Executive VP's Report
Doug Holland AMA Executive VP 3517 Fernwood Dr. Raleigh NC 27612 (Home) (919) 787-5163 (Office) (919) 787-7454
I managed to get off from tax season work long enough to go to Toledo for the Weak Signals annual show. As you know, it is a really fantastic thing to see. I saw a lot of my friends and had a great time.
One interesting experience—it snowed and was really quite cold! Of course, no one can do anything about the weather, so you take what you can get. Where I come from, you can go outside, walk fast, and in a few minutes, break a sweat. Up there, you go outside, walk fast, and you might slip on some ice and break a leg.
There were a lot of friends who came by the AMA booth, signed up, and asked questions. I hope that when there is an AMA booth at a show near you, you will drop in and say hello.
Again this year, the indoor flying was held at Bowling Green State University at one of their indoor football-practice facilities. There were more than 500 spectators and a lot of airplanes. It was interesting to see the improvement in the skills and the technology since last year.
The Perrysburg Electric River Fliers, a club consisting of five members, put this on and it was well organized and well run. With the help of their wives and a few other people, they moved the program along nicely.
The flying was held in roughly four hours. During that time, activity was good and there was always something going on.
The group is to be congratulated for their hard work.
As I write this, tax season ends next Monday! It is hard to understand our happiness unless you've been there.
A note to young people: Try to grow up to be the adult you wish your parents were.
Always be courteous. Until later ...
“These regularly scheduled monthly flying sessions are held Tuesdays from noon until about 3:30 p.m. Occasionally Saturday sessions are held from 8:30 until noon.
“Hartland is situated in Northwestern Connecticut, near the Massachusetts border, and is a small town. Scenic, rustic New England at its finest!
“To say that this group meets at a church to fly may sound a bit unusual. For those who don't know, a beautiful, modern, full-size basketball gymnasium is a part of this church complex and it's a perfect indoor flying site!
“These regularly scheduled flying sessions attract indoor aeromodeling enthusiasts from a wide radius of surrounding communities. Those who gather to fly range from youngsters with Delta Darts to those who are enjoying retirement.
“For further information about the MassConn Indoor Flying Club, contact Art Anderson (413) 357-6681 or Jerry Knoblauch (860) 658-1538.”
District II Report
ONE BENEFIT of being an AMA District Vice President is that I have an opportunity to meet hundreds of AMA members and make many new friends.
Tuesday, October 23, 2001, I had the privilege of meeting George Brown and his wife MaryLou from Port Richmond NY. Without exception, George and MaryLou are among the nicest people I have ever met in my life.
The occasion was a meeting of the Staten Island Radio Control Modelers, where I had the honor of presenting George with a plaque recognizing his recent induction into the Model Aviation Hall of Fame. "Brownie's" main interest during a modeling career that has spanned nearly seven decades is Control Line Speed. His technical ability in aircraft design, coupled with an unparalleled talent to get the most out of almost any model aircraft engine, made him a several-time National Champion.
Today George spends most of his time running Brownie's Pro and Sport Hobbies, the hobby shop he and MaryLou have owned for the past 30 years. In his "spare" time, George spends several mornings a week at the club field instructing newcomers, introducing youngsters to model aviation, and promoting our hobby to organizations like the Boy Scouts.
There was an overflow turnout on that night, and the many heartfelt accolades bestowed upon George by his fellow club members were true testimonials to what George has meant to model aviation and the Academy of Model Aeronautics.
Just a portion of the large crowd that turned out to honor George.
The flying season is here for most of us in District II. An activity that seems to be making a comeback recently is the club fun-fly. A fun-fly can be as competitive or as laid back as you want to make it. The events can be set up so that there is something for every skill level, from those just past the solo stage to the most competitive fliers. An advantage of participating in any structured event is that it can make you a better pilot. Instead of just boring holes, pilots are required to meet the challenge of making their model perform a certain way, in a certain area of the sky. The added advantage is that this is all done in a fun atmosphere.
