THE FORMATION OF MODEL CLUBS
Toform a model aëroplane club at least six interested persons are necessary. As soon as a place in which to hold meetings has been decided upon the club should proceed to elect a director whose duty should be to manage the affairs of the club. One of the first things to be considered is the name under which the club will operate; the custom is usually to adopt the name of the town or city in which the club is located, viz.: Concord Model Aëro Club, Concord, Massachusetts, although it is the privilege of the majority of the members to choose a name such as they might feel will best benefit the purpose for which the club was organized. As in the case of the Aëro Science Club of America, this club was formed for the purpose of stimulating interest in modelaëronautics and to help those who might become interested therein, not only in New York City but throughout the entire United States.
When the matter of name and place has been settled the club should decide upon the course it is to follow, first by electingofficersand second by preparing aconstitution and by-laws. In the case of clubs whose membership does not comprise more than six members, it does not seem desirable to have more than one officer, namely, adirector, who might perform the duties of a president, treasurer and secretary until the club has reached a larger membership. In this way the members are enabled to concentrate upon the construction and flying of models and to engage in such other activities as to carry out the purpose for which the club was organized. However, the foregoing is merely a suggestion on the part of the writer, who by the way is a member of the Aëro Science Club of America and formerly acted in the capacity of secretary to that club.
Clubs whose membership totals more than twelve, however, should proceed to elect a President, Treasurer and Secretary, all of whom must receive a vote of at least two-thirds of the membership. With clubs of this size a director is not needed as the affairs of the club are usually entrusted with the governing officers, the President, Treasurer and Secretary. In as much as the constitution and by-laws are an important factor in the affairs of any model club, the governing officers, before mentioned, should hold a private meeting at the earliest moment whereat to frame a constitution and set of by-laws embodying the purposes and policy of the club. When the proposed constitution and by-laws are completed they should be presented to the members for approval after which a copy should be given to every member.
The following is a specimen of constitution and by-laws that might be used by any person or persons desiring to form a Model Aëro Club:
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF A MODEL AËROPLANE CLUB
Article 1. Name.The name of this club will be known as The .......... Model Aëro Club.
Purpose.The object of this club shall be to study and increase the interest in the science of aëronautics in every way possible and to realize this object, shall construct and fly model aëroplanes, gliders and man carrying machines.
Further, Contests shall be held for model aëroplanes and prizes awarded to the winners thereof. And as a further step in the advancement of this art, meetings, lectures, discussions, debates and exhibitions will be held.
Article 2. Membership.Any person may become a member of this club provided his application receives the unanimous approval of the majority of members, or is passed upon by the membership committee. A membermay resign his membership by written communication to the secretary who shall present it to the membership committee to be passed upon.
Article 3. Officers.The officers of this organization shall be a President, Vice-president, Secretary and Treasurer and a board of governors to consist of said officers. The president and vice-president shall constitute the executive committee of the board of governors, with full powers to act for them in the affairs of the club. The election of officers shall take place at the first meeting held during the month of .......... of each year and shall hold office for one year. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President the Vice-president or next highest officer present shall preside. Any other vacancy shall be filled by an officer temporarily appointed by the President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the club and of the board of governors, and shall perform such other duties as usually pertain to that office. The President shallhave full authority to appoint committees or boards as may be necessary to further the interests of the club.
The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the club, board of governors and committees and shall use the seal of the club as may be directed by the executive committee. Further, he shall issue notices to officers and members of all special meetings and perform such other duties as may be assigned him by the constitution, by the club or by the board of governors.
The Treasurer shall have charge of the funds of the club, receive all moneys, fees, dues, etc.; pay all bills approved by the board of governors, and preserve all proper vouchers for such disbursements.
RULES FOR CONTESTS
We now come to the matter of contests. As there are many different types of models so must there be rules to correspond to avoid misunderstandings, and until the club has reachedthe stage where it may decide upon a particular set of rules under which its members should participate perhaps the following set of rules, applicable to contests for hand launched models, can be adopted. In so far as there are different rules for different contests, namely, hand launched, R. O. G. and R. O. W. and mechanical driven, the following rules are used only in connection with contests for hand launched models; rules for other contests follow:
RULES
A contest to be official must have at least five contestants.
Each contestant must abide by the rules of the contest and decision of the judges.
Each contestant must register his name, age, and address before the event.
Each contestant must enter and fly models made by himself only.
