AMA NEWS
BEHIND THE SCENES...
Frank Zaic visited in mid‑October with his wife Carmen and reminisced about the original AAMA office in Rockefeller Center, N.Y., during the 1930s — before the name became AMA. Too few people realize Frank was a key figure in AMA's beginnings. He is better known today for the Zaic Yearbooks, famous worldwide as the most extensive source of model aviation information on design, structures, theory and practical hints. His books remain collectors' items and are available through AMA's Supply and Service Section.
Much was happening behind the scenes in October after Yugoslavia withdrew its offer to host the 1979 Free Flight World Championships rather than accept the possibility of South African entrants. Hardy Brodersen, Executive Director of the National Free Flight Society, explored whether the U.S. could put together a bid in time for the November AMA Executive Council meeting and the subsequent FAI annual meeting in December. Hardy worked quickly to identify possible sites at Taft, CA; Pensacola, FL; Las Vegas, NV; and Lake Charles, LA — aiming to be prepared so the championships would not be dropped. Many countries had already selected their teams.
With help from Walt Schroder (Model Airplane News), the 1978 Model Aviation Hall of Fame awards were arranged for presentation at the Tournament of Champions banquet in Las Vegas in November. Bill Bennett, host of the event centered at Circus Circus Hotel, agreed to share facilities; award details were to be announced the following month.
A couple of significant switches were made in AMA’s representation to the December meetings of FAI’s Committee for International Aeromodelling (CIAM). George Xenakis, the regular Free Flight representative, could not attend and arranged for Ray Harlan — chairman of AMA’s Indoor Team Selection Committee and recent U.S. Indoor Team Manager — to substitute. Ray’s experience at the 1979 Indoor World Championships in England highlighted some rules and procedure issues that he could address.
Hal DeBolt moved to revive U.S. interest in FAI RC pylon racing and has been coordinating efforts between AMA and equivalent organizations abroad. RC helicopter representation also required a last‑minute change when Don Chapman, current CIAM subcommittee chairman for the activity, had to cancel due to new job obligations; former chairman John Burkam agreed to attend as proxy.
Unlike recent years, the December FAI agenda arrived at AMA HQ in October, allowing circulation to key people in Free Flight, Control Line, Radio Control and Scale to gather input for U.S. voting. John Clemens is the official voting delegate, assisted by technical experts:
- Free Flight: Ray Harlan (substitute)
- RC Soaring: Dan Pruss
- RC Aerobatics: Ron Chidgey
- RC Electric Power: Joe Beshar
- Scale: Bob Wischer
- Control Line: Laird Jackson
- Spacemodels (rockets): Howard Kuhn
AMA’s Nationals Executive Committee met in Washington on September 30 to review the 1978 Nats and recommend future locations. The committee recommended:
- 1979: Lincoln, Nebraska
- 1980: Ohio
- 1981: Lake Charles, Louisiana
The recommendation was scheduled for AMA Executive Council consideration in November. The aim is earlier announcement of dates and locations and more time for advance planning. A key element is that Free Flight — the hardest category to accommodate — may be held separately, reasonably close when possible, or at different dates/locations if necessary. Note: the Lincoln site provides for Free Flight within about 30 miles of other events.
Hopes for a return to Willow Grove (near Philadelphia) for a 1979 or 1980 Nats were dashed when the Navy, citing operational commitments, declined to host. Several months of local exploration with civic groups therefore yielded no result.
AMA’s petition to the FCC (published previously in AMA News) completed industry review without adverse comments and moved toward final preparation for presentation to the FCC before year‑end. Optimism remained that the FCC would adopt most, if not all, of AMA’s proposals, but normal FCC procedures could take a year or more before final action.
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MODEL FLYING IN PARK AREAS
California continues to lead in providing model‑flying recreational areas. Two well‑known Los Angeles sites are Sepulveda Basin and Whittier Narrows. Whittier Narrows has developed and published new model‑flying rules that may serve as a guide for other communities. AMA’s experience in working with city officials may help open flying sites in other recreational areas. Thanks to Dick Burkhalter of Burbank for providing details.
Whittier Narrows Recreation Area — Radio Control Model Airplane Safety Rules & Regulations
- For safety's sake, don't be bashful — if you are not sure what you are doing or don't understand the rules, ask anyone in the pit area for advice.
- These rules apply to all aircraft including limited helicopters, gliders, fixed‑wing aircraft, etc.
- Do not operate model aircraft under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs which could impair your ability to fly. Los Angeles County Ordinance 10309, Article III, Sections 48 & 49 prohibits possession, transporting, or consuming alcoholic beverages and/or drugs within the park.
- Do not take off or land from taxiways or non‑designated grass areas. Pilots should be positioned at the flight line (location 3 on the site map). Model aircraft taking off from taxiways and flying back across the pilots' runway into the normal flight pattern is prohibited.
- Do not take off or land in poor visibility or after sunset. Visual contact must be maintained at all times to keep the aircraft under control. Once visual contact is lost, the aircraft is effectively out of control.
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OUR REPRESENTATION — WORLD WIDE
Around the time you receive this magazine the AMA delegation to the FAI meeting will be leaving for Paris. What progress we have made over the past years!
The world body is the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). The aeromodeling division is the Committee for International Aeromodelling (CIAM). The largest national group within CIAM is the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA).
In earlier years we could only send one representative to this important meeting. No matter how knowledgeable that delegate was, he could not be expert in all phases of modeling, and technical meetings are held simultaneously, limiting attendance and weakening our program.