September 23, 2001, I stopped down to the South Jersey RC Society's (SJRCS) Fun-Fly. CDed by SJRCS member Syd Clement, the Fun-Fly was competitive but with an emphasis on fun.
SJRCS President Don Loomis and Contest Director (CD) Syd Clement.
The activities were designed so that everyone had a chance to do well in at least one event. As is typical with many fun-flys, competitors were asked to pitch in and help with timing, counting, and scoring duties.
Besides the flying activities, the club provided lunch for all the pilots, workers, and club members. This, coupled with the fact that it was almost a perfect fall weekend, made for a great day of flying.
If you think you'd like to give fun flying a try, this would be a great event to attend. I'm sure Syd will hook you up with someone who can show you the ropes.
CD Syd Clement gets help timing from pilots Ed Martz and Bert Armstrong.
A couple months ago I mentioned an idea from Clarence Ragland about inviting local politicians to participate in your club's flying activities. Clarence e-mailed me another idea that he's been working on that I'd like to share it with you.
Most municipalities with cable TV service have public access channels. Clarence contacted the program coordinator for the Lockport Community Television channel and asked if the station would be interested in doing a program involving aeromodeling and youth activities.
They jumped at the idea and plans are being made now to create this program. Hopefully, I'll have enough of a heads-up before it airs so I can mention it in my column for all of you up in the Buffalo/Lockport area.
It's another great, no-cost way to promote both your club and model aviation to your neighbors.
See you next time.
Last fall, Model Aviation included an article concerning the use of a golf dome for indoor flying. That article provided the impetus for a group of Pittsburgh fliers to search for a similar site. Their persistence prevailed!
During February and March, modelers in the area utilized the Island Sports Center on Neville Island. Rich Blackham and Chuck Pusateri served as Contest Directors for the events. AC Hobbies advertised the events in its newsletter and Web site.
One might say that the effort was very successful. Associate Vice President Tom Morris provided the following pictures:
The expanse of the dome provided a great break from Old Man Winter.
It was great to see all forms of Indoor modeling included.
The Island Sports Center is certainly a great place to fly.
On March 23 and 24, the Fort Washington, Pennsylvania Exposition Center hosted the eighth annual East Coast Hobby Show. The Delaware Valley Federation of Model Airplane Clubs exhibited in a large area that contained not only open space for large scale models but also 36 tables for smaller models.
Approximately 60 modelers put their gems on display for both days. The winners of the display contest were Best of Show—Fran Schneider; Indoor—Joe Kohler; Free Flight—Dan Banjock; Control Line—Dan Banjock; and Radio Control—Ron Moore.
Thanks to Tom Haake for the information and pictures.
As the flying season is upon us, many clubs raise the question, "How do we receive recognition in the District III column?"
The answer—just send a brief report of your activity and pictures to District III Vice President Bob Brown. Please make sure the spelling of names is correct.
As we highlight the activities of various modelers, the cliché, "a picture is worth a thousand words," certainly prevails.
District IV Report
Delaware / District of Columbia / Maryland / North Carolina / Virginia
Chuck Foreman Vice President
412 Pine Cone Ct. Kill Devil Hill NC 27948 Phone: (252) 441-5855 Fax: (252) 441-6554 [email protected]
Associate Vice Presidents
George Abbott, 8712 Westlake Court, Raleigh, NC 27613, Tel.: (919) 848-6719, E-mail: [email protected]
Randy Elliott, 5302 Crossbow Drive, Pulaski VA 24301 (540) 980-8461, Office Tel.: (540) 994-2316, E-mail: [email protected]
Tom McClain, 2601 N. Quantico St., Arlington VA 22207, E-mail: [email protected]
Richard (Rick) Moreland, 726 Hillmeade Rd., Edgewater MD 21037, Tel.: 301-261-7366
Steve Moulton, 2217 Johnstown Rd., Chesapeake VA 23322 (757) 421-4545, Office Tel.: (757) 463-8483 Ext. 23, E-mail: [email protected]
John Snare, 826 Marl Pit Rd., Middletown, DE 19709 (302) 376-7514, E-mail: [email protected]
Bliss Teague, 625 5th Ave., SW, Hickory NC 28602 (828) 324-2164, Office tel.: (828) 733-9228, E-mail: [email protected]
Frequency Coordinator Paul Yacobucci, 6408 Winthrop Dr., Fayetteville NC 28311-1007 Tel.: Evening: (910) 488-5986 E-mail: [email protected]
FOR ALL OF you amateur radio operators who also fly Radio Control (RC), there is a net in District IV. You can contact Dick Miner, NO4F, at 4707 Holborn Avenue, Annandale VA, 22003 or by telephone at (703) 978-7276. The net meets on Thursdays at 8:30 a.m.
