AMA Gala 2001
WHAT LABEL COULD you put on a long weekend at AMA Headquarters in Muncie, Indiana during which four major programs were held?
AMA Gala 2001!
June 7-10 was a blur of activity. Scheduled events were the dedication of the new AMA administration building, the Celebration of Eagles III, the 10th AMA Homecoming, and the fifth AMA Grand Event.
The weekend was kicked off Thursday with the dedication ceremony. Many AMA and local dignitaries and a host of notable modelers were in attendance to witness the beginning of a new chapter in the AMA saga.
Following a catered buffet for all present, Dave Brown was joined by Joyce Hager; Delaware County Commissioner Ron Bonham; Don Crow, who represented the AMA membership; Gooden and Ellis architect representative Joe Dowdle; Chuck Foreman, chairman of the New Headquarters Building Committee; Brandt Construction representative Harold Hattison; and AMA employee representative Cliff McKee, to officially cut the ribbon and open the new building.
District VI Associate Vice President Gary Bussell was presented the prestigious Fellowship Award—AMA’s highest honor—in recognition of his support and help with the building project.
The dedication marked the culmination of a 10-year effort to construct a new Headquarters facility. The Academy finally has a building befitting its history, legacy, and mission.
However, it didn’t just magically happen; there’s some history. (See the sidebars.)
Since moving to Muncie from the previous headquarters in Reston VA in 1993, approximately 50 full-time AMA employees have been working in a very stock-looking, prefabricated steel building that was originally intended to house the National Model Aviation Museum and be used as a storage facility.
There were few windows in the areas where the daily AMA and Model Aviation business was conducted, and the atmosphere was reminiscent of that of a cave; it was warm in the summer and cold in the winter.
The new building is a 25,000-square-foot structure designed by Gooden and Ellis Architects, LLP of Muncie and built by Brandt Construction.
The low, horizontal office area reminds one of an airport concourse, and the two-story atrium lobby will eventually be tastefully decorated with model aircraft and memorabilia.
The whole structure is capped by a vertical element that resembles an airport control tower.
Under the watchful eyes of honored guests, AMA Executive Director Joyce Hager and AMA President Dave Brown cut the ribbon.
A sumptuous catered buffet was served to all who attended the ceremony. There weren't many leftovers!
The buffet line extended almost the length of the new building! There was ample time to visit with old friends.
Several observation decks are located on the south side of the building, from which visitors can view the various flying activities across the 1,000-acre AMA International Aeromodeling Center property.
The Headquarters employees work in an open-concept office area that enjoys a sweeping view of the pond immediately north of the building.
"The new administrative building gives our hardworking staff a professional, first-class facility and a highly functional work environment," said AMA Executive Director Joyce Hager.
A second-floor, 1,500 square-foot boardroom can accommodate gatherings of nearly 100 people, and there is a nearby warming kitchen for meal service and catered affairs.
The AMA employees are grateful for the first-class facility.
"The new building is a great asset for the employees," said Jeannie Houser, customer service representative and longtime AMA employee in the Membership Department. "The new surroundings have made it [AMA] an even more fantastic place to work; this is a building that we, as employees, can take pride in."
According to Academy president Dave Brown, this will enable AMA to continue to recruit and retain first-class employees, which directly benefits the members, who get better service.
"After all, any business is only as good as its people," said Brown.
He mentioned another benefit to the overall membership that may not be obvious at first glance.
"This [administrative building] goes a long way to lend credibility to the sport of model aviation," said Brown. "People will see this building and get the impression this is a serious sport."
The move will allow the National Model Aviation Museum and the Lee Renaud Memorial Library to eventually expand. Hundreds of model airplanes and aviation-related books are in storage, waiting for a place to be properly displayed and/or be made available to the membership for research.
The new building is landscaped with plants that are native to Indiana—thornless hawthorns and serviceberry trees, as well as numerous wildflowers and grasses—that will decorate the site year-round with seasonal changes of color and texture.
The pond, which is almost two acres in area, receives all of the runoff water from the building and surrounding parking lots, and it serves as a heat sink for the building's climate-control system.
Water-source heat pumps use the energy stored in the pond for heating and air conditioning, thereby significantly reducing the building's reliance on fossil-fuel-derived energy. This, in turn, reduces the operating costs and the building's environmental impact.
Members who visit the International Aeromodeling Center are welcomed to take a walk through the new building and meet the people who work there. Escorted tours are available upon request.
MA Bob Hunt
AMA Headquarters Locations
- 1933-1940: 1909 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Dupont Cir., Washington DC
The first executive secretary, Lieutenant H.W. Alden, ran the AMA from his home. In April 1939 Al Lewis began his activities as executive secretary from this location.
- April 1940-December 1941: Willard Hotel, corner of 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC
The AMA was physically separated from the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) at this location.
- January 1942-June 1942: 718 Jackson Pl. NW, Washington DC
- July 1942-June 1965: 1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington DC
An old apartment house known as Stoneleigh Court
- July 1965-June 1970: 1239 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington DC
The first floor of an apartment building
- July 1970-February 1976: 805 15th St., Washington DC
AMA shared the sixth-floor office space with the NAA.
- March 1976-January 1983: 815 15th St., Washington DC
A fourth-floor office
- February 22, 1983-June 2-3, 1993: 1810 Samuel Morse Dr., Reston VA
AMA moved into its own building, which was completed February 19-20, 1983. Employees reported to work February 22, 1983. A picture and list of donors for the building was published in the May 1983 Model Aviation.
