On the Fly
Late-breaking news from Headquarters
New Turbine Rules Approved!
At the February 7, 2004, meeting, the AMA Executive Council unanimously approved the new turbine rules. These are virtually the same rules previously presented and voted on November 1, 2003, and then subsequently held in abeyance. The following minor changes were implemented at the February 7 meeting.
Limiting the fuel capacity to 2.5 U.S. gallons has been dropped. With the March 1, 2004, effective date, current turbine-waiver holders have until January 1, 2006, to submit their initial Pilot Turbine Waiver Renewal Affidavits.
Another significant change is the elimination of turbine engine acceptance. Previously, manufacturers had to submit any production turbine to AMA. After satisfactory review and testing, it was added to the list of accepted turbines. With technological advancements and increased individual safety concerns in mind, this acceptance process has been deleted from the program, along with the previously required Ground School training.
You are strongly encouraged to review the new regulations by accessing AMA website document 513: "Safety Regulations for Model Aircraft Gas Turbines." Documents that are no longer required were deleted from the AMA website after the March 1 effective date.
MA — Carl P. Maroney, Special Services Director
2003 Insurance Cost
The 2003 AMA Annual Report presents the financial insurance summary as well as the claims summary. The report is posted on the AMA website. Go to "Membership Services" and then to "AMA Documents (PDF)"; it is document 530: "2003 AMA Annual Report — Financial Insurance Summary."
MA — AMA Headquarters
Turbine-Flying Caution
AMA's recommendation to not fly turbines during burning bans applies only to burning bans that are enacted because of drought conditions and/or concern about forest fires — not to bans issued for air-quality concerns.
Please check with your local authorities for individual restrictions when a burning ban has been issued.
MA — Carl P. Maroney, Special Services Director
Seeking Magazines
Do you have any copies of American Boy magazine from the 1920s and 1930s? The museum is interested in acquiring these issues to help document the activities of the Airplane Model League of America (AMLA), which American Boy founded and operated.
If you have any of these magazines, please contact Rich LaGrange, the museum’s librarian, at [email protected] or (765) 287-1256, ext. 506.
MA — Michael Smith, National Model Aviation Museum Curator
2004 "Got Wings" Ad
Look for the 2004 AMA "Got Wings" ad at upcoming flying events across the country, including Sun ’n Fun at Lakeland, Florida; the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA’s) AirVenture at Oshkosh, Wisconsin; and a variety of other shows that AMA attends.
The ad campaign highlights the tremendous variety of occupations AMA members have. This year’s ad features AMA member Dave Villwock, an active competitor and contest director within AMA. He is a seven-time world champion unlimited hydroplane driver and the team manager of Miss Budweiser.
MA — Tom Schwyn, Marketing/Public Relations Director
Club and Company Histories
The National Model Aviation Museum now has company and club histories available for viewing on the Internet at http://modelaircraft.org/museum/history.asp. Additions are forthcoming. Also available are biographies of individual modelers.
You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Joe Fox at [email protected].
MA — Joe Fox, Assistant Historian
AMA at EAA AirVenture
AMA members and friends who are used to visiting AMA's booth during EAA’s AirVenture can do so at the outdoor exhibit anytime from Tuesday, July 27, through Monday, August 2.
Beginning this year, AMA will be located in Exhibit Hangar A, occupying booth numbers 1047 and 1048.
MA — Jay Mealy, Programs Director
New Life Members
The Academy of Model Aeronautics recently welcomed new Life Members:
- Robert A. Mulligan (L514)
- Duey Le (L492)
- Jinho Lee (L481)
- Patrick Jones (L802)
For information about becoming a Life Member, contact AMA Headquarters at (800) 435-9262.
MA — Membership Department
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
