AMA News

AMA FINANCIAL REPORT

1978 was the most disastrous year, financially, in AMA's history. The organization actually went over $50,000 in the red and also depleted over $100,000 in reserves. By contrast, 1979 is going well and a sizeable surplus is expected to result by year end. The natural question, therefore, is how come?

The contrast results from a very simple but serious situation. AMA went one year too long without a dues increase at a time—1978—when inflation was running wild. In 1977 the decision to delay the dues increase seemed safe enough. AMA had over $200,000 in surplus funds at the end of 1976 and there was a general feeling that some of this money should be used before asking the members to pay more for dues.

Not anticipated at the time was the fact that almost half the surplus would be used up by the end of 1977 and that the rest wouldn't be enough to avoid going into the red by the end of 1978. In hindsight it's easy to see now that a moderate dues increase for 1978 could have avoided the major one for 1979.

A surplus of $200,000 sounded like a lot of money. But it was only about 20% of the total budget at a time when inflation alone was increasing costs by about 10%. Add to that a major increase in insurance costs for 1978, plus large deficits in operations of the 1977 and 1978 Nationals, and the 1977 RC World Championships—the stage was set for kissing the surplus goodbye.

Fortunately, that's behind us now. Although the 1979 dues increase was painful (and continues to be a source of controversy), the fact is that it has been successful. With 1979 membership running at over 90% of what it was in 1978 at the higher dues rate, AMA's budget for this year is assured and a modest surplus should result (see the May 1979 issue of Model Aviation, page 69).

There were a few bright spots in the 1978 financial picture. For example, we spent $12,000 less for headquarters salaries than was budgeted. Also, the magazine produced a surplus of almost $10,000 where only a few hundred dollars had been budgeted; this helped to reduce the overall AMA deficit for 1978. Membership processing costs were about $7,000 under budget.

One of the low spots for 1978 was a $30,000 increase in insurance costs over what was budgeted, even though the budget had allowed for $85,000 more than the cost for 1977. As the statement shows, our membership insurance cost for 1978 was over $185,000. The cost for 1977 was only about $70,000—$115,000 less.

Overall, AMA had a deficit of $180,000 in 1978, which was reduced to $56,000 by wiping out the surplus from previous years. Not so long ago this would have been a disaster. However, it can now be regarded as a glitch resulting from delayed action concerning the effects of inflation. The end result is a bookkeeping situation which shows that while the 1978 books ended with a huge loss, we had about $850,000 in the bank (balance sheet, Current Assets) at the start of 1979—due to the overlap of processing membership renewals for the new year before the end of the old year.

Thus, AMA was never in danger of not being able to pay bills for last year's operations. It was a case of getting the income picture adjusted to catch up with the loss situation.

FINANCIAL REPORT (Cont. from pg. 75)

The 1979 budget is being managed well so that by the end of this year the books should show a surplus which will be applied to reduce the remaining deficit from last year.

Meanwhile, there has been a major reduction concerning insurance costs for 1979 that could result in an expense budget reduction of about $50,000. On the other hand, the amount to be saved depends upon how much AMA has to absorb in costs for claims, up to $1,000 per accident. Until this is known, by the end of 1979, the savings in insurance costs are currently being held in escrow as a reserve against claims. It is very likely, however, that there will be an insurance surplus which will add to the overall surplus to completely wipe out the 1978 deficit.

That remains to be seen, but at present the 1979 budget is doing well and the expense budget has not gotten out of hand. With continued good results for the rest of 1979, AMA should be in the black at the start of 1980.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

by the President of the ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS

EARL F. WITT 26 Warwick Drive Chambersburg, PA 17201

SENIOR CITIZEN MEMBERSHIP

There was some confusion about the senior citizen membership in my last month's President's Report. The Executive Council, at the time of the motion at the Council Meeting, was discussing next year's dues wherein a committee is to make a recommendation to council in January 1980. The actual motion, as stated, voted upon, passed, and recorded on tape, was that "the temporary nature of the thing [the senior citizen membership fee reduction] should be put in as an expedient until the committee reports." I subsequently interpreted the motion to mean that the decrease in dues would start immediately. However, the Executive Director took exception to my statement, basing his position on the AMA Headquarters transcript, which incorrectly reported the motion as "subject to committee recommendation."

The position of the AMA Headquarters staff is that they could not handle this change in the middle of the year—so, it's back to Council!

FLYING SITES

There is little chance of receiving government assistance for flying sites in park and recreation facilities. The Carter Administration's proposed budget cuts seem to be aimed directly at parks and recreation.

On May 24th Congress set a ceiling of $150 million for the 1980 Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program. Eighty-five percent of this budget is to local recovery projects for which about 368 localities are expected to be eligible. From subsequent reports, the number of eligible cities is dwindling due to red tape.

In June, Congress held hearings to figure out how to cut government red tape, industry costs, and agency inefficiency in parks and recreation.

All of these facts could work to the modeler's advantage. With massive cuts in government support of parks and recreation, and with taxpayers voting down tax increases and park bond issues, park and recreation directors are screaming for volunteer help.

The U.S. Jaycees have initiated a national athletic program wherein they donate supplies and volunteer labor to parks and recreation facilities. Fortunately, they are backed by General Foods and Premier Athletic Products. The benefits they offer recreational facilities are: minimal cost, volunteer manpower, low equipment needs, promotional materials, and guidelines.

