In the Air

In the Air

Garfinkel Estate Donation: AMA’s Biggest

In November 2005, aeromodeling lost Daniel Garfinkel at age 73. His wife, Joyce, passed in 2008.

Daniel began his modeling career in the 1930s and dabbled in many facets of the hobby: gliders, rubber-powered FF, CL Precision Aerobatics, CL Speed, Scale, RC, and even boats and cars. He was an AMA CD and Leader Member for more than 30 years.

Both Joyce and Daniel had a great love for model aviation and spent much of their free time together helping AMA in various capacities, including at more than a dozen Nats. Daniel became interested in gas-powered ornithopters, and two of them reside in the National Model Aviation Museum.

As a final gesture, Daniel and Joyce left their estate to the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Their donation appears to be the largest in AMA history.

Watch MA and other AMA media for more information about this amazing gift. MA

—AMA Staff

AMA at EAA AirVenture 2008

After two planning visits to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) grounds earlier in the summer, the Northern Aces Air Show Team arrived at EAA AirVenture 2008 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on Sunday July 27. The team set up for another year of sharing the wonder of RC aviation with the thousands of kids and parents who are attracted to the KidVenture campus area of the massive EAA museum/convention grounds.

At KidVenture, kids (and parents) can experience, learn, and do all kinds of activities that are related to aviation. Students can carve their own propellers, get checked out by CFIs, and earn an hour of logged flight time. They can build air/stomp rockets, construct and fly kites, ride in push-pedal F-14s, meet well-known people from the world of aviation on the “Aviation Heroes Stage,” or fly a CL airplane.

At Area 51½—one of the three areas operated by the Northern Aces—kids could build 12-inch-wingspan balsa Jaguar jet gliders. The kids completed more than 2,500 of the models, with super gluing assistance provided by a team of volunteers; four kits were from EAA and 15 were from the Northern Aces.

In another area that the Northern Aces operated, students experienced RC flight via simulators and saw a large RC airplane being constructed. Mark Enderby of Balsa USA finished a Fokker Eindekker 90. The children and their parents could also learn about AMA from our pilots, MA magazines, Park Pilot magazines, and AMA Newcomer’s Guides.

In a third area, kids had an opportunity to fly an RC airplane (a ParkZone Super Cub) with one of the air-show team pilots via a buddy-box setup. A confirmed certificate count revealed that 413 buddy-box flights were completed and many more were provided to kids who showed up in line without a buddy-box qualification certificate.

Mike Haller, one of the air-show team pilots and District VII contest coordinator, logged more than 35 hours in buddy-box time during the weeks of KidVenture. He gave an iron-man performance.

In the final minutes of the last day of the show, the Aces drew three names from the registrations that were collected during the seven days of EAA AirVenture. Each of the three young pilot wanna-bes received a complete RTF electric-powered RC airplane setup.

On Friday, Day Five of the show, Dan Majka, a member of the EAA board of directors, presented four Northern Aces members—Gary Doran, Mark Enderby, Jason Raduenz, and Bill Lund—with Service Awards as a thank-you for the work the team has done on behalf of kids and aviation.

Plans are already being made for a bigger, better KidVenture in 2009. MA

—Bill Lund Northern Aces Air Show Team Member

In the Air

FAQs About AMA’s Administration/Operations Department

Q: Who do I contact for information regarding Executive Council meetings? A: Lisa Johnson, who you can reach at (765) 287-1256, extension 231, or lisaj@modelaircraft.org.

Q: How do I contact my district representative? A: All district vice presidents’ contact information is listed in MA’s “AMA News” section, or you can contact the officers through AMA’s Web site at www.modelaircraft.org/membership/organization/ec/contact.aspx.

Q: How do I get a proposal or complaint addressed at an Executive Council meeting? A: You must contact your district vice president.

Q: Whom do I contact for information regarding the officer-election process? A: Lisa Johnson.

Q: How do I get nominated for the position of district vice president? A: You must meet the qualifications of being a Leader Member and residing in the district for which you are running, and someone must nominate you by sending a notice to AMA Headquarters. Refer to the AMA Bylaws on the AMA Web site for the full nominating procedures.

Q: Can I get copies of current or past Executive Council meeting minutes? A: All Executive Council minutes are posted on AMA’s Web site. A complete copy of the most recent approved minutes is available to any AMA member upon request at no charge. There is a $5 shipping-and-handling fee for additional copies or minutes from previous meetings. You can request meeting minutes by calling Lisa Johnson or faxing a request to (765) 289-4248.