Catawba Valley RCers: On September 16, 2001, the Catawba Valley RC club hosted Cub Scout Pack 238 from Zion Lutheran Church in Hickory NC. The Scouts, their leaders, parents, and siblings showed up to fly. They brought hot dogs with all the trimmings for all to enjoy and a wonderful day of flying was in order.
The weather was at its best and perfect for flying. The club members came out in force to lend a hand and put together their own airplanes to use as trainers.
Photographs are courtesy of Mary Catherine Thornburg.
Mark McClellan, the club president, gave the Scouts a talk on the principles of flying.
The club had two and sometimes three trainers flying at a time. Each kid got a chance to fly at least twice.
Go take a kid flying. The Catawba Valley RCers did.
Editor's note: Chuck Foreman resigned as District IV Vice President in early April. He plans to continue serving the district as an Associate Vice President (AVP). Bliss Teague, AVP from North Carolina, will fill the vacated position until an official ballot can be distributed to District IV members.
Chuck served on the Executive Council for 12 years, from 1979 to 1983, and then again from 1996 to 2002. He was chairman of the committee that oversaw the completion of the new AMA administration building in Muncie IN and was instrumental in building the facility in Reston VA that housed AMA Headquarters in the 1980s and early 1990s.
the bank. They were flying from any place they were allowed to squat. To quote Art, "Sometimes the place was snatched away with no warning. We were forced to scramble; our fragile club crumbled. Things are different now."
Contest Director (CD) Mike Laughlin holds a class for beginners every Saturday. He encourages kids and grown-ups to fly. He has created a partnership relation with the Wings of Miami Museum. One important thing that needs mentioning is the club dues for Juniors. For Juniors it's $1 a year, same as AMA.
The AMPS club recently held its Big Bird Fly-In, restricted to IMAA (International Miniature Aircraft Association) members.
Associate Vice President (AVP) Fred Mulholland reported on the big SAM 77 Old-Timer Contest at the West Pasco Model Pilots Association in Odessa FL. Several winners are in Fred's following picture.
AMA News
District VI is the best! The picture and information came from Ron Carr.
Chicago IL: Club number 1392, the Chicagoland Circle Cutters, and club number 239, the Chicago Aero Angels, sponsored the annual Frozen Finger Flying Festival.
This Control Line (CL) Combat event, held the first Sunday after New Year's Day, has been going on for more than 25 years. There was no snow this year, but plenty cold was the weather for the day.
Mike Palermo sent in the picture and information.
ST. LOUIS MO: Club number 3237, SAM NX211, won the 2001 North American Jimmie Allen Postal Championship. The annual plaque will leave San Diego, California and will reside in St. Louis, Missouri until the 2002 contest.
Linton IN: Terry Mullis, AMA 601799, is a man on a mission. Terry has been working to start a model airplane club in Greene County, Indiana, and now, thanks to 4-H and the Linton Elks Lodge, he's finally getting his wish.
Terry signed up Greene County youths ages 12 to 14 for a unique, new club that conducted its first meeting in March. He believes that teaching kids how to fly model airplanes will be good fun as well as a learning experience.