Volunteers in California set up a foundation to help the state park system. They raised $15 million and made 13,000 acres of land available to the department.

Why not organize our own volunteer program for park and recreation facilities—including airstrips for model airplanes?

Ammunition for such endeavors is in an article by Seymour Gold, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Environmental Planning at the University of California. Gold believes that the demand for recreational land will increase dramatically in the future. He says that the unavailability of land could imply steps such as "use rationing; mandatory education/licensing for some activities; multiple-use zoning by time and space; 24-hour use of facilities; extensive user fees; and public competition with private enterprise for available recreation resources."

If you feel you can't convince recreation facility directors that model airplanes will provide proper recreation, use Dr. Gold's opinions:

• "Most of the ideas in current use about recreation and open space preservation in cities are premised on the thinking of the 1930s."
• "Most recreation plans do not acknowledge or accommodate significant changes or trends in leisure lifestyles, legislation, technology, or values."
• "The objectives of many public park and recreation systems better accommodate the needs of the supplier than the user."
• "They project a past and present that may not be realistic in light of current trends toward an aging society, growth management, decreasing real income and an energy shortage."

Let me know what you think and what you are doing!

(Found in California Parks and Recreation and reprinted in the national Parks and Recreation, May 1979.)

MDA PROGRAM

Now that modeling programs are going on all around the country for "Jerry and His Kids," I want to remind competitors of a man and an event that deserve attention. The man is Bill Allen of Dekalb, IL. The event is the "Aero-Challenge for Muscular Dystrophy," which Bill has organized for the past five years. Last year, working over 300 hours to prepare, his MDA program brought 137 contestants from 12 states and from Canada and England. The event brought in donations of $1,297.75 for the Jerry Lewis fund drive.

If you wish to contact Bill: William J. Allen, 1626 Mayflower Drive, Dekalb, IL 60115, (815) 756-5117.

MORE ON AMA HQ STAFF

My comments on this subject precipitated a lengthy dissertation by the Executive Director in last month's Model Aviation, under the title "Apples and Oranges." As the elected chief executive of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, I believe it is my responsibility to the membership to report on the organization as I see it. I will not "rubber-stamp" endorse any action of an official or employee when I do not agree. Differences of opinion are normal and healthy in a progressive organization. Maintaining the status quo will often lead to decadence and decay. I am a firm believer that no organization is so well-organized and operated that it cannot be improved upon!

My report on this subject in the July issue was the result of the Executive Director's statement that "In fact most Headquarters workers could probably make more money elsewhere; such as working for the government" and comments and questions directed to me in reference to that article. Therefore, I wrote in the context of comparing HQ staff with Civil Service and pointed out that, in my opinion, due to the abnormal escalation rate in HQ staff salaries it was very doubtful that our staff could make more elsewhere, especially in the government.

So now we are airing our differences on another tack: "Apples and Oranges" as the difference between AMA and government. But this "Apples and Oranges" difference is predominant in the current comparison by the Director with other associations.

As a subscribing member of the American Society of Association Executives and having firsthand knowledge of the publications the AMA Executive Director is quoting, I can draw a completely different conclusion from the statistics in some 35 pages of salary and pay survey reports.

The 1977 salary figures for the "Chief Executive Officer" referred to by the AMA Executive Director are from the WSAE, which pertains only to Washington, D.C., and its metropolitan area. It is not a branch of the American Society for Association Executives (ASAE).

That average salary, quoted as $59,608, gathered from 24 associations with similar staff size, included 58% trade associations. The trade association's average salary alone was $72,814, which considerably inflates the average of "all" associations. A representative of the WSAE stated that "Trade associations are more likely to pay their top executive more than individual membership associations—statistics prove it."

As an average salary, I cannot conclude that these figures are in any way relative to our organization. If national averages were applied, the figures would be deflated further, as the average salaries of executive heads in Washington, D.C. are about 38% higher than in a place such as Columbus.

The same type of counter-analysis can be applied to the latest $45,000 median salary of association executives reported by ASAE based on budget classifications. This median salary is in an organization budget range, the top of which is from 64% to 161% higher than the AMA budget, depending on whether the $564,348 allocated to the magazine is included. This whole difference of opinion on this particular $36,580 salary is academic to the question of Headquarters staff salaries—it is not within the control of AMA HQ management, but is established by the AMA Executive Council.

The impression that the upper echelon of Headquarters employees were overpaid while those in lower grades were underpaid is something that was alluded to by Dr. Alan C. Filley in an independent analysis of HQ in 1977. Subsequent changes by the Executive Director seem, to me, to have worsened the status rather than improved it.

I picked a sensitive point when I used my statement "As a Civil Service Supervisor of long standing, I would have difficulty finding government positions which are directly comparable at the upper levels of AMA employment" in pointing out a difference between government work and AMA. At that level of government pay I feel that most managers have greater diversity of responsibility than AMA staff employees. The reason I had difficulty in finding directly comparable positions was because I could not think of any similar jobs in the government where the employees only put in a six-hour workday in the office as is practiced at AMA (the remaining 25% of their workday being unaccounted for on the basis that they are making up or doing their work at home or en route).

My viewpoint is open to discussion, and I welcome comments from the membership.

