AMA News

GONE, BUT STILL WITH US

MATTY SULLIVAN

WE BID FAREWELL TO A FRIEND

MATTHEW A. SULLIVAN, one of the most honored and quietly influential persons in the history of model aeronautics, died August 10 at the age of 68. As a testimonial to his friendliness he put those around him at ease by asking that he always be addressed simply as "Matty." In 1941 he founded one of the earliest hobby accessory manufacturing companies, Sullivan Pylon Products. Most of his products were of his own invention. In 1955 he also founded a highly successful plastic manufacturing firm, Sullifoam. He was active in both businesses until his death.

Matty's credits were legion, having received the highest honors from both the business and pleasure worlds of model aviation. He served on the Board of Directors of the Hobby Industry Association of America and was recognized by that organization with the Distinguished Service Award and the Meritorious Award of Honor — HIAA's highest honors.

Matty Sullivan was honored by the Academy of Model Aeronautics with the highest of its awards: Life Membership (No. L-6), an AMA Fellowship and, just recently, election to the Model Aviation Hall of Fame. Thankfully, word of his selection for the Hall of Fame came through in time to put a congratulatory telegram in Matty's hands shortly before he passed away.

Matty was a prime mover in the days when AMA badly needed a prime mover. He was always first to dig in his pocket for funds to help solve those early problems. Then he would quickly follow up by urging his hobby-business friends to do likewise. Matty also looked to the future, being the originator of the AMA Scholarship Fund. I like to believe that without Sullivan — his clever and unique products, and his financial support and encouragement — our hobby, sport, and business would not be quite what it is today.

Matty Sullivan, our fellow AMA member, was a giant in stature, a giant of character, and a giant of generosity with a happy heart to match. He was a ruddy-faced, down-to-earth, warm and cheerful friend to all who sought him. Matty would not want us to grieve his leaving, but would rather have our memory of him serve as a smiling inspiration. Please join me in this sacred moment saying goodbye to a beloved friend.

John E. Clemens Past President, AMA

MEMORIES OF MATTY

by John Worth

When AMA was broke (1963–65) and I was new on the scene, Matty Sullivan was an outstanding supporter of AMA and model industry programs and will be long remembered by the products which bear his name and by the friends he made everywhere.

Matty helped turn things around. Industry support of new AMA programs was vital to their success. Matty Sullivan was the first model industry leader to step forward to sponsor others who held back, waiting to see whether AMA could come back. He urged people to get on the bandwagon and always backed up his urging with cash. He was sometimes offended by embarrassing suggestions that because he drove Cadillacs he could afford donations; when AMA was publicly rebuked for giving only lip service, Matty's caustic version was, "Put your money where your mouth is." Matty’s support was money certified.

He helped run National Championships in the Philadelphia area as a Contest Director, was constantly involved in his company's workshop developing new products to make things better and safer, and gave away a lot of products — particularly gifts and souvenirs to U.S. teams and foreign guests attending AMA events. At Lakehurst, N.J., in 1974 he donated the use of his company's trailer and driver to meet teams and haul model boxes. He also underwrote, incognito, various parties and hosted affairs at World Championships. During years when AMA operated Navy-sponsored Nationals, Matty often quietly footed the bill for hosting key Navy officers and Blue Angels air show press parties. Matty was often a silent partner in AMA projects, seeking no publicity or personal gain.

During the '60s, when AMA could afford banquet tickets to the annual Hobby Industry Association dinner, Matty always saw that AMA representatives were prominently seated at VIP tables to help influence support for Academy programs. The 8‑Ball Club in its heyday of the early '60s counted Matty as a key leader. He never forgot that the original purpose of the 8‑Ball Club was to promote support for AMA. There's much more to tell about Matty Sullivan, but the list is endless with leadership activities; such as his initiation of AMA's Scholarship program.

Suffice it to say that Matty has received every model aviation award AMA and the model industry had to bestow. If there were more he would have received them. But he always gave more than he received — that was his trademark.

