In the Air - 2009/09

INtheAIR
AMA HEADQUARTERS AND MEMBER NEWS
Time Is Running out for AMA’s Membership Drive!
There is less than a month left for you, your club, your hobby shop, or your district to participate in the AMA’s inaugural membership
drive: Bringing Modelers Together Begins With You. The program will expire on September 14.
Not only is this an opportunity to strengthen your organization by recruiting new members, but it is also an opportunity for you, the AMA
member, to make a difference—and you will be rewarded for doing so.
For bringing new modelers into the AMA, awards will be given in four divisions: members,
clubs, districts, and hobby shops. Prizes include individual Life Memberships, recognition in MA and
Park Pilot magazines, free advertising in MA for hobby shops, and more!
Following are the top performers in each category as of July 15, according to the leader board.
Member to Member: 898437 of District IX
Club to Club Alpha Division: Seldom Seen Flyers Club of Kentucky (District VI)
Club to Club Bravo Division: Gulf Coast Gulls of Texas (District VIII)
Club to Club Charlie Division: Kankakee Valley Model Flyers of Illinois (District VI)
Club to Club Delta Division: Sun Lakes Model Airplane Club of Arizona (District X)
Club to Club Echo Division: Johnson City Radio Controllers of Tennessee (District VII)
District to District: District XI
Hobby Shop to Hobby Shop: Walt’s Hobby Shop of Syracuse, New York (District II)
Congratulations to the leaders. To see the full listing of the results so far, go to
www.modelaircraft.org/membershipdrive/leaders.aspx.
There’s still time left. Get out there and remember that Bringing Modelers Together Begins With You! MA
—AMA Marketing Department
September 2009 9
expressed an
interest in
receiving a digital
version of the
magazine.
What is a
digital version of
a publication? It’s
the printed
material delivered
to your desktop
computer, and it
is typically
enhanced with
features
commonly found in an online environment.
Those features include a keyword search,
archiving, and hyperlinks to author e-mail
addresses and advertiser Web sites. You can
search for a specific article and send it to a
friend, save that article or issue to your
desktop, or browse an issue by virtually
flipping the pages and selecting what to read
or bookmark for later.
Particular attention will be given to what
tools are available to connect MA to mobile
devices and several popular social media
outlets, such as Facebook, MySpace,
Linkedin, and Twitter.
The AMA’s Publications Department staff
plans to have a live sample available for
viewing sometime this fall, with a full launch
Have you ever wished you could
remember in what issue you saw that
“recent” article in MA or the author’s name?
Or have you wished you could have the
Academy’s flagship magazine delivered to
you electronically each month instead of in
print? Maybe you want both capabilities,
with all of the advantages that come with
receiving a print and a digital version of the
publication.
The AMA is planning to launch a digital
version of MA in 2010. The staff is currently
evaluating several vendors that work with
magazine publishers to provide this popular
resource. Based on an MA readership survey
conducted within the last two years, a
significant percentage of respondents
expected in early 2010. By moving in this
direction, the Academy hopes to provide its
membership with an additional resource—
one presented in a format that is becoming
more popular with our members and readers
in general.
A digital version of MA will also offer the
Academy an opportunity to reduce two of the
largest expenses it incurs: printing and
mailing a magazine to the membership every
month.
We realize that print magazines aren’t
going away anytime soon and that they
provide their own unique values, but there is
a movement within the publishing industry to
offer readers more choices when it comes to
how they receive content. It makes sense to
pursue this initiative for our members at this
time.
On a related note, the Academy will
continue to investigate ways to update the
existing online resource: the MA digital
archives (currently found at www.modelair
craft.org/MembersOnly/archive/). This virtual
library contains complete issues of MA from
1975 to 2000, in a searchable database. You
must be a member to access this resource.
What do you think? Provide your input
by e-mailing me at rkurek@modelair
craft.org. MA
—Rob Kurek
Director of Publications
Digital Version of MA
to Take off in 2010
09sig1.QXD 7/24/09 11:59 AM Page 9
• The cover features Karen Haffke with her
dad, Henry’s, 1/4-scale Gee Bee Senior Super
Sportster Model Z (plans set 452), which is
this month’s feature RC construction article.
The 71.5-inch-wingspan model is a faithful
replica of the racer that won the 1931
National Air Races at Cleveland, Ohio. The
author’s version flies well with a sidemounted
.91 Webra engine.
• Clarence Mather’s Sweet P-30 (plans set
454)—the winner of the 1984 US FF
Championships—is presented this month. It
is easy to construct, and the text provides
excellent information for those who have
only modest model-building experience.
• Bob Palmer designed the original
Smoothie, and this month Larry Kruse
presents us with the CL Profile Smoothie
(plans set 453). This version for a .35 engine
25 Years Ago in MA: September 1984
retains the classic lines, in an easy-to-build
package that is fun to fly.
