In the Air
NEAT Fair 2005 Notables
What is significant about the Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology (NEAT) Fair is not only that it centers around the fastest-growing trend in aeromodeling—electric-powered flight—but that it's the place where you'll find that modeling (as opposed to ARFing) is alive and strong.
Granted, when you see next month's coverage of one of the largest electric fun-flys in the country, there will be many ARFs flying about—but that's so we can show how many models previously thought of as "glow only" are now treasured "aggressive electric"-powered aircraft.
What I found reassuring and inspirational was the better count of models at that event that were either kit- or scratch-built. You'll see a great deal of them in the next issue, but if you want to grasp where most of the blood coming from the heart of modeling is going, put the NEAT Fair in Downsville, New York, on your must-see event list for next year.
—Michael Ramsey Associate Editor
John Patton—In Memoriam: 1916-2005
John Edward "Pat" Patton—the 17th AMA president (1969-70) and Model Aviation Hall of Fame member—died at his home in Frederick, Maryland, October 11, 2005, at the age of 89.
Among his many achievements in the past six decades of involvement with the Academy, John had been Free Flight Contest Board Chairman; Nats RC event director; various officers, including president, of the Frederick Model Airplane Club and the District of Columbia Radio Control Club; District IV vice president; and AMA's representative to the FAI. As president John played a key role in bringing the FAI F3A (RC Aerobatics) World Championships to the United States for the first time, in 1971. He also wrote several articles for MA (most recently the "2005 Southwest Regionals" in the July 2005 issue and "Searching for Free Flight Airplanes" in the May 2004 issue). He was an active and successful FF modeler.
In addition, John served as treasurer of STAR (the Society for Technical Aeromodel Research), which produced a transatlantic flight by an RC model.
Survivors include John’s wife Mary Elizabeth Lux Patton; his daughter Connie Ann Kenna, his son John E. Patton Jr., five grandchildren, a step-granddaughter, five step-children, 25 step-grandchildren, and one step-great-grandchild.
The family requests that memorials in memory of John be made to the Hospice of Frederick County, Box 1799, Frederick MD 21702, or the National Kidney Foundation, 30 E. 33rd St., New York NY 10016. —AMA HQ
Twenty-Five Years Ago in MA: December 1980
- Two construction articles are published: the RC Vickers Wellington Mk I bomber for two .10-size engines by Frank Baker and the T.C. Two twin-engine sport Stunter for CL by Dick Sarpolus.
- Reports on the 1980 AMA Nats are featured. RC Aerobatics (Pattern), RC Pylon Racing, and all CL events were held in Wilmington, Ohio. Outdoor FF, RC Soaring, and RC Helicopter events were contested at Wright Field at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. All FF indoor events took place in the University of Cincinnati field house. The 1980 Nats was the biggest of the three prior, with approximately 1,500 contestants.
- Among many people of interest in the Nats final standings were Dave Brown, who won Masters Pattern, and young upstart Chip Hyde, age 8, who finished eighth in Novice Pattern. This was Chip's third year of Pattern competition.
Bob Hunt flew his own-design Genesis to second place in CL Open Aerobatics, and George Perryman won the Mulvihill Trophy with a total time of 1,385 seconds.
Be a Part of Aviation History!
Please make plans to be at the Ontario Convention Center ballroom, in Ontario, California, at 6 p.m. Saturday January 14, 2006, for a truly historic event. In conjunction with AMA Convention 2006, Burt Rutan will be honored at a dinner and given the AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame Award.
This evening will present an opportunity for you to meet and hear from a worthy public figure who has used model aviation as a tool in his career. Burt won the Ansari X Prize for SpaceShipOne—the first civilian design to put a man into space—in 2004.
There are only 150 seats available for the event. They will go extremely fast, and we want you to be there.
If you would like to attend or have any questions, contact Jay Mealey at AMA Headquarters at jmealey@modelaircraft.org or (765) 287-1256, extension 272 or 270. —AMA Convention staff
AMA Executive Director Departs
AMA's Executive Council (EC) and its Executive Director (ED) Don Konrad reached a mutual decision not to renew his contract. The decision was made at the EC's quarterly meeting October 15 and was effective immediately.
Longtime AMA employee Joyce Hager has been appointed staff director and will oversee the day-to-day operations until an interim ED is named.
"Joyce is an accomplished executive who is well-prepared to fill the association's immediate staff leadership needs while a replacement executive director is sought," said AMA President Dave Brown. "We are very fortunate that she is willing to assume the position."
The EC has appointed a three-person search committee to locate qualified ED candidates and make a recommendation to the council, which may take as long as a year. Members include chairman Richard Hanson (District X) and members Andy Argenio (District I) and Dave Mathewson (District II). Joyce Hager will act as staff liaison to the committee.
"Reaching consensus on the expectations of an executive director and finding the right person is much more important than filling that permanent position quickly," said Dave Brown.
Don Konrad's departure follows 10 months at the helm of the 165,000-member association. "I knew the risks when I accepted this position and have absolutely no regrets," he said. "I also have no doubt about the direction in which AMA needs to go to meet its full potential. In my view, we accomplished a lot in 10 months."
"We will miss the vision Don brought to AMA, and we will do our best to continue many of the programs Don initiated during his tenure," said Dave Brown. —AMA HQ
Fiftieth Fly-In Marks Club’s Fiftieth Year
The Albuquerque Radio Control Club (ARCC) celebrated its 50th year in existence with its 50th annual Fly-In and Air Show held Labor Day weekend: September 3-4. The event was held at the city-owned George Maloof Air Park, which has been in operation for 50 years!
Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mayor Martin I. Chavez addressed attendees and received an AMA District VIII Historic Field commendation from Vice President Sandy Frank. Mayor Chavez and his administration are strong supporters of the sport and the airfield.
The event drew 70 pilots and more than 300 airplanes from throughout New Mexico. The landmark anniversary caught the attention of local press, so spectator attendance was phenomenal, exceeding 2,000.
Sandy Frank continually worked the crowd, promoting aeromodeling to eager visitors. His example in promoting the hobby was an inspiration to all. Local business Hobbies ’N Stuff set up a booth and donated all profits from sales to the Katrina Relief Fund, raising nearly $3,000.
The flying site and club were established in 1955 by scientists from Sandia National Laboratories, who helped pioneer early advances in radio-control technology. Frank Hoover—the “F” in F&M Electronics—developed one of the earliest proportional radio systems there.
The ARCC works closely with the city of Albuquerque to maintain, schedule, and upgrade the public facility. The flying site is one of most heavily used parks in the city system. —Chuck Andraka Event Director
District VIII Vice President Sandy Frank (center) presents Albuquerque NM Mayor Martin J. Chavez with an AMA Historic Field commendation while Albuquerque’s Open Space Division Director Matthew Schmader looks on. Doug Powell photo.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
