AMA News

Radio Control Scale World Championships — Reno, Nevada, 13–19 June 1982

The Best Radio Control Scale Models in the World Precision and Standoff Scale are Coming to the United States in 1982.

Patty Groves Contest Manager

Your chance—perhaps your only chance—to see the best the world has to offer in RC Scale happens this June. Specifically, June 13–19, 1982. That's the date of the FAI Scale World Championships. The place? Reno, NV, USA!

It's an opportunity that comes just once every two years. That in itself makes it an extraordinary event. And, most of the time, it's held someplace else in the world. So, like Halley's Comet, something this special doesn't come around too often.

This is a world-class competition sanctioned by the Commission Internationale de l'Aero-Modélisme (CIAM) of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). The United States has been a member of the FAI since 1905; the FAI governs all aeronautical sporting events.

Radio Control Scale these days can almost be compared to the jubilee days of the old Cleveland Air Races. Technological advances in design, construction, and electronics make RC Scale one of aeromodelling's most exciting categories.

At Reno there will be two classes of FAI competition: F4C and Standoff.

• F4C (often termed Museum Scale, True Scale, or Precision Scale) is the ultimate in scale aeromodelling. These are detailed miniature replicas of man-carrying airplanes — exacting reproductions of aircraft that exist now or existed at some point in aviation history. All are judged on an equal basis for duplication of structure and appearance and for flight performance and realism. Each model is a functioning, hand-crafted masterpiece designed and built to be flown by its remote pilot. The use of prefabricated and mass-produced components is discouraged; point incentives are given for originality and ingenuity. Following a meticulous static examination by a panel of five international judges, the model is flown and given three opportunities to score a "best" flight, performing both required maneuvers and those selected by the pilot to best represent his subject. To account for variation in subject complexity, a bonus factor is applied to the flight score; for example, models with retractable landing gear or twin engines receive a 5% flight bonus over single-engine tail-draggers.
• Standoff Scale is a recent innovation in international competition. Static judging is not as detailed because the judges literally stand off: each model is judged from a distance of 5 meters (about 16 feet) to view it as if in flight. The flight program, however, is identical to that of F4C class aircraft.

Building time for most models usually runs at least a year. This is in addition to the time required to obtain historical and engineering documentation, color data, detailed photographs, and drawings of the full-sized aircraft.

AMA News

As requested, I have participated in the tabulation of votes in the 1981 AMA runoff election for the office of National Secretary/Treasurer, Academy of Model Aeronautics, Inc., P.O. Box 13656. Ballots received for processing amounted to 13,449. Two hundred seven were rejected for reasons stated in the accompanying exhibit, leaving 13,242 ballots eligible for tabulation. I certify the tabulation resulted as follows:

Office — National Secretary/Treasurer

• Horace D. Cain — Computer processed: 4,521; Manually processed: 75
• Jim McNeill — Computer processed: 8,687; Manually processed: 166

Totals processed — Computer: 13,208; Manually: 241

Very truly yours, Raymond H. McGivern Certified Public Accountant

Secretary-Treasurer's Report

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

Willard Sicvert of Saratoga, CA writes: "I sent into AMA Headquarters by mistake three different checks made out to the Pioneer RC Club for $32 for 1982 local club dues for three various members, and AMA applied them to those members' 1982 dues. Why did AMA accept and deposit checks made out to someone else? Why did the Washington bank accept for deposit checks made out to someone else? Why did the Washington bank accept for deposit to AMA's account checks made out to someone else?"

Answer — I don't know why, Willard. Why did you send the wrong checks three different times? All's well that ends well. In your first instance with James Andrews, his check was received November 16 for an Open membership (no magazine); $24 was credited and we mailed back an $8 credit on November 30. With Robert Foncett, we got the money November 13 and credited Robert with $28 of the $32 sent in. Ask Robert, please, if he's received back a $4 credit. In Tom Hunt's case we show nothing. Let's work together and get all three of their AMA memberships validated. Everybody makes simple mistakes.

