AMA News
Announcements, news, and information from the Academy of Model Aeronautics and the elected district representatives.
Executive Council Meeting Highlights
The motions below are part of the unofficial minutes of the meeting. Minutes from a given meeting are not official until they are approved at the next quarterly Council meeting. Questions or comments on the motions should be addressed to your District Vice President.
AMA Executive Council Meeting Motions
October 15-16, 2005 Muncie, Indiana
Not in attendance at the meeting was NAA Representative David Ivey.
Motions approved by acclamation/consensus (12 items):
- To approve the July 9, 2005 Executive Council meeting minutes.
- To read into the minutes the results of the August 12, 2005 mail vote.
- The Executive Council agrees with the Nats Management Committee position, that the proposed CL Stunt Committee is not acceptable.
- That the Executive Council recognizes and approves the name change from National Aeromodeling Historic Landmark Program to National Aeromodeling Heritage Program.
- That following the Museum Steering Committee report Executive Council accepts the modifications to the program.
- To approve the 2006 Nats as a 5A event; dates are Indoor May 30-June 4, Outdoor July 3-August 6.
- To approve the report and recommendations of the Nats Management Committee.
- To approve the F3D Pylon World Championships be held June 30-July 4, 2007; the F3D Pylon World Championships will be preceded by the AMA Pylon Nats.
- It is the consensus of Council that pictures of the candidate will not be allowed in the campaign statements and that all campaign statements will be published "word for word" as provided by the candidate. Changes to the policy and procedure document re campaign statements must be approved by the Executive Council.
- Dates for the 2006 Executive Council meetings are January 28/29; April 15/16; July 15/16; October 21/22. The Finance Committee meeting is September 29.
- Headquarters to proceed with Version #1 of Fellow award as presented in October 15, 2005 agenda.
- That AMA member (name withheld) that his renewal membership shall be withheld for the year 2006.
Motion I: It was moved and seconded to approve the 2006 Operating Budget as presented. Motion passed. 8 yes, 2 no.
Motion II: It was moved and seconded to approve the amount of $410,850.00 in Capital and Contingency Budget for 2006. This does not approve any expenditure of funds. Any projects to be expended from this budgeted amount must be approved by Executive Council. Motion passed. 11 yes, 1 no.
Motion III: It was moved and seconded to approve the Safety Committee recommendations relative to turbine power model class and experimental aircraft class. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion IV: It was moved and seconded that AMA establish a Disaster Relief Fund with $20,000 of AMA funding to assist the victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and future disasters in clean up efforts, with a limit of $500 for any one club. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion V: It was moved and seconded be it resolved that by mutual agreement Don Koranda will step down from the Executive Director position. Motion passed by secret ballot.
Motion VI: It was moved and seconded to appoint Joyce Hager as Staff Director. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion VII: It was moved and seconded to accept the 2006 Air Show America event as presented by the Membership Development Committee. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion VIII: It was moved and seconded to accept the Membership Development Committee's recommended Buddy Box program. Motion passed unanimously.
EC Meeting Minutes Available
A complete copy of the approved minutes of any quarterly Executive Council meeting is available to any AMA member on request.
A copy of the most recently approved minutes will be provided at no charge. Council meets quarterly, and minutes from a given meeting are approved at the following meeting. Additional copies, or minutes from other meetings, are $5 each (shipping and handling charge).
Requests may be submitted to AMA administration by telephone, via fax, in writing, or via E-mail at mvojislav@modelaircraft.org. For telephone requests, dial (765) 287-1256, extension 201; fax requests use (765) 741-0057. There is a $10 minimum for credit card orders.
SUPERFUND ON THE MARCH:
Because of the positive attitude of Melissa Friedland, Manager of National Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund Redevelopment Coordination, the EPA/AMA partnership was formed encouraging the reuse of cleared Superfund sites for model flying fields.
After the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the EPA/AMA partnership agreement, Kristin Winterson Sprinkle with whom I worked, was assigned the task within EPA to organize the program operating procedure. It was a joy for me to work with her and it was a pleasure developing the procedure. Kristin did an outstanding job. I want to share her writing which will speak for itself.
“Every now and again, you have a pretty good day at work. Maybe that big report you have been working on goes over great with your boss. Maybe you get some kudos from a client. Then there are those rare days when my husband asks me ‘How was work?’ and I can say, ‘It was fantastic!’ On a warm, sunny day in August, I had one of those days.
