AMA FOUNDER AND AMA'S MAGAZINE
Frank Zaic's name is known all over the world of model aviation. He is one of the living legends among authors of articles and books on the subject and a founding father of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, going back to the mid‑'30s. Frank wrote AMA Headquarters recently about the controversy over the 1979 decision to remove the magazine option for adult AMA members (family members continue to receive it automatically). He reminded readers that it was always intended for AMA to have its own magazine and noted a legal obligation involved to help justify AMA's non‑profit status.
Subsequent discussion brought out an important point about IRS guidance. In 1978 the IRS specifically noted that the organization‑news portion of Model Aviation does not count toward qualification of AMA's status as an educational and scientific organization, whereas construction and state‑of‑the‑art type articles do.
Among Frank's comments: "I wonder how many members realize that Model Aviation could reduce or hold dues constant? All that is needed is more advertising in it. The bookkeeping profit of MA could be used for the AMA budget. It should also make the advertisers feel good as they are easing the financial cost of the membership to their customers—this is a standard procedure in practically every organization."
Frank's remarks about advertising are consistent with the publication's original intent. AMA's first publication began in the '30s and followed that guideline until the mid‑'60s, when AMA News became part of a commercial magazine arrangement. When that arrangement failed in 1975 (the commercial magazine went bankrupt) and AMA returned to publishing its own magazine, the policy was changed: to demonstrate that no general AMA funds were being used to finance the new version of Model Aviation, an independent magazine budget was established. Income earmarked for the magazine remains separate so that any magazine "profits" go back into improving the magazine—more pages, more color, etc.
Currently, advertising is limited to no more than 20% of the magazine's contents. As AMA grows and advertising income increases, there is potential for surplus funds to eventually be transferred to general AMA income, though that day may be some way off. Frank Zaic's thinking on this matter remains relevant.
The early days of the magazine
Frank also recalled what it was like during the first days of AMA's magazine in the '30s:
"The first two issues were prepared in my place by Lt. Alden and me. Lt. Alden was definitely the moving spirit. Without him we may not have had the AMA as early as we did and in the form we have it now. Anyway, he did most of the editing and typing and the drawing. I did layout, pasting, drawing plans and covers, etc. (Page numbers and headings were set up letter‑by‑letter, which were cut from second‑hand 15¢ copies of Esquire magazines.) I was fortunate to note the first two issues did not cost AMA (American Academy of Model Aeronautics) a penny. Lt. Alden paid for the printing and postage. (Sort of set an example for the present MA, which does not cost AMA a penny.) Why only two issues? Lt. Alden was physically unable to do more, and I was living on a dollar per day."
Frank used these memories to stress the importance of an organization that can carry out tasks without depending solely on individual contributions of time or money:
"Another point which is very vital is the assurance of keeping a continuity in the historic recording of model aviation. We have no guarantee that private sector magazines will stay in business for years and years, or that they will not change policy. Or the surviving ones may specialize; activities would not be recorded. AMA is obliged to record this phase. Being a corporate entity, AMA's existence will not depend on particular individuals who will come and go. Personnel will change, better or worse, but the basic work will continue. It's important to note AMA members today are relatively new. Few know how AMA got started, or what the founding fathers meant. Thus needs understanding."
Long‑range interests that transcend immediate wants must be balanced with responsiveness to membership wishes. Frank Zaic's thoughts are an important part of the AMA heritage and remain a meaningful guide for the future.
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VIII DISTRICT REPORT
Arkansas • Louisiana • New Mexico • Oklahoma • Texas
John Embry District VIII Vice‑President 1500 Anita Street Sulphur, LA 70663
Associate Vice‑Presidents:
- Buzz Averill — 9111 La Barrega NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111
- Ned Barnes — 523 N. Lebanon, Sulphur, LA 70663
- Gene Hennings — 301 N. Yale Dr., Garland, TX 75042
- William Hurley III — 027 Commerce, Pleasanton, TX 78064
- Larry Sartor — 1415 Manor Dr., Bartlesville, OK 74003
Nats time was just around the corner at the time of this writing. I have been asked by our VP to substitute for him the next two months in this report. There is also a possibility that I will sit in for him and you on the Executive Council meeting in Lincoln, NE in early August.