I agree with you; perhaps the Washington bank should have taken a better look at the paper checks. This is a little embarrassing, so let's keep it quiet. (I don't want anybody to know about this except our 82,000 members.) Meanwhile, we're all proud of you, Willard Sicvert, for accepting the job of Secretary of one of the largest clubs anywhere in America. (Don't forget to investigate at your end on Tom Hunt, Willard, and don't get mad. Everything will be okay.)

Why do I include this info in the magazine? Two reasons. First, James, Robert, and Tom are just as important to the Academy as anybody. Second, other club secretaries sometimes experience difficulties of a similar nature.

Dan Garfinkel of LaPorte, TX says: "I saw your mag article about three-digit numbers for CDs. I am a Contest Director; my wife, Joyce, and I have helped at many Nats. Can I have a three-digit AMA number?" Yes, Dan, there are a few left. The transfer fee is five dollars. Send five bucks to Mike Woodfolk at AMA Headquarters and he will assign you a new three-digit AMA number. AMA has plenty of four-digit numbers for CDs which can also be obtained for a $5 number-change fee.

Speaking of Contest Directors, I have something heavy to take up with all you CDs who might read this. There is currently a move underway, by a Council member, to put into new AMA law a motion to automatically take away and expire the CD status of every CD after a designated number of years. Thereupon each ex-CD would have to pass a written test via his district VP for reinstatement. As a voting Council member I personally am very much opposed to this proposal. As it is now, a CD is a CD for life. Many times a CD has been active years ago and his status is symbolic of his previous contributions. Also, a CD can come forward and help out a local situation when needed. To automatically jerk away this title seems folly to me. On the other hand, the theory is that only by passing written tests can a CD remain contemporary with AMA rules and procedures.

CONTEST DIRECTORS BEWARE!

Do not sleep on your rights. I urge you to write your district VP immediately on this matter and voice your opinion. Enclosed below is a sample ballot. Please mark the square and mail it to me, or if you wish not to mutilate this beautiful magazine, reproduce it in your letter. I will be bound, generally, by your response.

AeroScale '82 (Continued from page 74)

"Original." Then begins the exacting geometry required to scale the subject aircraft down to meet specified size, engine, and weight limitations.

Contestants at this competition will have survived a selection process dictated by their own National Aero Clubs (FAI). For each and every one of them, attendance at Reno caps years of work and effort.

So, how did AMA get involved in all this?

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is our National Aero Club, and the Academy of Model Aeronautics is a division of the NAA. The AMA is the only aeromodeling organization in the U.S. recognized by the FAI.

About this time last year, the AMA had no plans to get involved in the 1982 Scale World Championships. Two other countries had expressed interest in holding them. But then, at the spring meeting of the CIAM in Paris, one of the countries dropped out. The remaining contender was the USSR.

The Soviets had already stated that they wouldn't hold the RC Standoff event. Standoff is, at this stage, a Provisional Event — it is working its way up the ladder toward becoming a fully sanctioned event. Were Standoff not to be held, the whole process would have to start over from square one.

What to do? Let it fall through the cracks, or stick our necks out and take the challenge? In spring 1981, could adequate facilities for flying, food, and lodging be found? Would there be enough qualified help available? You also need stuff — tables and chairs, pencils and permits, porta-potties, clipboards, calculators, cars, flags, tight budgets, and strong backs. Could a "package" be pulled together in time to be presented for AMA Council consideration, then refined and re-typed in time for formal presentation at the next CIAM meeting in December?

To plan an event of this sort, there's an immediate need for a suitable site with accommodations for an estimated number of people. These two factors must be considered equally, because an "ideal" site with no accommodations is as useless as "ideal" accommodations without a decent site.

For the 1982 Scale World Championships (RC), now called AeroScale '82, Reno-Stead Airport at Reno, NV, is the chosen site and Circus Circus in Reno is the headquarters hotel.

