AMA News

HALL OF FAME AWARDS

The Model Aviation Hall of Fame was initiated in 1969 under joint sponsorship of the Washington State Air National Guard and the Academy of Model Aeronautics. This joint venture produced nine awards through 1971. AMA then took over sole responsibility for the program in 1972. Since that time former AMA presidents and the current president have served as the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, with Walt Good—himself a Hall of Famer—serving as chairman.

Objectives are to recognize individuals who have contributed to modeling in some way from out of the past as well as currently deserving candidates. Thus, the Hall of Fame considers candidates of all ages and from all periods and aspects of the activity. The past AMA presidents are uniquely qualified to fulfill these objectives, since many are themselves aeromodeling pioneers and present-day leaders.

Most AMA presidents could qualify for the Hall of Fame. Five have been so honored. But no past president may vote for himself and, as a group, they consider only nominations from other sources. The current Committee, also known as the Council of Past Presidents, includes the following current members, with dates of AMA presidency:

• Irwin G. Ohlsson, 1943–46
• C. O. Wright, 1948–49
• Kenneth G. Held, 1950–51
• Frank B. Bushey, 1952
• Keith H. Storey, 1953–56
• Claude McCullough, 1957
• Dr. Walter Good, 1958–60
• Peter J. Sotich, 1961–62
• John E. Worth, 1963
• Maynard L. Hill, 1964
• Howard E. Johnson, 1965–66
• Clifford G. Weirick, 1967–68
• John E. Patton, 1969–70
• John E. Clemens, 1971–78

There were 19 nominations for the 1978 Hall of Fame. The selection committee narrowed these down to five, as per normal balloting procedures. Descriptions of the winners follow. (Anyone who would like to submit a nomination for 1979 should request an application from AMA HQ and submit same before March 31, 1979.)

DUKE FOX

Duke Fox, 59, founder of Fox Manufacturing Co., is well-known to modelers throughout the world for his engines for RC, CL and FF model airplanes. He is a pioneer in the development of fuel and components for model engines, having pioneered the use of nitromethane in 1947; a special technique to accomplish a metal bypass port in 1949; soft aluminum head gaskets in 1950; the first production carburetor with metered fuel flow in 1962; as well as unique throttle controls and many other engine innovations commonly used today. His .35 stunt engine probably has been used on more competition models than any other (over 16,000 recorded contest victories!). Many World and National Champions have used this engine. Over the years, as the need arose, Duke designed, developed and manufactured many other engines for RC, CL and FF configurations.

Duke's modeling career began in 1936. Since founding Fox Manufacturing Company in 1950 his own competitive participation has waned, but his interest in modelers and model aviation in general is as keen as ever. Many National Contest competitors are grateful to Duke for his unselfish donation of parts and his expertise at these events, at which he is always in evidence. He has also been generous in providing prizes for AMA-sanctioned events at all levels.

PHIL KRAFT

Phil Kraft, age 53, is among the best known figures in sport model aviation due to his participation in designing and manufacture of radio control equipment, major wins in national and world contest events, and designing well-known model aircraft and full-scale aerobatic aircraft.

As a boy Phil's hobby was building and flying model aircraft. Most modelers dream of controlling their creations remotely; Phil was no exception. His efforts in a very short time resulted in the establishment of Kraft Systems, Inc., one of the largest manufacturers of radio control equipment in the world. Starting as a part-time hobby/sideline in a garage in 1962, Kraft Systems grew until it is now a full-time manufacturing complex of three buildings devoted almost exclusively to the design and production of radio control products for hobby, sport and industrial use.

Phil has been absent from the competition scene as a top winner: 1967 RC World Champion; second in the 1969 World Championships; third in 1971; National Champion twice; also RC Pylon Racing champion. Some well-known designs: Hi-Fli, Up-Start, Bar-Eli, Stagger-Bi, Quick-Fli, Super-Eli, Dragon-Eli, Go-Go-Eli, Ugly Stick. Phil has also authored articles in several model publications such as Model Airplane News.

JOHN WORTH

John Worth, 55, Executive Director of the Academy of Model Aeronautics since 1964, is one of those "trees in the forest" whose efforts are often overlooked by the very people who benefit most from them. Over the past 15 years he has made contributions every day which have helped model aviation and the Academy of Model Aeronautics grow from a relatively unknown small group of people with very little national recognition, to a major sport/hobby.

