Edition: Model Aviation - 1981/04
Page Numbers: 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82
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AMA News

Grigg and Cain Run-Off Election Winners

In an unprecedented run-off election, the victors are John Grigg of Lockport, N.Y., for AMA President, and Horace Cain of Buffalo Grove, Ill., for District VI Vice‑President.

  • Grigg (President) — 10,436 votes
  • Earl Witt (President) — 10,096 votes
  • Cain (District VI Vice‑President) — 1,713 votes
  • Bryant Thompson (District VI Vice‑President) — 889 votes

The run‑off election was required because no candidate for AMA President or District VI Vice‑President received a majority in last year’s regular election; AMA bylaws require a majority. An interesting point is that only 1,369 more people voted in the run‑off election than in the regular election last year — despite the use of more costly first‑class mail for the run‑off ballot mailing and substantial campaign mailings by candidates and supporters. The leaders in the regular balloting went on to be the winners in the run‑off.

Totals of Votes for President, by District

  • District I: Grigg 489, Witt 679 — Total 1,168
  • District II: Grigg 1,665, Witt 821 — Total 2,486
  • District III: Grigg 1,258, Witt 1,399 — Total 2,657
  • District IV: Grigg 775, Witt 500 — Total 1,275
  • District V: Grigg 965, Witt 902 — Total 1,867
  • District VI: Grigg 970, Witt 1,650 — Total 2,620
  • District VII: Grigg 958, Witt 999 — Total 1,957
  • District VIII: Grigg 1,065, Witt 669 — Total 1,734
  • District IX: Grigg 480, Witt 388 — Total 868
  • District X: Grigg 1,381, Witt 1,566 — Total 2,947
  • District XI: Grigg 415, Witt 500 — Total 915
  • APO/Foreign: Grigg 15, Witt 23 — Total 38

Overall total: Grigg 10,436; Witt 10,096; Combined total 20,532

Highlights 1980 — An Annual Report

Achievements — John Worth, Executive Director

  • Membership
  • 1980 was the biggest membership year ever: total 76,397 members (1979: 69,763; 1978: 72,879).
  • The 1979 dues increase caused controversy and a loss of about 3,000 members; this loss was made up in 1980.
  • Council approved the 1980 budget based on 74,489 members. At year‑end 1980 the rate of membership renewal for 1981 was 6% ahead of the previous year; over 48,809 renewals were already recorded, with over 55,000 by the end of January.
  • Clubs and Sanctions
  • Chartered clubs increased to 1,432 (1979: 1,328; 1978: 1,288).
  • Sanctions issued by AMA Headquarters increased to 1,687 (1979: 1,596).
  • 1980 sanctioned events included: 790 Class C meets, 62 Class B, 366 Class A, 41 AAA and two AAAA; Free Flight and Control Line events; 25 Record Trials; 24 FAI Team Selection Meets; 143 Soaring sanctions; and 30 new Special Events.
  • Meets included 33 Indoor, 144 Control Line (CL), 197 Free Flight (FF) and 862 Radio Control (RC) events.
  • Teams and International Competition
  • Twelve team members were selected for the 1980 World Championships (plus team managers): three Nordic glider, three Wakefield rubber, three FAI Power.
  • Team members were selected for the 1981 Free Flight event in Spain and the 1981 RC Soaring event in Sacramento, Calif.
  • The 1980 USA Control Line Aerobatics team took first place in Poland. The USA Indoor team competed at West Baden, Ind. Control Line Speed, Team Race and Combat teams also competed in Poland.
  • Contest Boards and Rules
  • AMA Contest Boards voted on 206 proposals for rules changes: 6 General, 59 RC, 75 Scale, 38 CL and 28 FF.
  • They approved 156 initial votes: 4 General, 67 RC, 23 CL, 41 Scale and 21 FF.
  • Interim and final votes will determine which proposals become official changes in the 1982–83 AMA rule book.
  • Records
  • 172 National Records were established in 1980: 101 Free Flight, 42 Indoor, 7 RC Soaring, 22 Control Line.
  • 12 world record sanctions were issued to U.S. modelers.
  • AMA Headquarters processed contest board proposals and national/world record paperwork.
  • Frequency Committee
  • The AMA RC Frequency Committee made definite progress following a 1978 petition to the FCC: committee members met FCC officials, submitted supplementary data, and received positive indications that new RC frequencies may be granted late in 1981.
  • Major Events
  • The 1980 Indoor World Championships (Indiana) were very successful — the first U.S. hosting since 1974. The event hosted 12 countries and 34 competitors. Income came within $3,000 of covering $24,000 in expenses.
  • The 1980 Nationals operated at a loss due to comparatively low entry (fewer than 1,500 contestants vs. the usual nearly 2,000). The Nats, held for the first time in Wilmington, Ohio, were generally successful with mostly good weather, though some events had notable exceptions.
  • Publications and Media
  • An important new AMA film was completed in 1980 to help clubs obtain flying sites.
  • AMA’s Film Library circulated 763 film copies to clubs and others during 1980.
  • 1980 saw the start of AMA's videotape library; several films were converted to tape and the service was set to expand in 1981.
  • Model Aviation reached an all‑time high print order in December 1980: 75,500 copies (1979: 68,800).
  • AMA participated, with headquarters representation, in five major model industry trade shows.