"My hopes would be to keep kids off the street, and to interest them in aviation," Terry commented. He will be the instructor, and Jay Suthpin, a pilot from Bloomfield, will be the 4-H leader. They plan to start flying the first weekend in May.
Our best to a member who leads the way for AMA members of the future.
What is your club doing this year to increase the number of youth members? With AMA youth dues only $1, now is the time to add a youth group to your club.
Speaking of clubs, do you think there is radio interference at your field? Now each of the Associate Vice Presidents (AVPs) has a frequency scanner outfit which can be borrowed to check things. Contact the AVP closest to your club and arrange to borrow the scanner.
The best way to check if there is interference is to have someone at the field for several days. The scanners are battery powered, so extra batteries may be needed.
A District VI member wanted to know how many clubs we have in the district. The latest count is 277. This is almost 11 percent of the total number of AMA chartered clubs, 2,535.
Illinois 103 Indiana 84 Kentucky 35 Missouri 55
We have some of the oldest clubs in the country. Forty of our clubs have charter numbers in the 200s. The oldest of our clubs is club 239, the Chicago Aero Angels.
Do you want your club to be featured in the column? Send pictures and information, and your time in the spotlight will come.
District VII Report
Iowa / Michigan / Minnesota / Wisconsin
Bill Oberdieck Vice President
PO Box 1076 Southgate MI 48195 Ph. (734) 283-4813 Fax (734) 283-0650 E-mail: [email protected] Web page: http://www.amadistrictvii.org
Associate Vice Presidents
Bran Bailey, 1440 Center St., Marquette MI 49855 (906) 228-7747 E-mail: [email protected]
Larry Brannan, 2181 Cascade Lakes Cir., Grand Rapids MI 49546 (616) 956-6012 E-mail: [email protected]
Ed Bucki, PO Box 324, S. Rockwood MI 48179 (734) 379-4056 E-mail: [email protected]
Bud Gorman, Box 33, Knife River MN 55609 E-mail: [email protected]
Russell Knetzger, 2625 E. Shorewood Boulevard, Milwaukee WI 53211 (414) 962-0637
Thomas D. Lazar, 435 Hubbell St., Marshall WI 53559-9409 E-mail: [email protected]
Bill Millar, 712 Grand Ave., Petoskey MI 49770 (231) 347-2347 E-mail: [email protected]
Tom Pierce, 6862 Frith Rd., St. Clair MI 48079 (810) 367-6450 E-mail: [email protected]
Mark E. Robotti, 26540 Olympic Trail, North Lindstrom MN 55045
Frequency Coordinators
(West): Al Schwartz, 2787 Fernwood, Roseville MN 55113, (651) 633-2286
(East): Pete Waters, 7420 Seven Mile Rd., Northville MI 48167 (248) 486-4800
I AM WRITING this in April following the Toledo Expo, which proved to be another great show! I was there the entire three days and still didn't see all I wanted to because I had other commitments that kept me busy. I won't go into any details of new products featured, for I'm sure there will be extensive coverage from other sources.
Meanwhile I was able to attend the annual Radio Control Club of Detroit's (RCCD) Macomb Mall Show. The club really gets into this type of display for the public and its shows.
There was a constant stream of visitors asking myriad questions. One feature was the setup of two simulators that were constantly busy with youngsters and grown-ups alike trying their hands at flying.
Super Decathlon built by Bill Hackett from Hostetler plans.
Annular wing design, built by Norm Zielinski.
Don Lang of the Macomb County Cloudbusters submitted this report:
"The Macomb County Cloudbusters have been involved for many years in the Wright Stuff event of the Science Olympiad. The event is for indoor rubber-powered Free Flight. The club supervises a regional event and assists at the state tournament with Michigan State University.
"The photos by Dan Olah show some of the volunteers and winners."