SECRETARY-TREASURER'S REPORT

Jim McNeill AMA Secretary-Treasurer 617 South 20th Avenue Birmingham, AL 35205

I am interrupting the conclusion of the special interest group column to present an important report on the Academy Headquarters in Washington, D.C. As secretary/treasurer of AMA, it is my vow to bring to you at least three times a year an update on our home office and how they are conducting our business.

This month I would like to tell you about their accounting and money-handling system. If you have any questions about AMA's money business or how your dues money is handled, write to me and I will answer you. I will be going back to Washington periodically and can answer any reasonable question you might pose.

My observation of AMA's method of doing business is that it is efficient and well-managed. Everyone in the Washington office is bonded. All of the employees are dedicated and hard-working. With the thought in mind to report directly to you in this column, I traced the dollars through their path from the minute they enter the building until they are on their way to the bank—both checks and cash—and if you will take a minute to read this, I can relay this information. It's your money; you have a right to know.

Ninety-nine percent of the money received is deposited the very same day in the bank. When you mail in your dues money, Joan Shipley opens the mail and removes the check and places it in a basket. Carol Merfeld receives the basket and feeds the check information into a Burroughs AE300 computer (AMA owns the computer). This information is automatically recorded on a big worksheet. The worksheet contains enough information to process a membership card. The computer also totals up the money for each day to prepare a deposit slip. The worksheets are transcribed into a journal, totaled and balanced each month. After the bank reconciliation, totals are posted to the general ledger. Ledgers are balanced monthly and statements are issued quarterly.

Cash goes through the same process. Carol puts the cash into the computer and, via a deposit slip, it is hustled off to the bank. The First Union Bank and the American Security Bank and Trust are used to receive deposits.

In years past I asked myself the same question you may have asked: Is any stealing going on in AMA HQ? My answer to you is emphatically NO. The joint is clean—top to bottom. As your secretary/treasurer, I receive no salary. I am elected from the membership; I am a modeler like you are. No one has brainwashed me either. I drove from Birmingham to Washington in my car—and back again.

May I speak openly and frankly to you? Last year the U.S. Internal Revenue Service audited our home office thoroughly in an attempt to change our tax status. Eventually the move to reclassify us tax-wise failed. If anything wrong had been going on, the IRS would have located it. My good friend, Federal Judge Jim Davis, pointed out two important points concerning the IRS audit of AMA last year:

1. Any stealing or financial irregularities turned up in the audit would have had serious consequences on our future tax status.
2. Any unreasonable travel (or otherwise) expenditures by any officials would have had serious repercussions.

We received a clean financial bill of health from the Internal Revenue people.

In addition, our AMA books are audited annually by an independent auditing firm in Washington, D.C. The Raymond H. McGivern Company comes in once a year and checks our books on their own. We pay them for this service.

I want you to meet some of the people who handle your money.

• Gisele Jackson — Chief Comptroller. Gisele has bachelor and master's degrees in accounting from Ben Franklin University in Washington, D.C. She was born in Latvia and came to the U.S. after World War II. She is a first-class accountant and has been with AMA for the last 20 years—since our membership was about 14,000.
• Diane Hawley — Accounting assistant. Diane has had professional training in accounting. She makes deposits, balances the books, writes checks, etc.
• Mary Ann Curtin — Accounting assistant. Mary Ann joined AMA part-time while a third-year college student majoring in accounting and is now a full-time employee assisting in all phases of the detailed work.

Don't forget, if you have any questions about your dues money—write to me. I will answer you.

AMA News

MODEL AVIATION MAGAZINE

INCOME AND EXPENSE STATEMENT for year ending December 31, 1978

Income

• Membership Subscriptions (dues allocation): $354,558.00
• Advertising Income—net: $71,023.97
• Hobby Shop: $27,281.46
• Other Subscriptions: $2,728.35
• Plans Income—net: $5,965.16

Subtotal—Income other than allocated: $106,998.94

• Allocation for Free Distributions (officers, CDs, etc.): $10,704.39

Total Income: $472,261.33

Expenses

Editorial Expenses

• Monthly Columnists: $13,138.00
• Drafting: $6,392.00
• Articles, Plans, Pictures: $30,303.33
• Total Editorial: $49,833.33

Production Costs

• Composition, Typesetting, etc.: $20,476.05
• Art & Photo: $3,808.59
• Color Separation: $4,892.70
• Printing: $196,075.92
• Misc. Supplies: $387.38
• Total Production: $225,631.64
• Reprints (printing): $13,689.06

Circulation Expenses

• Postage (magazine): $22,520.32
• Postage (reprints): $3,894.91
• Labels & sort (mag. & reprint): $6,347.16
• Total Circulation: $32,762.39

Administrative Costs

• Telephone: $2,142.44
• Insurance: $500.00
• Promotion: $7,236.40
• Miscellaneous: $71.39
• Travel: $720.38
• Total Administrative: $10,670.61

Total Direct Costs: $332,587.03

Allocated Expenses (% of general AMA expenses)

• Salaries & Taxes: $118,595.00
• Rent: $3,552.00
• Miscellaneous Office: $3,412.40
• Postage: $3,823.06
• Subtotal (Allocated Expenses): $129,382.46

Total Expenses: $461,969.49

Net Income: $10,291.84

Unrelated Business Taxes (Federal & State): $2,877.26

Net After Taxes: $7,414.58

PICKING ON NITS

There are obvious differences of opinion among AMA Executive Council members on many subjects—AMA News has been prolific with such disagreements since the first of the year. One good aspect is that it shows we don't have a rubber-stamp Council which merely okays recommendations of the President or the Executive Director. On the other hand, all this bickering in public is hardly constructive. While opinions are important to working out a consensus, in the final analysis it is the official Council decisions which determine AMA policies.