John is a member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the National Aeronautic Association. He was vice-chairman of the National Sport Aviation Council and model aviation chairman of the Aero Club of Washington; is currently a trustee of the National Association of Rocketry. He is also secretary of CIAM, the aeromodeling arm of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. Before becoming Executive Director, John was president of the AMA in 1963, RC Contest Board Chairman in 1962, on the Free Flight Contest Board and a contest director since 1948.

Worth was also an RC pioneer, a partner with Ed Lorenz and others in the firm of Control Research from the late '40s through the mid-'50s; a forerunner of the Ace R/C Company of today. He authored a series of articles in Model Airplane News on the "Galloping Ghost" RC control system and produced hundreds of kits for building RC transmitters, receivers, and escapements.

He was a member of the original AMA–FCC Committee which obtained the first group of RC Citizen's Band frequencies. His model designs have appeared in the old Air Trails magazine and in several yearbooks of Frank Zaic.

THE HALL OF FAME ROSTER

• 1977: John Brodbeck, Maynard Hill, Bert Pond, Pete Sotich, Ken Willard
• 1976: Merrill Hamburg, Henry Struck, Frank Ehling, Harold deBolt, Chester Lanzo
• 1975: Irwin G. Ohlsson, C. O. Wright, Walt Schroder, Jim Kirkland, Harold W. John Alden
• 1974: W. L. "Bill" Brown, W. R. Enyart, Irwin and Nat Polk, Sal Taibi
• 1973: O. C. Randall
• 1972: Howard McEntee
• 1970: Dick Korda, Al Lewis, Bill Witter
• 1969: Walt Willett, Willis Brown, Carl Goldberg, Walt Good, Jim Walker, Frank Zaic, Charles Grant

THE MODEL AVIATION HALL OF FAME

How to make Nominations for 1979

Because it is not generally realized that everyone is invited to make nominations, in this case for 1979, with an early deadline of March 31, the following information is compiled for your convenience. Note that the instructions below advise that information is to be presented on a Nomination Form, available by writing AMA Headquarters.

Purpose: The Model Aviation Hall of Fame has been established to recognize aeromodellers who have made outstanding contributions to model aviation over the years, their contributions having improved the hobby and increased its prestige and stature. Each year five modelers are selected as members of the Model Aviation Hall of Fame. The selection is based on the individual's contributions to model aviation as a competitor, designer, experimenter, leader, organizer, contest director, writer, publisher, manufacturer and/or other achievements. The emphasis is on the accumulated contribution to one or more of those categories over a period of years. The program is operated by the Academy of Model Aeronautics and by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which is the Council of Past Presidents.

Eligibility: A person is eligible for nomination to the Hall of Fame if he is:

1. A modeler who has made the kinds of contributions listed above.
2. A U.S. citizen.
3. An AMA or a non-AMA member.
4. Living or deceased.
5. Nominated by the submission of a nomination form by a sponsor who knows of his contributions.

Mechanism of Nomination: A sponsor should submit a nomination form to AMA Headquarters for Model Aviation Hall of Fame—prior to March 31, 1979. Forms are available from AMA HQ. Nominations may be submitted by any person, club or organization in the U.S.

Selection:

1. Each year the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, composed of the Council of Past Presidents, will select five Hall of Fame recipients from nominations submitted. At least three of the recipients must be living.
2. Announcements and presentations of the Hall of Fame Awards will be made at appropriate model aviation occasions during the remainder of the year.

NEW FLYING SITE PROGRAM

A new project was initiated during a workshop presented by Larry Bolich, AMA Special Events Director, and Dave Brown, representing both modelers and industry, at the National Correctional Recreation Association Conference last September. The project is to get AMA clubs located near correctional institutions to assist in starting model aviation programs within the institution. In return, the institution would work to provide the local club with a flying site on institution land.

The National Correctional Recreation Association (NCRA) was formed as a response to Federal court orders to structure wholesome leisure activity that prisoners may continue to pursue after release into the community. Model aviation is considered by them as a prime activity, both productive and entertaining.

Correctional Recreation Directors who attended the workshop were enthusiastic about the benefits that could be derived from AMA club affiliations. It was found that nearly all correctional institutions have large parcels of unused land outside their normal security area which could be made available to AMA clubs for flying sites. As a result, the board of NCRA approved a program and presented it to AMA. Under this program a directory will be compiled of all penal institutions willing to develop model aviation programs and will be made available through AMA.