Trials to start from a given point indicated by the starter of the trials, and distance to be measured in a straight line from the startingpoint to where the model first touches the ground, regardless of the curves or circles it may have made. Each contestant must have his models marked with his name and number of his models (1, 2, 3, etc.), and each model will be entitled to three official trials. Contestant has the privilege of changing the planes and propellers as he may see fit, everything to be of his own construction, but only three frames can be used in any contest. If in the opinion of the board of judges there are too many entries to give each one nine flights in the length of time fixed, the judges have the power to change that part of rule No. 6 to the following:
“Six flights or less, as circumstances may require, will be allowed to each contestant, which can be made with one model or any one of three entered; all of his own construction; due notice must be given to each contestant of the change.”
No trial is considered as official unless the model flies over 100 feet from the startingpoint. (The qualifying distance can be changed by agreement between the club and the starter provided the entrants are notified.) Should the rubber become detached from the model, or the propeller drop off during the trial, the trial is counted as official, provided the model has covered the qualifying distance. No matter what may happen to the model after it has covered the qualifying distance the flight is official. Contests should cover a period of three hours, unless otherwise agreed.
No contestant shall use the model of another contestant, although the former may have made it himself.
The officials should be: a starter, measurer, judge and scorer; also three or four guards to keep starting point and course clear. The first three officials shall, as board of judges, decide all questions and disputes. A space 25 feet square (with stakes and ropes) should be measured off for officials and contestants, together with an assistant for each contestant. All others must be kept out by the guards and aspace kept clear (at least 25 feet) in front of the starting point, so a contestant will not be impeded in making his trial.
Each official should wear a badge, ribbon or arm band designating his office, and must be upheld in his duties.
HANDICAPS
At the discretion of the club there may be imposed a handicap for club events as follows: A contestant in order to win must exceed his last record with which he won a prize.
COMBINATION AND DURATION EVENTS
First, second and third records to count. Lowest number of points to win. For example:
A may have 1st in distance and 2nd in duration, 3 total points.
B may have 3rd in distance and 1st in duration, 4 total points.
C may have 2nd in distance and 3rd in duration, 5 total points.
Accordingly A wins.
R. O. G. CONTESTS
(Rising from the Ground)
Models to be set on the ground and allowed to start off without any effort on the part of the contestant. Models should rise from the ground before reaching a predetermined mark, no flight to be considered unless it does so. Contestant may start at any length back from the mark, but the distance is to be measured only from the mark.
MECHANICALLY DRIVEN MODEL CONTESTS
For duration, or distance, contests for mechanically driven models might be held under the same ruling that applies to R. O. G. models. But owing to the many types of engines used in mechanically driven models, definite rules for the holding of such a contest must be left to the discretion of the club or contestants.
EVENTS OPEN TO ALL
These events are open to all, with no handicaps to be imposed on either club members or others.
INTER-CLUB MODEL AËROPLANE TOURNAMENTS
(Prizes to be determined by contesting clubs)
The tournament to consist of five events as follows:
Duration: Models launched from hand.Distance: Models launched from hand.Duration: Models launched from ground. R. O. G.Distance: Models launched from ground. R. O. G.Duration: Models launched from water. R. O. W.
Duration: Models launched from hand.
Distance: Models launched from hand.
Duration: Models launched from ground. R. O. G.
Distance: Models launched from ground. R. O. G.
Duration: Models launched from water. R. O. W.
Dates for inter-club contest should be arranged for at least three weeks prior to date of first contest, to allow ample time for the construction of special models and elimination trials.
In event of inclement weather the contest to take place the week following (each contest following to be set one week ahead), or at any time that may be determined by a committee appointed by the contesting clubs.
Each competing club must be represented by a team of three contestants and one non-competitor, who will act as judge in conjunction with the judges from the other clubs, and a manager selected by the judges who will supervise over the entire tournament and issue calls for meetings. (Substitutes should also be selected for any possible vacancy.)
Meetings of the judges of the competing clubs should be held at some designated place, at which time dates and general details shall be arranged, and between events there should be a meeting called, for general discussion regarding the recent event, receive protests and suggestions and to announce officially the result of the contest.
The manager shall have control of the various events, assisted by the judges and they shall decide all disputes that may arise, and act as scorers and timers, as well.
Each flyer will be allowed but one model and shall be entitled to three official flights, but he shall be permitted to make any repairs orreplace any broken parts. No contestant shall be privileged to fly a model not of his own construction. Each event shall close when all the contestants have made three official flights, or when three hours’ time has elapsed.