• David Haught has designed a drawing table
that can be constructed easily and
inexpensively. His article includes plans and a
materials list that is easy to follow.
• Don’t miss the second part of Don Berliner’s
“75th Anniversary of Air Racing.”
• Dick Everett provides a report, with pictures,
of the U.S. Free Flight Championships held in
Taft, California. This year, Iowan Mark Sisk
took home the Grand Champion Trophy.
• Richard L. Perry’s article tells you how to
modify your Ace R/C TachMaster tachometer
to accurately read slower-running geared
engines’ low rpm without affecting high scale
operation for faster-revving glow engines.
• For those of you
who have been
struggling with
switchable radio
frequency (SRF) RC
systems, George M.
Myers’ article
provides the
direction for making
SRF antenna flags with the capability of
easily changing the channel numbers.
• New products for this month include a
flexible exhaust system for $19.95 from
Condor Hobbies, SuperTigre’s “Bull Ring”
.40 engine from World Engines, Tower
Hobbies’ HP .49 four-stroke engine, and Ace
R/C’s Chargemaster, for $46.95, that can
simultaneously service two transmitters and
four receivers overnight. MA
—Rich LaGrange
AMA Librarian
INtheAIR
10 MODEL AVIATION
Educational Facility Groundbreaking
at AMA Headquarters
The National Model Aviation Museum broke ground
Monday July 6, 2009, at 10 a.m. for the new Claude
McCullough Educational Facility at the Academy of Model
Aeronautics in Muncie, Indiana.
The museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of
model aircraft, recently received a $152,000 bequest from
Model Aviation Hall of Fame member Claude McCullough to
enhance its educational and community outreach programs,
according to a press release.
“This new facility will be a terrific resource for us to better
reach and teach school-age children with hands-on learning
activities,” Museum Director Michael Smith said in the
release. “It will also allow us to host a variety of other events,
including offering meeting space and tours for area community
organizations.”
The new 2,120-square-foot addition will serve up to 100
people at a time for general instruction, building models,
demonstrations, and learning about aviation.
Donor Claude McCullough, 1922-2008, bequeathed more
than three-quarters of the expected $200,000 cost for the
facility. The museum is seeking additional donors to support
the full cost. McCullough was a writer, photographer,
designer, competitor, and experimenter in model aviation
dating back to the 1930s. He was inducted into the Model
Aviation Hall of Fame in 1991. MA
—From The Star Press
Muncie, Indiana
Muncie-area school superintendents and representatives,
Museum Director Michael Smith (second from right), and
Minnetrista President and CEO Betty Brewer break ground to
signal the start of construction.
AMA staff members and community representatives attended the
Claude McCullough Educational Facility groundbreaking ceremony.
09sig1.QXD 7/24/09 12:35 PM Page 10
INtheAIR
World Tour Tiger Moth on Display
September 2009 11
A world tour that included at least one stop in every state. It
required the involvement of the police and ended up with an exhibit
in a museum. Sound like a rock concert? Far from it; it was the Tiger
Moth World Tour.
In January 2004, the idea of flying a GWS Pico Tiger Moth in
every state in the country was born on RCGroups. The plan was to
mail the airplane, with all the gear required to fly it, to each
registered pilot, who would then log the flight on the included book
and sign the model.
Gene Carr and Luis Hoyos in Thonotosassa, Florida, began
assembling the Tiger Moth and gear while a sign-up list was started
on RCGroups. The pilots enlisted themselves to be part of the tour
online, and they used the honor system.
As pilots received the aircraft, they were to notify the trip
coordinator, Keith Wilson. Once the model was flown, it was to be
repackaged in the shipping box and mailed to the next pilot on the
list. Each flier was responsible for the shipping costs needed to get
the package to the next person.
The first flight was made on March 7, 2004, in Thonotosassa, and
it would be one of 86; the last one took place July 13, 2007, in
Honolulu, Hawaii. During that time, the Moth traveled throughout
the US and Canada.
The Tiger Moth went on exhibit March 27, 2009, at the National
Model Aviation Museum in Muncie, Indiana.
The first five pilots proudly display the World Tour Tiger Moth (LR):
Glenn Lewis, Wayne Leynse, Jay Smith, Luis Hoyos, Chuck
Parish.
In slightly more than three years, it had 42 entries in the repair log
and a stint in jail. Most of the repairs were minor and understandable
for a foam airplane that was being constantly flown and transported.
However, the stint in jail was not to be foreseen.
When the Tiger Moth reached a pilot in Kahoka, Missouri, all
contact was lost. Many attempts were made, but a few tense days
ended with Officer Ryan Lewis’s intervention. The model was
turned in to the police department and spent the night in jail before
Officer Lewis shipped it to the next person on the list.