Reno is in the American high desert — 5,046 feet above sea level. The official average monthly temperature in June is a high of 80°F and a low of 40°F. Pleasant temperatures, but at that altitude contestants will have to contend with density altitude. June was selected because records indicate it is the best month for the least winds. But on any given day it could be calm or very windy. The contest program has been laid out to schedule a midday break should conditions warrant.

AeroScale '82 Events Schedule

You can't bring a thing like this off without cooperation from many people. Reno-Stead Airport is the site of the yearly Reno National Championship Air Races. Bob Esperance, the Airport Manager (an airplane enthusiast), is an important intermediary between AeroScale and the Airport Authority of Washoe County.

Another airport resident is the Reno Air Race Committee. General Floyd Edsall, the Air Race Director, has graciously loaned AeroScale the use of its Press Headquarters building along with Building 1004, the hangar the midget racers use during the air races.

Cooperation — boy, do we have cooperation! Also on the field, Lear Aircraft is conducting certification tests on its Lear Fan. For Lear, this process is costly and time-consuming, but the Lear people are as interested in the success of AeroScale '82 as AeroScale is in the success of an historic new airplane. Our joint flight programs are being coordinated; the schedule provides for it, and anyone at the field during those times will get a chance to see history in the making.

Bill Bennett and Bill Pennington, partners in the Nevada Circus Circus hotels, are going out of their way to make things comfortable for AeroScale contestants and supporters.

What's a supporter? On Saturday, June 19th, there will be a semi-private antique and experimental airplane fly-in put on for the benefit of AeroScale's contestants and supporters. Members of the Northern California Antique Airplane Association will fly into Reno-Stead to spend the day and attend AeroScale's awards banquet. The "banquet" will be a Western-style barbecue prepared right out on the field.

This fly-in is limited to antique and home-built aircraft which will be on display for photographers and scale enthusiasts. It should be especially interesting to foreign visitors because of restrictions most other countries impose on restored and experimental aircraft. When supporters and full-size airplane drivers get together with the RC scale pilots over barbeque, everybody can enjoy airplane talk and food.

What else is there to do in Reno? This corner of the High Sierra is a vacationer's paradise: swimming, golfing, tennis, hiking, boating, horseback riding. You can take a behind-the-scenes tour of a gambling casino, visit historic Virginia City — boom town of the 1880s where the biggest silver claim in history was made. There's Lake Tahoe, 38 miles from Reno, and you can visit the Ponderosa. The week following AeroScale, Reno holds its annual rodeo. There's plenty of entertainment, both family and adult.

For the week of 13–19 June 1982, the following AeroScale '82 supporter packages are available to AMA members and their families:

• I Full Supporter Package:
• Includes hotel lodging for seven nights, seven breakfasts, six lunches, five dinners, AeroScale '82 site pass, AeroScale patch, program book, and banquet tickets for the awards dinner.
• Fees:
• 1A: per person, double occupancy: $270
• 1B: per person, single occupancy: $320
• II Limited Supporter Package:
• Includes:
• IIA: AeroScale '82 site pass, patch, program book, and banquet ticket for awards dinner: $50
• IIB: AeroScale '82 site pass, patch, and program book: $30
• No food/no lodging on the Limited Supporter Package.
• Extra banquet tickets ($20 each) will be available on the field.

There's limited space available. For further information or reservations, contact: AMA Headquarters, 815 Fifteenth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005, Attention: Micheline Madison, 202/347-2751. No reservations will be accepted after May 15, 1982.

II DISTRICT REPORT

John Byrne District II Vice-President 36-29 213 Street Bayside, NY 11361

Associate Vice-Presidents

• Pete Bianchini, 260 S. Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10705
• Frank Dresch, 9 Willow Ave., Piscataway, NJ 08854
• Hank Likas, 46 Cory Dr., Toms River, NJ 08753
• Adam Sattler, 50 Randall Rd., No. 2-A, Schenectady, NY 12309
• Walt Throne, 208 Windemere Rd., Syracuse, NY 13219

Second (District) Thoughts: This is being written on New Year's Day — one of my few days "off." Due to magazine lead time, however, what is news today will be "old hat" by the time you receive this, the April 1982 issue. For example, AMA elections will finally be over by then and, by virtue of a runoff, either Horace Cain or Jim McNeill will be our new Secretary/Treasurer.

