AMA News

JANUARY 27 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

The Council met at the Sheraton Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri.

Attendees

• President: Earl Witt, Chambersburg, PA
• Executive Director: John Worth, Fairfax, VA
• Vice-President District I: Cliff Piper, Atkinson, NH
• VP II: John Grigg, Lockport, NY
• Assoc. VP III: Joe Eiben, Lyndhurst, OH
• VP IV: Chuck Foreman, Mechanicsville, VA
• VP V: Jim McNeill, Birmingham, AL
• VP VI: Horace Cain, Buffalo Grove, IL
• VP VII: Kenneth Morris, Muscatine, IA
• VP VIII: John Embry, Sulphur, LA
• VP IX: Vince Mankowski, Bellevue, NE
• VP X: Jim Scarborough, Redondo Beach, CA
• VP XI: Homer Smith, Seattle, WA
• National Aeronautic Association (NAA) Executive Director: Vic Powell
• Secretary-Treasurer: Vacant

Also in attendance: Associate Vice-President Roger Geers (guest of Horace Cain); Carl Wichey, Model Aviation publisher; Larry Bolich, AMA Special Events Director; Jay Gerber, AMA Films; Johnny Clemens, President Emeritus.

Key actions and discussion

• President Witt opened the first meeting of the year and noted Section III, Article X of the bylaws describing presidential authority.
• Minutes: There was debate over hiring a professional stenographer versus using an AMA HQ staff person. Mankowski read prior minutes approving Ms. Madison to continue taking minutes. Morris moved to return to HQ minute-taking; motion passed (8 in favor, 3 opposed, 2 abstentions).
• Election of Secretary-Treasurer:
• Witt proposed electing by two-thirds of a quorum and excluding the NAA representative from voting. Worth noted the NAA rep historically votes. Debate followed about whether the NAA rep should vote under the AMA–NAA agreement versus the bylaws.
• Smith reworded a motion to allow Powell to continue voting until bylaws changed; amendment failed. A subsequent vote on the original motion passed with 11 votes and 2 abstentions.
• Balloting results:

1. First ballot: McNeill 6, Byrne 4, Morgan 3, 1 abstention (Spalding and Chisolm eliminated earlier).
2. Second ballot: McNeill 5, Byrne 5, Morgan 3, 1 abstention (Morgan eliminated).
3. Third ballot: McNeill 7, Byrne 6, 1 abstention — McNeill elected by simple majority. Witt moved to make the election unanimous; carried.

• McNeill nominated Bill Mathews as his District V replacement; nomination approved (District III and NAA rep abstained).
• Nationals (1979) planning:
• The Nationals Executive Committee met earlier in January.
• Homer Smith proposed adding Electric Power Free Flight on Saturday per the rule book.
• John Embry proposed a four-day schedule for Control Line Speed to reduce downtime and manpower costs.
• Late entry fees clarified: $50 late entry fee for Open members; $5 late event fee (except $10 for RC).
• Letter from Bill Hager (NMPRA) asked to eliminate the slotted pipe requirement for RC Pylon Racing at the Nats. The Council decided to run the event per the rule book unless (1) the Contest Board agrees and (2) the change can be printed in the entry form. Motion passed.
• The Nationals committee’s amended recommendations were accepted unanimously.
• 1979 Free Flight World Championships:
• President established an Executive Committee (Witt, Worth, Scarborough, Hardy Brodersen, Bill Hartill, Bill Bogart) to handle policy and budget.
• Hartill named Contest Director; Bogart Manager; Brodersen Administrator.
• Headquarters to provide required FAI communications, handle entries and funds, and the World Championships Committee authorized to collect necessary additional funds beyond the normal AMA/FAI fund.

JANUARY 21 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

Council met at the Sheraton Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri.

Attendees (same as above unless noted)

Major topics and outcomes

1. Minutes and procedure

• Continued discussion about minute-taking (professional stenographer vs. HQ staff). Motion to return to HQ minute-taking (Morris) carried.

1. Election — Secretary-Treasurer

• See January 27 section for full balloting summary and outcome (Jim McNeill elected).

1. 1979 Nationals

• See Jan 27 summary for scheduling, fees, and rule decisions.

1. 1979 Budget — Overview and approval

• Carl Wichey (Model Aviation publisher) presented the magazine history and budget assumptions.
• Budget assumed 54,797 recipients (90% of total members); recent renewal rates were 94%, making the budget conservative.
• Plans to improve the magazine (more pages, increased color) and grow advertising; advertising to remain at or below 20% of pages.
• Salary budget includes full-time magazine staff and pro-rated costs of other HQ employees (~2.5 full-time equivalents).
• Wichey suggested the magazine might help fund other AMA projects if trends continue.
• Budget discussion covered many items (film budget, PR, Trans-Am Relay Race, free distribution of Model Aviation).
• Jay Gerber (films) requested a $10,000 increase to the film budget for 1979 and back pay for unpaid services; details covered under Film Projects.
• After amendments (including $4,000 Trans-Am Relay Race and corrected PR budget of $350,700), the budget was accepted as amended. Voting by districts: in favor except Districts II, V, and X voted against.

