all. The only problems is that they made it look too easy. It wasn't.
F.A.A. REQUESTS AMA COOPERATION AGAIN
A few years ago, in 1972, the Federal Aviation Administration responded to some incidents of near misses between models and full-scale planes by asking AMA cooperation to alert modelers to the need for vigilance in their operations. At the time, much controversy arose because it appeared that the FAA was trying to limit model flying to altitudes less than 400 feet.
That was cleared up when AMA-FAA discussions indicated that the altitude figure was not a limit but a warning point, and that it boiled down to the fact that the FAA was (and still is) concerned about any model flying over 400 feet, to the extent that they wanted to be informed when and where such flying might take place — particularly if this was within 3 miles of an airport.
Once the air was cleared on this point there began a general movement toward dialogue between modelers and FAA personnel in the local scene. The FAA was pleased by this because they gained a much better idea of the location and nature of model flying activities and they also got to know many modelers and gained an appreciation for their activities. At the same time, modelers got to know about FAA problems concerning aircraft traffic control and the need to be conscious of full-scale activity near their flying sites.
The FAA record since 1972 has been noticeably free of any incidents between models and full-scale aircraft. However, one cropped up recently near Dallas airport about 30 miles west of Washington, D.C. Fortunately it was of minor significance and the FAA didn't panic. Instead, AMA received a phone call and a letter from the FAA asking our help in reminding modelers of the need to be more cautious when operating model flying in the vicinity of full-scale airports.
To that end, all AMA members are asked to comply with their AMA rule books and read again the information on the inside back cover about the AMA Safety Code on the back cover. In the meantime, AMA will be working on model magazine publishers and the model industry in general to remind modelers of the need to observe the FAA notice and the need for keeping our record clean.
AMA'S FREQUENCY COMMITTEE
Recently reorganized under new Chairman John Strong of Wheaton, Md., the committee now consists of Robert Able, Hauppauge, N.Y.; Jack Albrecht, Presidio, San Francisco, Calif.; Dr. Walter Good, Bethesda, Md.; Richard Jannson, Wellesley Hills, Mass.; C. T. Williams, APO, NY.
AMA: News
AMA'S FIRST PAID RENEWAL FOR 1976
The annual membership renewal rush is on again. Renewal notices went out in mid-October—over 60,000 of them! Almost immediately the first return was back in, Oct. 22: R. C. Hibbard of Triangle, Va. He signed up for a $17 membership, using his 1975 magazine credit towards his membership cost for '76.
Since then, renewals are pouring back in so we're off to a good start for '76. A hopeful sign: renewal packets were sent out by bulk mail, which normally takes from 2 to 3 weeks for delivery. Some members have reported one week or less; not typical but encouraging. All members should have their renewal packets by about Nov. 5. If you know of someone who hasn't got his by then, please advise AMA HQ so a duplicate mailing can be made.
Connecticut • Maine • Massachusetts • New Hampshire • Rhode Island • Vermont
Cliff Piper Vice-President Highland Avenue Atkinson, NH 03811
I DISTRICT REPORT
After all the pros and cons about our columns spurred by my colleague, John Spalding, it seems that they (we) are read and that generally we should continue to put forth a reflection of our views and opinions, tempered by our interests and pride in our own membership.
Not much has been received on club field location as yet. Please send me yours for the compilation.
The District One vote for associate VP for Maine shows a strong support for Art Everett. At this writing, during the Council meeting in Dallas, the exact figures are not at hand, but they are about: 30 for Art Everett; 23 for Dave Skillings, and the other people in contention received about 10 votes between them. Thanks for the interest, folks.
The appointment of Art Everett will be seen in the mail shortly. I hope that the others will continue to support AMA actively. I only say that you are all really AVP's, you know, in effect. Everyone has merit to voice, if you will communicate. The AVP is my liaison with the people out in the field. Let's hear more from all of you. PLEASE.
The host club of our very successful District One meeting at last year's 495th RC Squadron, has very graciously offered, through Tom Dimmilla, to host one again in March of 1976. As noted before, John Clemens has agreed to come up because of our success and we are already in his schedule. This will all be firmed up as soon as a planning meeting is held to set the exact date. We will try for a longer period of display, perhaps a seminar type of afternoon, with some brief reports, presentations, and of course—Johnny Clemens for the evening schedule.
On October 19th, I had a delightful meal, and evening down in Weymouth, Mass., with the Flying Goombahs, at their well-kept clubhouse. They brought all their ladies, and had presentations for their club members. Thanks, all, for making me a part of it.