The last time I saw Matty was a rare and special treat. It was at the end of the 1979 Toledo RC Conference. The big event was over and practically everyone was heading home. But Matty and his wife were staying over an extra night and so was I. We had supper and a long evening of conversation together, talking mostly of Academy plans and goals, and reviewing the past.

Matty was full of praise that night for Laird "Doc" Jackson and the medical help he got from modeler friends when non‑modeler doctors couldn't solve his problems. It was a grand evening — a privilege I'll never forget. I had the feeling that Matty came to Toledo this time, despite having been seriously ill for a year, because he wanted to be with modeling friends one more time. I was lucky to have a few hours with him and his wife, alone — something almost impossible to do since he was always surrounded by people.

He's gone now, but only from the daily scene. The evidence of his having been with us is everywhere. It's in every flight of a control liner — his lines were used worldwide. So, too, in RC where Sullivan starters predominate. That's really fitting: Matty Sullivan was the greatest starter himself — a true leader. A giant among all industry friends of model aviation. Whatever AMA is today, a good part can be credited to Matty Sullivan. He made things happen.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

by the President of the ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS

EARL F. WITT 26 Warwick Drive Chambersburg, PA 17201

IN TRIBUTE TO A GREAT MAN

Matty Sullivan passed away on Friday, August 10, 1979. We have lost one of model aviation's great men! He was a vibrant man — one who had devoted much of his life to model aviation and its growth — one who leaves a void in our lives and will not soon be forgotten.

He was an alert, hard-headed businessman who expressed his interests and intentions through stories. For every story, there was a moral and for every moral, a story. One of Matty's oft-told stories was about a boy to whom he gave a free set of control lines so the boy could participate in a contest, but the boy's father wanted to pay Matty for them. Matty went into a long dissertation about the financial involvements it would cause between local dealers, middlemen, taxes, accounting, and how, in the end, it would cost Matty too much to sell the item. In fact, he told the father, it would be doing him a favor if he would take the lines as a gift!

Innovation was one of Matty's greatest assets. I remember when he had one of the best fuel pumps around but they had been discontinued; I asked him if he could dig one up for me. He said that actually, it was a windshield washer pump made for German cars and he had to discontinue them because the Germans got smart and started charging him too much.

An Irishman, with little patience for procrastinators in the industry or in modeling associations, he spearheaded many actions to promote and continue model aviation. One of the most notable was the backing of the AMA Scholarship Program, a program that came to being only because of his effective "push." During the last three months of his life, we had many conversations about continuing the scholarships and apparently, realizing the mortal nature of man, Matty talked of plans for the future of the Scholarship Program to be followed after his own death.

When I was preparing my column for the May issue of Model Aviation, which concerned the Scholarship Program, Matty said that he knew he'd been nominated for the Model Aviation Hall of Fame and, he said, that if he received it, he would be the first person to have received every award that the Academy and the Hobby Industry had ever given. At the Nationals this year, in Lincoln, we heard that Matty was in the hospital again and not expected to live. Immediately, the votes of the past presidents of AMA were checked and it was found that Matty Sullivan had been unanimously elected to the AMA Hall of Fame. A telegram was sent telling him of this decision, which he was not only able to read, but which he had framed and hung on his hospital room wall. It was a tribute from the people engaged in the activity he loved best — model aviation — and we are only glad to know that he knew of our esteem before he passed away.

WHY VOLUNTEER?

People are always asking me why so many volunteer so much time and effort for AMA operations. I've thought about it from my own personal viewpoint and I guess the real answer is because I love model aviation and the people with whom it gives me an opportunity to associate. It's a chance to work hand in hand with the outstanding model aircraft enthusiasts and officials whose personalities reflect what modeling is about more accurately than the sport itself. People such as Al Tuttle, Betty Stream, Bryant Thompson, Dick Sonheim, industry people like Joe Bridi and Johnny Brodbeck — it's a never-ending panorama of names and faces of people I am proud to call my friends.

Nominating Comm. (Cont. from pg. 74)

which was represented by proxy.

Piper called for any nominations not already in the folder, and one was added by Jim Scarborough, which was Betty Stream for Secretary-Treasurer. Piper then read the list of those nominated, stating the position and by whom they were nominated.

