In the Air
Lloyd Quick Receives District II Service Award
Lloyd Quick, a member of the Mid Hudson Modelmasters and the Mid Hudson Radio Control Society—both AMA clubs located in Dutchess County, New York—received a District II Service Award on November 2, 2011, at an appreciation dinner held at Coppola's restaurant in Hyde Park, New York.
At age 77, energetic and passionate about the hobby/sport, Lloyd has served the local clubs in numerous ways for many years. Nicknamed "Dr. R/C," he is often at the flying fields with new members by his side, operating a buddy box and giving instruction in his gentle and encouraging manner.
Whenever possible, he conducts what the clubs call "R/C 101 Clinics" under the canopy he brings to protect members from the sun. He makes himself available to everyone anytime they need his advice and assistance. In addition to phone calls and emails, Lloyd often invites members to his house where he teaches everything from soldering to constructing new aircraft and repairing distressed airplanes.
Throughout the years, Lloyd has served as an officer in the clubs. He has given numerous presentations—particularly on technical topics—and is always the one to call upon to help with the annual picnic or mowing the fields.
Lloyd has a passion for learning as well as teaching. He spends much time reading RC publications and enjoys doing research for himself and others.
In addition to being an accomplished pilot, Lloyd is an avid gardener, boater, and motorcyclist. Yes, he does love his toys and tools! A sign hanging in his hobby room reads, "The Man Who Dies with the Most Tools Wins."
Lloyd is a devoted family man. He and his wife, Joan, have raised seven children, some adopted, and 12 grandchildren. And he manages to make time for all of them.
Lloyd is one of those people you meet in life whom you know are special. In recognition of all he has done for the local clubs, as well as promoting the hobby/sport in general, it was befitting that he receive the District II Service Award for his contributions.
—Bob Santoro, Secretary, Mid Hudson Modelmasters
History Preserved: What's New?
The National Model Aviation Museum not only collects old artifacts, but also amasses newer models and equipment as technologies develop and evolve, in an attempt to document history as it is happening.
Trying to preserve history as it is happening is difficult because people are often less willing to part with new equipment than with older equipment. Deciding what should go into the collection without the benefit of hindsight and the knowledge of what might turn out to be significant is also challenging.
Most newer items are added to the collection sparingly and are seldom donated by individuals. In late 2011, the museum received two model aircraft that showcase the hobby’s development and changing technology.
MA editor Jay Smith donated an Überlite 2-in-1 RTF set, designed by FlyZone and ItCanFly, to the museum collection after he finished reviewing it for the magazine. The set consists of an electric motor on a removable power/control flight module that can fit into multiple airframes. The set comes with two airframes: a monoplane with a 16.1-inch wingspan and a biplane with a 14-inch wingspan.
A 2.4 GHz radio system is also included. The transmitter has a mixing dial that allows it to operate multiple forms of control surfaces, making it as interchangeable as the flight module.
Horizon Hobby donated the LR-1A Pogo prototype model used in the research and advertising for its ARF kit of the same name. With a 49-inch wingspan, a flying weight of 3.13 pounds, and a Power 15 or Power 25 motor, it was created to meet the requirements for the new Electric Formula One Pylon Racing event.
Designed by Jerry Small in collaboration with Pete Bergstrom of Horizon Hobby and the National Miniature Pylon Racing Association, the model can also serve as a general sport flier. Various components can be purchased in white, allowing one to customize the color scheme.
These new artifacts help us tell the stories of model aviation, even if they occurred only yesterday.
—Maria VanVreede Museum Collections Manager
FAA Meets with the AMA Membership
On Saturday, January 7, 2012, representatives of the FAA met with the AMA membership in an open forum at the AMA Expo in Ontario, California. Lynn Spencer and James Sizemore from the Unmanned Aircraft Program Office (UAPO) provided an update on the small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) rulemaking process and addressed many members’ concerns regarding FAA’s intent to regulate model aviation. The open forum was captured on video and can be viewed on AMA’s website at www.modelaircraft.org/aboutama/gov.aspx.
In the meeting we learned that publication of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the sUAS rule has again been delayed. Going into the 2011/2012 holiday season, it was believed the proposed rule would be released sometime in January or February. However, citing "unanticipated issues requiring further analysis," the rule failed to clear the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST) before the year’s end.
Current projections are that the rule will clear OST by the end of January. It will then be sent to its final stop at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The OMB will evaluate the regulation for potential adverse impact on small businesses and small government entities. OMB’s review could take as much as 90 days, which would put publication of the NPRM in May 2012. There is some optimism that OMB’s review will not take the full 90 days; the current best guess places the NPRM release in the spring of 2012.
Key points and timeline:
- OST review is the next step; expected clearance by the end of January.
- OMB review may take up to 90 days and could delay publication until May 2012.
- Optimism exists that OMB will complete its review sooner, possibly yielding a spring 2012 release.
In the week leading up to the Expo, UAPO representatives met for two and a half days with the Model Aircraft Standards workgroup to continue development of AMA’s model aircraft standards. It is understood that the sUAS rule will allow organizations such as AMA to develop their own set of standards for model aircraft operations, and if those standards are accepted and adopted by the FAA, they can be used as an alternative means of complying with the provisions of the sUAS rule.
Where the sUAS rule may be relatively restrictive in sanctioning model aircraft activities, the standards are aimed at providing more latitude and flexibility. In doing so, the standards must contain sufficient detail so that, if followed, they will reasonably sustain safe model aircraft operations.
The workgroup is continuing to develop the model aircraft standards, and this work will likely continue for many more months. As a final product comes into view, the proposed standards will be presented to the membership and opened for comments and suggestions.
Although publication of the sUAS NPRM has been delayed, the proposed rule is still very much alive and its release is only a matter of time. Current information regarding the NPRM can be found on the AMA website. After the rule is published, AMA will provide guidance and information on how to respond to the call for public comment.
Please make sure everyone you know is aware of the impending regulation, and ensure everybody who shares this hobby is well informed and participates in the response to the proposed sUAS rule. Timely updates regarding the sUAS rulemaking can also be found on Facebook by liking "AMAGov," and on Twitter at Twitter.com/AMAGov.
—Rich Hanson Government and Regulatory Affairs
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
