AMA CONVENTION 2003

18 MODEL AVIATION
The Black Sheep Squadron helped with make-and-take, showing
how easy it is to get started in model aviation and rocketry.
The Black Sheep brought more than 50 models, from Free Flight
to helicopters and Radio Control indoor aircraft.
Lawrence Klingberg (Huntington Beach CA) captured first
place in Scale Civilian Non Jet with his 1927 WB-2 Bellanca.
■ Bob Hunt
June 2003 19
AMA CONVENTION 2003, held January
17-19, signaled the end of an era. This show,
which was formerly called the International
Modeler Show, or IMS for short, has been
held in the same facility—the Pasadena
Convention Center in Pasadena,
California—for 25 consecutive years. This
year marked the end of the run at that
location. Next year, and hopefully for many
years to come, the Ontario Convention
Center in Ontario, California, will be home
to the AMA Convention.
Show Director Jay Mealy asked to write
a few words here about AMA’s association
with the Pasadena Convention Center
personnel and the upcoming move.
“To the original home of the
International Modeler Show and AMA
Convention, the Pasadena Convention
Center, we say a sad good-bye. The
relationships established with the Center
staff and administration during our years
there are forever going to be remembered as
some of the finest. We thank them for their
Gil Coughlin’s extensive aeromodeling-memorabilia collection includes models from
yesteryear and an impressive selection of glow engines and CO2 motors.
Hobbico staff man the company’s booth. The convention is ideal for interaction between manufacturers and modelers.
Aerospace Composite Products also had a booth at the show. Four Pi representatives were ready to answer questions.
Photos by Mark Lanterman Graphic Design by Carla Kunz
20 MODEL AVIATION
Kenneth Tran (Westminster CA) earned first place in Helicopter Scale with this
Bell UH-1D. His Huey featured opening doors and a detailed cockpit.
Right: Polk’s Hobby displayed its Tracker II radio. According to the company,
it has “ … been upgraded for the 21st century.”
Ken Perkins (Lakeside AZ) garnered a win in Aircraft Scale,
Military (Non Jet)—the largest category—with his Sopwith Camel.
Matt Halton of England designed Jet Hangar Hobbies’ twinelectric-
ducted-fan F-14, available as a short kit in two sizes.
Kenneth Le’s (Anaheim Hill CA) F/A-18C Hornet won Scale Jet. It featured a variety of ordnance and realistic weathering.
dedication and hard work.
“To the new home, the Ontario
Convention Center, we say Hello. Looking
forward to what possibilities of growth and
learning await AMA Convention 2004 and
beyond.
“To the supporters, the exhibitors, and
attendees, the ones who truly make the
AMA Conventions successful, we offer our
sincere gratitude. Their continued
participation has provided the growth,
which in turn has created the need to move
to newer and larger facilities. They have
inspired, through their loyalty, the Academy
to work diligently at making the AMA
Conventions as good as they can be.”
This year’s convention was more or less
like many hobby consumer shows, with
several elements running concurrently.
There is always an education aspect to this
show. Thank you to all of the volunteers
who helped out with the education exhibits
in the lower hall throughout the show.
The Black Sheep Exhibition Squadron
arrived in full force again this year with
well more than 50 airplanes, which were in
continuous operation in the flying area. The
club members demonstrated everything
from simple Free Flight models to
helicopters and Radio Control (RC) indoor
aircraft. They also helped out with the
make-and-take, showing dozens of moms,
dads, and kids how easy it is to get started in
model aviation and rocketry.
The AMA education booth was
constantly busy. New and potential
modelers could get their questions answered
patiently and completely by an expert.
Visitors to the booth also had the
opportunity to try one of several RC
simulators and learn about which
transmitter-stick movement caused which
control effect on AMA’s unique RCAD
(Remotely Controlled Aircraft
Demonstrator).
Each year this booth becomes more
effective at promoting and explaining the
world of model airplanes to newcomers, and
the result has been a number of new
members.
There was also a static competition, and
the airplanes entered sat on display
throughout the show to inspire and amaze
all in attendance with craftsmanship and
finish above the norm. We’ve included
photos of many of the winners in the static
competition just to prove the point that
model building is far from dying out! (If
you want to see more of Mark Lanterman’s
photos from the Pasadena show, go to
www.airbornemedia.com/pasadena.)