It was hoped that once the tour finished, the National Model
Aviation Museum in Muncie, Indiana, would accept the aircraft. This
dream was realized when the Tiger Moth, logbook, and everything
related to the tour was donated to the museum on June 24, 2008.
The Tiger Moth now sits on display, wearing the signatures of all
who flew it. It is a testament to the imagination and fellowship that
aeromodelers can share, however far apart they are, via an online
forum. MA
—Jay Smith
MA Assistant Editor
Dr. Gordon Schimmel, the AMA
Education Committee chair, has
been named the recipient of a
prestigious award from the National
Coalition for Aviation Education
(NCAE).
The Dr. Mervin K. Strickler Jr.
Aerospace Education Leadership
Award was established in 1995. Its
purpose is to “honor Dr. Strickler and
recognize individuals or organizations
that share his personal commitment
and lifelong contributions to
aerospace education.”
AMA Education Committee
Chair Receives Award
The following is from the NCAE
Web site.
“Nominees and past winners have
been individuals who have
demonstrated outstanding aviation
and space education leadership
through a noteworthy achievement
and/or significant contributions to the
aerospace field over a continuous
period of time.”
Gordon is an invaluable asset to
our organization. Well done! MA
—AMA Staff
Gordon Schimmel instructs a child on the RCAD
(Radio Control Aircraft Demonstrator).
09sig1.QXD 7/24/09 12:01 PM Page 11
INtheAIR
World Tour Tiger Moth on Display
September 2009 11
A world tour that included at least one stop in every state. It
required the involvement of the police and ended up with an exhibit
in a museum. Sound like a rock concert? Far from it; it was the Tiger
Moth World Tour.
In January 2004, the idea of flying a GWS Pico Tiger Moth in
every state in the country was born on RCGroups. The plan was to
mail the airplane, with all the gear required to fly it, to each
registered pilot, who would then log the flight on the included book
and sign the model.
Gene Carr and Luis Hoyos in Thonotosassa, Florida, began
assembling the Tiger Moth and gear while a sign-up list was started
on RCGroups. The pilots enlisted themselves to be part of the tour
online, and they used the honor system.
As pilots received the aircraft, they were to notify the trip
coordinator, Keith Wilson. Once the model was flown, it was to be
repackaged in the shipping box and mailed to the next pilot on the
list. Each flier was responsible for the shipping costs needed to get
the package to the next person.
The first flight was made on March 7, 2004, in Thonotosassa, and
it would be one of 86; the last one took place July 13, 2007, in
Honolulu, Hawaii. During that time, the Moth traveled throughout
the US and Canada.
The Tiger Moth went on exhibit March 27, 2009, at the National
Model Aviation Museum in Muncie, Indiana.
The first five pilots proudly display the World Tour Tiger Moth (LR):
Glenn Lewis, Wayne Leynse, Jay Smith, Luis Hoyos, Chuck
Parish.
In slightly more than three years, it had 42 entries in the repair log
and a stint in jail. Most of the repairs were minor and understandable
for a foam airplane that was being constantly flown and transported.
However, the stint in jail was not to be foreseen.
When the Tiger Moth reached a pilot in Kahoka, Missouri, all
contact was lost. Many attempts were made, but a few tense days
ended with Officer Ryan Lewis’s intervention. The model was
turned in to the police department and spent the night in jail before
Officer Lewis shipped it to the next person on the list.
It was hoped that once the tour finished, the National Model
Aviation Museum in Muncie, Indiana, would accept the aircraft. This
dream was realized when the Tiger Moth, logbook, and everything
related to the tour was donated to the museum on June 24, 2008.
The Tiger Moth now sits on display, wearing the signatures of all
who flew it. It is a testament to the imagination and fellowship that
aeromodelers can share, however far apart they are, via an online
forum. MA
—Jay Smith
MA Assistant Editor
Dr. Gordon Schimmel, the AMA
Education Committee chair, has
been named the recipient of a
prestigious award from the National
Coalition for Aviation Education
(NCAE).
The Dr. Mervin K. Strickler Jr.
Aerospace Education Leadership
Award was established in 1995. Its
purpose is to “honor Dr. Strickler and
recognize individuals or organizations
that share his personal commitment
and lifelong contributions to
aerospace education.”
AMA Education Committee
Chair Receives Award
The following is from the NCAE
Web site.
“Nominees and past winners have
been individuals who have
demonstrated outstanding aviation
and space education leadership
through a noteworthy achievement
and/or significant contributions to the
aerospace field over a continuous
period of time.”
Gordon is an invaluable asset to
our organization. Well done! MA
—AMA Staff
Gordon Schimmel instructs a child on the RCAD
(Radio Control Aircraft Demonstrator).
09sig1.QXD 7/24/09 12:01 PM Page 11