AMA News
Academy of Model Aeronautics 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Flying Site Assistance
Wes De Cou Coordinator, Western Region Districts VII to XI
- Voice: (480) 460-9466
- Cell: (480) 540-3368
- Fax: (480) 460-9434
- E-mail: [email protected]
Joe Beshar Coordinator, Eastern Region Districts I to VI
- 198 Merritt Dr., Oradell NJ 07649
- Fax: (201) 261-0223; Tel.: (201) 261-1281
- E-mail: [email protected]
Finding—Preserving—Maintaining
In May of this year it was my distinct privilege to testify before the House Committee on Resources in Washington DC on behalf of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. The subject of the committee hearing was "recreational use of public lands."
Essentially, the committee wanted to hear from organizations who had experienced difficulty accessing public lands for the pursuit of their hobby or sport. While the loss of our Free Flight venue at Galeville was the main reason we were invited to testify, we took the opportunity to make the case that model aviation is an appropriate recreational and educational activity on public lands all across the U.S., and that it should be listed as a permitted use.
The text of my testimony follows:
“Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member, and Members of the Committee. I am Wesley De Cou, Flying Site Coordinator for the Academy of Model Aeronautics, a 165,000-member organization concerned with all aspects of the international sport of model aviation.
“Prior to accepting my current assignment I held the elected position of AMA Vice President, serving our members in New York and New Jersey, as well as our members who are in the US Armed Forces in Europe.
“With me in the gallery today are Academy President David Brown; Syd Krivin, AMA member and private pilot; Robert Langeluis, President of the East Coast Free Flight Conference; and Jean Paillet, AMA member and former AMA Contest Board Chairman.
“I speak on behalf of the Academy today in an effort to provide the Committee with background relative to what we consider a very appropriate recreational use of public lands—a use that comes with negligible impact to the environment, yet which provides recreation and educational benefits to thousands of Americans annually.
“Our members participate in a variety of activities using models from simple gliders to radio-controlled aircraft and rockets. Model aviation has a distinguished safety record, a strong history of self-regulation and compliance, and a commitment to preserving our access to the skies and to lands that have traditionally been available to our membership.
“We sincerely appreciate the Committee’s desire to explore options that will ensure continued public access for recreation and, in particular, to recognize the long-standing heritage of model aviation as an accepted and appropriate use of public lands.”
—Wes De Cou Flying Site Coordinator
The Galeville site was declared "excess" by West Point and, after a short period of time, was given to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USF&WS).
Because of a USF&WS interpretation of the National Wildlife System Improvement Act of 1997 (PL-105-57), the East Coast Free Flight Conference fliers were summarily banned from further activity at the airfield. That interpretation was essentially that only activities that were dependent on wildlife could be conducted at Galeville. Hunters could now be permitted on the site, but the modelers would have to go.
"In spite of documented evidence to the effect that model aviation activity is ignored by birds just as they ignore full-scale aircraft operating in and out of major airports, and in spite of professional opinions that any impact on migratory or migrating birds would be extremely unlikely, the ban continues in effect, since model aviation is not a 'wildlife dependent' activity."
We urge that priority activities on any public land (National Park, National Recreation Area, National Wildlife Refuge, etc.) continue to be undertaken by local staff people with vigor.
Further, as a means of creating a significant increase in recreational activity opportunities on public lands, we urge that activities such as model aviation, with minimal attendant costs and minimal or zero impact on the local environment, be permitted on public lands in addition to the stated "priority" activities.
"A grassland created and maintained by a group of dedicated modelers is a win."
"A model aviation venue where we can strike the spark that fires the imagination of a youngster is a win."
"Model aviation's loss of the Galeville facility is a shame."
In your quest to determine what are the best methods to increase the recreational use of public lands, we trust you will create opportunities for new law and policy concerning the governance process for our vast outdoors.
The Academy of Model Aeronautics recommends that in doing so you revise current law to allow "wildlife neutral" activities, such as model aviation, to take place alongside "wildlife dependent" activities at Galeville and, where appropriate, on others of those 95 million USF&WS acres.
"Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, on behalf of the Academy of Model Aeronautics and the associated modeling groups present with me today, I offer my thanks for the opportunity to present our thoughts on this important issue."
I submitted eight pages of supporting documentation in addition to the verbal testimony.
It's important that we get our message to Washington, and that we get the help of our Congressional Representatives. I'll be working on a plan to help us do just that in the next few weeks.
The lesson learned at this point is, as I've said in the past, that we need to inventory our local, state, and federal resources. Who among your club members is or knows a member of the local, state, or federal bureaucracy?
Our opportunity to speak directly to this influential group of Congress was the direct result of one modeler taking advantage of the fact that he is a personal friend of a Congressman. The congressman has met with AMA President Dave Brown and other members of the AMA, and is now a champion of the flying-site cause.
If your club president doesn't bring up the subject of a resource inventory at your next meeting, you do it. A response as simple as "I know the head of the PTA" or "I know the Mayor" or even "I have a friend who knows the Mayor" can lead to great opportunities to showcase the value of model aviation as well as opportunities to acquire or save a flying site.
But we have to become active.
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Executive Council Meeting Highlights
Motions made at the July 9, 2001 Executive Council Meeting in Muncie IN
(The motions below are part of the unofficial minutes of the meeting. Minutes from a given meeting are not official until they are approved at the next quarterly Council meeting. Questions or comments on the motions should be addressed to your District Vice President.)
- Motion I: Moved by J. McNeill (V), seconded by C. Bauer (VI), to close the diagonal runway during RC Scale at the Nationals.
- Motion withdrawn.
- Motion II: Moved by J. McNeill (V), seconded by C. Bauer (VI), to close the diagonal runway for RC Scale at the Nationals, pending further action by Executive Council.
- Motion passed. 12 yes; 1 abstain (VIII).
- Motion III: Moved by R. Miller (IX), seconded by B. Nelson (XI), to accept the Safety Committee's recommended change to the Safety Code relative to night flying: "RC Night Flying is limited to low performance models (less than 100 mph). The models must be equipped with a lighting system that clearly defines the aircraft's attitude at all times."
- Motion passed. 9 yes; 3 no (II, VI, X).
- Motion IV: Moved by R. Hanson (X), seconded by B. Nelson (XI), the AMA Executive Council approve the funding request from the Tehama County Condors Model Airplane Club as presented in the attached proposal. Further moved that the AMA Executive Council approve funding in the form of a grant from the Flying Site Assistance Fund in the amount of $2,500.
- Motion failed. 5 yes; 7 no (II, IV, V, VII, VIII, IX, EVP).
- Motion V: Moved by S. Frank (VIII), seconded by D. Mathewson (II), to accept the proposal titled Model Aviation Product Review position paper.
- Motion passed. 10 yes; 2 no (VI, VII).
The following were approved by acclamation:
- To accept the Scholarship Committee's Report.
- To accept the Minutes of the April 28, 2001 Executive Council Meeting.
- To accept the Minutes of the Nominating Committee.
- To approve the regulations as submitted by the USRCJC (United States Radio Control Jet Command) and accepted by the Safety Committee, on Home Built Turbine Engines.
- To keep Item 7 under the General Section of the Safety Code.
- To accept the Safety Committee's recommended changes to the Safety Regulations for Model Aircraft Gas Turbines document.
- To accept the Safety Committee's proposed 2002 Safety Code with changes as directed by Executive Council.
- To accept the Contest Director Committee's recommended description of a Contest Director, with changes (all references to "agents" replaced with "representative"; delete the last sentence of paragraph 3, "Negligence on the part of...for the CD and for AMA."). This description item will be placed in the Standing Rules and the Membership Manual.
- That individuals who donate their time (four eight-hour days or equivalent in hours) at a single major event as designated by Council, will receive an earned membership. Effective immediately.
- That Camp Jeep™ shall be considered a designated event for purposes of earned memberships.