“I work for a small consulting firm in Charlottesville, Virginia. Most of the work I do centers around providing support to EPA in its mission of protecting human health and the environment, and supporting communities in their efforts to reuse remediated properties—in particular, Superfund sites—back into the fabric of their community.
“It is a great job. One of the more exciting aspects of it is supporting EPA’s partners: organizations that EPA works with in order to provide communities with appropriate options as they decide how they can reuse local Superfund sites.
“One of EPA’s newest partners is the Academy of Model Aeronautics, which signed a partnership agreement MOU with EPA in February of this year. The MOU between AMA and EPA is an alliance that links Superfund communities interested in hosting aeromodeling activities on their Superfund sites with the expertise and resources of AMA.
“Simply put: many Superfund sites are remediated and covered with grass. In the past, the status of these properties as former hazardous waste sites has made them seem less desirable than many neighboring properties. But today, open space is a valuable community amenity and local communities are starting to recognize the positive attributes of the cleaned-up sites.
“EPA is partnering with groups and organizations that have expressed an interest in these properties which affirms EPA’s commitment to putting remedies in place that are protective and allow the sites to be used in beneficial ways. Reuse helps EPA as well; future users add an additional measure of protection by acting as stewards for the land discouraging destructive activities such as trespassing and vandalism.
“To give us a better understanding of what flying model airplanes was all about, Rick Moreland and Bliss Teague of the Prince George’s Radio Control Club (PGRC) offered to take several people from EPA to a flying field. Joe Beshar, the flying sites coordinator whose passion and dedication constantly astounds me, was also going to make the long trip from New Jersey to join the group.
“I was offered a spot as the official photographer and journalist—a job I was more than happy to accept. I didn’t elicit a lot of sympathy from my colleagues while I was gathering my notebook and digital camera. After all, how often can you duck out of the office to go enjoy the outdoors and get paid?
“As we drive from the EPA office to the flying field, the busy city gives way to rapid residential development 20 miles north of Washington, D.C. Open fields and quaint farms are giving way to large homes in neatly planned neighborhoods.
“While the homes are lovely, I can’t help but think it’s a shame. Trees that are as old as my grandfather will be chopped down to make way for sidewalks and golf courses. Amid these observations, I’m struck with the realization that the fliers at PGRC could soon be in a similar situation. They could lose their field to make way for new families hoping to escape the bustle of city life.
“Before I can think too much about this, we turn off the road into a much smaller gravel road which almost immediately becomes a grass road. At regular intervals, there are small yellow and white signs pointing the way to the PGRC flying field. Despite the constant reminder that we’re on the right track, we couldn’t help the feeling that only two miles off of a road rife with development, we were somehow headed in the wrong direction.
“Then, soaring above the trees to our left, we saw a model airplane turning gracefully. Assured we were heading the right direction, we continued on and not a minute later I saw the sign ‘No AMA Card, No Flying.’ We had arrived.
“As we pulled up, I saw a carefully maintained runway. There was a long, covered pavilion with benches and in front of that, people of all ages were working on airplanes, patiently looking to the runway and awaiting their turn.
“I turned my attention from a dad working on a model aircraft with his son to airplanes doing things I didn’t think were physically possible—spinning slowly in the air on their tails not five feet from the ground, doing loop-de-loops upside down in the air, or shooting straight up like rocket ships.
“After a momentary lapse of purpose, I reached for my camera and began taking pictures. I was so busy snapping away that I hardly noticed Rick Moreland approach me until I heard, ‘Kristin, put that camera away! It’s your turn!’
“I hesitated for a moment—after all, I didn’t think I would get to fly and maybe I should defer to my clients to go first—but with their wave of encouragement, I accepted. I put my camera away in a sudden burst of excitement. I had never flown a model airplane before.
“After being shown the control box I would use with my flying buddy, I felt a little reassured. As an avid XBOX player, I thought I stood a reasonably good chance of doing okay, and with a little pre-briefing swagger told that to Charles White, the buddy who would be responsible for my first flight. ‘Let me go ahead and show you how this works,’ said Mr. White, a lawyer-turned-teacher, with a warming smile. I wish I could say I was paying 100% attention, but my brain was already thinking about what I would need to do to make a loop-de-loop. I am pretty sure my fingers were itching.