We know that Ed Izzo is now the VP of District I and that Ed McCollough made it in District XI. We welcome both. Except for Dave Brown, all incumbent VPs up for reelection in 1981 ran unopposed.

Another voting procedure is under way and ballots have already been mailed to all Leader Members to ratify or reject a number of AMA Bylaws revisions adopted by the Executive Council at its fall 1981 meeting. A 2/3 vote of Leader Members is required for approval.

Bob Aberle, AMA 8409: At the 1982 WRAM Jamboree Bob will receive two prestigious honors: the AMA Distinguished Service Award and the McEntee Memorial Medal for 1982. The McEntee Memorial Medal is conferred by the Westchester Radio Aero Modelers for the individual who, during the preceding year, contributed most significantly to the art and science of radio controlled model aviation, in memory of Howard G. McEntee.

The AMA Distinguished Service Award recognizes outstanding service to AMA and model aviation. Bob was appointed to the AMA RC Frequency Committee and later became its chairman. During his chairmanship, Bob has devoted an average of 20 to 30 hours a week doing committee work, specifically aimed at obtaining some 73 new RC channels, hopefully prior to the end of 1982. On my motion, the Executive Council unanimously voted to confer the AMA Distinguished Service Award upon Bob for his efforts. Bob lives in Hauppauge, NY with his wife Irene and three children. He is employed by Grumman Aerospace Corporation and is Technical Editor of Flying Models magazine. He has been an active aeromodeller and AMA member since 1951.

Foggy Lens Department: Three VIPs shot at the 1981 CNYMAA Symposium in Syracuse: Ed Izzo (L), VP-elect of District I, chatting with AVP Adam Sattler and Bryan Sattler, President of the Thundervolts RC Club of Schenectady, NY.

Show Time: If your club expects a mall or other show, let me know well in advance and I will billboard it in this column. For example, Dick Bauman of the Seneca RC Modelers in Odessa, NY announces a mall show to be held in Elmira, NY at Arnot Mall on May 1, 1982.

III DISTRICT REPORT

Dave Brown District III Vice-President 4560 Layhigh Rd. Hamilton, OH 45013

Associate Vice-Presidents

• Joe Eiben, 36980 Valley Forge Dr., Solon, OH 44139
• Francis Fluharty, 504 21st St., Vienna, WV 26101
• Corey Heitman, SR 108 North, Holgate, OH 43527
• Laird Jackson, 1025 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107
• Eugene Shekey, 217 Euclid Ave., Scottdale, PA 15683

Ice, wind and fire would best describe Cincinnati right now. Outside, the ground is covered with ice, the wind is blowing, and anyone with any sense is staying inside near the fire. I finally got to start building a model airplane for the first time in a couple of years; building a 1/3-scale Laser 200 is like framing a small house. If these Vegas airplanes get any bigger we may have found the solution to the slowdown in the construction business.

District III will be well represented at Vegas this year with four of the 10 American contestants coming from here: Mark Radcliff, Tony Frackowiak, Don Lowe (now in Florida), and me. One of the young heroes of the Vegas event is Wayne Ulery of Springfield, OH, who designed the model version of the Laser 200 which many contestants will fly. The total purse at Circus Circus is $100,000 and the first-place winner will take home $25,000. I can hear the comments now about "professional" modelers and how prize money affects the hobby.

The advent of high-purse competitive events can have a positive effect on our hobby. Large tournaments lend credibility and media coverage, leading to more flying sites, more frequencies, better products, and more activity. A few years back tennis was a little-known sport; now large tournaments have broadened participation.

Next week I'll attend the Executive Council meeting in Dallas and will update you next month. Meanwhile, please support the AMA Building Fund with purchases of pins, patches, plaques, or donations.

Till next month.

