Edition: Model Aviation - 1980/03
Page Numbers: 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

AMA News

AMA Effort Continues for More RC Frequencies

AMA's Frequency Committee met at AMA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., December 11–12, 1979, to develop supplementary technical data requested by the FCC in support of AMA's 1978 petition for additional RC frequencies. This meeting followed an earlier November discussion between AMA and FCC officials and was the first time the entire Frequency Committee met in person (business is normally conducted by mail). The AMA Executive Council authorized travel and lodging reimbursement so the effort could be expedited.

Outcomes and next steps:

  • The committee agreed on the technical background and many details of the final presentation.
  • The committee met with FCC officials on the morning of December 12; the data were favorably received.
  • Mid-January: the finished AMA data were scheduled for delivery to the FCC.
  • The FCC is expected to circulate the proposal internally and likely publish it for public comment in spring 1980.
  • If public comments do not require major changes, new RC frequencies could become available by the end of 1980 or early 1981.

The AMA proposal is the most comprehensive to date. It recommends one group of frequencies for model aircraft only and another group for cars, boats and other terrestrial models, based on narrow-band FM (NBFM) in the 72 MHz band. AMA coordinated with the Hobby Industry Association (HIA), RC manufacturers, and car/boat organizations (NAMBA, IMPBA, AMYA, ROAR, etc.) in preparing the proposal.

FCC Radio Frequencies

According to technical data supplied by the RC industry, the FCC is considering a plan that would provide:

  • 48 model aircraft–only radio frequencies (NBFM), and
  • 30 channels suggested for cars and boats.

Comments received from members (Ike Kerschner and Clay Freinwald) note growing problems with 6-meter band repeaters; one suggestion has been to move RC operations to 50–51.5 MHz where repeaters are less of an issue.

FAI

A U.S. representative attended the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) aeromodelling committee (CIAM) meeting in Paris, November 29–30, with representatives from 28 countries. Highlights and upcoming international events include:

  • World Championships, Indoor Models: West Baden, IN — June 20–24.
  • World Championships, Space Models (rockets): Lakehurst, NJ — September 7–12.
  • Open international Free Flight events:
  • F1A, F1B, F1C — second weekend in February, Taft, CA.
  • Fourth Sierra Cup (F1A, F1B, F1C) — October 18–19, Sacramento, CA.
  • Scale World Championships: Ottawa, Canada — July 19–26.

A full report of CIAM items affecting aeromodelling will be published in Model Aviation.

Membership Over 40,000

Year-end 1980 membership renewal proceeded ahead of 1979. Key figures:

  • Over 20,000 renewals received by Thanksgiving; renewals arriving at roughly 4,500–5,000 per week during the period.
  • Senior Citizen membership category (65 and over) — almost 800 by mid-December.
  • Teenage members (Seniors, ages 15–19) — 2,372 by mid-December (about one-third paid extra for the magazine).
  • Juniors (up to 15 years old) — 1,526 members (almost 300 paid extra for the magazine).
  • Total 1980 membership at year-end was running about 5–6% higher than 1979, near the record 1978 figures.

Former AMA President Ken Held — Hospitalized

Ken Held (AMA No. 7), of Livonia, MI — AMA president 1953–1956 — was hospitalized at St. Joseph's Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, being treated for leukemia; prognosis reported as good. Ken has remained active in AMA affairs after his presidency and is reportedly chipper and anxious to hear from friends.

Mail may be sent to:

  • St. Joseph's Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI
  • Or to Ken Held, 16693 Bell Creek Lane, Livonia, MI 48154

Special Interest Group Recognition

The AMA Executive Council approved, for publication and comment, minimum requirements for AMA recognition of special interest groups (SIGs) as advisors to AMA rules and policy-making bodies. The Council believes SIGs benefit the organization by contributing accepted competition rules and other specialty-specific input.

Minimum requirements for recognition:

  1. Require continuing AMA membership of each U.S. citizen member of the SIG.
  2. Maintain a working set of bylaws approved and accepted by its members.
  3. Elect officers at least biannually by ballot of its members.
  4. Require annual membership renewal through dues payment.
  5. Maintain current membership lists and deliver one copy annually (no later than July 1) to the AMA Executive Director for membership confirmation.

The Council requested publication in Model Aviation for comments. SIGs are asked to forward comments to AMA HQ for copying and distribution to council members.

1979 Mail Ballot — Proposed By-Laws Revision — Results

Proposals:

  • Proposal 1: Regarding NAA representation on the AMA Executive Council.
  • Proposal 2: Regarding no proxy voting on the AMA Executive Council.