“That was the fastest 15 minutes I have ever experienced. I wish I could tell you about it, but the only thing I really remember is laughing and asking Mr. White to save me! Apparently, playing the XBOX is not an acceptable means of learning to fly model airplanes.
“One by one, Mr. White gave each of us an opportunity to fly, with mixed results from us first-timers.
“Snapping picture after picture, I laughed with the rest of the group as we all had our first flying experience. When we were done, we moved to the pavilion to enjoy refreshments. We chatted and swapped war stories provided by our hosts. While we enjoyed the hospitality, we learned more about our fellow fliers.
“They are doctors, teachers, nurses, carpenters, and jewel cutters from all ages and walks of life, all drawn together by this liberating hobby, and all proudly displaying airplanes made by hand and painstakingly maintained by their owners. I also noticed two children making their way to the runway with their father. Somewhat sheepishly, I realized we had dominated the runway for nearly an hour.
“As they took their turn flying with their father, I watched as members admired one another’s airplanes, or sat in the shade and sipped soft drinks, discussing the finer points of flying. I realized that this was a really nice place to be.
“I sat next to Rick who was watching two young men fly their airplanes side-by-side above the runway, moving the planes up and down like a teeter totter. ‘Are there always so many folks here on a Wednesday?’ I asked Rick. ‘Well, the truth is, these folks came out especially for this.’
“He explained that for these fliers, our visit was a chance to show EPA that model aviation is a worthy hobby, one that brings together the young and the old, and doesn’t discriminate. It is a partnership worthy of EPA’s support. Knowing this, I was even more impressed by this display of dedication. Not only had model aviators taken off from work, but so had their spouses. Some had brought children and grandchildren, happily enjoying one of the last days of summer vacation.
“After taking a few group pictures, I went to find Mr. White. ‘Thank you,’ I said, shaking his hand with both of mine. ‘I had a great time,’ and I hoped he heard the sincerity behind the tired phrase. As we got in the car, we couldn’t help but reflect on the generosity of our hosts and our hope that the partnership would provide new flying opportunities for AMA members. And it wouldn’t just be a plus for AMA members; it could also benefit local communities that may be considering an array of future uses for old, cleaned up Superfund sites.
“As we drove back onto the busy highway, I crossed my fingers that it would happen soon. Members of PGRC are looking for a new flying field; they hope that this partnership might be the catalyst they need to secure a small piece of the rapidly disappearing open space in the DC area. EPA is currently working with more than 20 AMA-chartered clubs, and my colleagues and I have the pleasure of working with many of them.
“I didn’t get home until almost seven that night, but the first thing I did was anxiously download pictures—all 120 of them. I looked at each of them as I reflected on my day and began to look forward to a time when I can bring my twins to a flying field.
“When I looked down at my notebook I found that its pages were mostly empty. Despite my best intentions, the only notes I had taken all day were the directions to the field, which I had jotted down before I left the office that morning. I smiled and shrugged it off. I wasn’t likely to forget this little business trip.”
—Kristin Winterson Sprinkle
For more information about the partnership between EPA and AMA, please visit www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/recycle or call me at (201) 261-1281.
AMA News
HURRICANE KATRINA visited the Gulf Coast area and hit many of our members and clubs hard. This is especially true in the Alabama and Mississippi Gulf Coast area. We all saw the pictures of the devastation.
AMA Headquarters in Muncie, Indiana, has already established a “member-to-member” hotline-help program that has worked well. If you want to help, check the AMA Web site’s front page for what you can do.
I was pleased to know that AMA staff members took the time to call every AMA member who had a ZIP code in the affected zone. I know of many AMA members in District V who were surprised and pleased that someone from AMA took the time to call them personally and check on them! Thanks, Headquarters! You people did great!
I am happy to report that the clubs in District V have stepped up to the plate to help. I have received calls and E-mails from many clubs and members who want to help other clubs and members in the devastated area.
I am working to coordinate help for the clubs in the area. I am setting up a program where any club—even those outside the district—can partner with a District V club that had damage to its field because of the hurricane.
The high winds and storm surge damaged roofs and destroyed buildings at club sites. With this amount of damage, it is difficult for clubs to put all their finances into this situation all at once. Most clubs would struggle for a few years to get this done.