IV DISTRICT REPORT

Chuck Foreman District IV Vice-President 607 Pohlitz Drive Mechanicsville, VA 23111

Associate Vice-Presidents

• Wayne Abernathy, 9205 Cameron, 3, Upper Marlboro, MD 20703
• Ray Davis, 205 Tisbury, Newport News, VA 23606
• Howard Crain, 611 Beechwood, Charlottesville, VA 22901
• Van Helms, 2000 Tryon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210
• Sandy Mason, 110 Orchard Lane, Wilmington, DE 19809
• John Preston, 7012 Ediva Court, Falls Church, VA 22042
• Charles Spear, 910 Holly Lane, Mocksville, NC 27028

By the time this issue hits the streets, AMA will have started construction of our new Headquarters building in Reston, VA with an expected completion date sometime in 1983.

District IV has done a good job so far in donations to the Building Fund, but don't stop now—keep those donations coming! If you haven't gotten your gold brick pin or patch, now is the time to do it. Keep in mind that these items will be collectors' items in a few years. Also, it's your Headquarters building.

As of this writing I don't have results of the runoff election for Secretary/Treasurer or the Bylaws revisions, but by print time we should know. Keep in mind that in 1982 District IV members will vote for AMA President and District IV Vice-President. All nominations for these officers should be mailed prior to the 1982 Nats.

Speaking of the Nats, it will be in Lincoln, NE again in August. Next year we plan to try for Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey.

I would like to set up my club visit schedule for the coming summer. If your club in Eastern Shore of Maryland or Virginia, Charlotte, NC, Washington, DC, Delaware, Roanoke, VA, Norfolk, VA, or Fayetteville, NC would like a combined meeting, drop me a line.

What's Happening in District IV

• ESL Contest Season: Tentative plans for at least 12 two-day meets for the 1982 soaring season. Contest Coordinator Don Goughnour requests Contest Directors schedule meets between May 1 and September 30 to avoid weather problems. CDs must contact him and Lois Ziegenfuss to establish ESL contest dates.
• Roanoke Valley RC Club (RVRC): Enjoying soaring activity at The Buffalo in Floyd, VA. For info: Pat Cosmatto, Club President, 5219 Burnt Quarter Drive, Vinton, VA 24179.
• D.C. Maxecutors: Indoor Contest March 20–21 at Andrews AFB Navy Reserve Hangar. Contact Pat Daily, 14908 Rocking Spring Dr., Rockville, MD 20853 (301/450-1298).
• Tidewater RC, Inc.: Planning a Scale contest for the second weekend of August; format same as last year.
• Prince Georges RC Club: Published their 1982 calendar. Contact Don Moody, 8712 McHenry Lane, Lanham, MD 20706.
• Sunday Flyers RC: Received five plaques from AMA for supporting a flying site at the Treatment Plant. Presentations were made to Congressman Long and local officials.
• Brainbusters Free Flight Club: A two-day Spring Contest planned for May with Soaring, Free Flight, and Control Line; Bob Ward, Percy Pierce, and Tom Atkins coordinating respective events.
• D.C.R.C. Club: A junior, Robert Powell, became airborne on January 1, 1982 at 12:10 a.m. with a Carl Goldberg Eaglet 50, a K&B .19 and a Kraft radio.
• Norfolk Aeromodelers: Hosting the District IV Control Line Championships May 15–16 at Petersburg Airport in conjunction with Brainbusters and Tidewater Soaring Society's RC Glider Contest.

States in District IV: Alabama • Florida • Georgia • Mississippi • Puerto Rico • South Carolina • Tennessee

V DISTRICT REPORT

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

"Wow! What a parade!" read a Griffin, GA Daily News headline, featuring the Flying Griffins Model Airplane Club. The Flying Griffins won first place with a tri-plane built over a lawn tractor. It pays to participate in local affairs.

Gene Austin Lowery returned to Winona, MS in early 1981 with health problems. He encouraged local R/Cers to organize and then died. The club sold his equipment and gave proceeds to his parents, forming the North Central Mississippi RC Club in his memory.