It was noted that all procedures herein are subject to verification and Headquarters' clearance as to veracity of nominations, that those placing nominations are properly authorized to submit them, and that those nominated are willing to be placed on the ballot.

It was moved by John Grigg, and seconded, that Chuck Foreman be appointed chairman for the remainder of the meeting, satisfying the requirement that a vice-president up for re-election may not chair the meeting. The motion passed unanimously (Foreman abstained).

Nominations as read:

• For Secretary-Treasurer — (1) John Byrne; (2) Jim McNeill; (3) Betty Stream.
• For District Vice-President — (I) Cliff Piper; (III) Dave Brown, Joe Eiben; (V) Bill Mathews; (VII) Hardy Brodersen, Geoffrey Styles; (IX) Vince Mankowski; (XI) Homer Smith.

Mr. Mankowski moved, seconded by Grigg, to place the names as read for all districts on the election ballot, subject to verification of willingness to run and authentication of qualification to nominate. The motion passed. In favor: II, III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, X, XI; abstained: I, V, IX.

Mr. Smith moved that descending ballot procedure be used to determine two people from the three nominated for Secretary-Treasurer; that the ballot be secret, folded papers, one at a time, for majority of each selected. Seconded by Mankowski, the motion passed unanimously.

The ballots were gathered by Piper, counted by tellers Foreman and Mankowski.

It was moved by Smith and seconded that if Stream is to withdraw Byrne will be placed on the ballot. Mankowski moved to amend this motion by inserting that Stream must respond by noon tomorrow of her intention to accept or decline the nomination. The motion passed, as amended, unanimously.

It was moved and seconded to adjourn at 8:58 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Cliff Piper

Subsequently, the nomination for Betty Stream was withdrawn and the name of John Byrne placed on the nomination ballot as dictated by the meeting minutes.

SECRETARY-TREASURER'S REPORT

Jim McNeill

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

With your kind permission I am going to begin this month introducing you to the important NSRCA group, the National Society of Radio Controlled Aerobatics. This special interest organization is today recognized by AMA as that one which best represents the RC aerobatics competition fliers' interests in America. Begun several years ago, the NSRCA now has its act together pretty good, and is a very well-structured group with good leadership, fine goals, and an excellent national newsletter.

At the Nats the other day I met the new NSRCA President, Mr. Jim Vanderbeck of Sturgis, Michigan, and he is presented here with his family.

Elected to serve for 1979 and 1980, he has flown free flight, control line and RC models. Jim told me the membership of the NSRCA is in excess of 425 members and growing. Currently the organization has split the country up into eight districts and has a representative on its Board of Directors from each one. These include: Ed Izzo, Reeves Lippincott, Bruce Underwood, Jerry Adkins, Don Seals, Dick Russ, Rick and Mary Horn, J. S. Bune. Sally Brown is Sec./Treas., Tony Frackowiak is official V.P.

Internationally recognized RC Pattern Master flier, Dave Brown, lined up his family to pose for you here. His lovely wife, Sally, the NSRCA Sec./Treas., and his kids, Davey, Jr. and Connie. Dave recently made the 1979 FAI team to represent the U.S.A. in international competition; also Dave is on the AMA ballot for VP status via District III.

Do the wives and families take RC flying seriously? Yes, family groups abound everywhere at contests. Wives help, assist, and fly competitively.

Here is a splendid family group preparing to enter serious flying. Husband Bob Drolen, member of the prestigious Chicagoland RC Club, with his wife, Rita. So how did Bob do? He did great. He is a good flier. And, of course his dutiful little better-half did not engage in the flying, only helped out. Do you believe that? Well, that's what you think, Buster. As soon as hubby was out of sight, Rita cleared the decks for action, got herself an assistant, as you can see here.

By the way, if you are interested in RC Pattern flying and want to join the NSRCA, send $10 to Sally Brown, 8534 Huddleston Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45236. See you next month...

AMA News

"There is no lack of appeal to Juniors in model aviation... It's the fear of being outclassed..." (John Worth)

Timely? Worth repeating? ALL OF THE ABOVE WAS FROM AN ARTICLE BY LARRY CONOVER IN AMERICAN MODELER MAGAZINE IN MAY OF 1964!

