Edition: Model Aviation - 1981/03
Page Numbers: 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83
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AMA News

AMA Buys Property for Future Home

December 10, 1980, was a historic date for the Academy of Model Aeronautics. For over 40 years—ever since the organization was established in 1936—AMA has occupied loaned or rented quarters in downtown Washington, D.C. Very soon, however—probably in early 1983—the AMA Headquarters staff will move into a permanent location in Reston, Virginia. The site is expected to include a membership/hospitality center, library, and museum.

  • AMA now owns 1.6 acres of prime property about 17 miles west-northwest of downtown Washington, D.C., and about five miles east of Dulles International Airport. The property was purchased outright on December 10 for cash from surplus funds accumulated over the past two years.
  • The purchase was driven by rapidly rising rent. At the expiration of AMA's current five-year lease (February 1981), rent would almost double—from about $32,000 per year to about $60,000 plus an inflation factor (up to 10% additional per year). At a 10% annual increase, rent could exceed $100,000 per year within five years.
  • A long-range planning study initiated in 1978 recommended buying property when economically feasible. Strong membership growth in 1979–1980 supplied the additional income needed to search seriously for property.

Vince Mankowski, AMA’s new Assistant Executive Director (formerly District IX Vice‑President), joined Headquarters in mid-1980 and was given two tasks: find temporary quarters for when the lease expired and find property to buy. After an extensive search of the greater D.C. area, he arranged the Virginia purchase and negotiated a temporary two-year lease renewal for the existing D.C. Headquarters.

The plan is to initiate a building fund drive to finance construction on the Reston property within two years so Headquarters can move when the lease expires. Industrial Revenue Bonds have been arranged to enable borrowing at favorable rates, but the goal is to minimize borrowing by raising funds through the building drive. The proposed building will be about twice the size needed for operations over the next five years, with excess space to be subleased to offset operating costs. AMA hopes other organizations in the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) family—perhaps even the NAA itself—might become tenants, creating a national sport-aviation center atmosphere (parachuting, soaring, hang gliding, etc.).

This bold venture had unanimous backing from the AMA Executive Council. The economic payoff may not be immediate, but the purchase reflects AMA’s 44-year history and a commitment to future growth. Projections cited suggest membership could surpass 100,000 within a few years (about 75,000 now) and possibly reach 200,000 in another 20 years.

Magazine — Only That

  • Adult AMA members who have paid dues can add the magazine by sending $4 to AMA with the instruction “Add magazine.” For 1981 the $4 must be received by February 15.
  • The magazine offers 28 pages a month (10 months) — effectively 40¢ per issue. The $4 member price is possible because basic dues already include $4 for the AMA newsletter; by adding $4 members receive the magazine instead of the newsletter.
  • Comparisons: nonmembers pay $16 for a 12-month subscription, $18 to buy 12 issues at a hobby shop, and the single-copy price is $1.50.

1981 Memberships Continue Previous Boom

  • 1980 was AMA’s largest membership year to date, with over 76,000 registered before the books closed September 30.
  • Membership growth continued through December; over 50,000 had signed up as 1981 members by year-end compared with the same time a year earlier.
  • About 95% of members are opting for the magazine, indicating wide acceptance of the bargain.

World Championships for U.S. in 1981

At the FAI‑CIAM December meeting in Paris, AMA’s proposal to host the 1981 RC Soaring World Championships was accepted.

  • Coordinator: Don Anthony (Dublin, CA), working with the South Bay Soaring Society and other area clubs.
  • Proposed dates and schedule (East Bay–Sacramento area):
  • July 12 — Arrival, first night of official lodging
  • July 13 — Practice / processing
  • July 14–17 — Competition (banquet on the 17th)
  • July 18 — Departure after breakfast
  • A survey at the Paris meeting indicated 19 countries planned to send teams.
  • Final flying site had not been selected at the time of this report.

Radio Control Aerobatics and World Championships

  • FAI/CIAM approved the RC Aerobatics World Championships for Guadalajara, Mexico. Scheduled: October 7–11, 1981.
  • Ron Chidgey (USA) was elected chairman of the FAI RC Aerobatics Rules Committee.
  • Travis McGinnis (USA) was selected as a judge for the World Aerobatics Championships.
  • For information on the Guadalajara event, contact:
  • Mr. Jose Luis Ramirez B., President, Federacion Mexicana De Los Deportes Aereos, A.C., Puerta No. 9, Magdalena Mixhuca, Mexico 8, D.F.