The Brandon Model Flyers of Brandon, FL had 99 members in 1981, staging many events including contests and banquets.

James Scroggins of Hollywood, FL modified an RCM Trainer to carry a camera, nicknaming it the RCM-UGLY. He uses it to take photos of his flying field and to tow a banner.

The West Alabama Aeromodellers (WAAM) have a Mall Show at McFarland Mall in Tuscaloosa, AL on May 14, followed by a static display and fly-in on May 15 with spectator voting.

Don't forget the AMA Building Fund. Free Flight contests in Florida and Georgia have supported the fund. I'm on a committee studying a possible dues reduction for disabled and low (fixed) income modelers. We need more information from handicapped and disabled members to make a wise decision.

I'm waiting to get a letter from you about what AMA should do regarding any problem you see!

States in District V: Illinois • Indiana • Kentucky • Missouri

VI DISTRICT REPORT

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

Associate Vice-Presidents

• Loren Holm, 643 Hill and Brook, Quincy, IL 62301
• William Kern, 1803 12th St., Bedford, IN 47421
• Glenn Lee, 819 Mandrake, Batavia, IL 60510
• Raymond Meyers, P.O. Box 243, Smithville, MO 64089
• Helen Olsen, 820 Olde Homestead, University City, MO 63132
• Jim Sears, P.O. Box 303, Burgin, KY 40310
• Bill Zimmer, Box 72, Vanns, IL 61375

Notice: Jim Sears of Burgin, KY is the new Vice-President for AMA District VI. Jim has worked diligently as an AVP and will serve well as VP.

Ray Meyers sent a picture of early arrivals at the Smithville Dam Busters January 1, 1982 Frozen Thumb Fun Fly. Twenty-five hardy members received Frozen Thumb Certificates.

The Chicago Aero-Angels had a good turnout at their Frozen Finger Festival CL Combat Meet on January 3rd. Charlie Bauer CDed, Bob Bodzioch coordinated, and rules man Bob Burch was a spectator.

My style — notice there is grass in this picture, and that grass has shadows! Summer! These are Hot-Doggers, kitted by Air Flair of Kansas City, MO, belonging to fun flyers of the St. Louis McDonnell-Douglas RC Club.

Take time out for a show. Enter a static contest.

Upcoming shows:

• March 6 — Kansas City, MO, Northern Knights Metro-North Display.
• March 6–7 — Normal, IL, SIRS, College Hills Mall Static Show.
• March 6–7 — Covington, KY, Flying Cardinals, Crestview Mall Show.
• March 12–14 — Chicago, IL, MAA RC Exposition, McCormick Place.
• March 13–14 — Elkhart, IN, Concord Mall RC Show.
• March 27 — Kansas City, MO, Northern Knights Display, Antioch Mall.
• May 1–2 — Waukegan, IL, Lake County RC Exposition V. Ten categories of static competition. Contact John Russell, 3022 Wall Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60087.

Rick Fair would like input on proposed standards for sanctioned static competition; send suggestions to him soon. Rules proposals for '84–'85 must be in to the AMA by September 1, 1982.

If I'm your AMA Secretary/Treasurer (Executive Vice-President under new bylaws), you'll hear more from me. If not, I'll see you at Q-500 races and fun flies. Friendly skies forever!

Regions: Colorado • Kansas • Nebraska • North Dakota • South Dakota • Wyoming

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
• Ed Cox, 8290 Linden Dr., Prairie Village, KS 66208
• Dick Crowley, 1643 E. Stanford Pl., Aurora, CO 80015
• Glen Lau, 3701 S. 44th St., Lincoln, NE 68506
• Tim Mattern, 429 Dogwood, Grafton, ND 58237
• Jim Ricketts, 518 S. Cloudes, Sioux Falls, SD 57103

Congratulations to two Award of Excellence clubs in District IX: the Casper Airmodellers Association (Casper, WY) and the Sky Corral RC Club (Pueblo, CO). The Award of Excellence recognizes chartered clubs outstanding in making substantial contributions to the modeling community.