As AMA has grown, our representation has grown with it. The delegation sent in recent years has enabled us to be represented in all technical and business meetings. Each representative is chosen as an expert in his field and for the ability to work well with others. We have developed friendships and respect among delegates from other countries — important because cooperation is easier with friends. Our delegates have avoided being “pushy,” showing instead that we want to further all aeromodelling for everyone. As a result, several Americans have been elected to CIAM offices: some are technical committee chairmen, John Worth is Secretary, and our speaker is Vice‑President. The AMA is well represented and honored in world aviation circles.
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TWO MUCH FOUR ME!!
On the way to our flying site there's a restaurant advertising "ALL YOU CAN EAT FOR $3.99." Sounds like a bargain, but dammit, I just can't eat that much!
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MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
Attention — hobby dealers and model airplane club officers! AMA’s 1979 membership application blanks are available in pad form from AMA Headquarters. Live‑wire hobby dealers should offer application blanks to customers as a courtesy and convenience; this identifies your store as THE PLACE and brings customers under the organized safety and insurance influence of AMA. Every new member strengthens your part of the hobby.
Every chartered club should offer the same courtesy. Hobby dealers and club officers: contact AMA Headquarters for a pad of blanks.
Attention hobby dealers: if you are not carrying MODEL AVIATION magazine for your customers, you are missing a good thing! It is "bucks‑in‑the‑bank" for you and a convenience for your customers. Get with it!
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GOOD ADVICE, FELLOWS!
When you take a girl out, don't spend the whole time talking about building model airplanes. Talk about things she'll like — like going to club meetings and so forth.
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A CHICKEN ATTITUDE!!
Dave Platt, of scale model fame, has made me green with envy over his workmanship. In a fit of jealousy I tried something revolutionary: I bought a complete kit of chicken parts from the grocery store (price $2.97) hoping to build a scale chicken and get it to fly.
Big mistake. The kit had no plans, the parts didn't fit, and it looked like pieces from several different chickens had been mixed. The parts kept slipping on the work table, and glue wouldn't stick to chicken. I tried epoxy and Hot Stuff, finally resorting to needle and thread. I ended up crocheting the model together and used an old Southern recipe as my "plan." The result was astonishing: a six‑legged landing gear, two sets of wings (a biplane!), and since there were no feathers, I covered it with silver MonoKote — it looked more like a dragon than a chicken. Setting the iron too hot turned the MonoKote into a plastic bag of fried chicken; grease was impossible to remove.
Hand‑gliding the contraption failed when two cats grabbed it and ran off before it landed.
Moral: if you have a "chicken attitude" about scale model building, go to your friendly neighborhood hobby dealer for advice — and please don't mention my experience. If you want to build a chicken, start with an egg.
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THE GRAVITY OF IT ALL —
A cartoon made me wonder how people got apples down from trees before Newton discovered gravity. Ever wonder how we would have flown gliders without gravity? Thanks, Newton!
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I'LL FINISH WITH A PRAYER —
Thank you, God, for offering me both right and wrong, so that choosing right will have been my own proud decision.
*****all for now*****
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A CASE FOR THE NATS
We AMA volunteers, though unpaid, have our rewards in warm human experience. I received a letter from John A. Kirk of Towson, MD, that I would like to quote in full:
"Dear John: It was a pleasure to talk to you at the Nats. My son Tom and I met a lot of old friends and made some new ones. The weather, of course, was a problem but the management of the various contests was superb. The AMA has come a long way. I was a volunteer at the first all‑AMA Nationals in Oshkosh, WI, and we had our problems. The AMA and its leaders are to be congratulated on this 1978 meet. As I told you at Lake Charles, we flyers in the Baltimore area are very active. But we hadn’t been able to obtain a good flying site. Finally we discovered a landfill that looked promising, and I spent about a year going from one official to another with everyone agreeing that it was a good idea, but I just couldn’t get anyone to act. At the WRAMS Show I saw the film 'Those Marvelous Miniatures,' and ordered it to show to our club. Then I arranged a meeting with our county recreation department and showed the film. The Radio Control Modelers of Baltimore now have a field under construction, and we will be using it next spring. The county also plans to build other flying sites throughout the park system. The film was good entertainment for modelers; it is also an excellent film to show the general public the true nature of our hobby. I personally would like to thank you for giving your time and making the Nats the 'flying event of the year.' Sincerely, John A. Kirk, AMA 5501."
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GEAR UP AND LOCKED!!!
Several prospect sites have begged off. The Navy cannot host us at Willow Grove this year; Springfield also cannot offer a site. With limited choices, Lincoln, Nebraska, appears to be the likely Nats site — sometimes the selections come down to the only available option.
Attend a Nats when you can; there will come a time when we cannot strain our volunteers further. A Nats is put on by local volunteers and largely attended by people from the immediate area. After weeks of preparation, running and cleanup, local volunteers are often reluctant to do it again — though some do, and we gratefully accept their hospitality.
Some District members worried that the upcoming Council meeting might move to ban or restrict large models at the urging of a few concerned parties. I cannot believe any Council action would be immediate and without ample study and discussion. Historically, decisions have involved multiple meetings and prior reporting in Model Aviation.
At this time I see no concrete accident record that dictates an immediate reaction to big models. There are suppositions and propositions, but no solid exposure data presented. I will caution the Council to move slowly. We should foster new interests in the hobby, even though they entail some risk. The question is largely up to you enthusiastic monster fliers to keep the record clean.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
