Sixty Years of AMA

structured rulebook competition flying non-competitive socalled Sunday fliers slow evolutionary pace movements has brought significant changes Academys focus directionespecially during last ten years conclusion John Worths article mentions establishment museum Reston Virginia home Academy collection modeling memorabilia quickly became focal point members visited Washington DC area ability use library resource facility heightened appeal establishment services Ten years ago June 1986 ModelAviation featured lengthyserves keynote elements change since 1985 special article prepared then-Executive Director John WorthDuring last half decade 1980s elements Eight pages text photos provided considerable informationof change became very prominent John Worths retirement concerning events occurred within AcademyExecutive Director significant factor period during period 1936 1986 background before thatbetween 1964 John took over Executive Director time frame details found article will repeatedthe end 80s Academy grew membership manyfold However due fact informationto some 120000 system chartered clubs provides such excellent overview first fiftyswelled 2000 some 2500 events years will made available reprintwere sanctioned year individuals groups may notAcademy As neared 65 years age currently have copies Contact Membership retirement search instituted Department AMA Headquarters reprintnew Executive Director understanding John would continue Like organizations longevity akin toadditional yearacting Academys periods significant change theresource incoming person work various accompanying stress can create As look back over lastspecial projects ten years since fiftieth birthday find instances r lengthy selection process Vince Mankowski such changeschosen serve Executive Director Hired AMA 1980 AMA has undergone slow evolution its makeup theMankowski serving Nats Manager time earliest days heavely composed youth itsselection key role construction Reston present membership base heavily adult composition InHeadquarters building prior responsibility As usually like manner have seen slow steady movement away fromthe case Academy experienced change management large percentage membership being involved withstyle John Worth Vince Mankowski 140 Model Aviation Y YEARS some cases its entire lifetime others its tick eternitys clock association like Academy Model Aeronautics accomplishment reach age especially shows continued growth development over such lengthy time span year 1996 marks sixtieth anniversary AMA lobby/entrance area Reston Virginia Headquarters building now occupied Peace Mind Baptist Church Upper deck photo original museum area Reston shows variety model sizes types displayed / First fears generated during early stages process have faded part plans set Frequency Committee finalized Executive Council vindicated Second Academy industry through vigorous writing campaign FCC successfully weathered another challenge frequency use proposed FCC rule making 1992 Beyond change leadership other important factors Third frequency phase-in will completed until occupied Academys business end 80s Coping 1998some 16 years after change initiated new computer age certainly consumed time financial resources well As true companies two significant decisions affecting Academy associations enormous effort education required during past ten years purchase land national assimilate emerging technologyflying site relocating Headquarters Technology played another important role operations site two decisions Academys activities concerning radiospawned other events far too numerous control 1982 AMA sought anddetail account should noted concept national flying site has roots successfully achieved addition model-only designated frequencies FCC task discussions occurred years prior its achieving goal far simple would AM happening consideration 70s names seem compared actual implementation SI NGE 1 936 Hutchinson Kansas West Baden Indiana scheme thingswill familiar members spite unbelievably rapid growth commercial e purchase land began earnest number frequency use threatened interfere continued usesites considered few possible sites surfaced frequencies equipment significant portions theEast near what headquarters Reston well membership sought cling equipment could safelywest bulk search centered Midwest logic cope demands placed upon methods wereselecting area revolved around location reference formulated maintain safe operations newer generationsmembership distribution cost land Property equipment evolved process integration stretched longerAcquisition committee under direction Pete Waters District anticipatedVII Vice President established Executive Council As written three important points can notedultimately expanded oversee site development September 1996 141 should noted prior Executive Director change leadership Executive Council also changed Don Lowe succeeding John Grigg President Lowe would maintain position nine years until chose step down end third term 1995 Stage Center RC flying site 1995s major construction project International Aeromodeling Center museum/headquarters building appeared 1993 during move Reston Muncie Note moving vans right After lengthy search presentations several communities decision made locate site Muncie Indiana area decision made because its location within 400 miles 60% Academys membership because physical layout land considerations offered Muncie negotiations required purchase site presently constituted long complicated Several landowners involved Executive Council Headquarters staff expended considerable energy purchase Funding purchase well plans development key elements Additionally considerable number objections purchase emanated within membership second part decision concerning Muncie site centered around moving Museum Headquarters too created member reaction criticism based two major points First felt presence Academy headquarters Washington DC area vitally important Second though Reston facility proving too small museum facility Headquarters operation relatively new strong argument moving centered around fact operating costs could slashed $500000 year die cast however plans move made development Muncie site began An early phase involved construction modified Butler building could serve home museum base operations site addition multipurpose flying site designed general layout roads future development began small staff individuals hired operate facility implementation moving museum materials Headquarters operation extremely complicated traumatic clear outset bulk staff