The main aspect of this, or any hobby
consumer show, is the interaction between
the manufacturers who attend to show
their wares and the modelers who attend to
see what’s new. Each is relying on the
other for input and direction. The
manufacturers want to know if they are
hitting the mark with new products, and at
this type of show they can speak directly
to those who are using them. If a product
Dave Patrick Models’ new Edge 540T ARF is legal for IMAA competition and accurate
enough for IMAC. It spans 79 inches and weighs 12.6-15.0 pounds.
William Malo (Northridge CA) took first place in Aircraft Sport with his scratch-built, 1⁄4-
scale Grumman G-44A Widgeon. It spans 120 inches and weighs 48 pounds.
The 801⁄2-inch-span Flyin’ King from Bruce Tharpe Engineering is a trainer and more;
it’s capable of towing gliders, hauling cameras, or lifting payloads.
June 2003 21
22 MODEL AVIATION
David Mosher’s (Pacifica CA) Oracle Turbo Raven won the Aircraft Aerobatics category.
The 102-inch-span model uses an actual turbine-powered turboprop engine.
Ralph Roberts’ (Rowland Heights CA) X-29 has graced the cover of Sailplane & Electric
Modeler, and it took first place in the Aircraft Glider/Sailplane division.
This radio-controlled model on display at the NASA Dryden Flight
Research Center booth is the first known instance of beaming light
energy to fly an airplane.
Robart’s Pneumatic Disc Brakes, sold for
$119.95 a pair, are designed to fit the
new-design Tuff Tread aluminum wheels.
isn’t right, they get instant feedback.
On the other hand, manufacturers can
answer technical questions that modelers
have and educate their customers on better
ways to implement their products. It’s a
symbiotic relationship, and it’s the reason
why both groups keep coming back each
year.
There were a couple of definite trends at
this show. One was most certainly an
increased move toward electric flight—
especially indoor and park-flyer type
models and support equipment. The other
trend was a move toward Slope Soaring
types of models.
A continued move in the direction of
ARF (Almost Ready-to-Fly) and RTF
(Ready-to-Fly) models seemed to bring in a
new group of consumers, so we are
continuing to see a shift in the direction of
“sport” rather than “hobby.” That is not to
say there were no kit- or scratch-building
elements to the show; the booths that
offered materials for builders were very
popular.
The hobby/sport of model airplanes
seems to be getting more well rounded, with
something for everyone.
Thanks to the following manufacturers in
our industry who exhibited during and
helped support the 2003 convention: Ace
Hobby Distributors, Aero Electric,
JMD Models is offering two new scale park flyers: the
Cessna 195 (shown) and the Luscombe Silvaire. Each
spans 36 inches.
Aerospace Composite Products, Airtronics,
AirWild Hobbies, Arizona Model
Aircrafters, Astro Flight Inc., Batteries
America, Bill Northrop’s Plans Service,
Bob Holman Plans, Bob’s Aircraft
Documentation, Boca Bearing Company,
Bruce Tharpe Engineering, Cactus Aviation
Models, Castle Creations, Cavazos
Sailplane Design, Century Helicopter
Products, Cermark Co., Dave Brown
Products, Dave Patrick Models, Desert
Aircraft, Du-Bro Products, Dymond
Modelsports USA, Edjer Company, and
eHobbies.
Also, Electronic Model System,
FlyingFoam.com, Four Pi, Fox
Manufacturing, Great Planes, Hitec, Hobby
People, i4C Products, J&Z Products, JMD
Models Inc., JetCat USA, Jet Hangar
Hobbies, Leisure Electronics, Micro
Fasteners, Model Rectifier Corporation,
Pacific Aeromodel Mfg. Inc., Peck-
Polymers, Polk’s Hobby, Powermaster
Hobby Products, Propwash Video, R/C
Modeler Corporation, Robart
Manufacturing, Sidewalk Flyers, Skyborn
Electronics, Slimline Products, Superior
Balsa & Hobby Supply, Sure Flite, The
Composites Store, Traplet Distribution
USA, and Trick R/C.
Please make plans now to attend AMA
Convention 2004. The dates are January 9-
11 at the new venue in Ontario, California.