II DISTRICT REPORT
New Jersey • New York
John Byrne II Vice-President 36-23 21st Street Bayside, NY 11361
SECOND (DISTRICT) THOUGHTS
In our last column we mentioned a series of forthcoming contests scheduled to be flown in the southern part of our District, and it is a pleasure to report that each and every one of these competitions exceeded our greatest expectations — which compels the conclusion that contest preparation and direction has truly come of age, at long last — a tribute to all of those unsung workers who see in a model airplane competition a rare opportunity to contribute to a most worthwhile cause, and to reciprocate in some limited measure the great pleasure and personal satisfaction they, like all of us have derived from this fascinating pursuit which binds us all together — and this is wonderfully inspiring to all of those who have NOT so contributed — and they are thus made aware of their importance to the sport/hobby and to the need for their participation in future activities of this kind — and this is good and worthwhile — AMEN!!!
PERPETUATION
Lest our breed perish and pass into oblivion, we have simply GOT to evolve a sound and effective youth program in model aviation, and though this is a challenge with which the Academy is continually confronted, the answers, procedurally, are difficult to come by — largely because Youth is such a random and fleeting thing — it is here, then gone — leaving scant opportunity to develop an effective continuity of programming — it is, therefore, reassuring to read letters such as the most welcome one which I recently received from Steve Gross of the Cinnaminson (N.J.) Aero Devils reading as follows:
"Thought I would drop you a line about a club activity in your district that is rather unique. The club I am talking about is the Cinnaminson Aero Devils and the thing is that the club is run entirely by teenagers. Although we do have adult members, they don't have voting or office holding rights. The club was brought about by a group of control line flyers, of which I am one, that needed a club in the immediate area. We now have grown from six members in 1974 to sixteen in 1975. The club has been formed for one and a half years and has been making out very well. We meet in the local library every 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. We have been given help and cooperation by the PTA and the Parks Commission for a flying field and have just about got it. The club is not entirely oriented to control line flyers as can be seen by the R.C. and F.F. in our club. The club's main interest is to get more young people involved in model aviation and to educate the community that these planes are not toys. I think the club has been doing very well in both of these goals. The C. Devils is AMA chartered at the beginning of this year and we have been looking forward to the Aero Olympics. We made a showing at the Aero Olympics last year by camping there for the week and thought it was really great! We have just completed a very successful fun fly which ..."
Well I guess I have taken up enough of your time so Gear Up and Locked!
----- all of which leads to the observation that with more "Devils" like these "Younguns", the mention of "Exorcism" could lose its sinister and creepy implications — we are proud to have this impressive group in our District.
UP TO STRENGTH
I am pleased to announce the appointment of two additional Associate Vice-Presidents for District II, this filling our allotment of three of such state representatives for New Jersey and three for New York. These two new members of our staff are Jack Sammarco, of 2062 Emerson Avenue, Union, N.J. 07083, and Joe Friend, who resides at 27 Mary Terrace, Freehold, N.J. 07728. Local modelers please note these addresses and USE them — both appointed are active modelers of good reputation, integrity and deep involvement in the hobby and the active participation in the "practicing" AMA member — those who love the hobby and actively participate in it, as opposed to the members in name only — the uncommunicative who sit silently on their hands and wait for something to happen — and then wonder WHY?, if it doesn't! Mr. Sammarco, a retired model airplane club member of the Union Model Airplane Club, is known to several model airplane clubs in New Jersey, of whatever specialty, as a founder and current President of the Union of Association of Model Airplane Clubs, Inc. Mr. Friend is a widely-known and highly regarded competitor and Contest Director, with his own aerodrome of respect as the articulate editor of the newsletter of his organization, the Monmouth Model Airplane Club, Inc., of which he is an active member. Both Jack and Joe have devoted many years to model flying and have the organizational ability and the community zeal to do a fine job.
III District Report
Ron Morgan III Vice-President School for Vet Children Scottdale, PA 15683
III DISTRICT REPORT
Clyde Stacy Editor 601 Hanley Farms Drive Oakdale, PA 15071
Within several weeks the election for certain AMA officers will be held. This year the Secretary-Treasurer and all odd-numbered district vice-presidents will be elected. Traditionally, District III elections have a higher than normal voter turnout.
It is hoped all district members eligible to vote will share their interest and participate in this year's election. Please remember you do not have to send your dues for 1976 when returning your ballots. Ballots are usually sent together to reduce mailing costs.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