1. Film Projects

• Jay Gerber reported on AMA film production history and costs.
• AMA has been producing films since 1971; 19 projects completed to date.
• Gerber forewent remuneration for several months last year to keep production going and is personally owed about $3,400.
• He requested a $10,000 increase in the 1979 film budget to avoid gaps and to enable producing one major film per year while completing others.
• Current $20,000 film budget is roughly split 50/50 between Gerber's remuneration and production costs; Gerber proposed keeping his $10,000 and increasing production funds.
• The Council agreed to consider the film priority list and associated budget items; the priority list (main film: Lincoln Nationals) and film funding were approved by districts.

1. Membership, Insurance and Headquarters overhead

• Membership renewal rates remain high, supporting budgeted membership income.
• Insurance: Worth reported multiple offers were expected; the present budget did not assume increased insurance costs. Discussion included the possibility of self-insurance and whether AMA should insure professional show teams. Motion: HQ to check legal and insurance implications of professional show teams (definition: paid performers) and report back — unanimous in favor.
• Headquarters overhead: Worth explained inflation-driven increases and work on a new computer system; conversion hoped by end of 1979.

1. Junior Programs

• Discussion on retaining a $10,000 matching fund with the Hobby Industry Association. Worth suggested keeping the fund but requiring Council approval before use.

1. Credit Card Policy

• Motion (Mankowski) to accept credit card payments for activities HQ deems appropriate; adopted unanimously by districts.

1. Competition License

• Debate on separating competition license/benefits from basic membership. Views:
• Smith: separation would cost more and increase paperwork.
• Mankowski: providing specific services to a subgroup could change AMA philosophy.
• Scarborough: favored separation and felt license checking would be manageable.
• Eiben: separation could drastically reduce income.
• Motion to table discussion until next meeting; passed unanimously.

1. Family Memberships

• Motion to clarify application blanks to list dependents by name; new forms to be drafted. Motion carried unanimously by districts.

1. SAFE Fund Raising for Teams

• Motion to allow teams to apply for or pursue fund raising for sending teams to contests if AAAA conditions are met; motion carried.

1. Safety, Model Size and Demonstrations

• Mankowski: HQ imposes no additional model size restrictions for public events beyond standard AMA safety rules; local laws/event rules apply.
• Cain to resubmit proposed definitions distinguishing Class A contests and Fun Flys for future Council action.

1. Special Interest Groups

• Grigg raised concerns about delegating authority; motion to have the Executive Director prepare a policy for dealing with special interest groups (national officers to be appointed by the President where appropriate) — carried.

1. Tournament/Contest Directors

• Motion that Headquarters prepare and distribute operational procedures and clear guidelines for Tournament and Contest Directors — approved.

1. Acquisition of Property

• Letters from Lake Charles officials expressing interest in providing property to AMA were read. Council agreed to explore proposals where property could be purchased for an amount comparable to current rent.

1. Representational Advisory Board and VP Expenses

• Vice-presidential representation within districts remains at the VP’s discretion. Current VP travel allowance policy continues.

1. Nomination Procedures for 1979

• Motion to follow same procedures as previous year; passed (13 in favor, District VI opposed).

1. Other business

• Clarification requested regarding RC Pylon Contest Director appointments at the Nats; Executive Director or President to correct any misunderstandings with NMPRA publications.

1979 BUDGET — MAGAZINE (Summary)

• Magazine circulation and budget assumptions: conservative estimate of recipients; recent renewal rates positive.
• Planned improvements: more pages, increased color, increased advertising (but not exceeding 20% of pages).
• Staffing: full-time magazine staff plus pro-rated HQ staff time (~2.5 FTE).
• Potential for the magazine to contribute funding to other AMA projects if trends continue.

AMA FILM PROJECTS

• AMA has produced films since 1971; large PR value.
• Recent request: $10,000 increase to 1979 film budget to permit continuous production and completion of existing projects; Gerber requested back pay for unpaid services.
• Film funding and priority list (Lincoln Nationals as principal film) accepted; Gerber’s proposals for production prioritization approved.

MALL SHOWS AND STATIC DISPLAYS

• Growing public interest shown by mall shows and static displays.
• Example: 28th National Model Plane Show at Randall Park Mall, Cleveland, OH — over 700 model aircraft on display; 74 events with trophies and 22 premium awards (over 280 awards total).
• Strong youth participation: 25 school-grade events with many juniors competing.
• Joe Eiben served as overall director; Don Lowe (District III VP) participated and met local members.

NATIONALS (Planning and Future)

• 1979 Nationals scheduled with added events (Electric Power Free Flight) and adjusted schedules to save time and manpower.
• Late entry fees: $50 for Opens; late-event fee $5 (except $10 for RC).
• Long-range planning for 1980: proposal to promote the Nationals as a nationwide major sporting event to increase recognition and reduce AMA financial burden.