Hopefully, the current arguing will settle down. In the President's column this month there's more on AMA salaries, but the subject is being left to the Executive Council rather than argue further here, other than to note that some HQ people disagree strongly. By contrast, it should be noted what the Secretary-Treasurer says in his column this month—he visited HQ recently and wrote about it.

WHY WASHINGTON?

A recent issue of the magazine indicated that due to cost factors AMA headquarters should be moved to a less expensive location. Meanwhile, it's a fact that hundreds of national associations consider it vital to be in D.C. The following letter from an AMA member gives the latter side of the story.

• John F. Ryan (AMA No. 94615) argues that federal regulatory agencies (FCC for RC frequencies, FAA for airspace regulation, EPA for noise control) play a major role in the future of model aviation.
• He notes that about 1,600 associations have Washington offices and that corporations maintain liaison offices in D.C.
• Ryan believes AMA's Washington headquarters has proven of incalculable value in permitting close liaison with governmental agencies, thereby averting excessive governmental regulation over the sport.
• He urges that AMA should remain in Washington and consider the higher headquarters cost as a vital contribution to the well-being of the membership.

JIM EDWARDS (Cont. from pg. 79)

I saw him last year; he was busy judging in the hot sun to help others enjoy our wonderful sport, and the next time you see him he will probably be doing the same thing—helping others, making it possible for newcomers to compete successfully and fairly, and enjoy expert judging.

Doc Edwards lives quietly with his wife, Jackie, in Mississippi, practicing dentistry and Radio Control flying. Jackie goes to contests with him and sometimes helps tabulate at the tables.

For all the new modelers you have helped with your managing and your judging, and for the $1,000 contribution you made to the Academy to become a Life Member, thanks from all of us to you, Doc Edwards.

Would you like to be a Life Member? You will be assigned a two-digit AMA Life Membership number with an L in front of it. This number will never be reassigned. Here's how: Send $1,000 to AMA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., which may be paid in quarterly increments of $250 each. You have the privilege of designating how AMA shall invest or spend your donation. Your name will be enshrined on the Academy life rolls.

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

Prince Georges Radio Control Club

Prince Georges Radio Control Club, Chesapeake Bay RC Club and Charles County RC Club have put together a Quickie 500 Racing Association. Each club shares in the workload and they rotate the races between the three clubs. For more information contact Kenny Greenhouse with PGRC.

Roanoke Valley RC Club

R.V.R.C. has a fun fly and auction planned for June 23. (Note: magazine lead times may mean this article appears after the event.)

Eastern Soaring Lines

For soaring enthusiasts: a copy of the E.S.L. newsletter is available. Contact Howard A. Smith, 1430 Kingsley Drive, Warminster, PA 18974.

Concord Mall Show

Three clubs put on a mall show with a very good display: First State RC Club (50 aircraft), Delaware RC Club (45 aircraft), and Wilmington M.A.C. (Control Line). About 10,000 people per day viewed the display.

D.C. Radio Control Club

DCRC recently had their awards night and this year's most valuable member was Fred Neilson, who received the prestigious Al Montska Award.

Hampton Roads RC Club

Hampton Roads held their second annual Tower Mall Static Show. The club has 33 members and provided over 60 aircraft for display. The author visited on June 12 and was thanked by the club with a cake featuring the AMA logo.

V DISTRICT REPORT

Bill Mathews District V Vice-President 311 Poinciana Drive Birmingham, AL 35209

At the Jacksonville, FL Rebel Rally on May 26-27, a thermal swept the free-flight area and scattered RC registration cards and garbage bags. From reports, the Rebel Rally was a success, though there was one unfortunate incident of unsportsmanlike conduct in the Combat circle witnessed by 300–400 spectators. Such conduct is not representative of the thousands of good sports in our hobby.

You read about Linda Brown in the July issue of Model Aviation (see page 72). Linda didn't achieve the AMA scholarship alone—she owes some success to the Brown Free Flight Team composed of her parents, sister (Susan), and brothers (Peter and David).

John Hudson of the Brandon Flyers newsletter reports his club held a contest that drew over 800 spectators and received a full page of photos and text in the Tampa Tribune!

DISTRICT V CLUB OF THE MONTH

The Capital City RC Club of Jackson, MS, formed in 1952 and has grown to a membership of 55. Original active members include Bob Hinkle, Bill Payne, and Frank Ruscio. The club's field is provided by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Jackson; Cade Sentell, field maintenance supervisor, helps keep the city happy with the club's maintenance. Photos provided by Billy Collier, club photographer.