Correction

In last month’s issue (page 75), an article about the Air Capitol Eagles (AMA show team) and their participation in a show for the 14th Annual National Correctional Recreation Conference in Wichita, KS, last September contained outdated information. Keith Penner has been the leader of the Air Capitol Eagles for the past year. We regret the error.

Secretary‑Treasurer's Report

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

Letters and responses:

  • Bill Colish (Harrison, NY) asked why Competition News and the Calendar of Events aren't included in AMA News. Historically, Competition News cost extra and was taken mainly by competition-oriented modelers. Model Aviation Magazine now includes contest material; for $4 (versus the old $3 for Competition News) members receive the entire magazine. Less than 10% of members are not taking Model Aviation (including family, juniors, and seniors).
  • John Bushman (Lincoln Park, NJ) suggested hosting a Nats on the East Coast (New York, Connecticut, Delaware, or Lakehurst). AMA replied that the major obstacle is finding a suitable large field.
  • John Arbogast (Hamilton, OH) inquired about locating Benson of Benson Hobby Co. (Tucson, AZ) for repairs. No definitive help was available in this report.
  • Earnest DeBardeleben (Orlando, FL) asked about old flying fields in Birmingham: Messer’s Field is now residential; a freeway goes through Roberts Field; the old hangar remains but little else. Dolphus Spivey bought Lanier RC Products in Atlanta and is doing well. DeBardeleben and his sons should have received election ballots; a runoff ballot would be forthcoming.

FAI and team funding:

  • $1.00 of each adult Open member’s AMA dues is set aside for FAI business. These funds help send U.S. teams to World Championships and representatives to FAI meetings.
  • 1980 team support examples:
  • $20,209 to send 18 Control Line team members to Warsaw, Poland. Results: first in Aerobatics, third in Speed, fourth in Combat, and fifth in Team Race.
  • $3,686 to send a Scale team to Canada — they won FIRST.
  • $2,860.02 to field a Free‑Flight Indoor team to West Baden, IN — the team placed first.
  • AMA financials are available to members; if you have questions about dues usage, contact AMA Headquarters or Jim McNeill.

Minutes (continued)

XIX. Special Film / Life Membership

  • Background: An agreement had AMA paying $1,000 for 2,000 feet of 1976 Nats film; $500 had been paid. The owner requested the balance be applied as the purchase of a life membership (life membership price: $1,000).
  • Motion: Pay the owed portion ($500) for the film transaction; advise the gentleman that a life membership may be purchased in the customary manner for $1,000. Motion passed: 12 for; 1 abstained (X).

Rescind motion attempt:

  • A motion was moved and seconded to rescind motion 7 of the May Council meeting (optional vs. mandatory magazine). The vote on the motion was by secret ballot per an amendment.
  • Amendment (motion 16): That the vote be conducted by secret ballot. The amendment passed: 7 for; 6 against (X, II, Pres., I, VI, III). The President appointed Betty Stream and Dick Sonheim as tellers. Report: the motion to rescind the optional magazine choice failed by one vote.

XX. National Free Flight Society (NFFS) Involvement in Nats Planning

  • H. Brodersen, NFFS Executive Director, requested permission to make specific recommendations at upcoming Executive Council and Nats Executive Committee meetings for the 1981 Nats.
  • The President directed the AMA Executive Director to invite the NFFS and representatives of other special interest groups to the next Nats planning meeting.

XXI. Awards

  • (No specific detail in this excerpt.)

XXII. 1981 Smithsonian Project

  • At H. Brodersen’s request, the President directed the Executive Director to assess the Smithsonian venture (several prominent AMA members invited to give speeches on model aviation), identify costs, and report at the next Council meeting so the Council may decide on Academy funding.

