District News
Andy Argenio Vice President
[email protected] 3 Sheila Ln., Smithfield RI 02917 Tel.: (401) 231-6901; www.amadistrict-i.org
The Toledo Show: R/C Model Expo is the largest and longest-running RC show in the US. I look forward to attending this show every year because it remains the one show that vendors will attend regardless of budget cuts for shows and events. I arrived at the show at 11 a.m. on Friday, and it was already packed with people, vendors, and plenty of new products that I had yet to see as a hobby shop owner.
Surprisingly, with all of the concerns involving privacy rights and the use of cameras on model aircraft, the busiest booths at the show were those carrying multi-copter platforms, FPV equipment, and autopilot and stabilization systems.
By listening to many shoppers, I learned that high nitro fuel prices have them in search of alternative electric or gas power for the popular .40ci to .90ci-size sport flyer aircraft. Evolution gas engines, offered by Horizon Hobby in the 10cc and 15cc sizes, drew much attention and would cut fuel costs from $25 to $5 per gallon.
A number of companies offer larger receiver-ready foam aircraft complete with electric motors, ESCs, servos, and electric retracts installed. There were many new sport and Scale airplanes that will be in the hobby shops and online as the 2013 flying season begins.
In an attempt to attract and keep customers, hobby suppliers are providing more value. This is evident in the companies' attention to detail, level of completion, and included features in the aeromodeling products sold today. Toledo, Ohio, is the place to see it all!
This magazine is devoted to building aircraft, and the photos in this column show the work of the world's best model craftsmen and winners at the 2013 Toledo Show: R/C Model Expo.
District II—New Jersey, New York, Europe
Bob Brown visited District II and he and I spoke to modelers at the public library in Webster, New York, on Tuesday evening, March 26, 2013. At the event, organized by Webster-area CD Andres Rodriguez, Bob informed members about AMA’s various ongoing programs and efforts such as Camp AMA, our work with the FAA, and numerous states writing their own drone legislation.
Interest was high with many questions from the audience, and members were reminded about visiting AMA’s information resources such as www.modelaircraft.org to stay informed!
The Radio Control Club of Rochester (RCCR) is an active AMA club! Meeting twice a month, RCCR is active in schools, charities, and the local parks department. Like many AMA clubs, RCCR gives back to its community!
I had the pleasure of visiting an RCCR meeting on March 27, 2013. During the evening I interacted with club members and many topics were covered, including the JFK drone sighting and New York’s efforts to regulate drones.
As part of its community activities, RCCR has exhibited at Brighton School District’s Festival of Ideas for several years. On Saturday, March 2, 2013, club members introduced kids to the sport of RC using flight simulators, AMA Cubs (Delta Darts), buddy-box flying, and RC flight demos. This annual event is an educational “fun day” for Brighton students in grades three through eight, with more than 700 students participating in roughly 60 workshops.
With several other members assisting, RCCR club member Jerry Joseph is a driving force behind organizing the club’s attendance at Brighton.
Thanks need to also go to RCCR members and others for their generous donations to the AMA Flying Site Disaster Relief Fund. Your efforts are appreciated!
Remember, it’s not about what we fly, it’s about the people and the friends we make!
District III—Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
Mark Radcliff Vice President
[email protected] 199 Heron Dr., St. Marys WV 26170 Tel.: (304) 684-2133; www.amadistrict-iii.org
There are many SIGs that are officially recognized by AMA. One such group is the Vintage Radio/Control Society (VR/CS). The group's primary objective is the preservation of RC history by flying the old RC designs.
The Mountain Modelaires of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, hosted the VR/CS Spring Fest on June 2, 2012. CD Perley Bowen reported that the event began with less-than-desirable weather. There was a tornado warning and a cold front brought winds of 20–30 mph.
Despite the conditions, 10 registered pilots braved the weather and flew. Vintage models from Bob Noll's 1965 Aeromaster to Frank Granelli's CL Nobler converted to RC were not only on display but flown. Interested spectators were invited to fly with a buddy box and two people joined the club after experiencing the fun.
If you're interested in learning about the airplanes, equipment, and people who pioneered RC and help make it what it is today, I encourage you to check out the VR/CS website at www.vintagercsociety.org and consider joining. I am a member and have flown at its events and can assure you the fun and camaraderie of the group is second to none.
In February 2013, while attending the West Virginia RC Expo, I had the pleasure of presenting a Distinguished Service Award to retiring Associate Vice President (AVP) Dave Ellis. This award, which requires Executive Council approval, is the Academy's way of thanking someone for contributions, efforts, and time spent serving and working with others.