VI DISTRICT REPORT

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

Associate Vice-Presidents:

• Dave Davis, c/o DA Enterprises, Box 335, Hubbard, IN 46739
• Chuck Delano, 7203A Twin Oaks Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46226
• Roger Goess, R.R. 5, Quincy, IL 62301
• Frank Hughes, 209 NE 4th St., Kansas City, MO 64116
• Glenn Lee, 819 Mandrake, Batavia, IL 60510
• Jim Sears, P.O. Box 308, Burgin, KY 40310
• Bob Underwood, 4109 Concord Oaks Dr. S., St. Louis, MO 63128

Things To Do

• August 15-16: Lexington, KY MAC Pattern and Scale Meet, Kearny Field.
• August 19: Terre Haute, IN RC Club Fun Fly. C. Banks (812) 533-2375.
• August 26: Kansas City Northern Knights Open Fun Fly. AVP Frank Hughes.
• September 2: Holiday Fun Fly, Madison County, IN RC Flyers. Near Frankton, IN. Ron Daily, RR 1, Box 197, Alexandria, IN 46001.
• September 2: Bloomington, IL S.I.R.S. Mammoth Scale. Frank Whalen, 15 Norbloom Ave., Bloomington, IL 61701. (309) 828-0804.
• September 2: Aero-Challenge CL Meet for Muscular Dystrophy. Bill Allen, 1626 Mayflower Dr., Dekalb, IL 60115.
• September 3: Kansas City RC Flying Circus for Muscular Dystrophy, Jacomo Park.
• September 8-9: Lexington, KY MAC RC Soaring Meet, Kearny Field.

The S.O.A.R. newsletter confirmed that Jay Gerber filmed some Scale Soaring at Plainfield for the AMA film on Scale. Thanks to Helen Olsen for her contribution to ensure the new film will include this important event.

Congratulations to KCRC for their new hard-surface runway (40 by 400 ft).

The Lake County RC Club of northeast Illinois sponsored an excellent Mall Show at Lakehurst Mall, Waukegan, IL, June 2 & 3. Chicagoland RC Club's Super Fun-Fly also enjoyed beautiful weather. Contestant turnout for that well-managed contest was somewhat poor—get out and fly before winter returns.

AMA now faces three tall mountains: (1) flight safety and site availability, (2) Federal Communications Commission, and (3) the Federal Aviation Agency. AMA leaders must be willing to take the lead and meet these challenges. Your letters and ideas guide direction—send them in.

A meeting is being planned for the Chicago area for September 1979. Invitations will be mailed in late August.

VII DISTRICT REPORT

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

Associate Vice-Presidents:

• James Clark, 4444 Woodview Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
• Robert Lundberg, 4923 Tioga St., Duluth, MN 55804
• Tim Pirio, 11287 Sear, Sterling Heights, MI 48070
• William Rohring, 4949 Tangledwood Dr., St. Joseph, MI 49085
• Geoff Styles, 2601 S. Beaumont Ave., Kansasville, WI 53139
• Terry Taylor, 6036 Lombardy Lane, Crystal, MN 55428
• Wayne Yeager, 3823 Castle, Romulus, MI 48174

I have just returned from the SIG/IMAC contest at Montezuma, IA. As usual, a very good turnout was present with plenty of biplanes. The Des Moines Model-Aires again did an excellent job of running the show. A special thank you to them and to SIG for sponsoring this annual event.

On July 12 Governor Robert Ray of Iowa proclaimed July as IOWA MODEL AVIATION MONTH in response to a request by the Muscatine Miniature Aircraft Association. All Iowa chartered clubs were invited to use this proclamation as PR for their clubs and events.

I have received correspondence concerning flying site conflicts between clubs. These problems are best solved by mutual cooperation and discussion. Courtesy can prevent many problems and displays good sportsmanship.

Some multi-interest clubs successfully encompass RC, CL, and FF without severe problems. For information contact the Ames Sundusters, 117 Manning Ave., Ames, IA 50010 (Mike Anderson) or the Western Lake Superior Flying & Hiking Society, 4928 Tioga St., Duluth, MN 55804.

ADDITIONAL AMA NEWS AND DISTRICT ITEMS

I mentioned last month that my good friend and one of your AVPs, Ned Barnes, was in the hospital following a heart attack. He had a setback in mid-June and was scheduled for further tests and probable surgery in Houston.

There is much activity in the Districts this summer. Reports from the Dallas Trade Show indicate it was terrific.

A couple of months ago I mentioned the assignment of our RC frequencies to industrial users for voice communication systems. AMA has been working through the FCC's prescribed procedure to obtain additional frequency allocations. AMA's proposal has passed the first hurdle in a very laborious, time-consuming process. The gestation period for the FCC to act is about a year. A similar proposal a few years ago acquired the present 72–75 MHz frequencies. We have never been granted a guarantee of exclusivity for our frequencies. FCC simply reserved them for us when it was convenient. AMA has again appealed for relief from high-power intruders on our frequencies. Success is uncertain, but you are encouraged to write the FCC and your elected officials explaining your concerns.

On the dues increase—from $17/year to $25/year—consider the context: the last increase was in 1975. If dues had been raised annually by about 7% we would have paid only marginally more since 1974 than we have actually paid through 1979. Putting off the increase caused the larger single jump in 1979.

Thought for the month: Be sure the wheels are down before landing—forgetting to lower the gear can be expensive.