Criteria for the Award of Excellence include:

• Chartered clubs only.
• Minimum five years as a chartered club.
• Set an example in securing and maintaining a flying site and living in harmony with the community.
• Promote, practice and insist on safety.
• Excel in public relations and exposure: sponsor flying show teams, annual trade shows, mall displays, junior promotions.
• Sponsor at least an annual contest of high caliber.
• Display leadership and support AMA goals (Building Fund, Scholarship Fund, etc.).

If you know of a chartered club that might qualify, contact your Associate Vice-President or me.

It has been suggested that District IX might benefit from a Youth Activities Coordinator. If you think there's a need, drop a line with ideas.

Several club officers report members qualifying for All-Season Flier patches. Patches run $2.50 and are usually awarded by clubs.

A letter I received highlights junior involvement:

"Mr. McGinnis,

Would you believe a 12-year-old Quarter Midget pilot who can polish the pylons like an expert? He's Nickie Bellino of Florence, CO. He has been flying Novice Quarter Midget Pylon racing for the last two years. Nickie arrives on the field with the biggest smile around and is treated like an equal by other fliers. It takes time and patience to teach beginners. If more fliers would take the time, we'd have more junior fliers.

Cheryl Bellino"

I hope you have made your contribution to the Headquarters Building Fund in 1981; it's tax deductible. If not, do it early in 1982.

Please send pictures and short stories about events in your area so we can have more diverse reporting.

States in District IX: Arizona • California • Hawaii • Nevada • Utah

X DISTRICT REPORT

Jim Scarborough District X Vice-President 30717 Rue Lagon, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90274

Associate Vice-Presidents

• Tom Caplanzo, 6513 Laramie Ave., Modesto, CA 95354
• Glenn Carter, 2060 Gill Point Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
• Bob Reynolds, Rt. 5, Box 61, Tucson, AZ 85710
• Betty Stream, 3723 Snowden Ave., Long Beach, CA 90808
• Al Williamson, 445 Westby, Chula Vista, CA 92011

Contributions to the Building Fund continue. Betty Stream reports the Pomona Valley MAC donated $100 and the San Gabriel Radio Control League gave $100. The Riverside RC Club donated $100 earlier and gave another $134. Glenn Carter reports several clubs donated $100 each, and he personally donated $100 and secured $100 from his employer.

The Free Flight Model Airplane Association of Southern California donated $500 to the Building Fund and will sell pins, patches, and decals at the United States Free Flight Championships in May.

District X has a new AVP in the San Diego area: Al Williamson, a modeler since 1951 and active in Control Line and RC.

I attended the San Diego Orbiters awards banquet and met many friends, including Russ Seely (who donated $20) and Richard Diaz (who donated $15). I also showed a 16mm indoor film of the 1980 FAI World Indoor Championships — outstanding and available for club rental.

At the International Model Show (IMS) in Pasadena, two modelers were inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame: Irwin Ohlsson and Bob Palmer. I nominated Dave Peltz for a Superior Service award for his computer scoring services and bylaws input.

Glenn Carter reports RC activity in northern California has grown: more than 20 power clubs and a surge in Giant Scale models.

Invite me to your meeting; let me put the bite on your club for a fund donation. Support the Building Fund!

Regions: Alaska • Idaho • Montana • Oregon • Washington

XI DISTRICT REPORT

Ed McCollough District XI Vice-President 53 S.E. 61st Ave. Portland, OR 97215

Associate Vice-Presidents

• Al Culler, 1507 S.W. Elm, Pocatello, ID 83201
• Bruce Nielson, 507 E. Wilcox, Butte, MT
• Dick Wickline, P.O. Box 623, Klamath Falls, OR 97602
• Chic Young, 29020 1st Ave. S., S-34, Federal Way, WA 98003
• Don Ziggy, 21418 NE Main St., Redmond, WA 98052

I left off around June in my rundown of coming events. The Barnstormers Biplane Meet is usually in June but this year it will be moved to late July to find better weather and to coordinate dates with other contests and avoid conflicts.