Dave was appointed AVP by then District III Vice President Bob Brown in 1990 and served AMA for more than 22 years. Dave actively promoted model aviation in District III and had a passion for Pylon Racing. Thank you, Dave, for your long and dedicated service to AMA and the modelers of District III. We look forward to seeing you at future flying events.
Mark your calendar for August 17, 2013. It's National Model Aviation Day (NMAD). On this date we would like every club in the US to recognize model aviation.
AMA is partnering with the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) and is urging clubs to contact the local office of this nationwide organization and develop a fundraising event for this worthy cause. Clubs can choose to incorporate NMAD into an event they already have scheduled during that weekend and team up with Wounded Warriors or any organization they wish.
NMAD will be promoted in all AMA publications including ads in MA in June and July. NMAD will also be promoted through Facebook, Twitter, and other social media. A special webpage is being created for clubs to get more information about NMAD, to register, and to download an information packet that includes a brochure, press release, 3-Month Trial AMA membership forms, sponsorship information, fundraising ideas, an ad a club can customize, receipt forms, a FAQ page, etc.
I urge all clubs to promote NMAD and team up with a local charity such as the Wounded Warrior Project. This type of event will generate favorable publicity for your club and will demonstrate that you are a valuable part of your community.
Until next month, go fly and have fun!
District IV—Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia
Bliss Teague Vice President
[email protected] 625 5th Ave. S.W., Hickory NC 28602 Tel.: (828) 324-2164; www.amadistrict-iv.org
John Tate and Scott Richlen submitted reports on the following.
In August 2012 several of us went up to the Jim Coll Memorial Contest, held by the Eastern Shore Aeromodelers Club, in Hurlock, Maryland. On Saturday we flew Old-Time Stunt and Profile Stunt in the bright sunshine until 5 p.m.
Sunday was Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association (PAMPA) Stunt class day. Jimmy Welch and John Tate competed in the Advanced class. Jimmy held first after round one with his electric-powered SV-11.
The second round was another story. Jimmy’s score went down and he missed third place by half of a point. John took first place.
The Expert PAMPA class was exciting. We didn’t know who won until the last flight. It appeared that Bob Hunt would win after the first round, but Mike Palko placed first after round two.
By the way, those of you who weren’t there missed a great time! We finished at approximately 3:30 on Saturday, and Brad Smith broke out some moonshine for sampling. That, along with some ice-cold beer, made for a relaxing and fun “bull” session. Afterwards, we all descended upon a local eatery for food and more storytelling.
We had a fabulous time with great people, at a terrific flying field.
A big thank-you goes to Jack Rosemere, Tim Stagg, and the club members for putting on a great show at the field of dreams on the East Coast! The Jim Coll Memorial Contest is a well-run event. and I sure enjoyed the way he was grinning when I gave it to him. He will enjoy it.
It was a great day for Pylon Racing and, as always, the Alabaster Club put on a good show. There were some great hot dogs from Jim Reining, his wife, Linda, and my wife, Peggy.
I also want to say thanks to all the club members who jumped in and helped make this a successful event.
Pablo Fernandez of south/central Florida, sent this in!
The Gathering of the Giants 2013 was another good job from the members of the Cape Coral R/Sea Hawks. More than 5,000 visitors attended this year.
I plan to attend next year for the event's 20th anniversary. It should be a huge turnout! I hope to see you there in spectators' row.
Please join me in welcoming Dan Curtis and Mitch Baker to the AMA District VI team. Dan will be taking over for Chris Lakin as the District VI Aerobatics Contest Board representative. Dan is highly qualified for the job, and comes recommended by Chris and by Jon Lowe, president of the National Society of Radio Control Aerobatics SIG.
Mitch Baker is the District VI Contest Coordinator, and will also be taking over as the District VI webmaster. Thank you both very much for volunteering to fill these voids. I appreciate the work you will do for our modeling community.
Privacy concerns are sweeping the country, causing states to take legislative action. Every state in District VI has initiated legislation of some degree. Missouri HB 46 is the most worrisome at the time of this writing, and Illinois is next with SB 1587.
In Kentucky, HB 454 is just getting underway. Indiana's SB 20 includes an exclusion for recreational or hobby purposes. Most of these state bills are aimed at restricting police and other agencies from using drones for surveillance without a warrant.
The definitions of a "drone" in most of the bills include the aircraft that we fly and that is a huge concern for us all. We are currently working with state representatives to request exclusions for model aircraft, or are requesting that they exclude model aircraft as defined by the FAA from their legislation.
Rich Hanson, AMA's public relations and government affairs person, has been doing a great job keeping on top of the bills for each state, engaging them, and providing status updates. Please monitor AMA's website for additional information and updates.