I personally feel that the governing body of the Academy is of the caliber that many new ideas and programs can emerge from it. The main problem facing the Executive Council at the moment is the attitude of some of its members: too often the old questions "Why did you?" or "Why can't Headquarters...?" are repeated without offering to help. Much more can be accomplished when people say, "Let's get this program started and I will help get it organized." It is better to lead than to stand back and wait for someone else to lead.
I want to commend the many fine club newsletters that have been sent our way lately. Good newsletters take a lot of work. If every club member participated in club betterment as the newsletter editor does, officers would be overwhelmed trying to find work for everyone. When you receive your newsletter each month, think about how you might contribute to your club and to the Academy.
One outstanding newsletter I've seen recently is L'ejournal d'Escadrille from the 114th R/C Aero Squadron, Grapevine, TX — edited by Al Alman, 2609 Burningtree Ct., Arlington, TX 76014. Their first issue was one of the best I've seen. Keep up the good work, Al and team.
I challenge each member of District VIII to stand up and be counted. Show pride and confidence in your club and the Academy by participating. DON'T JUST STAND THERE—FLY!
— Ned Barnes, District VIII AVP
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IX DISTRICT REPORT
Colorado • Kansas • Nebraska • North Dakota • South Dakota • Wyoming
Vince Mankowski District IX Vice‑President 105 Waldo Circle Bellevue, NE 68005
Associate Vice‑Presidents:
- Charles Brannon — 2220 Mariposa Blvd., Casper, WY 82601
- Paul Knauf — 910 North 12th, Fargo, ND 58102
- Travis McGinnis — 8027 W. 81st Circle, Arvada, CO 80005
- Jim O'Reilly — 4760 N. Bettis, Wichita, KS 67220
- Jim Ricketts — 516 S. Cloudas, Sioux Falls, SD 57103
The first taste of "Nats work '79" just hit. The whirlwind that continues through the weeks before the Nationals involves preparing for the Council meeting, the bylaws committee meeting (I was elected chairman), and organizing the Council's meeting with special interest groups. With the Nats in my own area there have also been many site and manpower issues. Additionally, I have been selected as this year's Control Line Category Director, which means coordinating with event directors, officials and equipment needs. Busy? Absolutely. Fun? Definitely.
The spirit of cooperation among modelers has made the biggest impression on me. For example, we held a press conference in Lincoln and needed models to display for press and television. Despite being a week before Nationals, not once was I refused when I asked to borrow top ships. When we needed a helicopter for a flying demonstration, Charlie Legg disassembled his chopper for work, reassembled it on short notice, drove to Lincoln and provided the demo. That kind of volunteer spirit — people giving time and equipment without expectation of payment — is what makes the Nats and modeling worthwhile. My thanks to Charlie Legg, Ed Prohaska, Roy Hogan, Joe Mock and all who helped.
Headquarters visit
On the weekend of July 8 I attended a committee meeting in Washington, D.C., and visited AMA HQ the following Monday and Tuesday. The business is run professionally and efficiently. Many people work behind the scenes to keep things moving:
- Linda Brown — receptionist, handling phones and daily paperwork.
- Carol Merfeld and Dale Kern — processing Nats entry forms and reply packets while maintaining their regular jobs.
- Shirley Shipley — sorting mail, handling supply and service requests, taking inventory.
- Kay Schell — working in Model Aviation with the IBM Composer for the AMA section.
- Herb Silbermann — laying out the next issue of Model Aviation.
- Jim McNeill — treasurer, overseeing accounting (see his report in Model Aviation).
- Michelle Madison — coordinating CL Combat Team material and other projects.
- Debbie Dewis — processing sanctions on a non‑stop basis.
There are many others who quietly do the work and respond quickly and cheerfully to questions. We are fortunate to have such people at Headquarters.