In that same issue, an article by the editor, Al Lewis, said that industry hoped to add another $25 million of volume to the previous year's record of $500 million. Present total volume in the industry would make these figures look like a down payment on a veteran's home loan.

In another 15 years, we will still be saying the same things, wringing the same hands in despair, and asking "Where are the Juniors?" unless the industry gets off dead center and supports the AMA in the "Dart II" phase of our educational program to a high degree. Dart II is a second step to the Delta Dart program, which has been highly successful in basic motivation of youth in building and flying the carefully built undercarriage (U/C) plane, as simple as the Delta Dart. Developed by Frank Ehling, it has sat on the shelf for several years, waiting to be exploited and put into the hands of the youngsters. A modest program has been planned with industry putting up some bucks, with some apprehension of the planned program and anticipated end results. What a wonderful investment it might be to industry, and to model aviation, if only a tiny part of 1% of profits were to be put into this type of promotion. What I'm saying is: "Get smart, manufacturers, dealers, distributors, and modelers."

**************

From Paul E. Terciero, of the Rhode Island Pilots of Fundamental Flying:

"The R.I.P.O.F.F. Show Team is still searching for a few new members to handle Control Line and RC flying. We are trying to find multi-faceted persons who can fill more than one spot on the team, in announcing, building, and U/C flying. The team gets a chance to meet various interests throughout New England as we demonstrate the hobby that we love. No matter where we go, we are always well-received by the crowds. The enjoyment of flying and helping the hobby at the same time is something to experience. Anyone interested in joining the team should contact: PAUL E. TERCIERO, 33 BAY ST., TIVERTON, R.I., phone: (401) 624-8870."

District II Notes (selected)

District II contestants at the Nats made their presence felt in many events. Results I have:

• Walt Throne, Syracuse, NY — 2nd Novice Helicopter
• Warren Wagner, Syracuse, NY — 2nd Intermediate Helicopter
• Andrew Blank, Verona, NJ — 3rd Senior Stunt
• Ken Puryack, Lake Parsippany, NJ — 2nd Junior Stunt
• Dan Domina, East Windsor, NJ — 1st AMA Scale; 1st Open Indoor Cabin; 2nd Indoor Paper Stick; 2nd FAI Stick
• Ralph Jackson, Endicott, NY — 2nd FAI Team Race
• John Pomroy, Islip, NY — 2nd Senior Towline
• Tony Bonetti, Emerson, NJ — 3rd Masters Pattern

When I campaigned for the VP office for District II, I promised to write about happenings and events in District II and leave the national scene to HQ and national officers. I now feel compelled to break this promise for a couple of national issues.

This is the year to elect our Secretary-Treasurer. The nominees for this important office are John Byrne, Jr., and Jim McNeill. Jim was VP of District V until January 1979 when the Council elected him, by a 6–5 vote, to fill the unexpired term vacated by Earl Witt, who was elected President. John Byrne you know as Vice President of District II from 1975 through 1978, at which time he was narrowly defeated in his bid for President by Earl Witt. Although I feel certain both men could fill the Secretary-Treasurer's job equally well, I personally am going to support John Byrne for this position because of his clear thinking, forward-moving attitude in matters pertaining to actions taken at Council meetings. His open-minded attentiveness to detail and his legal background can only be a fine addition to the Council. I earnestly solicit your vote for John in the upcoming elections. Remember, you can send your ballot in without your AMA renewal — please VOTE.

The next national issue is the magazine you are now reading. For two consecutive Council meetings I have, at the insistence of the District II clubs, voted against retaining this magazine as part of the dues package, and against expanding the size and advertising percentage. I will continue to do so as long as that is the majority will of this district. However, I will bring into this issue what I consider to be some very important arguments. This magazine is the only one in the industry which covers ALL facets of model aircraft, leaving cars and boats out of coverage. I like that. This magazine, if turned free to expand in size and increase advertising percentage, could return a profit which could in turn reduce a dues increase for many years to come. These possibilities cost only $8.00 of your annual dues money compared to $15 to $25 for subscriptions to other model aircraft magazines. But please note that a little more than $8.00 of your dues is assigned to the magazine. About one-third additional per member goes to cover the cost of magazines provided to free members, such as Contest Directors.