Note: The NAA representative was not present for all of the votes.
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District VIII Report
Arkansas / Louisiana / New Mexico / Oklahoma / Texas
Dr. Sandy Frank Vice President
- 105 N. Brazos St., Weatherford TX 76086-3207
- Phone/Fax: (817) 599-7131
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Web: www.AMA-Dist-8.org
Notice: For listing of all district volunteer workers consult the previous magazine issue or the above Web address.
The following photographs are from the Model Engine Collectors Association (MECA) Southwest Regional 6 and 7 Super Collecto in June, 2001.
The regional director for this organization, one of the newest of the AMA Special Interest Groups, is Kay C. Yarbrough. His address is 5967 Fox Hill, Dallas TX 75232; Tel.: (214) 376-6192. Kay is seated at the center in the photo below.
Some come to a Collecto to buy, sell, and swap and others come to display their collections. Awards are given to various categories of collection displays. Others, like myself, come to visit and enjoy fellowship with other modeling enthusiasts (although I did purchase an original issue of Grid Leaks, which included the first article with plans of Kraft's now famous Ugly Stik).
The Dallas Model Aircraft Association, club 1902, produced the Dallas Aero Summer Heat Control Line competition on June 16-17 at Hobby Park in Dallas TX.
- Events included: 319-321, 323-326, Old-Time Stunt, Classic Stunt, Texas Quickie Rat, .15 Profile Carrier, Sportsman Profile Carrier, Sportsman Goodyear, and Goldberg Racing.
- The CD was Phillip Nickles. For additional information, contact him at 6640 Champion, Midlothian TX 76065; evening tel.: (972) 723-2311.
AMA, the glue that bonds modelers together!
The AMA Gala 2001: Four very special events were held during a four-day period by the AMA at our headquarters in Muncie IN. On June 7, we dedicated the new AMA headquarters administration building. This 25,000 square-foot building houses the AMA staff of more than 50.
On June 8, the AMA hosted the Celebration of Eagles III, a "Gathering of Champions." The legends of aeromodeling were honored for their many contributions. Through the generous and unselfish support of these living legends, the Academy has become the largest sport aviation organization in the world.
The initial Legion of Champions awards were presented to those who have defended, promoted, and supported the sport of aeromodeling 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 were recognized as true champions.
From June 8–10 we hosted the annual AMA Homecoming and Grand Event.
It is my sad duty to report the untimely passing of District VIII Associate Vice President and modeling legend George Aldrich. George was born in October 1932 and died July 4, 2001.
Flying, Fun, & Fellowship!
Sandy Frank
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District IX Report
Colorado / Kansas / Nebraska / North Dakota / South Dakota / Wyoming
Russ Miller Vice President
- 980 N. 3rd St., Carrington ND 58421
- Phone: (701) 652-2321
- Fax: (701) 652-2994
- Email: [email protected]
Associate Vice Presidents
- Max Hansen, 1909 Wisconsin SW, Huron SD 57350
- Nathan Lancaster, 3597 S. Kendall Street, Denver CO 80235
- Troy Lapp, 1619 Wichita Dr., Bismarck ND 58504
- Travis McGinnis, 8027 W. 81st Circle, Arvada CO 80005
- Don Moden, 410 Hart St., Salina KS 67401
- Jim Ricketts, 4921 Fernwood Drive, Sioux Falls SD 57105-5573
- Jack L. Siebert, 3611 Kimberly Circle, Lincoln NE 68506-4524
- Chuck Smith, 1091 Cheshire Street, Casper WY 82609-3214
- Mark T. Smith, 14632 W. 50th Street, Shawnee KS 66216
- Mike Weidner, 6535 Foxdale Circle, Colorado Springs CO 80919-1788
Frequency Coordinator
- Steve Mangles, c/o Radio Service Center, 918 S. Sheridan, Denver CO 80226
Jim Tiller sent in the following information on the Rapid City Propbusters' show and contest.