PROPOSED HQ MOVE

• Executive Council’s Long Range Plan supports AMA acquiring property and moving HQ out of Washington, D.C., to a lower-cost area.
• Several cities and one state agency have expressed interest in hosting AMA HQ; further proposals and firm commitments being sought for Council consideration.

DISTRICT REPORTS

District III — Don Lowe

• District III meeting held March 10 in Cleveland in conjunction with the 28th Cleveland Area National Model Plane Show.
• Over 700 entries and 250+ trophy awards; strong junior participation.
• Discussion topics included dues, magazine subscription, contest sanctions, insurance, and the future of the Nats.
• Dayton group proposed clubs bid to operate the Nationals as a profit-making venture (site, facilities, manpower in exchange for a share of revenues). Proposal to be prepared for Council action.
• Presentation of AMA Distinguished Service Award to Associate VP Dr. Laird Jackson for outstanding service to Control Line activities.
• Vienna Sky Sharks club awards: Ed Webster Memorial Award and Steve Wooley Memorial Trophy recipients noted.

District IV — Chuck Foreman

• Ongoing club visits to improve communications and explain AMA HQ operations, dues, insurance, and governance.
• Plan to appoint a Club District AMA Corresponding Secretary in each club to help two-way communication between clubs, AVPs, and the District VP.
• Recent activities:
• NVRC club meeting (Alexandria) — presentation and a show-and-tell session (notable: an RC electric blimp).
• Presentation of Meritorious Service Award to John Spalding (longtime District IV VP).
• Visit to Fredericksburg RC Club — productive Q&A session.
• RCCVCA annual meeting scheduled for August 25 with a Fun Fly on August 26.
• Meade Modelers proposing a regional program exchange to coordinate events in Baltimore–Washington area.

FUN FLYS, CLUB HIGHLIGHTS, AND SHORTS

• Examples of club activities, contests, and fun-fly events across the country; many clubs shared newsletters and local items of interest.
• Notable donor: Mrs. Helen D. Olsen contributed $1,000 to the AMA film fund to ensure RC Scale Sailplanes coverage.
• Examples of club programs and creative membership ideas highlighted (e.g., Sunchasers' Associate memberships, McDonnell Douglas RC Club newsletter features).

BMA SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST

• Boeing Management Association's 10th annual Model Scholarship Contest: more than $3,000 in scholarships for entrants under 19.
• Event dates: July 21–22, 1979, at Kent Space Center near Seattle.
• Events: Control Line, Free Flight (indoor/outdoor), Radio Control, Rocketry, and craftsmanship events; run under AMA and NAR rules.
• Contact: Ted Caputo, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, WA 98124 (mark correspondence “Boeing Management Association”).

AMA NATS — FREE FLIGHT (Notes)

• Manager for Free Flight category provided guidance:
• Expect hot, humid weather; recommend hats, water, emergency precautions.
• Indoor site: Pershing Auditorium (ceiling ~51 feet).
• Outdoor site: flat field with paved perimeter road; dorms ~40 miles away.
• Electric Free Flight added to outdoor list; unofficial event list expanded (see Model Aviation for schedule).
• Bring a stopwatch; snuffer tubes required to be fixed metal; CB radios allowed this year.
• Dorms available; check entry blanks and regulations carefully.

NATIONAL NOTES / ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION

• AMA museum proposal: discussion on storing and displaying historic models; funding implications.
• Dedicated HQ staff for flying site acquisition: proposal to coordinate potential sites with federal/state agencies — merits and budget timing under discussion.
• Rule book cycle: possible change to a four-year re-cycle beginning 1981 — member input solicited.
• Nats unofficial events list expanding to many categories (Mouse Race, Old Timer classes, Texaco, Antique, Replica, Cabin Rubber, Rubber Stick, etc.). Participants advised to plan lodging and travel accordingly.

CALENDAR / THINGS TO DO (Selected)

• Ft. Wayne RC Soaring Club L.O.F.T. weekend — June 2–3.
• Chicagoland Super Fun Fly — June 2–3 (raffle and $1300 merchandise).
• RC3 Pattern Contest, Harvey, IL — June 23–24.
• Pekin RC Club Fun Fly, Peoria area — June 24.
• Aerobats MACA Fun Fly and Sport Scale, Mt. Vernon, IL — June 10.
• Rock Valley RC Model Fair — May 19–20.
• Southern Indiana Mint Julep Scale meet — April 28–29.

CLOSING NOTES

• Safety remains a perennial concern; members asked to self-police and correct unsafe behavior to prevent incidents.
• AVPs encouraged to maintain close contact with clubs; members invited to send input on national issues and district concerns.
• The President and Council will continue to consider HQ relocation, property acquisition, budget priorities, and ways to broaden public relations and media exposure for the hobby.

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