I say that ain't bad. Regardless of the $8.00, regardless of the additional small subtraction from your dues, regardless of what I personally consider excess use of color, this is still one hell of a good magazine, and well worth the value. My vote at Council meetings will still support your views, not my own. If you feel as I do, or if you don't, let me know before November 1, so I will have your guidance at our next Council meeting.

October 20 and 21 will find the Richmond Model Flying Club of Staten Island presenting its 1979 Model Exposition at the Staten Island Mall. They will be honoring Colonel George A. Vaughn, Jr., America's second-ranking WWI air ace. Now 82, and a Staten Island resident for 56 years, Colonel Vaughn has been awarded the British Flying Cross and the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross. He is officially credited with destroying 10 enemy planes and three balloons while piloting a British S.E.5 and, later, a Sopwith Camel.

Five other area clubs will join the Richmond MFC for the exposition, which will exhibit RC model aircraft, racing cars, scale plastic models, antique trains, ship models, and demonstrations of various facets of model building. Why not spend a few hours if you are nearby and visit the Expo? Sounds as if it will be a great show.

I'll be with the Trans-Am Race for the first three legs (approx. 2 weeks). I do want to visit with you and your club, and try to answer your questions or help you with AMA-related problems. I may not be able to get to your next club meeting, but if you request a visit, I'll try to fit it in.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN DISTRICT IV?

#### District Meeting Don't forget the District IV meeting October 13–14. Lots of things planned, and this is your chance to meet the AMA and District officers. For more information contact Howard Crispin, 611 Beechwood Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22901, or John Preston, 7012 Elvira Court, Falls Church, VA 22042.

#### Maxecutors I am receiving the Max Fax, the newsletter of the D.C. Maxecutors Club, and this club is somewhat different from most since their interests are greatly varied. From their newsletter:

"As for who are the Maxecutors: Well, originally, a group of free flighters from the Washington, D.C. area that have included some real stars in the past, i.e., Bill Biggee, Dan Belieff, John Strong, John Sins, etc. Over the last 7 or so years the club has slowly changed its interests with the addition of new members, etc., to the point where the D.C. Maxecutors are now one of the more active free flight scale clubs around. Not to say that they don't fly RC and build plastic models, 'cause they do. It's just that they love free flight scale."

If you are interested in a good club that does a lot of everything, contact Allen Schanzle, club President, 8311 Exodus Dr., Gaithersburg, MD 20876, or Pat Daily, newsletter editor, 14908 Rocking Spring Dr., Rockville, MD 20853.

#### District Winners at the Nats

• 1st Junior A-1 Towline — Chuck Trostle, age 11, Upper Marlboro, MD (his first Nats)
• Don Srull, McLean, VA — 2nd in both AMA and Peanut Scale; 1st in AMA Rubber Scale
• 3rd Indoor Open Stick — Dan Belieff, Sykesville, MD

#### Delaware RC Club I see from your newsletter that on August 6 your club discussed the AMA magazine. I wish you had let me know ahead of time so that I could have been there and entered into your discussions. Please let me know what the results were. Maybe Scottie Moyer can pass the info on to me, as he is the AVP in your area.

#### Jim Thrift Fun Fly Don't forget the Jim Thrift Memorial Fun Fly in Winston-Salem, NC, on October 6–7. I will be there and hope to see most of the modelers from North Carolina.

#### MASH Club From the MASH newsletter, it seems the club is going all out to raise money for the MDA and Trans-Am event. They listed a schedule of events for their MDA show and it sounds real good.

Well, that's all for this month and I'm off for the Trans-Am shortly. Hope to see you as the team progresses through District IV.

