Radio Control: Sport and Aerobatics
Ron Van Putte 111 Sleepy Oaks Rd. Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548
My Turn!
My column in the April 1989 issue contained some of my comments on rules changes and an idea from an anonymous writer. I was surprised to see that AMA Technical Director Bob Underwood took exception to some of the things in that column, and I didn't have any more notice than any of you that his response would be published in his "A Note From the Technical Director" column in the "Competition Newsletter" section of the same issue.
The lead times involved in editing and publishing this magazine mean that what you are reading right now is two months after my column and his response were published, and it is about three months since Bob wrote his comments. I feel that I ought to be given a chance to reply, and this is my first opportunity to do it.
I don't intend to respond to Mr. Underwood's article point by point, but there are a few items which beg for comment. He claims that "There is no mystery!" regarding Radio Control Aerobatics Contest Board procedures. Unfortunately, the members of the board I talked with were not sure why a two-year rules cycle existed or how to go about changing it. They seemed just as frustrated as I that it took so long.
Mr. Underwood wrote that part of the delay in rules changing is to "allow adequate time for general member input before the Contest Board's Final Vote." Now that sounds reasonable, doesn't it? However, have any of you ever seen the entire text of any rules change proposal published in the "Competition Newsletter"? Think again. What you have seen is someone's condensed version of a proposal. If we're going to expect member input on rules proposals, we need to publish them so the members know what they really say. Takes too much room, you say? What's the magazine for if not for things like rules proposals? Remember, Model Aviation is the "house organ" of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. The purpose of a house organ is to inform the members about changes within the organization, such as rules changes.
My comment that "the AMA Executive Council has final say on competition rules" did not imply that they voted on rules. Rather, it meant that they had final say on what was to be done regarding changes to procedures—like going to a one-year rules-change cycle. Since I don't always see copies of Executive Council meeting minutes, I don't know if it was ever brought up at a meeting within the past few years.
My last comment concerns Mr. Underwood's puzzlement with "how to generate a list of eligible voters" who had competed in at least one Pattern contest during the past three years. My anonymous contributor had suggested that Pattern fliers should be polled for a vote on the direction that AMA competition should take relative to world championship competition. Mr. Underwood posed the question of how to assure that such a poll would be fair and truly representative of the Pattern community—in other words, how to develop a list of voters. I know that he, as Technical Director, is aware that every Contest Director of a Pattern contest is required to submit a contest report to AMA Headquarters which includes a list of contestants' names and AMA numbers on the safety declaration. I don't understand why he didn't suggest using these reports as a basis for generating the eligibility list.
Sorry about this diatribe, but I don't appreciate being criticized in print when I am unable to respond in a timely manner. I feel better now.
Contest Scoring System Update
The Wizard of the Contest Scoring System, Mike Lauman, sent out notices that his scoring system has been updated from version 4.2 to 4.3. Enhancements to version 4.3 include:
- Addition of the two proposed AMA classes for 1990
- The proposed noise penalty
- The ability to define a new class (including maneuvers and K-factors)
- Normalizing to the highest score or to the average score
- A judging statistics report
- Other cosmetic improvements
Registered owners of version 4.2 can receive 4.3 (including the program diskette and updated manual) for $15 from Mike at P.O. Box 23305, Jackson, MS 39225. I don't know what it costs if you don't have version 4.2, but send him a SASE and he'll tell you.
Thanks to the Associate Editor
I've never met Model Aviation's associate editor, Ross McMullen, face to face, but I'm thankful for the help he's given to me on the occasions when I've had no photos to print. (That's a foot-stomper, guys! Please send photos.) I also know that when he can, he helps readers out.
For instance, in my May column I asked if readers could help Jed Mottola (Fairlawn, NJ), who had been unsuccessful in finding anyone to repair his Saito twin. Ross wrote to Jed with the necessary information as soon as he read the manuscript for my column. He happened to know that Assistant Editor Chip Smith had just had a Saito repaired at A & M Aircraft Supply (1801 S. Crest, Carrollton, TX 75006). I haven't had the opportunity to read the edited copy of my May column, but I'll bet that Ross also put the information in my column. (Bad bet! I didn't do it, because I wanted Ron to use it if anyone else would write in. — RMcM)
Clubs Bringing Aeromodelling to Schools
Clubs around the country are taking up the challenge and are purchasing subscriptions to Model Aviation (for only $9 per year!) for their local schools. A sample letter of many I received came from Bill Bradford, who is a past vice president (three years), a past president (one year), and current newsletter editor (four years) of the Daytona Beach Radio Control Association. Bill's letter said:
"Your article in the February issue of Model Aviation impressed me greatly, so I presented the concept initiated by the Eglin Aero Modellers Club (EAMC) to the two local clubs that belong to the Daytona Beach Radio Control Association (DBRCA), and the Flagler County RAMS. Both clubs enthusiastically accepted the challenge, and here's the results: The RAMS are giving subscriptions to four schools (I believe this is the whole county), and the DBRCA is giving subscriptions to every high school in the county and to Embry-Riddle College (10 subscriptions in all). This effectively covers two counties.
Both of these clubs are — and have been — active in community projects, and this one is right up their alley. I'm proud to be a member of them. Thank Mr. Ed Jackett of EAMC for advising all clubs of this great way for RCers to further the cause of aeromodelling."
Thanks, Bill. I'd like to hear from some more clubs around the country about what they've done to bring aeromodelling to the schools.
By the way, my wife is a school librarian, and she adds that "her kids" look forward to each issue of Model Aviation. Some have even asked where the local flying field is, and how they can obtain a subscription to the magazine.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