See you there! MA

18 MODEL AVIATION
The Black Sheep Squadron helped with make-and-take, showing
how easy it is to get started in model aviation and rocketry.
The Black Sheep brought more than 50 models, from Free Flight
to helicopters and Radio Control indoor aircraft.
Lawrence Klingberg (Huntington Beach CA) captured first
place in Scale Civilian Non Jet with his 1927 WB-2 Bellanca.
■ Bob Hunt
June 2003 19
AMA CONVENTION 2003, held January
17-19, signaled the end of an era. This show,
which was formerly called the International
Modeler Show, or IMS for short, has been
held in the same facility—the Pasadena
Convention Center in Pasadena,
California—for 25 consecutive years. This
year marked the end of the run at that
location. Next year, and hopefully for many
years to come, the Ontario Convention
Center in Ontario, California, will be home
to the AMA Convention.
Show Director Jay Mealy asked to write
a few words here about AMA’s association
with the Pasadena Convention Center
personnel and the upcoming move.
“To the original home of the
International Modeler Show and AMA
Convention, the Pasadena Convention
Center, we say a sad good-bye. The
relationships established with the Center
staff and administration during our years
there are forever going to be remembered as
some of the finest. We thank them for their
Gil Coughlin’s extensive aeromodeling-memorabilia collection includes models from
yesteryear and an impressive selection of glow engines and CO2 motors.
Hobbico staff man the company’s booth. The convention is ideal for interaction between manufacturers and modelers.
Aerospace Composite Products also had a booth at the show. Four Pi representatives were ready to answer questions.
Photos by Mark Lanterman Graphic Design by Carla Kunz
20 MODEL AVIATION
Kenneth Tran (Westminster CA) earned first place in Helicopter Scale with this
Bell UH-1D. His Huey featured opening doors and a detailed cockpit.
Right: Polk’s Hobby displayed its Tracker II radio. According to the company,
it has “ … been upgraded for the 21st century.”
Ken Perkins (Lakeside AZ) garnered a win in Aircraft Scale,
Military (Non Jet)—the largest category—with his Sopwith Camel.
Matt Halton of England designed Jet Hangar Hobbies’ twinelectric-
ducted-fan F-14, available as a short kit in two sizes.
Kenneth Le’s (Anaheim Hill CA) F/A-18C Hornet won Scale Jet. It featured a variety of ordnance and realistic weathering.
dedication and hard work.
“To the new home, the Ontario
Convention Center, we say Hello. Looking
forward to what possibilities of growth and
learning await AMA Convention 2004 and
beyond.
“To the supporters, the exhibitors, and
attendees, the ones who truly make the
AMA Conventions successful, we offer our
sincere gratitude. Their continued
participation has provided the growth,
which in turn has created the need to move
to newer and larger facilities. They have
inspired, through their loyalty, the Academy
to work diligently at making the AMA
Conventions as good as they can be.”
This year’s convention was more or less
like many hobby consumer shows, with
several elements running concurrently.
There is always an education aspect to this
show. Thank you to all of the volunteers
who helped out with the education exhibits
in the lower hall throughout the show.
The Black Sheep Exhibition Squadron
arrived in full force again this year with
well more than 50 airplanes, which were in
continuous operation in the flying area. The
club members demonstrated everything
from simple Free Flight models to
helicopters and Radio Control (RC) indoor
aircraft. They also helped out with the
make-and-take, showing dozens of moms,
dads, and kids how easy it is to get started in
model aviation and rocketry.
The AMA education booth was
constantly busy. New and potential
modelers could get their questions answered
patiently and completely by an expert.
Visitors to the booth also had the
opportunity to try one of several RC
simulators and learn about which
transmitter-stick movement caused which
control effect on AMA’s unique RCAD
(Remotely Controlled Aircraft
Demonstrator).
Each year this booth becomes more
effective at promoting and explaining the
world of model airplanes to newcomers, and
the result has been a number of new
members.
There was also a static competition, and
the airplanes entered sat on display
throughout the show to inspire and amaze
all in attendance with craftsmanship and
finish above the norm. We’ve included
photos of many of the winners in the static
competition just to prove the point that
model building is far from dying out! (If
you want to see more of Mark Lanterman’s
photos from the Pasadena show, go to
www.airbornemedia.com/pasadena.)