would unable relocate resulting turnover staff members created hardship maintaining normal operations Nevertheless accomplished number replacement staff members spent time Reston becoming accustomed routines building Muncie set up accommodate museum office space using temporary walls partitions Gradually departments filtered new site completion process occur middle summer 1993 building Reston leased became home Peace Mind Baptist Church still occupy building today currently negotiations AMA its purchase July 26 1993 Executive Director Vince Mankowski resigned President Don Lowe contacted Technical Director Bob Underwood asking whether would willing serve least interim basis Executive Director Underwood way Oshkosh AMA display went Muncie next nine months Underwoods delayed construction new home St Louis area Bob served ED trauma AMAs move intense 50 employees present Reston ultimately six remained staff Muncie 40 new employees little knowledge what did did departments hardest hit move Membership Computer Services time Underwoods taking over ED position member Reston staff involved either service available full-time Muncie very important loss services Bob Vojslavek Bob V served Director Operations Reston key person orchestrating move overseeing department operations including membership Most unfortunately very short time after move Muncie became quite ill Subsequently illness culminated heart transplant later year effort bolster services both departments others providing association memory relative operation AMA Underwood contacted Joyce Hager former Membership Department Director longtime AMA employee asking would consider least temporary move Muncie Fortunately agreed result departments staffed capable individuals able keep things moving keel interesting turn events Joyce has stayed now serves Acting Executive Director Early 1994 Jerry Rouillard hired Executive Director Bob Underwood moved St Louis area working Technical Director Education Director reduced schedule changes Headquarters operation introduced under Jerrys management made necessary part rapidly expanding Muncie operations soon discovered taking care 1000 acres easy task coupled renewed emphasis under Jerry long-range planning goal-setting site construction created busy vibrant atmosphere activities instituted reinstated educational program February 1996 Jerry resigned work full-time obtaining MBA degree Ball State University time Joyce Hager asked serve Acting Executive Director 26 years experience dedication presently serving Academy good stead criticism surrounding relocation Academy continues 142 Model Aviation Muncie carried out stages loads boxes unpacked Membership Entrance Frank V Ehling Museum Muncie museum store left reception area far right has lessened considerably original goals centralized economical operation have recognized development museum under guidance hard work Mike Fulmer has brought praise sourcesmember community alike use site groups has rapidly escalated has proven first class venue virtually type event Now 1996 membership realizes advantages using site its national championships terms similar its relative Experimental Aircraft Association Academy now has complete home just few short years has become focal point nationally well internationally aeromodeling Almost exception skeptical about project beginning visit site return home boosters concept Other events over last ten years have made subtle sometimes dramatic changes Academys direction posture appearance Sport Flyers Association SFA overall impact Academy other attempts establish parallel modeling groups existed past SFA actually sought become alternative AMA Through several-year existence SFA lawsuits ensued much dialogue has occurred Unfortunately some negative aspects human behavior surfaced during dialogue However regardless ultimate outcome lawsuit has existed between two groups can said caused Academy take stock its existence work toward improving its service AMA modeling public During past ten years Academy has caught up three other socioeconomic changes have played important role altering Academys outlook goals Early its existence Academy soundly grounded elements competition Recent years have resulted its having answer esoteric modeling needproviding insurance continues driving force Academy Large insurance settlements costs administering related programs has played significant role during last ten years though AMA has actually strengthened its outreach areas such education research government liaison flying sites etc still forced heavily commit its resources insurance needs member course can never change until societys approach litigation changes Technology has provided strong impetus changes Academy last ten years ever-escalating technological level has provided host challenges membership Vastly improved equipment sometimes lower cost has boon aeromodeler like manner has forced increased scrutiny operational procedures especially coupled litigation concerns Two examples can shown present flying 200 mph 30-pound models well very sophisticated turbine-powered models Working through groups such Safety Committee Sound Committee Special Interest Groups Academy has sought stay abreast technological changes Some events mentioned have resulted leveling off membership growth during last five years decade since 1985 would impossible assess ones may have profound impact like manner cannot determine what would have happened changes traumatic events occurred true signs exist suggesting new growth both numbers ideas recent long-range planning meeting Executive Council committed ten achievable three-year goals ideas clearly born result experiences gained last 60 years general last 10 years specifically Following lead predecessor Don Lowe renewed AMA exists under leadership Dave Brown enters next century vigorous youthful manner members encouraged rejoice triumphs seek wisdom failures past 60 years pledge through participation achieve greater heights next 60 Achievable Three-Year Goals Improve working conditions Headquarters facility Increase number flying sites 10% Establish museum National Modeling Museum Break Nationals Show $8 million total assets Establish/implement Education/Research Program Membership 200000 Flight Training Program place operating $1 million expansion International Aeromodeling Center Establish implement Youth Family Community Programs September 1996 143 Mike Fulmer L Ira Keeler doorway Middletown Models Mikes tribute 1950s-era hobby shop Wright Flyer stands guard Muncie museum displays Note enlarged 1950s-60s magazine cover art