Virlyn Molmen, secretary-treasurer of the Rice County R/C Flyers of Faribault MN submitted the next report. This club has held its mall show for the past 18 years and each year the number of visitors seems to increase, which shows a continuing interest in our hobby/sport.
This month marks two-and-a-half years of my tenure as your District Vice President (VP). Truthfully, it has gone past rapidly, and occasionally I don't know where the time has gone.
I planned to get out to meet as many of you as possible, but with only 24 hours in a day, it is kind of hard to do, especially with our short warm-weather flying season.
You have already seen the notice that nominations for District VII VP are due. The deadline is June 15.
I consider myself very fortunate to have been elected to the Executive Council as your voice. I hope I have lived up to your expectations. I have tried to carry your comments to the council for consideration on many varied matters.
I will say that the experience is a real eye-opener and I venture a guess that unless you as a member have attended a council meeting you have no idea what it encompasses.
I strongly suggest that knowing AMA is to become involved. Our hobby/sport can only continue to grow as long as we all cooperate to further that growth.
Until next time, fly smart, fly safely. C.A.V.U.
AMA News
AMA, the glue that bonds modelers together!
March 23, 2002, the Paris (Texas) Radio Control Association sponsored a sanctioned RCCA "B" Open and 26/10 Scale event. This was the first meet of a nine-meet series for 2002.
Kelvin McFadden served as the event Contest Director (CD). His contact information is: 2056 West Sherman, Paris TX 75460; tel.: (903) 737-9577; E-mail: [email protected]. The weather cooperated beautifully and the following photographs are of the roughly 40 participants who competed in the event. Well done and keep up the good work!
News from Nebraska: From the Nebraska Free Flighters (NFF) comes the following article about NFF member and longtime teacher John Pecoraro, young people, and aviation. Story and photos courtesy of Jim Zolbe.
"About 270 Ralston Middle School students have been introduced to the joys and challenges of rubber-powered Free Flight in the last eighteen years. That's how long John Pecoraro, veteran teacher and Nebraska Free Flighter, has led the school's extracurricular model aviation group.
"The group focuses on Outdoor flying in the fall, then Indoor flying in the school's two large gymnasiums during the winter. John says he typically has fifteen or so participants at the beginning of a school year, though the number dwindles as pressures from homework, tests, and other projects build throughout the year.
"Kids participate during their ninth-period study hall—provided their grades are good and their homework is up-to-date. While the Ralston program is not directly related to Science Olympiad, several of John's students eventually pursued that challenge.
"Once each year, John hosts an Indoor fun-fly where the youngsters show what they've learned and fly against the clock. He invites local Indoor modelers, both Free Flight and Radio Control (RC) enthusiasts, to join the fun. The students enjoy watching experienced fliers demonstrate their airplanes and flying skills, and the adults encourage the enthusiastic kids.
"Heavy snow was forecast for the Omaha area on March 15, 2002, the day before this year's Indoor fun-fly. Fortunately, the storm didn't live up to the predictions, so the turnout at Ralston Middle School was excellent. About a dozen Nebraska Free Flighters and family members gathered to watch and encourage John's students and to fly their own models in the school's upper gymnasium. A similar number of Indoor RC pilots flew their aircraft in the lower gym, so there was never a dull moment for fliers or spectators.
"Although the emphasis was on fun and learning, the students naturally competed for the best flight times with their Delta Darts. Several parents were there to assist, and the kids helped and supported each other. With John's guidance, their airplanes' performance improved throughout the day, and the students achieved some very impressive flights. I don't have the exact times, but Joren Nicholson put up the longest flight of the day, followed by Bill Blair and Brian Curtis.
"Congratulations, John, on your years of showing youngsters the joys of flying models they built with their own hands, and teaching them important lessons in patience and persistence, along with construction and aerodynamics. Congratulations, too, to the Ralston Middle School students who invested significant time and effort, and were rewarded with many successful flights. The Nebraska Free Flighters enjoyed supporting John's efforts and appreciated the opportunity to fly at this excellent site. We look forward to next year's event."
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