Clubs interested in helping start a model aviation program within correctional institutions should contact AMA Headquarters and direct inquiries to "Flying Sites." If there are no institutions available in the area, the club name will be held on file for future reference to institutions.

It's a great opportunity both for model aviation and individual clubs. Special thanks to William E. Bain, Vice-President of NCRA, for his essential work in making this program a reality.

OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE FEDERAL FLYING SITES

In his 1977 Environmental Message, President Carter directed Secretary of the Interior Cecil B. Andrus to formulate an integrated program to identify and protect remaining significant examples of our historic and natural heritage and to encourage, support, and coordinate ongoing Federal and State and private sector programs. On January 25, 1978, in response to that directive, Secretary Andrus announced the creation of the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service (HCRS).

The HCRS, composed of various parallel and complementary programs formerly assigned to the National Park Service and the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, is the Federal member in a partnership of public agency and private outdoor recreation, historic preservation, and natural resource conservation organizations.

One of the focal points of HCRS is the evaluation, development, and coordination of national policy with respect to outdoor recreation, stated as "the actions required to ensure adequate outdoor recreation resources for present and future generations of Americans."

AMA has contacted the committee chairman as the official representative of aeromodeling in the U.S. and made a presentation requesting recognition of model aviation as a national outdoor recreation and consideration as an issue in the committee's proposals. A report is forthcoming from this committee in early spring.

AMA ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING FLYING SITES

AMA is currently in the process of publishing "Getting and Keeping Flying Sites." It was developed over a two-year period and reflects what other clubs have done as possible guidelines based on those experiences.

Carl Maroney, AMA Assistant Executive Director, has been working with AMA clubs over the past year and has compiled an active data bank of flying site proposals made by clubs. If your club has or is in the process of obtaining a flying site, write him at AMA Headquarters. He will add your information to the data bank and will furnish sample proposals of what other clubs have done in similar situations.

NATIONALS

Nationals planning is progressing well. A press conference was held in Lincoln on January 4, where AMA was welcomed and presented a key to the city by Lincoln's mayor, Helen E. Boosalis. The Lincoln Sky Knights, with Vince Mankowski, provided the modeling back-up for the conference, which was covered by two TV stations, three radio stations, and two newspapers. Following the press conference, a meeting was held with the airport authority to firm up more detailed planning, and the parks people offered a selection of RC Soaring and Helicopter sites. An excellent site was found.

FLYING FOR JERRY AND HIS KIDS

The Muscular Dystrophy Association fund-raising drive by AMA clubs—"Flying for Jerry and His Kids"—is a little-known program among the general membership. The following are some of the accomplishments:

• Bill Allen formed his own contest for MDA in 1975, without the assistance of a club. The contest grew to over 137 contestants and donations rose from $150 in 1975 to $1,297.75 in 1978.
• The Tyler Model Club (Texas) held an air show with their local MDA Chapter assisting; they also let members of the audience fly for a dollar a minute.
• The Roxbury Area Model Airplane Club (New Jersey) increased donations by including an auction of planes both donated by sponsors and built by the club—they collected $1,000.
• The Middle Tennessee R/C Society sold raffle tickets for planes instead of charging admission and raised $1,057; they attributed much success to a mall show prior to the event.
• The Balsa Busters (Pennsylvania) held a Delta Dart building session followed by a contest for the children in their community.
• The Tri-County Aero Club (Indiana), working with Monroe City, has made one of the largest per capita contributions in the nation: $55,177 over the last few years.

A major club thrust is planned for August through October to coordinate with the Jerry Lewis Telethon and the Trans-America Relay Race for Muscular Dystrophy beginning the day after Labor Day.

Not all MDA projects need be held solely by your club. For clubs looking toward local promotion, now is the time to get involved in the AMA Club Muscular Dystrophy fund drive. MDA projects are backed by many radio and television stations nationwide, and assistance is available from local MDA Chapters.

The AMA PR Department is preparing a pamphlet to assist in promotion along with full reports from clubs who have worked with MDA in the past. Posters, Delta Darts and other materials relating to "Flying for Jerry and His Kids" will be available later in the year.

AMA News

The organization is growing and changing. Most staff, like the bulk of AMA members, have been with the organization less than five years.

Back in 1964 there were only about a half dozen HQ employees. The number has increased fivefold over the last 10 years. If the current growth and demand for services continues, it will be necessary to expand further in the next few years.