"On Saturday May 12, the Propbusters held a show and building contest at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum's annual open house. We worked a lot during the winter with Ron Alley, the museum's director, to make this happen, and our first attempt was a great success.
"The air museum had the best turnout ever and we feel that we were part of that success. We have been invited back again next year and will possibly include some flying by our Gold Squadron AST as part of the show.
"We displayed 25 models and awarded five trophies, including a Base Commander's trophy given by the air museum."
The following was sent in by John DuGrosse of the Longmont Aircraft Modelers Association (LAMA) in Colorado.
"Representatives of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) invited our club to do a Delta Dart make-and-take program at the Longmont Airport (Vance Brandt Airport) during an EAA regional fly-in June 22 and 23, 2001. Also present at the fly-in was an Estes Rocket make-and-take program that Estes and the local Hobbytown USA were putting on.
"With the help of our District Vice President Russ Miller, we procured four boxes of Delta Darts for a total of 160 aircraft. Our local Hobbytown furnished the necessary glue, pins, and modeling knives.
"I made up six building boards with material I had on hand, and three larger boards to jig the Darts' dihedral on. This turned out to be a limiting factor in the build times as each board only held three Darts.
"Jerry Johnson, Hobbytown manager Joe Sanfilippo, myself, and helpers arrived at the Longmont Airport at 8:30 Saturday morning and set up shop for both building projects. We had customers lining up before we had finished setting up the build areas.
"Joe had recruited some of his fellow rocket fliers to help with the rocket build and I had recruited some Civil Air Patrol cadets to help. For whatever reason they never showed up, so I was a little shorthanded on the Dart section of the building project.
"On Saturday Jerry and I had run approximately 60 children through the Dart make-and-take, and Joe and his crew did 100 rocket make-and-takes. Not too bad for a small country town!
"On Sunday we arrived at the airport at 9 a.m. and the building started off a little slow. We only had one builder, but that soon changed. By closing time, 3 p.m., we had completed 50 more Darts.
"The Boulder Aeromodelers Society and LAMA had a display of models on the flightline and at noon we performed flight demonstrations for the crowd. One builder had a 1/4-scale hand-built replica of a de Havilland four-cylinder motor.
"Unfortunately I was not able to get his name, but seeing that de Havilland replica run was a thrill for me and the spectators. I only had a couple minutes to cover the flightline and just happened to be in the right spot this time.
"Overall, this project was an immense success and we were invited to do it again next year. The EAA plans to budget money to purchase the kits and materials directly from Sig through Hobbytown USA, Longmont next year.
"LAMA and the AMA got a lot of publicity by the announcer all day Saturday and part of the time on Sunday.
"About 1:30 Saturday afternoon the wind came up and we had to cope with it until we could get the rear hangar door shut. On Sunday it waited until about 2:30 p.m. to start blowing. Only two Darts were broken due to the wind, but my planned mass launch on both days had to be aborted due to the high winds.
"Jerry Johnson deserves a lot of recognition for his yeoman service both days."
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AMA News
2001 Marathon of Flight: Associate Vice President Don Gulihur from Santee CA represented AMA District X at the annual California RC Marathon. The following is Don's report on this year's event.
"On May 5 and 6, I attended the Marathon of Flight hosted each year by the Corona Radio Control Modelers and held in Baker CA. Erick Knotts and Dana Parrish directed the 2001 contest.
"This is an endurance competition for long distance flight and is divided into two classes, Open and Sportsman. Each team's aircraft is fueled with 64 ounces of fuel (32 ounces for Sportsman) then flown on a closed cross-country course. Once the aircraft touches down, the total distance traveled to that point is calculated and recorded. In simple terms, the airplane that flies the longest distance on the fuel allotted wins.
"This year's winners in Sportsman Class were: 2-stroke Diesel—Pack Rat Aviation #2; 2-stroke Glow—San Fernando Valley Flyers; and 4-stroke Glow—Pack Rat Aviation #1.