Sioux Falls RCers
I attended a Control Line contest organized by Jim Ricketts. The Sioux Falls RCers provided excellent timing and counting support. The Radio Control boys chipped in wherever needed; everyone benefited. Special thanks from the Control Line community to the Sioux Falls RCers.
"Ohmagorsh!" — a cautionary tale about reporting
It's bad to misname a person in the magazine, but to get the club wrong and place them in a different state is worse. AVP Frank Hughes of Kansas City, Missouri, wrote in to complain about photos and captions that placed a Missouri event in Kansas. He wrote humorously about threatening to "infiltrate your balsa supply" and even mobilizing a rope‑wielding convoy. Frank closed by inviting the writer back and promising to apologize in person at the District IX meeting, to be held in Kansas City, Kansas, on October 27, with Executive Director John Worth as special guest.
— Vince Mankowski
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XI DISTRICT REPORT
Homer Smith District XI Vice‑President 1417 N.W. 191st Street Seattle, WA 98177
Associate Vice‑Presidents:
- Al Culver — 1607 S. Von Elm, Pocatello, ID 83201
- Sam Reese — Rt. 1, Box 48, Broadview, MT 59015
- Ed McCullough — 653 E. 61, Portland, OR 97215
- Orlando "Oly" Rice — 26608 Dover Ct., Kent, WA 98031
- Chuck Thompson — Rt. 3, 3813 Mondrton, Spokane, WA 99205
- Don Zippy — 21418 NE Main St., Redmond, WA 98052
A request to clubs
Many clubs have lost their flying sites in the last few months. In many cases the sites were club‑owned yet access for power model flying was denied. The trend is growing nationwide. AMA is taking steps to help clubs, and more assistance may be on the way. Until then, we should do what we can locally.
Experience shows that when a club faces losing its site, help from outside the group is limited. Success often depends on a one‑on‑one selling job. AMA HQ can send information gleaned from other experiences that might help. I propose gathering information from this district about site losses over the last three years: what the problem was, how it was discovered, what was done about it, and the outcome. Send your reports to me; the data will be analyzed and forwarded to AMA to help others. Noise remains one of our worst enemies; prevention is better than cure.
Barnstormer's Biplane Meet
Ed McCullough (Assoc. VP, Portland) sent this report and photographs (taken by Bob Balch of the Portland Skyknights). The originals are in color.
On June 17 at Delta Park in Portland, OR, the first annual all‑biplane meet was held by the Barnstormers MAC of Portland — reportedly the first all‑biplane meet in the Northwest. Early weather and a gas shortage threatened the contest, but conditions improved and the event enjoyed light, steady wind down the runway. About a dozen contestants flew in two events: Stand Off Scale and Barnstorming. Both the flying and static displays pleased a large crowd of spectators. Prizes and trophies were awarded to fifth place in both events; local hobby shops contributed nice prizes, with a biplane kit as first prize.
Winners and airplanes:
- Scale:
- Dick Hansen — Jenny
- Don Lindsay — Fleet
- Bob Mingle — Waco
- Roger Wilson — Skybolt
- Dick Smith — GeeSport
- Barnstorming:
- Sergei Dennenbaum — Pulsar
- Dick Hansen — Jenny
- Don Lindsay — Fleet
- Vern Ahlberg — Fitts
Dave Gardner, BMAC President, was Contest Director and did a fine job. The contest would not have happened without Steve Tirscher — editor of the Barnstormer newsletter and club secretary — whose drive and enthusiasm were essential. This shows that one enthusiastic person can inspire a club toward a worthwhile goal. Thanks, Steve.
— Homer Smith
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AMA News (summary)
Frank Zaic's recollections and comments remind us of the magazine's historic role and the continuing importance of maintaining an AMA publication that records the history and activities of model aviation. While private magazines may come and go or change focus, AMA as a corporate entity has an obligation to preserve continuity and the official record of our sport. Preserving that continuity, managing the magazine responsibly (including reasonable advertising limits), and encouraging member participation remain priorities for the future.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