XXIII. Next Meeting

  • Motion and seconded to hold the next Executive Council meeting in Washington, D.C., Saturday, November 15, with an FAI briefing Sunday morning 9 a.m.–12 noon. Motion passed: 12 for; 1 abstained (I).
  • By consensus the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

III District Report

Dave Brown District III Vice‑President 8534 Huddleston Street Cincinnati, OH 45236

Associate Vice‑Presidents:

  • Joe Eiben, 36890 Valley Forge Dr., Solon, OH 44139
  • Frank Fehnert, 504 21st St., Vienna, WV 26101
  • Corky Heintzman, SR 100 North, Hooker, OH 45827
  • Laird Jackson, 1025 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107
  • Eugene Shelkey, 271 Euclid Ave., Scottdale, PA 15683

Notes:

  • District elections were ongoing and may require run-offs. The author expects to begin accomplishing district goals once elections conclude.
  • Recent visits to Charleston and Parkersburg, WV, included banquets and meetings; activities included slide shows (Modeling’s Grand Illusions) and a club history slide presentation.
  • Joe Eiben reports strong interest in quarter-scale pylon racing (33 people) and continuing RC and FF activity in Cleveland; Control Line activity is regaining strength.
  • Volunteer request: someone with an interest in RC and a computer to process FCC license allocation lists (72 MHz frequencies) into useful local-frequency/ transmitter reports. Clubs could then request printouts for their area.
  • A new District III events calendar is being started for mall shows, swap meets, and similar events.

District III calendar highlights:

  • February 15 — Butler, PA: RC auction, Butler County Community College Convocation Center. Contact: Harry Seth, 205 Metzger Ave., Butler, PA 16001.
  • March 13–15 — Cleveland, OH: National Airplane Show, Randall Park Mall. Contact: Joe Eiben, 36890 Valley Forge Dr., Solon, OH 44139.

IV District Report

Chuck Foreman District IV Vice‑President 607 Pohtie Drive Mechanicsville, VA 23111

Associate Vice‑Presidents:

  • Wayne Abernathy, 9205 Carndon 3, Upper Marlboro, MD 20720
  • Bob Champion, 205 Tipton Rd., Newport News, VA 23606
  • Howard Crispin, 611 Beechwood, Charlottesville, VA 22901
  • G. Bill Downs, 2000 Tyvola Road, Charlotte, NC 28210
  • Scotty Moyer, 11 Orchard Lane, Wilmington, DE 19809
  • John Preston, 7012 Enviro Court, Falls Church, VA 22042
  • Charles Spear, 910 Holly Lane, Mocksville, NC 27028

Notes:

  • Fall weather has kept modeling activity high into the season. AMA elections may require run-offs.
  • 1981 will be a big year: kick-off of the building fund campaign for the Reston HQ and expected membership growth (82–83 thousand).
  • AMA operations and bylaws may see changes; expect new public relations and flying site programs. Geoff Styles, the new flying site representative, is working with national electrical power companies on flying-site procurement programs.
  • Members are urged to stay informed through the magazine and local officers and to take an interest in AMA business.

Solo Flight Certificate:

  • AMA offers an attractive solo flight certificate mounted on a finished wood plaque for $1.00. Proceeds go to the building fund. Contact Larry Bolich at AMA Headquarters.

What's happening in District IV:

  • Aeromasters (Fredericksburg): partnering with Parks & Recreation to teach RC modeling classes.
  • Woodbridge RC Club: newsletter running a layman’s series “How your radio works.”
  • Roanoke Valley RC: Third annual winter auction — Saturday, February 21, 1981, at Vinton Recreation Center; auction begins 4:30 p.m.
  • Norfolk Aeromodellers: club meeting January 28 at Lafayette Library, 1610 Cromwell Road, Norfolk, VA.
  • D.C. Maxecutors: Seventh Annual Capital Indoor Scale Contest — March 14, 1981, at Andrews AFB Navy Reserve Hangar. Contact: Contest Director A. Schanzle, (301) 840‑9883.
  • Central Virginia RC Club (Lynchburg) participated in the Annual Lynchburg Air Show.
  • Warning: Wiley Manufacturing Co., PO Box 97, Port Deposit, MD, applied for a radio license on 72.2400.

District V Report

Bill Mathews District V Vice‑President 2712 SW 24th St., Apt. 8 Gainesville, FL 32608

Associate Vice‑Presidents:

  • John Godfrey, 115 Bayberry Lane, Jackson, MS 39212
  • Richard Jackson, 108 Thornlee, Charleston Heights, SC 29405
  • Arthur Johnson, 932 Banyan Dr., Delray Beach, FL 33444
  • Philip McDowell, 6521 Rolling Fork Dr., Nashville, TN 37205
  • Joseph Miccatalizzi, S.R. 00660, Box 1522, Aguada, PR 00603
  • Ed Morrison, 70 Fifth St., Shalimar, FL 32579
  • Harry Sherman, PO Box 4506, Birmingham, AL 35206
  • Tom Thacker, 2300C Lawrenceville Hwy., Decatur, GA 30033