Also, keep in mind that there is considerable expense in continuing to work out the issues with the FAA, and now with many state legislative branches, to protect our rights to fly as modelers. Please believe me when I say you are getting your money's worth when it comes to your AMA dues.
Frank Noyes invited me to the Lake Ozark Radio Control Society swap meet and indoor fly-in held in Eldon, Missouri. The weather was poor and I am sure it affected attendance, although it was a good event.
I got to chat with a few AMA members and club officers. The club president, Steve Lemens, told me about the club's philosophy of minimal politics and its motto of "We Fly for the Fun of It," which appears to be very effective.
My wife, Fina, and I hung around after the swap meet portion to fly indoor stuff for a bit. Dan Smith, as always, was a great event host. I got both of my quadcopters up at one time or two, flew my e-tuit a bit, and had Dave McDonald fly it so I could see it do things that I can't do with it.
Fina flew for the first time at the Eldon indoor gathering. We got her started with my Micro-Vapor. Totally cool! As you can see in the photo, she was grinning from ear to ear. Yes, it was another great day of modeling.
Program of the month: Sign 3 Fly Free. This is a great way to get your next year's dues paid for. Sign up three Open or Senior members, and your next year's membership will be free. This is a good time of year to get started. Any former member who hasn't been active for five years whom you get to rejoin also counts toward a free year.
Members of the Richmond, Indiana, Propbusters gathered at the Richmond Square Mall March 9-10 for the club's annual mall show. The Propbusters put the show on once a year to promote the hobby in general, as well as share what the club has to offer.
The airplanes, flight simulator programs, and small indoor RC models attracted attention from people of all ages. It provided a great opportunity for those interested in the hobby, but who are unsure of where or how to get started, to ask questions. The show gave them the perfect chance to find out how easy it is to get started, with club instructors using the added safety and security of the buddy-box system.
This year's show was another success with several new member prospects. A great time was had by all who participated.
Happy flying.
District VII—Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
at the event and shows off the latest offerings. Company representatives also are on hand to assist with questions.
The club holds a Static model competition that awards more than $20,000 in cash prizes. Did I mention the club's scholarship raffle and the $10,000 in prizes with 100% of the proceeds going to the AMA scholarship fund? For those of you who have not been there, in addition to products for sale, there's also a huge swap shop upstairs with many tables of new and used RC products at bargain prices.
There's also a Saturday night auction that's been known to draw some of the most beautiful models you'll ever see. I'm trying my best not to sound like a steak knife infomercial, but there's still more.
On Friday and Saturday night, you also can attend the Electric Tournament of Champions, which attracts the best indoor aerobatic pilots in the world, who use their foamies to compete for cash prizes and the right to call themselves the best of the best.
Next year's Expo dates are April 4-6. If you've never attended, you owe it to yourself to make the trip. You may go home exhausted but not disappointed, I guarantee.
Take a kid flying!
District VIII—Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Mark Johnston Vice President
[email protected] 6608 Beck Dr. NE, Albuquerque NM 87109 Tel.: (505) 823-0158; www.amadistrict-viii.org
I would like to start this month's column with some kudos to several people in the district. They will know who they are. We are in another battle with our right to fly model aircraft, but this time it is with individual states because of privacy issues. Most of the legislation is not excluding model aircraft.
In District VIII there is active legislation in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arkansas. There are several people working for the district at state legislative hearings giving testimony in our favor to help add exclusions for model aviation to these bills, while following AMA rules and guidelines. Rich Hanson is now working full time at AMA Headquarters, in Muncie, Indiana, helping all of the districts go forward. If you know anyone in your Statehouse or Senate, please contact me so we can work with those officials.
While I was attending a meeting of the Albuquerque Soaring Association, one of the members brought in a copy of an advertisement that was done in 1975 for Super Glue from a company called Model Specialties. This turned out to be Buzz Averill's company. Buzz was selling 1-ounce bottles for $7.95 back in 1975. Only his company and one other sold Super Glue then. One was a thin formula and one was a medium, which was what Buzz sold. I thought this bit of history was cool and something I did not know about Buzz. By the way, Buzz was the associate vice president (AVP) for New Mexico before I was, and he says I am crazy for doing all of the stuff I have been doing.
On a sad note, Jim Rice lost his mother in March. She was a flier and stood beside him and his father for many years at the field. Several AVPs and some other people in the district have donated to a fund to purchase an AMA brick in memory of Jim and Ellen Rice. I never met Jim's father, but I met his mother at the Tri-City Flyers event in Kingsbury, and in my observation, she enjoyed the flying and the people at the event. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Rice family for this loss.
