FRANK ZAIC'S AWARD
Award presentation
A pioneer of aeromodeling who helped to found the organization that grew into the AMA, Frank Zaic received the National Aeronautic Association's Certificate of Honor in 1991.
On November 4, 1991, at an awards ceremony at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica, California, the NAA presented its Certificate of Honor to AMA Hall of Fame member Frank Zaic.
The presentation honored Frank "for his inspiration, leadership, and extraordinary assistance in establishing the Academy of Model Aeronautics in the mid-1930s. His stature and support as an aeromodeling pioneer and leader, international ambassador, model designer, technical writer, editor, and publisher gave credibility to the birth of AMA and helped it to gain national and international recognition."
Founding AMA and Model Aviation
In June 1936 Frank Zaic produced the first issue of Model Aviation as the official publication of the American Academy of Model Aeronautics, the forerunner of the AMA. At that time he worked closely with Lt. H. W. Alden, who for several years was the prime mover and communicator during AMA's beginnings as a membership organization.
In 1937 Frank became one of six signers of a draft agreement between the National Aeronautic Association and the American Academy of Model Aeronautics. The other signers were:
- Willis C. Brown (first president of AMA)
- Ernest Whalen
- Percy Pierce
- Frank Tlush
- Charles Hampson Grant
This agreement provided the means—office and staff—for the Academy to develop into an administrative operation that would serve its members' needs.
Contributions to aeromodeling
In the modeling world, Frank is probably best known for his Yearbook series, which for many years chronicled the state of the art in aeromodeling with model drawings and technical articles by prominent designers and fliers. He also published many original design and construction articles in various magazines.
Old-timers in the hobby remember his involvement with the world-famous Jasco company, a model supply firm that offered unique hardware and high-quality balsa wood during the years before World War II.
Personal life and legacy
Frank and his wife Carmen enjoy a leisurely retired life in Northridge, California. They have gained additional fame for annual reports detailing travels around the country and around the world; those reports have become collector items for friends privileged to receive them.
Looking back on a very full life, Frank recalls a special pride: in the early 1930s he was a full-scale glider pilot, holding a pilot's license signed by Orville Wright. Approximately 60 years later, the NAA ceremony underscored the significance of that distinction and of the award.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