Those who would complain about spending dues money for salaries should consider what it all means. It takes people to make the organization work. While AMA has about 150 volunteers serving in various appointed positions and committees, it takes a growing crew of salaried employees to take care of the basics—receiving the mail, processing it, answering the phones, serving the volunteers, and handling thousands of requests. It's a busy operation.

Working conditions at headquarters are adequate but not luxurious. The headquarters operation has about 5,000 square feet of floor space, much of which is storage. Only a few people have a room to themselves. Some visitors have likened the operation more to a factory than to an office, but that's appropriate—the office is not geared to the public (although members are welcome to visit).

AMA headquarters is located in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C., near other national associations and close to the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration, two government agencies whose activities affect model aviation. The downtown location is economical; typical office space rental in downtown D.C. ranges from $10 to $14 per square foot, but AMA's space rate is only $6.

All in all, the AMA headquarters operation is something that must be seen to be appreciated. On paper it is a matter of dollars and budgets, but in the final analysis it's a matter of people. Future issues will report on the "Who's Who of Headquarters"—names, faces and backgrounds behind those who do the work to keep AMA going. In the meantime, members should get more familiar with the people who work for the organization for a better understanding of what AMA is and does.

ALMOST 50,000 ALREADY SIGNED UP FOR 1979

As of Friday, January 19, AMA headquarters had received 45,881 memberships for 1979. This is 94% of the number of members who had joined at the same time in 1978 and more than had been received at the same time in 1977. Memberships were being received during the past two months at the rate of over a thousand per week, so the total will likely exceed 50,000.

The rate of renewal increased steadily during the last couple of months from about 85% in early December. Considering that this is a year of a major dues increase and some controversy as a result, the renewal rate is remarkable and greater than anticipated by AMA's Executive Council when it voted the dues increase.

The strong renewal pattern suggests that the amount of money AMA will have to work with in 1979 will not be less than last year and, if the trend continues, should be more. At the end of January the AMA Executive Council met in St. Louis to develop the preliminary AMA budget for 1979. This will be followed by further review at the Spring Council Meeting to see if any adjustments are necessary.

The budget approved in late January will be published along with other details of the Council meeting.

DISTRICT I AMA MEETING?

Yes. Tentatively set for Brockton, MA on Sunday, April 22, 1979. A planning committee (John and Jean Smith, Tom DiMilla, George Higgins III, Abdul Haleem Karim, Tom Acciavatti, Bob Wilkie, and the writer) met in Brockton to get things going. The meeting will include an afternoon-long series of flying demonstrations, exhibitions, and other presentations, with a Delta Dart program for youngsters, OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, advertised as a Model Aviation Exposition.

There will be a separate ongoing series of recent AMA films shown in a separate room, and an AMA speaking program with Earl Witt and (hopefully) John Worth. A distinguished RC personality from the West Coast has been invited as the main speaker. A series of conferences led by Eastern experts will be conducted throughout the afternoon—engine clinics, design forums, technical flying aspects, and all areas of RC, CL, FF, Indoor, etc.

A flier will be sent to all clubs holding a charter in the AMA to announce the firming up of the meeting. For those interested in helping with the Delta Dart program, call (603) 362-4884 (collect) from New England.

II DISTRICT REPORT

John C. Grigg District II Vice-President 6387 Balgo Drive Lockport, NY 14094

Associate Vice-Presidents:

• Pete Bianchini, 280 S. Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10705
• David Friedel, 11 Lake Lane, Elmsford, NY 10523
• Jack Sammaron, 2062 Emerson Ave., Union, NJ 07083
• Tom Silver, R.D. 3, Box 412, Massena, NY 13662
• James Slaughter, Carl Curtis & Hobbs, USAF/LEFORCE, 80-407, APO, New York 09109
• Hank Smith, 2 Lorraine Ave., Auburn, NY 13021

This is my first month of office as vice-president of District II and I am already writing my second column for Model Aviation. News from area clubs is starting to arrive and I hope to report more club activities in the near future.

Frank Dresch of Piscataway, N.J., reported that the Somerset Signal Senders awarded Don Hartman their Flyer of the Year Award for the second year. Pete Vano, their club president and editor of "SAM SPEAKS," was elected for his second term and was awarded Member of the Year. These kinds of awards build fellowship and incentive within a club.

The far north area of New York State now has AMA representation: Tom Silver of Massena, NY, has been appointed Associate Vice-President for that area.