Q: Does AMA Headquarters have accommodations for groups to hold board meetings or club meetings? A: The upper level of the Headquarters administration building has been set up as a conference center that is available to our members. We also share this area with local business groups that are in need of meeting space.

Fees for use of the conference area are: $100 for all day, $50 for a half day, and $75 for an evening. The space holds 150 people and has elevator access, conference-table seating, theater-style seating, flexible seating/table arrangements, and some audio/visual equipment. A fully equipped kitchen is available for your caterer.

For information about using this meeting space, contact Tammy Morris at (765) 287-1256, extension 0, or tmorris@modelaircraft.org.

Q: Can the AMA Headquarters’ operator give me directions to the AMA site? A: The operator can supply you with general directions to our site from most locations.

Q: Will AMA Headquarters’ operator be able to answer questions about site events and schedules? A: The operator can give you most general information regarding dates and times. You need to direct more specific questions to the person who is handling the event.

Q: Can a first-time visitor to the International Aeromodeling Center tour the AMA Headquarters building? A: AMA staff members are available to give escorted tours Monday through Friday, and they provide you with some interesting facts along the way. The best times to stop by are 10 a.m.-noon or 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Q: Can I make reservations to camp at the International Aeromodeling Center? A: Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, unless for a large event with more than 200 attendees.

Q: What is the cost per night to camp on-site? A: It’s $15 with electric hookup. Primitive camping is $5 per night.

Q: Do you have a dump station on-site? What is the cost? A: Yes, it is included with your $15 fee.

Q: Are restrooms/showers located on-site? A: Facilities are located near Stage Center and in the rear of the museum building.

Q: Where do we register for a campsite when we arrive? A: At the Cloud 9 Museum Store, the Headquarters reception area, and Nats Headquarters during the Nats.

Q: Can competitors ship modeling equipment to AMA Headquarters before an event? A: Yes. For whom and what event it is intended must be clearly marked. The administration building is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (No deliveries are accepted between noon and 1 p.m.)

Q: Whom do I contact if I need on-site assistance? A: The Maintenance Department is available and equipped with radios during most large events.

Q: Will maintenance personnel help if my vehicle won’t start or gets stuck in mud or snow? A: AMA’s policy does not permit staff members to start, push, or tow non-AMA-owned stranded vehicles. They can call or radio to arrange for assistance.

You can find answers to most other questions you may have at www.modelaircraft.org. MA

—AMA Headquarters

In the Air

Wings Across America 2008 Update

The Wings Across America 2008 tour has been ongoing since Memorial Day weekend, and progress is going smoothly. At the time of this writing, more than 27 pilots have flown their legs with the Stevens AeroModel SQuiRT and have safely delivered it to the next pilots.

Check out the aircraft’s progress at Wings Across America 2008’s new Web address: www.waa-08.org. Although there is still a while before the goal of flying the airplane in the 48 contiguous states is reached, the Wings Across America team thanks the following clubs and organizations for their efforts.