BALANCE SHEET

ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS December 31, 1978

Assets

• Current Assets
• Cash — Checking Accounts*: $407,599
• Petty Cash: $1,500
• Cash — Savings Accounts (including earned interest): [figure unclear]
• Accounts Receivable — Owed Us: [not listed]
• Misc. Accounts Receivable: [not listed]
• Advances — Employees: [not listed]
• Nats Sponsor Pledges 77–78: $9,777
• MA Advertising Receivables: [not listed]
• Deferred Charges — MA Future Issue Costs: [not listed]
• Prepaid Insurance & Other Expenses: [not listed]
• Resale Supplies Inventory: [not listed]
• Printing & Duplicating Supplies: [not listed]
• Membership Supplies & Expenses: [not listed]
• Nats Souvenir Inventory: [not listed]
• Rulebooks, Kit Plan Book II: [not listed]
• Fixed Assets — Furniture & Equipment (less depreciation): [not listed]

Total Assets: $1,029,378.49

Liabilities & Net Worth

• Current Liabilities
• Accounts Payable: [figure appears corrupted]
• Employees Escrow: [figure appears corrupted]
• Deferred Income — Membership Dues 1979: $87,945.20
• Club Charters, FAI Stamps & Other: [not listed]
• Funds (various team and program funds): [not listed]
• Surplus — Surplus Balance 1-1-78 adjusted: [not listed]
• Net Loss 12 Months: [not listed]
• Total Net Worth Deficit: [not listed]

Total Liabilities & Net Worth: $1,029,378.49

* $400,000 subsequently invested in CDs — Savings Accounts September 1979

EXPENSE STATEMENT

ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS Year ending December 31, 1978

• Salaries: $407,154.51
• Annuity: $14,330.14

(continued)

XI DISTRICT REPORT

Homer Smith District XI Vice-President 1417 N.W. 91st Street Seattle, WA 98177

Associate Vice-Presidents:

• Al Court, 1607 S. Van Etten, Pocatello, ID 83201
• Simon Graves, Rt. 1, Box 48, Broadview, MT 59015
• Ed McCollough, 335 E. 67th St., Portland, OR 97215
• Orlando "Dory" Reno, 2600 Dover Ct., Kent, WA 98031
• Chuck Thompson, Rt. 3, Box 198, Nome, AK 99762
• Don Zoey, 2141 NE Main St., Redmond, WA 98052

A new newsletter for the Control Line fraternity, Flying Lines, is available. Subscriptions cost $5 for 12 issues. Send $5 to Flying Lines, 1411 Bryant Ave., Cottage Grove, OR 97424.

Fuel Crisis Threatens Model Aviation (excerpt)

• There is one major supplier of nitromethane to the hobby industry who has reduced allocation.
• Manufacturers report reduced nitro supplies and increased nitro percentages in fuels shipped.
• Price and availability problems are affecting competition and may create unfair advantages.
• Suggestions include limiting nitro percentage in contests or requiring contest-supplied fuel.

The fuel shortage has reduced attendance at many events. Clubs and contest directors should be aware and consider alternatives.

Jim Zehrung of the Portland Aeromodelers has resigned as District Contest Coordinator and has been succeeded by Jim Harris. Bill Skelton of Warrenton, OR, has been elected to the committee.

JUNIOR FLIGHT!

ED WHITTEN Box 176, Wall St. Sta., New York, NY 10005

OFFICIAL RESULTS — A.M.A. January/February/March 1979 "CHICKEN HIGH" Indoor Postal Contest (Ages up through 18; unlimited flights; scores adjusted to 35 feet)