I received the Stardust newsletter from the Southern Tier Area Society of Olean, NY, and must share some of its colorful prose written by one of its editors, who goes by the name George Privateer. His January 1979 newsletter blends biting humor and club anecdotes. While his tone is often sarcastic, his newsletter ties the group together and keeps members engaged.

The Somerset club runs a "CBL" where the entire club meets on Monday evenings in a high school wood shop to kit several Fokker D8s in quarter scale. Each member is responsible for a portion of the kit, and each member takes a kit home to build. This collaborative approach is an excellent club project and could be adapted by other clubs.

The "Stars of Olean" received coverage in Model Airplane News for their field development. The club's close cohesiveness and newsletter have contributed to their success. The colorful nicknames and camaraderie in the club—"Chicken Charlie," "Belligerent Brown," "Dum Dum," and others—are part of the club's character and spirit.

I will attend my first Council meeting in St. Louis soon and hope for better advance notice on future agendas so district input can be gathered. I will work to ensure the agenda is available earlier so that clubs have time to express their views.

Please send club newsletters and news to me so I can report on district activities. The Associate Vice-Presidents are charged with getting information from your areas.

III DISTRICT REPORT

Ohio • Pennsylvania • West Virginia

Don Lowe District III Vice-President 1101 E. Hahn Road Dayton, OH 45429

Associate Vice-Presidents:

• Joe Eiben, 5192 Edenhurst, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
• Francis Faulkner, 5022 Eastside St., Vienna, WV 26101
• Leird Jackson, 525 Meadowbrook, St. David, PA 19087
• Edward Wisser, 1521 Summit St., McKeesport, PA 15131

No District III report this month.

IV DISTRICT REPORT

Delaware • District of Columbia • Maryland • North Carolina • Virginia

Chuck Foreman District IV Vice-President 609 Poite Road Mechanicsville, VA 23111

Associate Vice-Presidents:

• Wayne Abernethy, 5221 Marlboro Pl., Hillside, MD 20027
• Bud Champlin, 205 Tiger Rd., Newport News, VA 23606
• Howard Crispin, 611 Beechwood Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22901
• W. Earl Helms, 2000 Tryon Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210
• Alvin Mayo, 11 Orchard Lane, Wilmington, DE 19809
• John Preston, 7012 E. Carver, Falls Church, VA 22042
• Paul A. Vascocelli, 6408 Winthrop Dr., Fayetteville, NC 28301

By the time you read this I will have attended my first Council meeting as District IV VP and will report district developments in the next column.

There are a few changes in officers for District IV. New AVPs include Wayne Abernethy (Maryland), Bud Champlin (southern Virginia), Howard Crispin (central and western Virginia), and John Preston (northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.). I feel we now have an excellent group of hard-working people and urge you to contact them with ideas and opinions.

I plan to convene a meeting of district officers, committee people and contest board members to discuss needs, complaints, suggestions and ideas for the district. Please contact your district officer with input.

I am particularly interested in hearing from Free Flight and Control Line enthusiasts.

WITHIN THE DISTRICT:

• The Virginia State Organization for Radio Control held its first meeting for 1979; they plan to host the District IV meeting late in August and want more Free Flight and Control Line participation. Contact Howard Crispin for details.
• The Hampton Roads Radio Control Club is planning a static display for May 12 at the Tower Mall Shopping Center in Portsmouth, VA, and would like a helicopter flying demonstration. Contact Mary Morris, secretary, Hampton Roads RC Club, 1041 St. Julian Dr., Chesapeake, VA 23323 — phone: (804) 487-0196.
• DCRC is conducting monthly seminars on RC gear and getting started in RC; contact Roy Smith for details.

PORTABLE AMA BOOTH AVAILABLE: If you need the District IV booth for a mall show or similar event, contact me directly. It will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

If your club is planning a summer contest, submit your sanction request now before the rush.

On the dues increase and magazine subscription controversy, consider making a list of model supplies that have not gone up in price in the past two years, and reflect on how effective club communications would be without meeting notices or newsletters.

I have information from the AMA PR department regarding Federal Correctional Institutions interested in starting model building programs and offering land for flying sites. If your club is interested, write me and I will send contact names and addresses for your area.