Last month, I attended the Weatherford Aero Modeling Society's (WAMS) Swap Meet and did a short presentation on AMA and programs that AMA has in place for the membership. The swap meet was the largest I have ever seen and was well attended. I sold several items and was able to visit with many of the members from across the district. I want to thank the Weatherford Club for inviting me to attend and do a presentation during the event.
Bill Holland attended the Lawton Area Fun Flyer's Society's meeting in March and gave club members plenty of good information on AMA and all of its programs, an update on AMA's work with the FAA, and pending state legislation. Pictured is Bill and the 50% D.R. he is building, along with Gene Elkins looking on.
Hope to see you all at the field!
District News
The Jefco club continues with high levels of activity during the chilly season. The auction the members conduct is possibly the largest in the country. Norm Berger, District IX associate vice president, sent the following comments about the annual auction:
"With the help of nice weather, attendance this year was outstanding with more than 1,200 items up for auction. Our computer system saw some additional features added this year and the barcoded items sure made for a smooth auction.
"Our online preregistration, in its second year, drew nearly 250 people to sign up in advance. We hope to attract more preregistered people next year as it just makes a better experience for all. Preregistered participants have all the paperwork printed ready to pickup and can go right to check in versus the old-fashioned way.
"Our auction manager for the past 15-plus years was unable to continue because of some personal issues and John Lipe, former president of the Jefco Aeromod'lers RC Club, stepped up and ran the show this year.
"Our longtime, beloved auctioneer, Roger Mitchell, passed away in December, leaving a big gap in the lineup. Nonmembers Tom Neff and Howie Wayne stepped up and did a great job."
District X—Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah
Saturday saw fierce (but friendly) competition, and a few spectacular midair collisions throughout the 75 heats run.
Rusty Van Baren took first place in the NMPRA Classic.
with the competition or go to the final heats and fly-offs. The votes were cast, and it was time for finals and fly-offs. The top 10 pilots: 1. Rusty Van Baren (USA), 2. Gary Schmidt (USA), 3. Roy Andrassi (Canada), 4. David Lloyd (USA), 5. Mario Salazar (USA), 6. Travis Flynn (USA), 7. Craig Grunkmeyer (USA), 8. Tim Allen (USA), 9. Randy Smith (USA), 10. Mike Tallman (USA). I might mention that five pilots broke the 1-minute mark for 10 laps, with Salazar achieving a quick 58.45!
This was a great group. It was evident that they respected each other. The NMPRA committee and CDs deserve a pat on the back. Thanks goes to the committee of Mario Salazar and Dan Thordarson, and CDs Doug Killabrew, Travis Flynn, and Dave Gavin.
District X has lost a Southern California legend and hobbyist. Colby Evett, of Evett's Model Shop in Santa Monica, passed away on February 16. Evett's Model Shop opened for business in 1948, and Colby was known throughout the region for his aviation knowledge. He was also an RC pioneer. He was still working near the end of his life. He was 92 years old. Our deepest sympathies are extended to his wife, Yvonne.
Colby and Yvonne Evett.
Thanks to Ricc Bieber for contributing to this month's column. Until next time, may you have nothing but happy landings.
District News
District XI—Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
The month of March saw a great deal of activity regarding unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) legislation. At one point, all five states in this district had legislation pending, most of it addressing privacy issues. Washington is done for this year and Idaho, Montana, and Alaska are working on legislation that should not have an appreciable effect on model aviation.
Oregon initiated legislation that initially would have made it a crime to own an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of carrying a camera. That has evolved into legislation that excludes model aircraft but that will most certainly eventually mean that this will apply to a model aircraft operated in accordance with the AMA safety code.
The pilot of a model aircraft that is used for nefarious purposes will not get a free ride. Many Oregon modelers have stepped up and are actively working to ensure that model aviation continues in the state of Oregon. A few of these people who prepared and delivered testimony to the Oregon Senate Judiciary Committee in March are shown in the photo at the left. Please thank them when you see them.
I became aware of a project with the objective to build and display a 1/4-scale model of the Spirit of St. Louis at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, home of the Spruce Goose, in McMinnville, Oregon. In this case, 1/4 scale means a 12-foot wingspan.
The project was started by Winston Okerlund and, after he unexpectedly passed away, was taken over by Jim Edwards. Both of these men are/were members of the Prop Twisters of Walla Walla, Washington.
The airplane is nearly completed and is expected to be on display at the museum later this year. Its detail is amazing! It will be shown next to a full-scale replica of the Spirit of St. Louis. This museum is remarkable and a great visit if you've not already seen it.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
