Author: Charlie Bauer
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/06
Page Numbers: 148

District VIII—Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas

Jim Rice

Vice President

My April column about cancer, surgery, and recovery generated more comments than any of my previous 63. Every comment was positive, most relating a similar situation or a trip to the dermatologist as a result of reading about it here. I was worried that it would be unsettling to most, but was pleasantly surprised to find that it touched modelers across the country. Thanks to all who offered words of support and wisdom. Keep using sunscreen, folks — it is better than the surgery, believe me!

I traveled to Oklahoma to visit and care for my 94-year-old mother in March. High winds kept my aircraft in the car, but I did visit Bill Holland, the Associate Vice President for Oklahoma. We had a good exchange, and I presented him with a long-overdue award: the Mr. Multi plaque from the District VIII celebration of the AMA’s 75th Anniversary.

He brought several Okies to Kingsbury, many World War I biplanes, and put on several shows with members of the Oklahoma Sooner Squadron. Great modelers, superb builders, and a good AVP/advocate for AMA made the experience a great time!

Roy Brown recently moved to Fredericksburg, Texas, from Europe, where he had served as an AVP for Gary Fitch in District II. I met him at a swap meet in February. He has been actively trying to start a club and generate interest in a Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) chapter.

He reports that Ed Hamiler, SAM president from Napa, California, visited Charlie and Kay Bruce in Kerrville and presented a Sweetheart of SAM award to Kay for her work helping Charlie with his old engine reviews. Ed observed Charlie’s engine collection and had an interesting and educational experience in his workshop, which is full of CL, RC, and FF aircraft and old-time engines. Charlie was a longtime dear friend of George Aldrich, who was one of my predecessors.

On March 29, Austin Radio Control Association (ARCA) hosted a meeting at the request of representatives of the FAA to allow them to address modelers about a public complaint of model aircraft being flown FPV above cloud cover in the Austin area. The complaint was generated by someone who viewed a video of the flight that was posted on YouTube.

Doug Nelle, president of ARCA, arranged for leaders of area clubs to attend and hear what FAA official Gary Stamper had to say. There were representatives from clubs in the Austin, Georgetown, Temple, and San Antonio areas, as well as Rich Hanson, AMA government and regulatory affairs officer, and two of my AVPs.

Gary’s pitch addressed the group as fellow aviators, not as subordinates, and was well received by attendees, with a good question-and-answer session at the end.

Gary investigated the complaint but could not identify the pilot. Even if the person were found, the FAA did not have a way to discipline him or her. Gary’s mission was to educate local modelers about the danger of such flights and to ask for assistance in spreading the word to all modelers.

He shared a comment from his final report: “They were encouraged to be active in policing modelers so that their existing privileges are not forfeited to government regulations. They have identified the field used by the video pilot, but not the pilot ... They share a passion and conviction for professionalism that underscores their enthusiasm for a unique and innovative hobby. They are a very credible group of pilots and nationally, there are over 140,000.”

I encourage all modelers to remain alert for similar activities. It doesn’t matter whether the perpetrator is an AMA member or not — the actions can affect model aviation’s future.

AMA guidelines regarding flying FPV can be found online at: www.modelaircraft.org/files/550.pdf.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.