AMA HAND-LAUNCHED STICK MODELS (Best Single Flight) 1) Graham Davitt, Leeds, ENGLAND — 10:39, 9:47 — 639, 40' — .935 — 597.5 — Easy B 2) M. Koschutnik, Anderson, IN — 9:24, — 564.4, 43' — .902 — 509.1 — Easy B 3) Mike Van Gorder, Cincinnati, OH — 8:07 — 536.0, 43' — .902 — 483.5 — Easy B 4) Tom Croft, Manchester, IN — 8:48 — 528.6, 43' — .902 — 476.8 — Easy B 5) Jon Harlan, Wayland, MA — 7:33 — 453, 35' — 1.000 — 453 — Linstrum Metric Penny 6) Cathy Mullins, Anderson, IN — 7:50 — 470.0, 43' — .902 — 423.9 — Easy B 7) David Nault, Lynn, MA — 7:25 — 445, 50'6" — .833 — 370.7 — No-Non-Cents Penny 8) Curt Zink, Woodburn, IN — 6:14.2 — 374.2, 43' — .900 — 337.5 — Pennyplane 9) Mike Clenk, Dallas, TX — 5:37, 5:11 — 337, 35' — 1.000 — 337.5 — original EZB 10) Colin DiMaio, Los Angeles, CA — 5:08 — 308, 30' — 1.008 — 332.6 — Hagen EZB 11) Brad Fulmer, Anderson, IN — 6:02 — 362.4, 43' — .902 — 326.9 — Easy B 12) Bryan Fulmer, Anderson, IN — 4:45 — 285.0, 43' — .902 — 257.1 — Pennyplane 13) Jim Ketz, Berea, OH — 3:12, 3:07 — 192, 23' — 1.234 — 236.9 — Micro-X Easy B 14) Eric Newman, Berea, OH — 3:09, 3:05 — 189, 23' — 1.234 — 233.2 — Micro-X Easy B 15) Traci Harkness, Berea, OH — 2:59, 2:52 — 180, 23' — 1.234 — 222.1 — Micro-X Easy B 16) Kim Mueller, Berea, OH — 2:52, 2:45 — 179, 23' — 1.234 — 220.9 — Micro-X Easy B 17) Matt Arntz, Berea, OH — 2:55, 2:45 — 175, 23' — 1.234 — 216.0 — Micro-X Easy B 18) Kim Poplstein, Berea, OH — 2:54, 2:43 — 174, 23' — 1.234 — 214.7 — Micro-X Easy B 19) Jim Fugate, Berea, OH — 2:48, 2:45 — 168, 23' — 1.234 — 207.3 — Micro-X Easy B 20) Allen Kradlak, Berea, OH — 2:35, 2:31 — 160, 23' — 1.234 — 197.4 — Micro-X Easy B 21) Bob May, Berea, OH — 2:15, 1:55 — 155, 23' — 1.234 — 191.3 — Micro-X Easy B 22) Beth Ireland, Berea, OH — 2:50, 2:22 — 150, 23' — 1.234 — 185.1 — Micro-X Easy B 23) Mickey Beni, Berea, OH — 2:19, 2:12 — 139, 23' — 1.234 — 171.5 — Micro-X Easy B 24) Dave Fathauer, Berea, OH — 2:17, 2:10 — 137, 23' — 1.234 — 169.1 — Micro-X Easy B 25) Carl Linstrum, Jacksonville, FL — 3:55 — 236, 70' — .707 — 166.9 — Novice Pennyplane 26) Jim Mollison, Berea, OH — 2:15, 2:10 — 135, 23' — 1.234 — 166.4 — Micro-X Easy B 27) Greg Benepe, Fort Worth, TX — 2:06 — 126, 21'4" — 1.281 — 161.4 — No-Non-Cents Penny 28) Tim Sarbry, Berea, OH — 2:10, 2:00 — 130, 23' — 1.234 — 160.4 — Micro-X Easy B 29) Ichiro Sugioka, Flushing, NY — 3:00 — 170, 30' — 1.234 — 160.4 — Micro-X Easy B 30) Shelby Farmer, Berea, OH — 2:00, 1:49 — 120, 23' — 1.234 — 148.1 — Easy B 31) Paul Lidberg, Tempe, AZ — 3:30 — 90, 30' — 1.080 — 97.2 — Noonan Novice Penny 32) Jeff Everson, Coral Gables, FL — 2:01 — 121, 70' — .707 — 85.5 — Peck R.O.G. 33) Steve Spence, Mansfield, TX — 2:05 — 65, 21'4" — 1.281 — 83.3 — Compo I EZB 34) Mike McClarty, Arlington, TX — 2:00 — 75, 23' — 1.281 — 96.0 — Twiggy SRPSN 35) Bill New, Floral Park, NY — 1:34, 1:26.5 — 94.7, 10s — .577 — 54.6 — Double Peck R.O.G. 36) Jerry Lang, Springfield, MA — 2:41 — 26, 20' — 1.323 — 34.0 — Peck R.O.G. 37) Paul Lang, Springfield, MA — 0:24 — 24, 20' — 1.323 — 31.8 — Peck R.O.G. 38) John Brookins, Miami, FL — 0:42 — 42, 70' — .707 — 29.7 — Delta Dart 39) Heather Arak, Miami, FL — 0:29 — 35, 30' — .707 — 29.7 — Delta Dart 40) Cliff Shaw, Miami, FL — 0:29 — 35, 30' — .707 — 29.7 — Delta Dart 41) Matthew Gagliano, Floral Park, NY — 12.2, 0:06.3 — 12.2, 105' — .577 — 7.0 — AMA Cub 42) Victoria Gagliano, Floral Park, NY — 0:09.1 — 9.1, 105' — .577 — 5.3 — AMA Cub 43) Charles Gagliano, Floral Park, NY — 0:03.1 — 3.1, 105' — .577 — 1.8 — Bellanca