V

DISTRICT REPORT — V

Bill Mathews

District V Vice President 311 Poinciana Drive Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 879-5550

Associate Vice-Presidents:

• John Gordon, 631 Queen Circle, Jackson, MS 39209
• Jerome Hall, 4326 Baywood Dr., Huntsville, AL 35805
• Richard Jackson, 108 Thornlee St., Charleston Hgts., SC 29405
• Arthur Johnson, 932 Banyan Dr., Delray Beach, FL 33444
• Phillip McDowell, 6521 Rolling Fork Dr., Nashville, TN 37205
• Joseph Micalizzi, RR 00668, Box 1532, Fairfield, PR 00648
• Ed Morehouse, P.O. Box 16813, Eglin AFB, FL 32542
• Tom Thacker, 2390C Lawrenceville Hwy., Decatur, GA 30033

In the race for publicity it would appear that the World Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest came out ahead of the Nats. At least that is the word from more than one modeler in this District. Model airplanes apparently aren't one of the recognized "sports" or enough of a novelty to attract much attention.

In Puerto Rico, however, there was radio, television and newspaper coverage of the Puerto Rican Nats. Planning is already underway for the next Island Nats. If your wife has ever seemed too anxious to attend a model airplane contest, suggest that she accompany you to the 1980 Puerto Rican Nats!

While about 790 contestants were at the Nats, only 49 of those were from District V, and that includes five Seniors and six Juniors (which means only 38 Open members attended). What we didn't have in quantity we sure had in quality — District V contestants took away an unbelievable number of trophies. For example, of 12 national Free Flight records set at the Nats, four were set by free fliers from District V! Bill Jenkins set two of those, and Charles Carney and Peter Brown set the other two. Standing beside Bill is his daughter, Mary Jenkins, who won first place in Junior Hand-Launch Glider (she competed against 12 other Juniors).

I don't have space enough to list all of the District V winners, but I would like to mention Kyle Mathis, the only junior from District V to compete in any Control Line event. Kyle won 5th place in Slow Combat.

Speaking of the Nats and contests, I would like to see some kind of competition for newsletters, and possibly for club scrapbooks. Winning entries from each district could be forwarded to the Nats for judging and all entries placed on display. In this way, all modelers, whether contest flyers or not, would have an opportunity to participate in some way in the Nats. We need some way to make the Nats meaningful to everyone. With a lot of thought and some effort, we might even come up with a format that would give the Nats more spectator appeal than it has now. How about letting me know your ideas?

Many people are letting me know their ideas on many different subjects. In fact, so many people have written lately I'm woefully behind in my correspondence. But keep sending those letters; I try to circulate the more promising ideas among the District V AVPs (who are also a good source of ideas).

Lest we forget that model airplanes provide fun and enjoyment to our lives, take a look at these pictures taken at the Gold Coast RC Scale Jamboree in April of this year. The first shows some of the action and a few of the many Scale planes present.

DISTRICT REPORT — VI

Illinois • Indiana • Kentucky • Missouri

Horace Cain

District VI Vice-President 525 Weidner Road Buffalo Grove, IL 60090

Associate Vice-Presidents:

• Chuck Doleac, 7203A Twin Oaks Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46226
• Roger Goehr, RR 5, Quincy, IL 62301
• Frank Hughes, 207 NE 4th St., Kansas City, MO 64116
• Glenn Loe, 819 Mandrake, Batavia, IL 60510
• Helen Owens, 820 Old Bonhomme Rd., University City, MO 63132
• Jim Sears, PO Box 308, Burgin, KY 40310
• Bob Underwood, 4109 Concord Oaks Dr., St. Louis, MO 63128

There seems to be unlimited activity within AMA and District VI this year. Since to cover it all would take a book, I'll just list most and hit a few points briefly.

District VI is fortunate to have a number of famous modelers. Here is a short profile of a personality well-known among those who have had any contact in Free Flight.

This gentleman is Mr. Carl Fries of Crestwood, MO. Carl has been a Free Flight leader for years. He held the national record for twin pushers in 1931. Since 1927 Carl has been an active competitor, club worker, and administrator.

Carl and the late Dick Black co-founded the National Free Flight Society (NFFS). The NFFS is the accepted voice of Free Flight and is one of the most motivated and best organized special interest groups I can think of. Carl is a member of the Free Flight Hall of Fame. Retired from Monsanto Co., Carl is a professional gardener and specializes in rose culture.