I am asking any club that can help to partner with an affected club financially to assist with funds to repair the facilities. If we could get 20 or 30 clubs to give a few hundred dollars each, we could really help these clubs get back in the air.
I ask clubs that need help to contact me so that I can find out what your specific needs are. I will then set up a partnership with a club (or hopefully several clubs!) that wants to help. In this way, we can be a friend and neighbor to our fellow modelers in their time of need. As the clubs get the information to me, I will post it on the District Web site, www.amadistrict-v.org. I hope your club will consider helping. If you are interested, please E-mail me at tony@amadistrict-v.org.
I attended my first Finance Committee meeting at AMA Headquarters. The purpose of this meeting is to consider recommendations by AMA staff members and prepare the 2006 budget to present to the full Executive Council at the October meeting.
On October 1, I was able to make it to Alabama, to visit with the active Radio AeroModelers of Montgomery (RAMM) club. Its annual warbird fly-in is always well-attended, and this year was no exception.
My last check with the club showed 45 pilots registered and approximately 68 airplanes. CD Gene Hannah had everything flowing well, and it was obvious that fun was the word of the day!
The club field is a huge grass runway, roughly 800 feet long and 150 feet wide. Pilots always welcome a well-groomed grass runway because it is easy on the models. The winds were steady and picked up some during the day; however, that didn’t stop the pilots from having a great time!
Throughout the day the air was full of beautiful Scale models from both World War I and World War II. If you didn’t make it this year, you might want to put this event on your schedule for 2006!
As fall arrives, we find the cooler temperatures seem to bring out activity at the District V flying fields! Many events are held across the Southeast between October and March each year.
This is especially true of Florida. Many of our modeling brothers from up north make the trek to Florida to escape the snow and ice, and many bring airplanes to fly! Why not? You are sure to have some great sites from which to choose!
District VI
Charlie Bauer, District VI Vice President; bauerc@iit.edu
Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri
Associate Vice Presidents: Kentucky: Lew McFarland, Lexington KY; (859) 223-1237
Illinois: John Kallend, Flossmoor IL; (708) 798-7242 Hal Parenti, Westchester IL; (708) 562-5752 Bob Walker, St. Charles IL; (630) 377-7663 Jerry Worden, Normal IL; (309) 454-3903
Indiana: Ron Ballard, Decatur IN; (219) 724-8934 Gary Bussell, Muncie IN; (765) 288-3541 Frank Roales, Vincennes IN; (812) 882-4774
Missouri: Bob Underwood, St. Charles MO; (636) 939-3393 Jim Cianciolo, Independence MO; (816) 795-7382
Webmaster: Gary Parenti, Westchester IL; Eve. (708) 531-9556
Frequency Coordinator: Julian L. Pugh, St. Charles IL; (630) 513-1951
Safety Coordinator: Walter Voyt, Joliet IL; (815) 725-4677
District VI Web site: www.csam.iit.edu/~amadist6/index.htm
SHOW AND TELL from the 2005 Nats:
My wife and I had a Bauer family reunion at the Nats. Sixteen members of our family were there. Twelve of them are pilots and we brought 18 airplanes. I think that is a record for one family. Photos by Michael Ramsey.
AMA News
This information was furnished by Wayne Parrish. Thank you very much.
Associate Vice President Bud Gorman sent in a shot of some of the participants in a Combat meet held in Superior, Wisconsin. Although the weather wasn't great, pilots attended from as far as 150 miles away. Leon Ohszewski won the Slow Survivable Combat (SSC) event and Darrin Lawler won the Open B event.
Neil Bird, Doug Goldman, Doug Stahlke, Leon Ohszewski, Jerry Lawler, Darrin Lawler, and Bud Gorman.
Pete Smith of the Southeast Wisconsin Area Rotary Modelers (S.W.A.R.M.S.) sent this report of the club's fourth annual fun-fly in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Thirty-eight pilots showed up with experience ranging from buddy box to Class I to Extreme 3-D.
Pete said there were a few mishaps but nothing earth shaking. Along with good food, the club held a raffle with the proceeds going to the local Children's Hospital.
JR was well represented at the S.W.A.R.M.S. fourth annual fly-in.
Kevin Rosciszewski is checking alignment.
Part of the flightline of canopies
Till the next time, fly safely, have fun, and take a kid to the field. Promote our hobby.