AMA HAND-LAUNCHED GLIDERS (Best Two Flights) 1) Tom Croft, Manchester, IN — 37.0, 39.0 — 76.0, 43' — .902 — 68.6 — Sweepette 16 2) David Nault, Lynn, MA — 34.3, 33.5 — 67.8, 35' — 1.000 — 67.8 — Sweepette 16 3) Bryan Fulmer, Anderson, IN — 38.8 — 38.8, 43' — .902 — 67.3 4) Colin DiMaio, Los Angeles, CA — 30.6, 30.0 — 60.6, 30' — 1.080 — 65.5 — modified Sweepette 16 5) Curt Zink, Woodburn, IN — 34.2, 36.0 — 70.4, 43' — .902 — 63.5 6) Mike Clenk, Dallas, TX — 29.2, 27.9 — 57.1, 35' — 1.000 — 57.1 — Sweepette 16 7) Mike Van Gorder, Cincinnati, OH — 30.6, 32.2 — 62.8, 43' — .902 — 56.6 8) Graham Davitt, Leeds, ENGLAND — 21.9, 20.7 — 42.6, 20' — 1.323 — 56.4 9) Dave Fathauer, Berea, OH — 23.0, 22.0 — 45.0, 23' — 1.234 — 55.5 — Coot 10) Brad Fulmer, Anderson, IN — 29.4, 30.0 — 59.4, 43' — .902 — 53.6 — original 11) Chris Lane, Arlington, TX — 19.7, 19.3 — 39.0, 21'4" — 1.281 — 50.0 — Coot 12) Kim Poplstein, Berea, OH — 19.0, 18.0 — 37.0, 23' — 1.234 — 45.8 — Coot 13) Chris Spence, Mansfield, TX — 15.6, 14.5 — 30.1, 21'4" — 1.281 — 38.6 — original 14) Jon Nyberg, Reno, NV — 15.9, 13.8 — 29.7, 26' — 1.160 — 34.5 — modified Coot 15) Jim Fugate, Berea, OH — 14.3, 13.8 — 28.1, 23' — 1.234 — 34.6 — Coot 16) Bob May, Berea, OH — 13.3, 11.5 — 24.8, 23' — 1.234 — 30.6 — Coot 17) Dave Miller, Berea, OH — 12.4, 11.5 — 23.9, 23' — 1.234 — 29.4 — Coot 18) David Tomkins, Arlington, TX — 11.8, 11.5 — 23.3, 21'4" — 1.281 — 29.8 — original 19) Craig Jackson, Reno, NV — 12.5, 10.5 — 23.0, 26' — 1.160 — 26.6 — Strato 20) Steve Dunn, Reno, NV — 12.5, 11.0 — 23.5, 26' — 1.160 — 27.3 — Strato 21) Tim Sarbry, Berea, OH — 11.8, 12.2 — 24.0, 23' — 1.234 — 29.6 — Coot 22) Mike Golowski, Berea, OH — 12.0, 11.0 — 23.0, 23' — 1.234 — 28.4 — Coot 23) Eric Sireika, Reno, NV — 12.4, 11.4 — 23.8, 23' — 1.234 — 29.4 — original 24) Allen Kradlak, Berea, OH — 11.1, 10.1 — 21.2, 23' — 1.234 — 26.2 — Coot 25) Matt Arntz, Berea, OH — 10.4, 8.6 — 19.0, 23' — 1.234 — 23.4 — Coot 26) Merri McClarty, Arlington, TX — 8.5, 8.6 — 17.1, 21'4" — 1.281 — 21.9 — original 27) Greg Benepe, Fort Worth, TX — 11.5 — 11.5, 21'4" — 1.281 — 14.7 — original

[End of contest results]

MISCELLANY

District and contest notes

• The Executive Council recently appointed a By-Laws Revision Committee to review and report recommendations to the Council. Once the Council has reviewed the recommendations, they will be presented to AMA Leader members for a vote.
• Nominating Committee: This year members in odd-numbered districts may nominate Leader members or Contest Directors from their district for district vice-president. Nominations should be forwarded to AMA HQ. Every Open AMA member receives a ballot with a dues renewal form—vote!
• District IX highlights: charter clubs no longer must pay the $5 fee to insure their site owners; AMA released a new publication entitled "Getting and Keeping Flying Sites"; two new films for clubs on getting and keeping flying sites have been budgeted; a full-time position at HQ to help clubs find flying sites is being created; insurance deductible for liability went from $250 to $50.
• IRS/AMA update: AMA successfully defended its tax-exempt status. The IRS cited AMA's dissemination of information via Model Aviation and topical films as justification.
• District meeting: scheduled for October 27, 1979, in Kansas City, KS.

Control Line note

There is controversy over single-blade propellers in Control Line Speed events. Some suggest banning them except in 1/2A and FAI events; others recommend developing a rigid set of approved rules and design guidelines rather than banning.

Sierra Madre and Chino club visits

• Sierra Madre Radio Control Modelers: multi-interest club with a landfill flying site; they use a surplus conveyor belt as a makeshift runway.
• American Model Airport Association (Chino): losing their flying site; the club is incorporating and building a Stafford B-24 kit as a training project.

Thermals!

(Brief mention—district columns and club reports include thermal and soaring observations.)

CLUBS AND SHOWS (continued)

Prince Georges Radio Control Club

Quickie 500 Racing Association formed with Chesapeake Bay RC and Charles County RC—clubs rotate races and share workload. Contact Kenny Greenhouse for information.

Roanoke Valley RC Club

Fun fly and auction took place on June 23 (note magazine lead times).

Eastern Soaring Lines

Newsletter available from Howard A. Smith, 1430 Kingsley Drive, Warminster, PA 18974.

Concord Mall Show

Joint mall show by First State RC Club, Delaware RC Club, and Wilmington M.A.C. Attracted large crowds.

D.C. Radio Control Club

Fred Neilson received the Al Montska Award as the club's MVP.

Hampton Roads RC Club

Second annual Tower Mall Static Show—33 members provided over 60 aircraft. Club hosted the author for a meeting and provided hospitality.

V DISTRICT REPORT (repeated)

Bill Mathews, District V Vice-President, reports on various events and concerns about sportsmanship and contest conduct.

VI and VII DISTRICT REPORTS (repeated highlights)

Refer to the earlier District VI and District VII sections for schedules, contest results, and club news.

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End of reformatted AMA News material.

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