Point to Ponder

From the Tri-Valley RC Club newsletter, South Bend, IN (out of context and in reference to an engine quitting in flight): "Another thing you might try is a little Preparation H on the fuel lines... Reduce swelling causing smaller lines... Change the fuel flow." Whatever works!

Things to Do

• Oct. 7: Mundelein, IL — Skylarks RC Pylon Races. Formula 500 and Sport.
• Oct. 14: Rockford, IL — Rock Valley RC Club Sport Pylon.
• Oct. 21: Vincennes, IN — Tri-County Aero Club Free Flight Meet.
• Oct. 27–28: Chicagoland RC Assoc. Trade Show, Wheaton, IL.

Newsletters

• Albert Kretz, "Pekin RC Club Newsletter," reports a big interest in converting CL profile kits to RC and going for RC Combat.
• Palos RC Club, Palos Park, IL, "Crash Chronicle," reports a membership of 161 members — possibly District VI's largest club.

Nats

Three days at the Nats were quickly gone. Lincoln was a fine place and I saw some super flying, and some not-so-super. That indicates new blood and that's good.

The Nats Council meeting wasn't much, but several members had worked long hours directing events and in temporary office conditions. Next Council meeting is in Washington, D.C., November 9–10.

AMA will ask FAI for two World Championship contests within District VI: Indoor, 1980, West Baden, IN, and Control Line, 1982, Chicagoland.

Leader members will soon receive a ballot for some by-laws changes. Do vote.

Wouldn't it be nice if the By-Laws Committee gave AMA members a Bill-of-Rights? How about:

• Right to be informed
• Right to redress
• Right to referendum
• Right to service
• Right to choice
• Right to safety

Don't hold your breath for that one.

State Championships

A new program with Leo Dickey has been started. Initial information to clubs will appear in November and a package in Feb.–Mar. 1980 will spell it out. Briefly, District VI clubs will qualify teams through State RC Fun Fly Championships, and then go to a District Championship in Indianapolis in Sept. 1980. Any club interested in hosting a State Champs, please contact me.

Finally, by Executive Order, no longer can any District VI member go win CL Navy Carrier at the Nats, and then proceed to be top man at a Pylon Race where I'm flying. Pete Mazur, that ain't fair, so you better whistle on that prop! Next time!!!

So, for now — fly friendly skies. See y'all.

DISTRICT REPORT — VII

Iowa • Michigan • Minnesota • Wisconsin

Kenneth F. Morris

District VII Vice-President 1023 Iowa Avenue Muscatine, IA 52761

Associate Vice-Presidents:

• James C. Vitti, 4444 Woodlawn Dr., NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
• (Other Associate Vice-Presidents listed in the magazine)

Congratulations to all District VII Nats winners; there were many. I hope you had a good time and enjoyed the Nats. If you didn't get to Lincoln, you missed a fine Nationals. Thanks also to those from District VII who worked voluntarily to make it a success. Two of these I know worked very hard all week: Debi Imhoff in all Combat events, and Larry Pulis in Soaring. If I missed you and didn't get to say hello, I'm sorry.

The Executive Council met on Wednesday evening at the Nats. During this meeting many items were discussed and many were not resolved. The highlights are as follows:

• An offer to host the 1980 Indoor World Championships will be extended to FAI, as will an offer to host the 1982 Control Line World Championships in Chicago.
• Changes to the AMA by-laws will be voted on by all Leader members. This is an important change and deserves your attention.
• The next Council meeting will be in Washington, D.C., November 9–10.
• The Nominating Committee met prior to the Council meeting. Full minutes of this meeting appear elsewhere in the magazine.

AMA News — Miscellaneous Notices

GONE BUT STILL WITH US — MATTY SULLIVAN (Condensed tribute: see full tributes above.)

AMA'S THIRD CL POSTAL CONTEST

It's being flown right now — until the end of November. Complete rules were in the last issue. There are two events now: one for plastic ready-builts, and the other for built-up models. For a full set of rules, send an SASE to Ed Whitten.

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