The Acronyms of Aeromodeling
ACRONYMS, acronyms, acronyms . . . What do they stand for? What do they have to do with model airplane builders and fliers? To cash in on an old saying, here's everything and more than you ever wanted to know about the organizations that affect you as a model airplane enthusiast. Let's go back to the first question and get acquainted with some organizational descriptions and roles. AMA stands for Academy of Model Aeronautics. This is the organization that can be of the most help and assistance to the average sport flier-as well as most competition fliers-throughout the country. (Don't overlook your local hobby shops and area clubs, however.)
F3A Judging School
To raise awareness of the complexities of the F3A Pattern (commonly called Turnaround in the U.S.); To study the intricate, subtle details of each maneuver, their flow through the pattern, procedures, and technical points of judging and scoring the flight; To reach a philosophical consensus on interpretation of the intent, written description (remember the language variations) and cryptographic (drawing) maneuvers; To build a prepared/knowledgeable International pool of judges for major contests throughout the FAI countries; To encourage this pool of judges to share information throughout their own countries to raise awareness among the ranks of other judges, a dissemination of information process. The AMA Executive Council assisted with this FAI School Project by supporting Ron Chidgey and Travis McGinnis with partial financial funding to attend and participate wit the understanding that there would be sharing of information at a later time. This writer sees that obligation being fulfilled in the following manner. A report, along with a handout package,
Chinese Friendship Tournament
A CONTINGENT of 13 modelers left San Francisco on October 18. For the next 14 days they were guests of the Chinese Aeronautical Sports Association of the People's Republic of China. There was sightseeing in four major cities and their outlying areas that included the Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace and Palace Museums of ancient Chinese emporors, and Beihai Park in Beijing. There was much more: a first-hand, up-close visit to the countryside with a walk through of a typical rural farming community near Chengdu, a visit to the Terra-Cotta Warrior Museum, being hosted by the Chinese Northwest Institute of Technology (one of China's foremost institutions of higher learning) in the ancient capitol city of Xi' an, shopping in Shanghai, and a visit to the CSG (China Shanghai Group) model engine laboratory. Those days will be remembered by all.