If the U.S. hosts the Scale Internationals, it will likely be in Reno in June; I'll notify clubs as soon as I know. If you are interested in Scale, join the National Association of Scale Aeromodellers (contact John Preston).

July brings the water-based fun fly at Haystack Reservoir on July 3–4; contact Ralph Cooney (c/o Fourmost Products). Toward late July or early August, the Flightmasters of Klamath Falls will host their annual fun fly. The Mt. Rainier group should have the Lake Tapps water-based fun fly in August. The Portland Sky Knights usually run a water-based fun fly at Lake Vancouver in September; the DJ Fun Fly at Adair Field north of Corvallis is typically the last weekend in September.

Contact Steve Tischler for Barnstormers info (5256 S.W. Centerwood St., Lake Oswego, OR 97034).

This column is for all modelers in District XI. Send material for the column — pictures (good contrast black-and-white preferred) and short news items.

I visited the Salem RC Pilots Association; part of the meeting centered on flight rules. Their safety officer emphasized that flying over people, parking, or pits is absolutely out. Safety must be our priority.

The Norwesters Free Flight club sponsors Indoor flying in a junior high gym in Hillsboro, OR. Peanut Scale and Indoor Hand-Launched Glider events draw good turnouts. It’s amazing; go watch and you may find a new area of the hobby.

Sid Nolan was elected president of the Benton County RC Club. In his first newsletter he emphasized public responsibilities and the importance of AMA membership.

JUNIOR FLIGHT! — Ed Whitten

Box 176, Wall St. Sta., New York, NY 10005

Association To Aid Beginners Is Formed

As discussed in the last issue, it's time we organize to aid Juniors and beginners. After deliberation, we formed an association to disseminate information and coordinate efforts.

"Beginning Aero Modelers Association" (B.A.M.A.) is the name. Immediate goals:

1. To find out who we are, to bind ourselves together, to become a recognized group.
2. To coordinate the present hit-and-miss, sporadic, individualistic approach now in use.
3. To be a source of information and a distribution center for those who need answers.

Other aims will be developed. The association will disseminate information through the modeling press and its own newsletter. "Star Skippers" has been reactivated for this purpose.

Membership dues will be $10 to cover telephone and mailing costs, printing and mailing the newsletter, etc. This covers 10 issues of "Star Skippers" published over a 12-month or longer period.

Active members will be listed in "Star Skippers" (with your approval) so members can exchange information. Questions written to the Association will be printed in the newsletter and it will be the members' responsibility to answer these questions directly to the askers. The more replies the questioners receive, the better.

Join the Association — send your dues — and let's get started!

CL vs FF At The Start

Larry Miles of San Diego compares Control Line (CL) and Free Flight (FF) for beginners. Highlights:

FF:

• Usually cheaper for beginners.
• Often requires no engine, fuel, batteries, plugs, props, etc., for many beginner models.
• Requires more skill to trim and get to fly properly — more instruction needed.
• Builds aerodynamics knowledge early.
• Frequently requires more building skill.

CL:

• Usually a bigger initial cash outlay.
• Most anything will fly — a plus for beginners with experienced counsel.
• Requires learning engine-starting skills — some beginners never get past this.
• Some people get dizzy — a minus.
• Beginners often crash from over-control before learning — expensive if the model is costly.
• Beginner CL models are usually easy to build.
• Flying friends and spectators may step on or kink the lines — a hazard.
• Requires early safety consciousness.

Both CL and FF should be introduced to beginners. It's selfish to limit a beginner to the phase of the hobby you prefer.

Kits From Japan

In Japan, model airplane building and flying is more popular and receives broad media coverage. Sun-Star of Japan produces beginner sport models and other kits. U.S. importer: Two Worlds International, 500 Laurelwood Rd., Ste. 9, Santa Clara, CA 95050. Their colorful brochure is worth requesting.

One more time — join BAMA, the Association to help kids in your neighborhood. See you next month.

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