In the Air 2008/05
Tony Naccarato Jr. Receives 2008 Zaic Award
At the AMA Convention in Ontario, California, in January, Tony Naccarato Jr. received the Frank and John Zaic Memorial Award. Although the honor was in his name only, it recognized one of the most unique families in aeromodeling history.
The history of the Naccaratos—mother Addie Mae, father Tony, and son Tony Jr.—goes back more than 60 years, when Addie and Tony Sr. began working together on model airplanes in 1944. Tony Jr. was also born that year, and 20 years later he had developed to the point where he won at the 1964 AMA Nats. Earlier, Tony Jr.'s mom and dad had gotten into the hobby-shop business with Tony and Addie's Hobby Lobby.
Tony Jr.'s modeling didn't stop when he went into military service. He joined the U.S. Navy and became a flight engineer. He spent two years flying in Vietnam and continued building models there. While in the Philippines, Tony Jr. started a model-airplane club and organized model contests involving Navy, Marine, and Army personnel.
When Tony Jr. left the service in 1970, he went to work in his parents' hobby shop. When his father's health became a problem, Tony Jr. and his mother became a team. They built models together and competed in West Coast competitions.
Tony Jr. became the first person to fly a free-flight (FF) electric-powered scale model at the 1976 Nats. The next year he demonstrated electric-powered control-line (CL) models at the Los Angeles Convention Center. In addition, he and his mother got involved in indoor RC, and he set some records.
Tony Jr. and Addie Mae have also been recognized for pioneering multimotor electric flight and many electric-powered FF models—including a category called E-30, which is now popular in England. The mother-and-son team was also the first to fly a 1/4-scale indoor RC aircraft, which weighed only 24 ounces.
In addition to all this, Tony Jr. and Addie Mae helped develop AMA's rules for electric-powered competition. With motor power having become so strong in recent years, a great deal of the credit goes to them for showing what could be done and how to do it.
Tony Jr. founded the Black Sheep Exhibitionists club, which eventually became the famous Black Sheep Squadron that still exists. Through the years the group has become one of the most celebrated, known around the world for its many years of exhibitions and flight demonstrations to the public.
A major legacy of the Naccarato family is the influence it has had on getting youngsters involved in aeromodeling. The family members' countless demonstrations, through Black Sheep Squadron programs involving kids, are an inspiration. The names "Naccarato" and "Black Sheep Squadron" have become hallmarks of what talent, dedication, and perseverance can accomplish.
The Zaic Award is noteworthy because it provides a beautiful plaque for the honoree and awards the recipient a check from the Zaic Memorial Fund in the amount of $1,000. The wording on Tony's plaque reads, in part:
"... In recognition of extraordinary contributions to the Progress, Promotion, or Preservation of Aeromodeling in the United States of America ... for exceptional service in promoting, furthering and expanding all aspects of model aviation to youngsters, other modelers and the general public, for the benefit and enjoyment of all and the technical advancement of the science involved."
—John Worth District IV
AMA Adds Two Members to Its All Star Team
The AMA is proud to add two pilots to its All Star Team: Kyle Stacy and John Glezellis. The other members are:
- Quique Somenzini
- Andrew Jesky
- Mark Leseberg
- Nick Maxwell
- Jim Graham
This team of fliers comprises the best in the world. The pilots have participated in and won numerous events including World Championships, the Extreme Flight Championships, and the AMA Nats.
This young group consists not only of great pilots, but also of excellent ambassadors for the sport. We're proud to have them represent the AMA and hope that you will look for them at an event near you!
MA —Tom Schwyn AMA Marketing Director
California Club Participates in Cable Air Show
January 12–13, 2008, the Corona R/C Club of Riverside, California, had the privilege of participating in the 33rd Annual Cable Air Show for full-scale aircraft in Upland, California, for the 10th year in a row. This year was especially meaningful for our club because the 2008 AMA Convention was hosted concurrently at the Ontario Convention Center, only a few miles away.
Before these events took place, we contacted AMA Executive Director Jim Cherry and asked him if he would honor us by appearing with us at the air show. We also asked him if he would assist our club in presenting a plaque of appreciation and support for RC modeling and our club to airport owner and full-scale pilot Bob Cable and the representative from the Pomona Valley Pilots Association and Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 448.
We were pleased that he warmly accepted our invitation. He said he would bring our new AMA president, Dave Mathewson; his wife, Ginger; and District X Vice President, Rich Hanson.
Jim, Dave, Ginger, and Rich arrived at the gate as planned on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. Our Cable Air Show contact and coordinator, Kevin Lindstrom, escorted them to our static display area, where we waited for the plaque recipients to appear at center stage.
During this time, several Corona club members had the opportunity to greet and talk with the AMA officials. After a short delay, Jim and Dave were escorted to center stage, where they awarded Bob Cable and the EAA representative the plaques, and each gave a brief speech.
During his thank-you speech Bob Cable mentioned his admiration for our skills as model pilots. He said that each of us has a great chance of being able to fly full-scale aircraft because we have the same understanding of flight, whereas full-scale pilots would more than likely turn a model into kindling in less than 45 seconds.
The AMA group was unable to stay for our afternoon flying demonstration and had to return to the Convention.
The Corona R/C Club has approximately 150 members and was formed by individuals who wanted a family-and-friends atmosphere approach to the hobby. Our club offers students free ground training until he or she flies proficiently enough to solo.
Our club is one of the most active in the Riverside community. It provides static displays and flying demonstrations at:
- Cable Air Show
- Riverside
- March Air Reserve Base
- Flabob Field
- Corona
- Big Bear air shows
- AMA Convention
It also hosts annual events including FunFest, Fourth of July, FloatFest, Veterans’ Day, and Toys for Tots Christmas celebrations.
To see a video of the Corona R/C’s flying demonstration, visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_5wSqjVYQY
MA —Ron Cherry District X
Air Force Junior ROTC Cadets Enjoy RC Flying
On December 8, 2007, the Bay City Flyers, Inc., located in Land O’ Lakes, Florida, sponsored an RC training day for 17 cadets from the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AFJROTC) program at Ocoee High School, Ocoee, Florida.
The idea for this project began during a presentation at a club meeting by retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Darryl Sweetwine, who is Ocoee High School's JROTC instructor and a Bay City Flyers member. The club's membership unanimously approved this project and provided several trainer aircraft and buddy boxes. In addition, a trainer, buddy box, and helicopter were given to the students as a gift.
The cadets formed an RC club and began making plans for the December 8 field trip. Several meetings were held, at which the students learned the basics of RC flying and spent numerous sessions on a flight simulator that made flying much easier.
The cadets arrived at the flying field at 9:30 a.m. on the 8th. They were treated to a continental breakfast and then Charlie Poulton, the Bay City Flyers' president, gave a general safety briefing, which included an explanation of the purpose of the impound board.
The students were divided into four groups and assigned to an AMA Introductory Pilot. Each group began the session with a briefing on the pit area, pilot stations, and taxiway and runway safety. That was followed by a lesson covering the trainer, transmitter, and buddy box. The cadets took to the air for some stick time when instruction was completed.
The students and Introductory Pilots had lunch at 11:30 a.m., after which flying resumed. The cadets enjoyed flying, and the club membership enjoyed the students. The day concluded at 3:30 p.m.
All flying clubs should consider this type of program to help ensure our sport's continuation in years to come.
MA —Mike Diesu (Bay City Flyers Secretary) District V
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