• 114th RC Aero Squadron
• Aero Radio Club of Syracuse
• Alamogordo RCers
• Albuquerque Radio Control Club
• AMA Headquarters
• Anoka Radio Control Club
• Antelope Valley Tailwinds
• Arizona WingNutz
• Austin Radio Control Association
• Balsa Bugs
• Barnstormers R/C Flying Club
• Baxter Field RC Flying Club
• Beebe RC Flying Club
• Bellevue R/C Aero Modelers
• Beresford Aero Radio Flyers
• Big Spring Model Airplane Association
• Blue Ridge Aero Soaring Society
• Bridgerland RC
• Buffalo City Radio Control Squadron
• Butte Plane Nutz R/C Club
• Cape Ann RC Model Club
• Cape Fear Quiet Flyers
• Cedar Rapids Quiet Flyers
• Central Arkansas Model Aviators Association
• Central Connecticut Radio Control Club
• Channel Islands Condors
• Charleston Radio Control Society
• Clarksburg Model Aviation Club
• Cloud Dusters RC Club
• Cobb County R/C Modeler’s Club
• Coeur d’Alene Aero-Modeling Society
• Colbert Radio Control Flyers
• Columbus R/C Aerodrome Society & Hobbyists
• Country Squire Modelers
• Des Moines Modelaires
• Desert Eagles Model Airplane Flying Club
• Douglas County Aero Modelers
• East Bay Radio Controllers
• Eastern Idaho Aeromodelers
• Edwin Warner Model Aviators
• Egin Aeromodelers
• Eldorado Springs RC Club
• Electric Drone Society
• Finger Lake Air Pirates
• First State RC
• Flaming Geyser Flyers
• Flyvana County Radio Control Flying Club
• Flying Electrons
• Flying Gators
• Flying Hawks R/C Club
• Fort Worth Thunderbirds
• Frankenmuth Aeromodelers
• Frederick Model Aircraft Club
• Gallatin Eagles
• Georgetown AeroModelers Association Inc.
• Georgia Aircraft Modelers Association
• GLASS R/C Soaring Club
• Gloucester Area Modelers Association
• Golden Isles Model Aviators
• GP ARCS
• Grand Rapids Kent Radio Aeromodelers Club
• Greater Pittsburg ARCS
• Greater Southwest Aero Modelers
• Greenfield Flyers Radio Control Club
• Griffith Barnstormers
• Hawks R/C Junior Aviators
• Hill Hoppers Flyers
• Hodges Hobbies
• Houston Sport Flyers
• Iowa City Aero Hawks
• Isle of Wight RC Club
• Jackson County Aeromodelers
• JC Sport Fliers
• Jefferson Aero Modelers
• Kennebec Valley Model Aviators
• Kerrville R/C Flyers
• Keystone Clippers
• Kingman Modelers
• Koast Air Modeling Society
• Lafayette Escadrille RC Flying Club
• Lake Area Radio Kontrol Society
• Lake Country RC Club
• Lake Powell R/C Modelers
• Las Vegas Soaring Club
• Lincoln Sky Knights
• Livingston County RC Club
• Long Island Silent Flyers
• Metropolitan Sport Squadron
• Mid Arkansas Radio Control Society
• Middle Georgia Flyboys RC Club
• Midwest Performance Flyers
• Minnesota Area Radio Control Electric Enthusiasts
• Monroe County RC
• Mount Rainier Radio Control Society
• Mt. Moriah Airport
• Mt. Silversword RC Model Airplane Club
• Murray RC Modelers
• New Canaan R/C Society
• New Hampshire Flying Tigers
• New Jersey SkyBlazers
• Newport News RC Club
• Northern California RC Unlimited Flyers
• Northwest Florida Modelers, Inc.
• Oswego Valley Modelaires
• Owensboro Isotopes
• Paradise R/C Flyers
• PARCS
• Paris R/C Association
• Pegasus R/C Flying Club
• Pennsylvania Avenue Remote Control Society
• Pikes Peak Soaring Society
• Pine Island Aero Modelers
• Prince William County R/C Flyers
• Prop Floppers Club
• Propsnappers Model Club
• Rabbit Creek Flyers
• R/C Barnstormers Model Airplane Club
• RC DUSTERS
• RC Propbuster
• Remote Possibilities RC Club
• Reno Radio Control Club
• Reno RC Club
• Rhode Island Aeromodelers
• Rice Area Modelers Society
• Rio Rancho Radio Control Club
• Riverside Aeromodelers Society
• Rochester Aero Modelers Society
• Rochester Aero Modeling Society
• Rochester Modelers Club
• Rochester R/C Club
• Rocky Mountain Flying Machine
• Rogue Valley Eagles
• Rolla Modeler’s Association
• RORKS
• Sacramento Valley Soaring Society
• SAM 51
• San Gabriel Valley Radio Control League
• Santa Barbara Radio Control Modeler’s Club
• Santa Fe Dam RC Modelers
• SARC
• Seminole R/C Club
• Silver Eagles
• Socorro Chile Proppers
• Southern Arizona Modelers
• Southern Minnesota Model Aircraft Club
• Spirit of St. Louis Flying Club Inc.
• St. Louis Radio Control Flying Association
• Statesville Model Flyers
• Stealth City Flyers
• Syracuse Thunderbirds Aero Radio Society
• Teague R/C Club
• Temple Aero Modelers
• The Cloud Dancers
• The Flying Knights
• Thunderbird RC Club
• Tornado Alley Model Aviators
• Traverse Area Model Pilots Society
• Tri-County Barnstormers R/C Club
• Tri-County R/C Club
• Utah Flying Organization
• Valley Flyers
• Valley R/C Flying Club
• West Side R/C Flyers
• West Windsor Flying Club
• Western Carolina Radio Control
• Wichita Radio Control Club
• Willard R/C Fun Flyers
• WindWalkers R/C
• Winona Aeromodelers Club
• Woodland Aero Modelers
• Wren Flyers
• York County Flyers

—Information Provided by Frank Geisler District IV

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