Edition: Model Aviation - 1998/09
Page Numbers: 156, 157, 158
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Focus on Competition

Technical Director Steve Kaluf

skaluf@modelaircraft.org

I'd like to drift off the "technical" topics a bit this month to give you an update on the Muncie International Aeromodeling Center and mention a few operational concerns regarding our use of the flying site.

First, some updates on the site: As reported last year, a 600 x 600-foot grass pad was constructed on the north end of the property prior to the 1997 Nationals. This is a fine multiuse area that was used for Control Line Combat, Carrier, RC Soaring, and RC Electric official Nats events. It was also used for several unofficial Nats events.

In 1997 the grass on this site was a little spotty, and some rocks continued to crop up from time to time. This area has been reseeded, rolled, and mowed many times. In 1998 (this is being written in May), the grass has really filled in and overall this area is looking good for the outdoor portion of the Nats.

The grass runways on the south end of the property, and the helicopter area (also in that vicinity), have improved a great deal as well.

An additional mower has been purchased that has a trailer-mounted bagging attachment. This is used to mow all grass runway surfaces. The bagging keeps grass clippings to a minimum on these surfaces, making it much nicer for the aircraft.

All main fields are mowed approximately every two weeks. This keeps the fields used by Free Flight in excellent shape, since the grass is short enough to help facilitate retrieval, but still long enough to provide a bit of padding for a less-than-smooth landing.

The flying-site portion of the International Aeromodeling Center is here for the use of all AMA members. It is a wonderful facility. However, with the increased use that we have seen over the last couple of years, it is necessary to enforce some rules regarding the use of the site.

We try very hard to allow as many flying operations as possible to exist at the same time on the site. Sanctioned contests on the site will always have top priority, and in some cases we find it necessary to close one area of the site to allow the contest to operate unrestricted.

One thing that we constantly have to stress to members using the site is that it is a multiuse site. It is not only for Control Line or Radio Control or Free Flight; it is for all of those disciplines. As such (especially during times of sport- or test-flying), it is necessary for each group to accommodate the others.

For example, it may be necessary for a group flying RC at the main runway to temporarily suspend operations while a member chasing a Free Flight model crosses the runway area. By the same token, safety precautions must be observed at all times. It would not do for the Free Flight modeler to cross this area without first coordinating with the RC fliers and allowing them time to land aircraft or clear the area safely.

The site also has designated parking areas for some of the facilities. Members are expected to use these facilities. We often find members parked at the RC runway with their cars backed up to the runway, even though the parking lot for this complex is only about 60 feet away. This creates a dangerous situation by putting cars too close to the active runways. Fortunately, when members are asked to move their cars back to the parking lot, most are happy to oblige.

However, every once in a while we get a member who feels it is his "right" to park wherever he wishes. Just because it is "his site" does not give him that right.

The site also has a 25 mph speed limit. One member was asked to leave the site last year after driving down one of the gravel roads at what was estimated to be more than 50 mph.

The site is owned by all AMA members. The charge to properly manage it is given to the AMA Executive Council when they are put in place by your vote. The Executive Council passes the responsibility of running the facility on a day-to-day basis to the paid AMA Headquarters staff. The staff must then come up with what are considered safe operation guidelines for the site.

As you might suspect, we are very concerned with operating the site in strict accordance with the AMA National Safety Code and flying-site operation recommendations as found in the AMA Membership Manual. We naturally desire the site to be one of the safest in the country. The point of all this is that we ask for your indulgence if, when using the site, you are asked by a staff member or volunteer to do something a little differently than you think you should do.

Remember, this site is a little different from most any other in the country. It is one of the largest and most varied-use sites you will ever find. It is also a site that we hope you will use, and come away from feeling that it is properly prepared and very safe.

Till next time...

Top Gun 1998 Results

Expert

  1. Charlie Chambers — P-61B — 96.167 — 191.00
  2. Terry Nitsch — P-80 — 95.917 — 190.042
  3. Corvin Miller — Corsair — 96.417 — 189.459
  4. Stephan Durrstein — Ju-52/SM — 96.333 — 189.166
  5. Kent Nogy — F-4J — 94.500 — 187.500
  6. Jim Wilkinson — Fw-190 A8 — 96.417 — 187.042
  7. Mike Winter — Sopwith Pup — 95.500 — 186.583
  8. Clark Hopkins — Extra 300 — 94.333 — 185.916
  9. Ray Labonte — AT-6 — 95.167 — 185.792
  10. Mike Barbee — B-29 — 93.500 — 183.042

Designer

  1. Jeff Foley — Me-109E-7 — 95.167 — 187.250
  2. Roy Vaillancourt — Fw-190 A8 — 96.250 — 185.625
  3. Tom Polaplink — Pfalz DIIIa — 94.667 — 183.042
  4. Sepp Uberlacher — Hawker Tempest — 96.667 — 182.375
  5. Bud Roane — Sopwith Triplane — 95.500 — 181.250
  6. Rich Feroldi — Albatros D.V. — 95.250 — 180.583
  7. Hal Parenti — B-25J — 90.167 — 180.209
  8. Phil Sibille — PA-18 Super Cub — 95.833 — 178.375
  9. Nick Ziroli Sr. — Ryan NYP — 94.417 — 177.125
  10. Kerry Sterner — Dh.100 — 90.583 — 143.958

Team

  1. Pinegar/Alfafara — J-3 — 95.917 — 185.834
  2. Patrick/Mears — PA-18 Super Cub — 95.250 — 184.875
  3. Gonzalez/Araujo — Mirage 2000P — 93.333 — 184.041
  4. Ott/Donofrio — WACO YKS-7 — 95.000 — 183.625
  5. Hiller/Krzanowski — Lim 6 61S — 92.083 — 183.583
  6. Shulman/Valdez — TV-1 — 93.500 — 183.083
  7. Combs/Benson — T-34C — 89.833 — 180.375
  8. Gutierrez/Surco — SNJ-5 — 90.000 — 177.000
  9. Wood/Mirandes — P-80A — 90.000 — 175.208
  10. DiGiorgio/DiGiorgio — Spitfire Mk V — 90.250 — 174.833

Static Awards

  • High Static (Designer) — Nick Ziroli Jr. — Avenger — Aerotech Models
  • High Static (Expert) — Jim Wilkinson — Fw 190 — Pro-Mark
  • High Static (Team) — Tozser/Fuori — B-25 — Ziroli Plans
  • Best Civilian — Phil Sibille — Cub — Dave Platt Models
  • Best Jet — Araujo/Gonzalez — Mirage — Bob Violett Models
  • Best Military — Araujo/Gonzalez — Mirage — Don Smith Plans
  • Best Biplane — Kim Foster — Sopwith Pup — R/C Report
  • Best Craftsmanship — Toszer/Fuori — B-25 — Glen Torrance Models
  • Best Pre-WW II — John Chevalier — Ryan STM — Old Rhinebeck
  • Engineering Excellence — Dave Platt — T-28 — Mini Hobby
  • Critics' Choice — Greg Hahn — P-38 — Airtronics/Ven Dell

Flight Awards

  • Best Jet — Terry Nitsch — F-80 — RA Microjets
  • Best Two-Stroke — Patrick/Mears — Cub — Gerard Enterprises
  • Best Four-Stroke — Corvin Miller — Corsair — Saito
  • Best Gas — Greg Hahn — P-38 — ISC International
  • Best Multiengine — Charlie Chambers — P-61 — Hobby Nut
  • Best Acrobatic — Garland Hamilton — Bearcat — Lanier RC
  • Highest Flight Score — Charlie Chambers — P-61 — Pirate Models

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