On the Fly Late-breaking news from Headquarters - 2003/07

On the Fly
Late-breaking news
from Headquarters
Advertising Representative: Mark Lanterman, Airborne Media 5655 David Place, Fairfield OH 45014
Telephone: (513) 829-4060; Fax: (513) 829-4065
President Dave Brown
Executive Vice President Doug Holland
Vice Presidents (addresses in AMA News section) District VI Charlie Bauer
District I Don Krafft District VII William Oberdieck
District II Dave Mathewson District VIII Sandy Frank
District III Bob Brown District IX Russ Miller
District IV Bliss Teague District X Richard Hanson
District V Jim McNeill District XI Bruce Nelson
AMA Executive Director Joyce Hager
NAA Representative Don Koranda
Published by The Academy of Model Aeronautics
Editorial offices: (765) 287-1256 ext. 224 (8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.) Fax: (765) 281-7907
Director of Publications Rob Kurek
Managing Editor Shelia Ames Webb Art Director Carla Hart Kunz
Aeromodeling Editor Bob Hunt Production Associate Jennifer Orebaugh
AMA News Editor Elizabeth Helms Graphic Designer Lydia Whitehead
Account Executive Angela Martin Administrative Assistant Katie Phillips
Stan Alexander
Bill Boss
Paul Bradley
Sal Calvagna
Curt Contrata
John Elliot
Duane Gall
Mike Garton
Dave Garwood
Eric Hawkinson
Eric Henderson
Mike Hurley
Louis Joyner
Mike Keville
Bob Kopski
Rich Lopez
Eloy Marez
Dave Mark
D.B. Mathews
Dave McDonald
Richard L. Perry
Fernando Ramos
Dave Robelen
Greg Rose
Gene Smith
Bud Tenny
Joe Wagner
Contributing Editors
Model Aviation (ISSN 0744-5059, USPS 087-930 Publications Agreement No. 1522051) is owned exclusively by The
Academy of Model Aeronautics, Inc., a nonprofit organization, and published monthly at 5161 East Memorial Drive,
Muncie IN 47302. Copyright Academy of Model Aeronautics, 2003. Model Aviation and the AMA and Wings & Torch logo
are registered trademarks of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. All rights reserved. When membership in the Academy
of Model Aeronautics includes subscription to Model Aviation, $18.00 of the dues are for the subscription. Membership is
open to all who are interested in model aviation.
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Editorial Offices: Model Aviation, 5161 East Memorial Drive, Muncie, IN 47302.
Advertising Offices: Airborne Media, 5655 David Place, Fairfield OH 45014. (For general AMA business, memberships,
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2003 AMA OFFICERS
MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS? CALL (800) I FLY AMA (435-9262)
MODEL AVIATION
Safety Alert
Do not use conventional Nickel Cadmium
battery chargers of any type to charge Lithium
batteries. This can be hazardous to your health!
Lithium batteries are becoming an
increasingly popular choice for powering
electric models and for the Radio Control
system. They offer dramatically improved
energy density compared to commonly used
Nickel Cadmium and Nickel Metal Hydride
batteries. One can save as much as half the
weight of conventional batteries and/or greatly
increase operating time. Lithium Metal, Lithium
Ion, and Lithium Polymer batteries are now on
the market.
Increased performance comes with an
increase in potential hazard in their use, and old
methods of handling and charging batteries will
not suffice. These batteries can rupture if
overcharged or shorted, and if this happens, fire
may result if the Lithium is exposed to the
atmosphere.
There have been reports of fire with each of
those battery types. The root cause of the failures
has been improper charging and battery shorting.
The safest approach is to use only
prepackaged battery packs assembled by
reputable vendors with the appropriate
protective devices installed, and use only
chargers designed for this purpose. Buying
individual cells which are modeler-assembled
and charged with conventional chargers is
discouraged. MA
—AMA Safety Committee
AMA Announces New
Liability Insurance Carrier
On March 24, 2003, the AMA Executive
Council reviewed several liability quotes offered
for consideration. It approved an offer from
Westchester Surplus Lines Insurance Company,
AM Best Rated as A IX.
This coverage is identical to the expiring
2002 policy with another company. The annual
premium compared to last year went up 70%.
There will be no lapse in liability coverage for
clubs that have rechartered. Coverage will
continue for additional insureds (site owners).
The AMA Headquarters operations is
focusing on getting various documents
printed and customized for club and
property owners. MA
—Carl Maroney
Special Services Director
New Life Members
The Academy of Model Aeronautics recently
welcomed new Life Members Lester F. Wetzel
III (L673), David B. Mattingly (L413), Tim
Pazara (L368), and Michael Cummins (L508).
For information about becoming a Life
Member, contact AMA Headquarters at (800)
435-9262. MA
—Membership Department
6 MODEL AVIATION