Notes:

  • Evictions can destroy a club or lead to new opportunities. Martin County Modelers (Stuart, FL) were evicted a year ago but successfully obtained a tract of land in Hobe Sound, FL through county assistance.
  • The second Puerto Rico Nats was successful; highlights:
  • Pro‑Novice: Miguel Caro (age 12), Borinquen club
  • CL Mammoth: Freddie Samboline
  • Scale: Louis Rodriguez
  • Advanced Pattern: Richard Ryan (Navy)
  • Novice: Francisco Estrada (Caguas Club)
  • Pattern: Marins Arends (Aruba)
  • Borinquen club won the Rotary Trophy
  • Chattanooga RC Club’s mall static show drew large crowds and led to further invitations. Perimeter Mall (Atlanta) hosted a club show featuring an RC robot that raised funds for Muscular Dystrophy.
  • Control Line remains strong in Atlanta, Valdosta, Nashville, Jacksonville, and St. Petersburg.
  • Notable contributors in CL youth training include Carl Hackworth (Valdosta Boys Club) and the Prop Busters team.
  • Next month: SLAM! and South Georgia Flying Circus.

VIII District Report

Ted White District VIII Vice‑President 1109 Greendale Bedford, TX 76021

Associate Vice‑Presidents:

  • Bill Rudd, 5512 Southwood, Little Rock, AR 72205
  • William Hurley III, 927 Commerce, Pleasanton, TX 78066
  • Don Parsons, 11809 Palmer NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111
  • Ed Perez, 1102 W. Tarrant Rd., Grand Prairie, TX 75050
  • Al Bane, 1904 Valley Oak Ct., Irving, TX 75061
  • Ed Shearer, 3416 David Dr., Metairie, LA 70003

Notes:

  • Ted White expresses appreciation for support in the recent campaign and looks forward to serving.
  • 1981 Nationals are to be held in San Antonio, TX (August 2–9, 1981). Volunteers encouraged.
  • Other district events to watch: Southwest Modelers Show (Dallas), Albuquerque fun fly (last weekend of October), and possibly Mineral Wells for the area’s Scale Masters qualification meet.
  • District VIII asks clubs to provide event notices in advance due to publication requirements.

IX District Report

Travis McGinnis District IX Vice‑President 8027 W. 81st Circle Arvada, CO 80005

Associate Vice‑Presidents:

  • Charles Brannon, 2220 Mariposa Blvd., Casper, WY 82601
  • Dr. Cox, 8209 Linden Dr., Prairie Village, KS 66208
  • Dick Crowley, 16413 E. Stanford Pl., Aurora, CO 80015
  • Glen Lau, 3701 S. 44th St., Lincoln, NE 68506
  • Tim Mattern, 529 Dogwood, Grafton, ND 58237
  • Jim Ricketts, 516 S. Cloud St., Sioux Falls, SD 57103

Notes:

  • Three new Associate Vice‑Presidents were appointed: Tim Mattern (North Dakota), Dr. Glen Lau (Nebraska), and Dick Crowley (Colorado).
  • The Arvada Associated Modelers will host their Fourth Annual Peanut Scale Memorial Meet on February 21 (details in the contest calendar).
  • Travis McGinnis was re-elected as District IX Vice‑President and thanks those who voted.
  • From Tucson: the Cholla Choppers helped the city create Silverbell Park with CL flying circles and a boat pond.
  • Film Those Marvelous Miniatures was sent to Guam to support a modeling training program; it inspired new interest in RC.
  • Readers are asked to submit black-and-white photos for inclusion.
  • The AMA booth is available for club mall shows or exhibitions at no charge—contact Travis to schedule.
  • Toots ’n’ Tunes show highlights:
  • The Sky-nauts of Saddleback Valley produced a successful airshow and footrace.
  • A remarkable 1/20‑scale model of the Spruce Goose (16‑ft wingspan, 82 lb flying weight, eight K&B .61 engines) was displayed; its one brief water flight was recorded on video.
  • Larry Jolly flew a 1/2‑scale Heath Parasol using an eight‑hp Tecumseh lawnmower engine.
  • Wayne Sakamoto and Dave Johnson had a spectacular mid-air incident in 130 mph Top Guns.

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