V DISTRICT REPORT

Alabama • Florida • Georgia • Mississippi • Puerto Rico • South Carolina • Tennessee

Jim McNeill District V Vice-President 617 South 20 Avenue Birmingham, AL 35205

Associate Vice-Presidents:

• John Gordeny, 631 Queen Circle, Jackson, MS 39209
• Jerome Hall, 4326 Baywood Dr., Huntsville, AL 35805
• Richard Jackson, 103 Thornlie St., Charleston Heights, SC 29405
• Arthur Johnson, 932 Banyan Dr., Delray Beach, FL 33444
• Joseph Micalizzi, S.R. 00868, Box 1532, Fiano, PR 00948
• Ed Moorman, P.O. Box 1843, Eglin AFB, FL 32542
• Tom Thacker, 2300C Lawrenceville Hwy., Decatur, GA 30033

There are many fine Free Flighters in District V. This month I’d like to highlight a couple of club members and teams. Pictured examples and local club news will be shared as they come in.

VI DISTRICT REPORT

Illinois • Indiana • Kentucky • Missouri

Horace Cain District VI Vice-President 525 Welsher Road Buffalo Grove, IL 60090

Associate Vice-Presidents:

• Dave Davis, c/o DAA Enterprises, Box 335, Hustedal, IN 47630
• Chuck Delano, 7234 Taylor Lake Oaks Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46226
• Roger Geers, RR 6, Union, KY 41091
• Frank Hughes, 709 NE 44th St., Kansas City, MO 64116
• Glenn Lee, 819 Mandrake, Batavia, IL 60510
• Jim Sears, PO Box 328, Burgin, KY 40310
• Bob Underwood, 4109 Concord Oaks Dr., St. Louis, MO 63128

Thanks to deadlines, this is a bit of a historical review. Since the last article two more modelers have joined the AMA organizational team: Chuck Delano (Indianapolis) and Jim Sears (Burgin). Bob Underwood of St. Louis has become an Associate VP as well.

Highlights:

• Bob Underwood is active in many roles: Scale Association president, St. Louis Gas Model Association president, District VI Associate VP, Scale Contest Board member, and top Scale competitor.
• Roger L. Geers (Quincy, IL) is an AVP active in CL and RC modeling and has located an excellent site for contests or model shows.

Concerns and questions:

• Can AMA afford the dues increase if membership drops?
• What training is provided FAI teams as required by the AMA–NAA agreement of February 1976?
• Why has the Executive Council not provided special, temporary or low-cost memberships allowed in the by-laws?
• Could AMA underwrite its own insurance given the premiums and claim payments?

Chuck Delano, Roger Geers, and Bob Underwood plan to assist at the St. Louis Executive Council meeting. AVPs will receive minutes of the meeting.

The Skylarks RC Club is a good example of balanced organization—standing committees chaired by experienced people but staffed by new modelers, providing a path for others to step in.

VII DISTRICT REPORT

Iowa • Michigan • Minnesota • Wisconsin

Kenneth F. Morris District VII Vice-President 1023 Iowa Avenue Muscatine, IA 52761

Associate Vice-Presidents:

• James O. Clark, RR 2, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
• Vin Price, 11327 Searl, Sterling Hts., MI 48078
• William Robbins, 4449 Tanglewood Trl., St. Joseph, MI 49085
• Walt Steele, 201 S. Beaumont Ave., Kansasville, WI 53139
• Terry Taylor, 2388 Lombardy Lane, Crystal, MN 55422
• Wayne Yeager, 32326 Castle, Romulus, MI 48174

By the time you read this report, AMA will have a new secretary-treasurer due to Earl Witt resigning to assume the duties of president. The new secretary-treasurer will be appointed by the Executive Council at the Council meeting in St. Louis on January 27.

I have had many requests for the AMA display and have some dates open. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Upcoming meetings:

• District VII East Meeting in Lansing, MI, end of March (see last month's report for particulars).
• District VII West Meeting to be held April 28 or May 5 in Minneapolis, sponsored by Twin Cities area clubs; contact Terry Taylor for further information.

Communication is essential. There have been many letters and articles concerning AMA governance, the budget, the magazine, the Executive Council, and headquarters. The Council can only make decisions using their best judgment because of limited member input. Meetings occur only four times a year, which can hamper decision-making. Improving communications with the general membership will strengthen the organization. Suggestions are welcome—communication is everyone's responsibility.

MAILING LISTS

Your club newsletter is a major source of information for district officers. If your news is not sent to your area Associate Vice-President, you make it difficult for them to keep up with club happenings. Put the AVP's name on your mailing list.