- May-July, 1993: Moving vans transported AMA headquarters to 5151 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN.
- March 2001: 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN
Employees move across the street into the new administrative building.
AMA'S CELEBRATION of Eagles III, "A Gathering of Champions" continued the tradition of the similar 1996 and 1998 events.
This year's group was somewhat smaller than in previous years, and a regular topic of conversation was how many previous participants were not in attendance because of having passed on or having health problems that prevented travel — a natural consequence of advancing age.
However, most of those who came were high-spirited and enjoyed the reunion atmosphere. Many (including myself) brought models and flew during the weekend of mostly excellent weather.
A large contingent of Society of Antique Modelers (SAM), including their president Tom McCoy, flew gliders and rubber- and gas-powered models — Free Flight and Radio Control (RC). As a group, they seemed to have the best time of all.
Many famous old-timer personalities were present. Although there were too many to mention, noteworthy among them were Sal Taibi, Joe Beshar, Len Purdy, LeRoy Weber, George Perryman, Bob Gialdini, Joe Elgin, Ed Stoll, and Phil Klintworth.
Many of them did more than spectate; they flew their models or those of others, just for fun and nostalgia.
For AMA historian Norm Rosenstock (one of the famous attendees), the gathering was a golden opportunity to meet some of those for whom he had produced biographies for the AMA historical archives. It was also a chance to recruit potential biographers.
Norm's project is to document the lives and achievements of those who are no longer with us or who have not had their histories recorded.
At the Eagles' banquet Norm presented special awards to biographers Charles Reich (St. Augustine FL) and Evan Towne (Huntington IN) in recognition of their dedicated interest in researching and writing histories of the most famous among us.
Approximately 100 people attended the Eagles banquet, which was held at Muncie's Horizon Convention Center.
The banquet itself was a living testament to those who have made modeling and AMA what is today; many of those present remembered famous modelers they knew and flew with.
Tom McCoy and I spoke at the dinner. Tom talked about the need for us to remember, in our wills or by other means, to give AMA and the modeling world some help—financial or otherwise—to ensure the continuance of the activity.
I noted the progress AMA has made in the past five years under the executive directorship of Joyce Hager—my assistant when I had that position.
A highlight of the banquet was when AMA Programs Director Jay Mealy announced a new series of AMA awards called the Legion of Champions, dedicated to:
"Those who have defended, protected, and supported the sport of aeromodelling through their personal contributions and devotion. Their advocacy has long been the foundation upon which the growth and advances in the sport have been based, and for this they are presented as true Champions!"
The Legion of Champions awards are divided into Industry and Individual categories. Criteria for the Industry award is that the firm has been in business 50 years or more. For the Individual category, a single contribution of $5,000 or more has to have been made.
In the Individual category, Anita Storey accepted the award on behalf of herself and her late husband, past AMA president Keith Storey. Both were present at the 1998 gathering, but Keith passed away since that time.
Other charter recipients of the Individual award were the estate of Mr. Thomas McLaughlan, the estate of Colonel Lucius K. Paterson, the estate of Mr. Charles William Mincks, the National Free Flight Society, Mr. Wallace "Wally" Simmers, Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Anita Northrop, Mr. Weldon Smith, and Mr. Ted Teach.
The Industry award was presented to Hazel Sig and her husband Maxey, along with Don Arendt, who represented the new ownership of Sig Manufacturing Co., Inc.
It was noted that throughout many years Sig has been a major supporter of AMA and its activities. The company has been the primary producer of the AMA Cub/Delta Dart model kits, a regular donor of merchandise prizes to AMA sanctioned events, and a supporter of World Championships teams.
Other Industry-award recipients were Cannon R/C Systems, Fox Manufacturing Co., K&S Engineering, Midwest Products Co., Inc., Model Rectifier Corp., and Paul K. Guillow, Inc.
Present for the weekend were AMA president Dave Brown, former AMA presidents Don Lowe and myself, many present and former AMA Executive Council members, and many other AMA officers.
The attendees constituted a virtual Who's Who of AMA personalities and a goodly number of AMA members.
It was announced that pioneer Frank Zaic, who lives in California but is more famous for his New York activities many years ago, is developing a special award program in recognition of Lieutenant H.W. Alden that may be officially announced next year.
H.W. was primarily responsible for AMA's establishment in 1936. At that time he was administrator of the National Aeronautic Association's (NAA) Junior division. His efforts resulted in AMA becoming an independent and self-governing member of the NAA family of sport-aviation organizations (including soaring, ballooning, parachuting, etc.).
Frank Zaic worked with H.W. during those earliest years, and they produced the first two issues of the AMA publication, Model Aviation, in pamphlet form.
Immediately apparent to some was that the Horizon Convention Center would make an excellent indoor model-flying site.
That night it was announced that there would be an Indoor RC flying session at the Convention Center July 6. Assuming an excellent test of the site, it was suggested that the building might be used for such flying from time to time, in conjunction with various AMA events.
All in all, it was a grand weekend blessed with good weather that followed a couple weeks of rain and cold—a good omen for the future.
Here's looking forward to Celebration of Eagles IV.
John Worth 4326 Andes Dr. Fairfax VA 22030
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
