Convention, and as a non-profit
corporation dedicated to an educational
purpose, it’s important that we
emphasize this aspect of the association
at our convention.
In addition to the seminars on myriad
subjects, we had several committee
meetings while in Ontario including an
Education Committee meeting on the
Monday following the convention.
The educational aspects of AMA are
the important aspect of our non-profit
status, and we must continue those
efforts and expand them if we are to
maintain that status. If we were to lose
that status, it would cost AMA much
more to operate.
I thought it was funny that people
asked the question about staff
attendance, as in the past we have been
accused of ignoring the West Coast. You
can’t win.
During the show, make-and-take
projects for young people were ongoing,
and the Black Sheep Squadron, led by
Tony Naccarato, presented a nearly
continual air show flying their
lightweight Electric Radio Control and
Control Line models.
To say that the performance of
Electric models has improved in recent
years would be a huge understatement. I
spoke with one member who had a fairly
small aerobatic model that was capable
of any maneuver you could name—
including sufficient power to hover. He
noted that it would fly for 20 minutes!
The newest technology in motors—
and particularly in batteries—has enabled
Electric models to become a large segment
of our activity. But as with any
DATELINE: ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA—
AMA Convention 2004, the former
International Modelers Show, was a
roaring success. Exhibitors, members, and
other attendees praised the new location
and attendance set records.
That’s right! Ontario was a big success,
and any concerns about the convention’s
move from Pasadena after 26 years at that
location were erased. A decision was made
last year that the Pasadena site had become
a restraint to the growth of the show.
Exhibit space was maxed out and parking
had become a problem.
AMA staff—principally Jay Mealy—
researched the area and determined that
Ontario, California, would work well, so
the decision was made to change venues.
I was impressed with the facilities at
Ontario, although I must admit that I was
hesitant to move the show which had been
so successful in Pasadena. My concerns
were centered on the modelers’ attendance
because we would be moving farther from
the large population center of Los Angeles.
Among the group engineering the move
I was known as the “naysayer.” I had the
most concern over the move although I
agreed that we needed to be able to expand
the show, and it was obvious that we had
outgrown the Pasadena facility.
I’m here to tell you that any concerns I
had were obliterated on Friday, January 9,
2004, when the gates were opened and the
crowd began flowing in. It was a good
move and the event now has nearly
limitless potential for growth.
The Ontario facility is large, beautiful,
and convenient for the majority of the
attendees. As it turns out, it’s easier to get
to for most of the Orange County and San
Diego area residents, and it doesn’t take
much longer for most Los Angeles
inhabitants to reach. The only people with
a longer commute are those from the San
Fernando Valley and Ventura area,
although the improved ease of parking
seems to make up for that difficulty.
Everything seems to have worked out
great.
A number of people asked me why there
were so many AMA staff members and
officers attending the show. I’ll admit that
quite a few were there, but this is the AMA
Dave Brown AMA president
President’s Perspective
advancement in technology, this comes
with a price, not only in dollars but in
other ways.
Proper use of the Lithium cells—ion
or polymer—is much more critical,
particularly in terms of charging. This
technology is safe and simple but only if
you use the correct charging equipment
and exercise a great deal of care. The
problem is that Lithium is flammable—
almost explosive—and it can erupt in
flames if charged improperly.
There are special chargers designed
to charge these cells. You need to use
only this type of charger or you run the
risk of a fire.
The two most common mistakes I’ve
heard about are trying to charge Lithium
batteries with a standard Ni-Cd charger
(don’t do it!) or incorrectly setting a
proper charger in terms of the number of
cells in the pack. Either mistake
commonly results in a fire; some have
had dire consequences. I’ve heard of
workshops and cars being destroyed by
these accidents, so be careful.
Based on input from many people, I
believe that these batteries are perfectly
safe—as safe as any type of battery is as
long as they are handled properly—but
they are very intolerant of misuse. It has
been pointed out that if the batteries
were unsafe we would not be allowed to
carry computers or PDAs equipped with
them onto an airliner. All consumer
devices have dedicated chargers, making
them quite safe. It’s our use of
individual cells to make up “homemade”
packs which requires the extra care.
On a sad note, I was informed that
District XI Vice President Bruce
Nelson’s wife Marci suffered a stroke
and died in Spokane, Washington,
shortly after the end of the AMA
Convention. Marci was well known to
many Northwest modelers, and I’m sure
I can express the condolences of the
entire AMA membership to Bruce and
the rest of her family. MA
April 2004 5
Everything seems to
have worked out great.
Dave Brown
AMA president
[email protected]
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/04
Page Numbers: 5
