Focus on Competition
Technical Director Steve Kaluf
On October 12, 1996, twenty-seven people involved in the management of the National Aeromodeling Championships met to review the 1996 event and to plan the 1997 Nats. Notably, representatives from all AMA-recognized Special Interest Groups (SIGs) whose events are run at the Nats attended. For the first time, each SIG indicated a desire to help in all aspects of planning and running its events. This level of cooperation should ensure the Nats are run the way competitors want.
1997 Nats Management Committee
- Chairperson / Nats Manager: Ron Morgan
- Executive Council Representative: Charlie Bauer (VP Dist. VI)
- Staff Representative: Steve Kaluf (AMA Technical Director)
- RC Category Manager: Al Williamson
- RC Category Director: Wayne Yeager
- CL Category Manager: Brenda Schuette
- Free Flight Category Manager: Dave Thomson
Special Interest Group representatives:
- Shaun Ettinger (IRCHA)
- Bob Underwood (NASA)
- Dave McDonald (NCLRA)
- Doug Ward (NEAC)
- Pete Reed (NMPRA)
- Ron Van Putte (NSRCA)
- Bill Calkins (NCS)
- Warren Tiahrt (PAMPA)
- Mike Stump (LSF)
- Roy Glenn (MACA)
- Bob Heywood (NASS)
Teresa McKee (AMA Competitions Dept. administrative assistant) provided clerical support for the meetings.
Other guests in attendance:
- 1997 Event Directors: Craig Bradley (IRCHA), Mike Welshans (NASA), Dale Arvin (NASA), Gary McClellan (PAMPA)
- Larry Dziak (president, NCLRA)
- Bob Steele (president, LSF)
- Dave Brown (president, AMA)
- Bob Brown (AMA VP Dist. III)
- Joyce Hager (Executive Director, AMA)
- Greg Chartrand (AMA Maintenance Director)
These are the people who will make the decisions for the Nationals. Contact them through the SIGs (see the Membership Manual) with your support, recommendations, and ideas. AMA is made up of its members—volunteers and SIG representatives—not just paid staff.
Meeting highlights and critique of 1996
The meeting opened with statements from Dave Brown, Joyce Hager, Ron Morgan, Charlie Bauer, Bob Brown, and Steve Kaluf, thanking the 1996 management team for a job well done. The first agenda item was a critique of the 1996 Nats. Overall reaction was very positive: good competitor attendance (1,145) and good sites made 1996 a year to remember.
Two areas needing improvement were identified:
- Some sites need better grass.
- Better communication is needed among SIGs, AMA Headquarters, and SIG-to-SIG.
Both items are already being addressed. Site improvements are detailed below. Communications improvements include a newsletter for the Nats Management Committee and a monthly color ad in Model Aviation to provide competitors with current Nats information (watch the magazine; the first ad appeared in January).
1997 planning — schedules, budget, fees, forms
Items reviewed for 1997 included event schedules, overall time frames, budget, fee structure, entry forms, information packages, equipment, SIG/AMA agreements, trade show options, and logos. Because SIGs and committee members did their homework, planning proceeded smoothly.
Indoor competition was scheduled easily: Johnson City, Tennessee, May 28–June 1, 1997.
The Outdoor schedule was arranged to provide a softer start. Scale was chosen to open the outdoor events to provide a popular spectator event on the opening weekend. Static judging is planned to be moved to Muncie’s downtown convention center, which offers ample space, good lighting, and the ability to rope off spectator areas to protect models.
Outdoor events (Muncie, IN):
- Scale (CL, fixed-wing, powered RC): July 11–13
- Control Line: July 12–19
- Helicopter: July 13–19
- Pylon: July 13–19
- Pattern: July 20–25
- Soaring: July 26–August 1
- Free Flight: July 28–August 1
- Electric: August 2–5
Tentative general dates for 1998 were also set (subject to Executive Council approval): July 10–August 5.
Budget: The proposed 1997 budget aims to come close to break-even. This will require belt-tightening and careful planning.
Entry fees, late fees, and cutoff dates were set by the SIGs and will be clearly shown on entry forms and pre-event literature. Competitors are urged to submit entries before cutoff dates to avoid late fees. Early entry cutoff dates:
- Indoor: April 28
- Control Line, Helicopter, Scale, Pattern, Pylon: June 2
- Soaring, Free Flight, Electric: June 16
Entry forms were revised to include additional core information; SIGs will help supply more detailed information for general-information packages.
Awards for 1997: Four sizes of plaques will be used—competitors prefer plaques to stand-up trophies.
Sponsorship: New sponsorship levels are being developed. One option will allow sponsors to purchase awards for specific events only (no additional benefits). Other options will include broader benefits. Details will be mailed to potential sponsors; contact the Nats committee if you would like information.
Trade show: A $5 fee will be charged to legitimate vendors at the Nats to help notify competitors and visitors and to designate vendor setup areas.
Logos and merchandise: Two 1997 logos were developed—one modern, colorful version (used in Nats advertising) aimed at younger competitors, and a traditional round version for pins and similar items. AMA hopes to produce Nats T-shirts this year, providing more designs and customization options.
International Aeromodeling Center — site improvements
A site map (included with the original column) shows new additions. Major improvements made over the summer and fall:
- New interior gravel road funded by a bequest from Thomas McLaughlan: starts just west of the CL Speed and Racing circles and runs south to Site 4. This allows access to all areas of the property without using public roads, helps Free Flight chase bikes, improves security, and increases overall safety.
- Short road added southeast of the Stage Center parking lot, ending just behind the Event Headquarters house.
- Event Headquarters farmhouse renovated in spring and used during the Nats as the primary check-in point and a hobby shop; available for other large events.
- Site 4 graded and seeded to create a 700-foot grass runway; reseeded and rolled after heavy rains and now in good condition.
- New 600 x 600-foot flat area completed and seeded in the northern third of the site, slated for Soaring and Control Line; expected to be in great shape by spring.
- All other improved grass areas have been reseeded and are already looking better.
- Control Line Speed and Racing circles were paved and painted this spring. New speed pylons (manufactured by Glenn Lee) performed well during the Nats. Circles were also painted on the Site 1 L-pad.
The International Aeromodeling Center is actively used by AMA members—plan a visit and call ahead for weather and event information. The 1997 Schedule of Events is available on request.
Till next time — contact the Nats Management Committee or your SIG representatives with questions, ideas, or to get involved.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