C.A.V.U. For information about the 2006 event or the Buzzard Busters club, please contact the event director.
The following was sent in by Chuck Andraka from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“Competition Fun-Fly Nats: I was the lone competitor representing District VIII at the AMA Nats in Competition Fun-Fly. I was joined by Ryan and Randy LeFevre of Albuquerque, New Mexico, who came to observe and kicked themselves for not bringing airplanes.
“This young category at the Nats is an extension of the time-honored local events in which varied tasks are flown against the clock or for points. Twenty-six pilots from around the country participated and found that competition and fun can be combined.
“The task list this year was quite varied. In Unlimited, all events are against the clock and consist of loops, rolls, and touch-and-gos in various combinations.
“The entire weekend was a three-way race in Masters between me, Kevin Siemensen, and David Grantham. The highlight task was inverted-roll limbo, requiring five inverted passes with a roll between each for time. This separated the men from the boys and David Grantham won his sixth championship. I came in fourth.
“The Fun Fly class includes mission events with spot landings, bomb drops, and other fun. The feature task here is table-top touch-and-gos, in which you must land three times on a table then get back on the ground—all for time. I flew this in 31 seconds, but struggled in other tasks, resulting in a middle-of-the-pack 10th place.
“More about this type of flying can be seen at www.ncfunfly.org, which I maintain. Daily Nats updates and results are available on the AMA Web site.”
SANE: Safe Aeromodeling is NO accidEnt. Dr. Sandy Frank.
District IX
Mark Smith, District IX Vice President; marktsmith@everestkc.net
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
I went on a four-day trip to the Denver area in August. Associate Vice President Travis McGinnis has been working all year to put together the first District IX fun-fly which was in conjunction with the Arvada Vintage event.
There are certain restrictions on the airplanes which were flown, so I borrowed fellow modeler John Kreckovich’s Red Zephyr (circa 1935). John is an outstanding builder and with some help from the thermal gods, I won the climb-and-glide event!
Modeler John Kreckovich displays his Red Zephyr.
Thanks to John and all my friends in the Arvada club for a great weekend of fun and fellowship.
We all know the importance of the old saying, “Our Strength is in Our Numbers.” Words can’t express my appreciation for go-getters such as Jim Wallen, president of the Arvada Associated Modelers, who took the bull by the horns and revitalized the Metro Denver Modeling Council.
I took time out to attend this informative meeting which was focused on coordinating area events and generally promoting the hobby. Keep up the great work!
Finally, while in the Denver area I wanted to recognize a couple of non-RC clubs for their longevity in the hobby by presenting the Rocky Mountain Aeromodelers and The Magnificent Mountain Men with plaques signifying their contributions to our hobby. Congratulations, folks!
From the left are Bruce Ferrell, Dave Rolley, Lynn Boss, Greg Settle, and Mark Smith.
The Magnificent Mountain Men included (L-R) Chuck Ethington, secretary/treasurer; Rick Pangell, newsletter editor; Don DeLoach, president; and Mark Smith.
The Shawnee Mission Radio Control Club (SMRCC), my club, held its annual Citywide Fun-Fly in September. I didn’t realize how much time this “volunteer” job would take until I had made a commitment last year to CD the annual event.
Thank heavens for fellow modelers like Mac Strader, Shane Sternecker, Rick Cansler and club president Craig Brown (I’m sure I missed many more) who came to my rescue to pull off one of the best events in our club’s history since I just flat ran out of time to complete all the necessary work to CD an event such as this.
Thanks again, folks!
Participants in the Citywide Fun-Fly in September posed for a group photo during the event.
I have a couple of “big birds” in my fleet but have never participated in an International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) event. My good friend Walt DeFrees will become the District IX IMAA director in 2006 and as we discussed, we want to make District IX the poster child for how well IMAA and AMA can work together to promote this great hobby of ours.
After flying all day on Saturday, we met at a local restaurant for food and fellowship at which time Walt and I had the opportunity to address the gathering after everyone’s tummies were full.
Walt DeFrees (L) and I spoke at the IMAA dinner on Saturday evening.
Work continues on the Membership Development Committee which I chair. We held our second meeting in early September and I will share some exciting news about what’s in store next month.
As you can see, it’s been a pretty busy and exciting 30 days. Until next month, have fun and keep in touch! Mark Smith.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