"In Open Class, the winners were: first place—V-Team; second place—Corona R/C Club; and third place—Pack Rat Aviation #1.
"This is a really neat event and should make the juices of you engineering types flow.
"For more information on the event and a complete set of rules, visit the California RC Marathon Web site at www.camarathon.com."
Till next time ... Keep 'em safe and Keep 'em fly'n.
On June 6, 2001, the Livermore Flying Electrons (LFE) of Livermore CA were awarded AMA's Gold Leader Club Award in recognition of the club's outstanding achievements in community involvement, safety, and education. This prestigious award reflects the club's efforts in promoting model aviation and partnering with their community in making aeromodeling a viable part of the community's activity. Accepting the award are LFE board members Eric Helms (L-R), Chief Flight Instructor; Wes Slack, Secretary and newsletter editor; Mike Roberts; Tom Moore, president (holding certificate); Hall Grover, treasurer. Additional Board Members Will Waters and Dennis Uhlich were unavailable for the photograph.
New-member orientation and education are key elements in the Leader Club program. Headed up by full-scale commercial pilot Eric Helms, the LFE club has an exemplary flight instruction program. Pictured is Terry Thomas, left, receiving his LFE Solo Flight Certificate from President Tom Moore.
The 2001 first place winners in the CA Marathon Open Class were the "V-Team" from Whittier CA.
This twin boom design, Trouble 100, is a previous winner of the marathon and was one of several unique designs entered in the contest.
On May 10, 2001, AMA President Dave Brown (R) and District X Vice President Rich Hanson presented the Model Aviation Hall of Fame award to Yvonne Rich of Las Vegas NV in memory of her husband, Bob Rich. Bob may be best known for his groundbreaking efforts in cross-country flying in commemoration of the US Bicentennial. Bob's record-setting Goldberg Sr. Falcon is on display in the National Air and Space Museum.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for AMA's new administration building was conducted June 7, 2001, at the opening of the annual AMA Grand Event. District X member Donald Crow (far right) from San Clemente CA was selected to represent all of AMA's 165,000-plus members in AMA's dedication of this cornerstone addition to the International Aeromodeling Center complex in Muncie IN.
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AMA News
The Saddle Butte RC Club in Havre MT is celebrating its 17th anniversary. The club has 24 members and has been a Gold Leader Club for the past five years.
The club's youngest member is nine-year-old Tyler Keeley. Tyler has some stick time on the simulator and on a buddy box. Tyler was given a Slow Poke for Christmas and is looking forward to flying it soon.
In addition to mall shows, the club is involved with the local schools and has a booth at their county fair. They are in the process of developing a Web site and will soon be online.
Bob Graber of Sidney MT purchased 40 AMA Cubs (Delta Darts) and sent pictures of Mrs. Heuth's third grade class preparing for a mass launch of their Delta Darts.
This school is at the Native American Reservation at Wolf Point MT. Twenty other models went to Mrs. Heuth's sister's seventh grade class in North Dakota. Mrs. Heuth reported that during the two weeks allotted to this project that not one student missed a day of school!
Star reporter and Associate Vice President Mike Hazel sent the following report on the 30th Annual NW Control Line (CL) Regionals that took place Memorial Day weekend.
Approximately 100 registered contestants from a total of nine states and two Canadian provinces participated in this three-day CL extravaganza. The special guest speaker at the Saturday-night banquet was legend Charles Mackey, who related some interesting facts regarding the history of CL flying.
Due to various factors, this 30th edition may have been the last one. The sponsoring clubs, the Umpqua Valley Modelers and the Eugene Propspinners, will be stepping back to allow different management. Region leaders will be meeting to decide on the future of the event, so stay tuned.
Coming Events:
- August 25–26: Big Bird Fly-In, M.A.A., Richland WA.
- September 14–16: Fall Big Bird Fly-In, Zillah WA.
- September 19–23: US Scale Masters, Lenhardt's Airpark, Hubbard OR.
One final thought: Things are more like they are today than they ever were before.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