Jim Ricketts (AVP, SD) has been corresponding with clubs and forwarded pictures and information from the Lake Area Modelers of Watertown, SD. Their 90-foot hard surface runway was added last summer and more hard surface is planned for spring. Randy and Ellie Thompson are regulars at model demos in Sioux Falls.

Dennis Lindner, president of the Lake Area Modelers, provided photos that were forwarded to me.

NEW RC CONTEST COORDINATOR

George Hunter, 6962 S. Lamar St., Littleton, CO 80123, is the new RC Contest Coordinator for District IX. Contact George if your group has traditional dates or planned activities to minimize conflicts.

NATIONAL NOTES

By the end of January, renewals were over 93% of last year's pace. Over 1,600 people have used the credit card renewal plan. No complaints have been received on AMA's increased coverage on damage claims (after a $50 deductible, AMA picks up $200 instead of the previous arrangement). No complaints were received about the deletion of the $5.00 charge for "additional insured" on flying sites.

Homer Smith (VP, District X) prepared a draft of Team Selection Program Guidelines that looks promising. Bill Bieda (L, Contest Coordinator, District IX) has been working on potential insurance savings for AMA.

District IX helicopter builders and fliers are encouraged to contact Tim Peters (Rte. 1, Box 138, Polk, NE 68654), Helicopter Advisory Committee member.

NOTICE

I have been asked to serve as Control Line Category Director for the 1979 Nationals. Special interest groups and individuals concerned are informed that I am seeking event directors. Input is needed now so event directors can select assistants and make plans.

DID YOU KNOW?

Every writer contributing to the AMA News section of the magazine is a volunteer (unpaid).

X DISTRICT REPORT

Arizona • California • Hawaii • Nevada • Utah

Jim Scarborough District X Vice-President 2501 Armour Lane Redondo Beach, CA 90278

Associate Vice-Presidents:

• Glenn Carter, 2020 Old Port Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
• Alex Chisholm, 11006 West Shore, Fresno, CA 93711
• Lonnie Kreger, 2785 Boulder Hwy., Las Vegas, NV 89121
• John Dett, 4162 Skyvue Circle, San Jose, CA 95118
• Bob Reynolds, Rte. 8, Box 51, Tucson, AZ 85710
• Betty Streams, 3723 Snowden Ave., Long Beach, CA 90808
• Keith Whitney, 14465 Jupiter Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84117

HQ NOTE: Jim Scarborough's report for last month's magazine, though written and mailed in adequate time, failed to reach AMA HQ for unknown reasons. Jim has otherwise never missed a column.

I was re-elected District X VP for another two years in a recent election with over 2,700 votes cast (about a 25% turnout). I want to thank the 1,321 who voted for me. Earl Witt was elected president.

I have attended local and state club meetings to remain visible. Recent visits included the San Diego R/C meet and the Yucaipa Valley RC Flyers. At YVRCF I was made an honorary member and presented a jacket patch; the club had many juniors present—encouraging for the future.

The National Free Flight Society needs members. Send $10 for one year or $18 for two years to Bill Booth, P.O. Box 192, Carlsbad, CA 92008. Under 19 rates apply. The NFFS Digest is a monthly publication with many photos.

Well-known free flighter Bill Hartill has published "World Free Flight Review, Volume I"—a 416-page book with 674 photos (52 in color) and 109 full-page drawings. Price: $30 plus $1.50 postage. Send payment to World Free Flight Review, 7513 Sausalito Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91307.

I received a letter from Dick Shilling criticizing the editorial decisions in the February 1979 Model Aviation. Constructive criticism and input are valuable. Some shortcomings revealed by recent letters are being worked on; future audit reports will be more detailed. The recent election brought four new vice-presidents to the Council—more than 25% of the 11 vice-president positions.

The FAI World Free Flight Championships will be at Taft, CA, October 3–10, 1979. Competition dates are October 6–8. Bill Hartill is Contest Director and Bill Bogart is handling planning; Hardy Brodersen is Executive Director of the NFFS. The Southern California Aero Team (SCAT) is the host club.

THERMALS! AMA INDOOR PORTAL: The Jan/Feb/March indoor contest has produced good results. Be sure to fly again and send in results.

Our contest now has an official name. After receiving many suggestions (and one particularly poor anonymous suggestion), the contest is officially named the "CHICKEN INN" Winter Indoor Contest. If you don't have the rules as published in the February issue, write to Ed Whitten for a copy—and fly, whatever the name.

So long from here for now.

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