Totals by proposal:

  • Proposal 1 — FOR: 1,054; AGAINST: 101.
  • Proposal 2 — FOR: 1,002; AGAINST: 136.

District-by-district results (For / Against)

  • District 1: For1 55 / Against1 11; For2 49 / Against2 1
  • District 2: For1 83 / Against1 20; For2 87 / Against2 16
  • District 3: For1 115 / Against1 7; For2 106 / Against2 16
  • District 4: For1 74 / Against1 6; For2 77 / Against2 3
  • District 5: For1 96 / Against1 9; For2 96 / Against2 9
  • District 6: For1 102 / Against1 8; For2 95 / Against2 15
  • District 7: For1 94 / Against1 5; For2 89 / Against2 10
  • District 8: For1 93 / Against1 9; For2 78 / Against2 24
  • District 9: For1 48 / Against1 6; For2 49 / Against2 5
  • District 10: For1 156 / Against1 13; For2 147 / Against2 21
  • District 11: For1 52 / Against1 3; For2 49 / Against2 6
  • Unknown: For1 86 / Against1 4; For2 80 / Against2 10

Secretary-Treasurer's Report

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

This report highlights Kip Smythe’s membership department at AMA Headquarters and how dues dollars are spent.

Key staff and roles:

  • Norma Curlings — handles AMA chartered clubs: issues club and insurance certificates, assigns club numbers, maintains records. Over 1,300 chartered clubs nationwide. Off duty, she enjoys flying in real airplanes.
  • Gloria Cook — assists Norma with club certificates and maintains files on club officers.
  • Mike — sorts checks, assists with bulk mail, and helps where needed. Age 22; lives in Washington, D.C., and is in his fourth year at the University of Maryland.
  • Andrea Peterson — handles membership calls and correspondence; answers or routes complaints. Active in church work and community.
  • Janet Clifton — processes worksheets and bank deposits; handles Contest Director and Leader member processing. With AMA two years.
  • Linda Brown — cheerful receptionist and first point of contact at AMA Headquarters (note: position assignments may change).

Kip Smythe leads an efficient department; AMA is proud of their work.

The First Membership Survey

The membership survey published in the January issue of Model Aviation is receiving a strong response. Survey answers are arriving by mail, and Ron Morgan developed a computer program to tabulate responses; the program’s completed portion permits totaling of the entries (humorously noted as a “Barbie doll” by the programmer’s wife due to many accessory fields).

Members may send completed forms individually or in a club bundle. Forms are available on request.

District Reports and Notes

District I

  • The AMA film on Scale, and other films like Those Marvelous Miniatures, are available for club showings and outreach. Clubs are encouraged to schedule fast UPS turnarounds so other groups are not kept waiting.
  • District I Expo planning is under way, modeled on last year’s successful show with flying demos, displays, manufacturer participation and youth activities. The South Shore RC Club and nearby clubs are supporting the effort.
  • A new committee studying field procurement has been formed; members are asked to report successes or failures in maintaining flying sites to aid AMA’s overall efforts.
  • New Year’s priorities: more coverage to clubs and groups in Control Line (CL), Free Flight (FF), and Indoor; more pictures (black-and-white 4x5 preferred); continued individual response to field procurement and club problems.

Off the Soapbox — Safety Reminder

A recent December incident underscores the need for constant safety vigilance:

  • Check RC gear before flying and after hard landings.
  • Fly only in safe areas with pits and spectators well behind flight lines.
  • If a club member flies unsafely, intervene — even ground the pilot if necessary — to prevent a worse outcome.
  • Incidents may affect insurance and clubs’ ability to obtain or retain flying fields. Learn from others’ mistakes to avoid similar consequences.

AVP Reports (selected)

From Hank Smith, AVP Central NY:

  • Syracuse ARCS at Tully Field held a Pattern meet using Quickie 500s with .40 engines and classes Pre-Novice, Advanced and Expert. With identical inexpensive airplanes, skill determined outcomes; judging was relaxed and fair. Good low-pressure introduction to competition.

From Hank Likes, AVP Southern NJ:

  • South Jersey clubs presented many air shows, flight demonstrations and mall displays, increasing membership and local recognition.
  • A large event at McGuire AFB for Armed Forces Day drew about 280,000 attendees; ALFA SQUADRON participated.

District II (continued)

  • Clubs report that air shows are often more gratifying and satisfying than contests. South Jersey will host multiple indoor events this winter, including at Navy Lakehurst, with participation from The Ocean County Modelers, Crossing Free Flight Group, and the Delaware Valley Federation of Model Clubs of Pennsylvania.

Closing

That's all for this month. Thermals!

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