Executive Council and Headquarters

  • The AMA Executive Council met four times in 1980: Orlando, FL (January); Arlington, VA (May); Wilmington, OH (at the Nats, August); and Arlington, VA (November).
  • New officers on the Executive Council in 1980 included:
  • VP‑District II: Dave Brown (Ohio)
  • VP‑District VII: Hardy Brodersen (Michigan) — replaced Geoff Sys (who joined HQ staff)
  • VP‑District IX: Travis McGinnis (Colorado) — replaced Vince Mankowski (who joined HQ staff)
  • AMA purchased a 1.6‑acre property in Reston, VA (a Washington, D.C. suburb) on December 10, 1980. A permanent AMA home is planned to be built on the site over the next two years. The purchase was made outright from accumulated surplus funds; AMA now owns the property free and clear.

Secretary‑Treasurer’s Report

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

Dale Welch, President of the Birmingham RC Association, and Judge Jim Davis sent an official letter from their club admonishing AMA officials for using these reports in the back of our magazine for personal politics. (I did not promote this letter.) I am tired of hearing about this, but I do NOT know what to do. This issue came up at the last Council meeting and I either voted against it or abstained due to the free‑press theory. You tell me what to do and how to vote. Your letters will be distributed to the Council and any colorful ones may be reprinted here. A ballot is on this page; mark your choice, cut it out and mail it to me.

The Kirkwood Thermaleers Club and the McDonnell Douglas Free Flight Club, both of St. Louis, Mo., had a joint meeting the other night and they mailed me an invitation, so I went. I saw a film and revisited several old friends. I enjoyed my visit to St. Louis and hope they will invite me back someday.

The gentleman shown with his scale Jenny can claim one of the longest‑running, most durable newsletter editorships in American modeling. Beginning his twelfth year, publishing twice a month, Fred Komlosy has produced over 250 issues for the Palm Beach Aeronauts. Years ago, when the club lost their field, Fred held them together with his newsletter — a remarkable saga of thankless hard work.

Good friend Ken Gulliford, President of the Charleston, S.C. Radio Control Society, writes: "My boy Ken Jr. is now President of the Clovis Model Airplane Drivers Society of Clovis, N.M." Father and son are beginning to kit RC models together — half in South Carolina, half in New Mexico, all by mail.

My buddy John Gorday, AMA Associate Vice‑President in Mississippi, writes: "Donald Pressgrove of Water Valley, MS did not receive his rule book. Also, his accident forms, car rental card, bumper sticker. Meanwhile his magazine is being shuffled to the wrong place. Can you help?"

Help is on the way. Mike Woodfolk of AMA Headquarters is straightening this out. Do you have a problem? Let us hear from you — don't just stew. We're taking your money and we want you to get your money's worth.

Ballot — Please respond

  • I am opposed to AMA officials using this magazine for politics. NO MORE personal politics in these reports.
  • I am NOT opposed to such measures. Free press for me.

Name _________________________________ AMA No. ______________________________

MAIL TO: Jim McNeill 617 South 20th Avenue Birmingham, AL 35205

(Include any comments. Good ones will be reprinted — pro and con.)

AMA Film Library

AMA‑chartered clubs and adult AMA members have access to the AMA Film Library, which presently consists of 14 16mm films — most with color and sound. Films are a great way to add sparkle to a club meeting and increase attendance. Chartered clubs have priority for film rental and pay the lowest fee.

Rental fees (current):

  • Chartered clubs: $5 (except THOSE MARVELOUS MINIATURES — $8)
  • Others: $10 (THOSE MARVELOUS MINIATURES — $15)
  • In all cases a refundable deposit of $50 more than the rental fee is required.

For a full list, information and order form, write to: AMA HQ, Film Library, 515 Fifteenth St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005 (please enclose a pre‑addressed, stamped envelope).

Partial list of available films:

  • MODELERS' GRAND ILLUSIONS (1979) — Film on all types and sizes of scale model aircraft, from peanut rubber‑powered types to huge RC types as flown at the 1978 Scale World Championships in England; about 36 minutes. (AMA film by Jay Gerber.)
  • THOSE MARVELOUS MINIATURES (1978) — Spectacular footage of model flying from across the country, covering most model types (scale predominates). An all‑inclusive cross‑section of model aviation; about 46 minutes. (AMA film by Jay Gerber.)
  • FUN FOR A LIFETIME — The trade shows (RAMS in NY, Toledo, MAGS in CA); about 20 minutes. (AMA film by Jay Gerber.)
  • TO FLY — No model flying, but a spectacular film of the fun and history of aviation. Donated to AMA by the Continental Oil Co.; featured by the Smithsonian Institution in the National Air & Space Museum; about 30 minutes. Shows ballooning, hang gliding, aerobatics, commercial and military flying (including the Blue Angels).
  • WINGS & THINGS — Music only, no narration; about 25 minutes. General interest film, excellent for all ages and good coverage of model flying types.
  • I FLY 'EM, I BREAK 'EM, I FIX 'EM (1972) — Scale model flying at Rhinebeck, NY. Produced by Jerry Joseph, Eastman Kodak Co.
  • 1971 RC AEROBATIC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS — Doylestown, PA; about 25 minutes. (AMA film by Jay Gerber.)

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