The main aspect of this, or any hobby
consumer show, is the interaction between
the manufacturers who attend to show
their wares and the modelers who attend to
see what’s new. Each is relying on the
other for input and direction. The
manufacturers want to know if they are
hitting the mark with new products, and at
this type of show they can speak directly
to those who are using them. If a product
Dave Patrick Models’ new Edge 540T ARF is legal for IMAA competition and accurate
enough for IMAC. It spans 79 inches and weighs 12.6-15.0 pounds.
William Malo (Northridge CA) took first place in Aircraft Sport with his scratch-built, 1⁄4-
scale Grumman G-44A Widgeon. It spans 120 inches and weighs 48 pounds.
The 801⁄2-inch-span Flyin’ King from Bruce Tharpe Engineering is a trainer and more;
it’s capable of towing gliders, hauling cameras, or lifting payloads.
June 2003 21
22 MODEL AVIATION
David Mosher’s (Pacifica CA) Oracle Turbo Raven won the Aircraft Aerobatics category.
The 102-inch-span model uses an actual turbine-powered turboprop engine.
Ralph Roberts’ (Rowland Heights CA) X-29 has graced the cover of Sailplane & Electric
Modeler, and it took first place in the Aircraft Glider/Sailplane division.
This radio-controlled model on display at the NASA Dryden Flight
Research Center booth is the first known instance of beaming light
energy to fly an airplane.
Robart’s Pneumatic Disc Brakes, sold for
$119.95 a pair, are designed to fit the
new-design Tuff Tread aluminum wheels.
isn’t right, they get instant feedback.
On the other hand, manufacturers can
answer technical questions that modelers
have and educate their customers on better
ways to implement their products. It’s a
symbiotic relationship, and it’s the reason
why both groups keep coming back each
year.
There were a couple of definite trends at
this show. One was most certainly an
increased move toward electric flight—
especially indoor and park-flyer type
models and support equipment. The other
trend was a move toward Slope Soaring
types of models.
A continued move in the direction of
ARF (Almost Ready-to-Fly) and RTF
(Ready-to-Fly) models seemed to bring in a
new group of consumers, so we are
continuing to see a shift in the direction of
“sport” rather than “hobby.” That is not to
say there were no kit- or scratch-building
elements to the show; the booths that
offered materials for builders were very
popular.
The hobby/sport of model airplanes
seems to be getting more well rounded, with
something for everyone.
Thanks to the following manufacturers in
our industry who exhibited during and
helped support the 2003 convention: Ace
Hobby Distributors, Aero Electric,
JMD Models is offering two new scale park flyers: the
Cessna 195 (shown) and the Luscombe Silvaire. Each
spans 36 inches.
Aerospace Composite Products, Airtronics,
AirWild Hobbies, Arizona Model
Aircrafters, Astro Flight Inc., Batteries
America, Bill Northrop’s Plans Service,
Bob Holman Plans, Bob’s Aircraft
Documentation, Boca Bearing Company,
Bruce Tharpe Engineering, Cactus Aviation
Models, Castle Creations, Cavazos
Sailplane Design, Century Helicopter
Products, Cermark Co., Dave Brown
Products, Dave Patrick Models, Desert
Aircraft, Du-Bro Products, Dymond
Modelsports USA, Edjer Company, and
eHobbies.
Also, Electronic Model System,
FlyingFoam.com, Four Pi, Fox
Manufacturing, Great Planes, Hitec, Hobby
People, i4C Products, J&Z Products, JMD
Models Inc., JetCat USA, Jet Hangar
Hobbies, Leisure Electronics, Micro
Fasteners, Model Rectifier Corporation,
Pacific Aeromodel Mfg. Inc., Peck-
Polymers, Polk’s Hobby, Powermaster
Hobby Products, Propwash Video, R/C
Modeler Corporation, Robart
Manufacturing, Sidewalk Flyers, Skyborn
Electronics, Slimline Products, Superior
Balsa & Hobby Supply, Sure Flite, The
Composites Store, Traplet Distribution
USA, and Trick R/C.
Please make plans now to attend AMA
Convention 2004. The dates are January 9-
11 at the new venue in Ontario, California.
See you there! MA