The Society of Air Racing Historians was organized in 1985 by a small group of men who agreed that air racing’s history was worth preserving. Once the Society was on firm footing, we began trying to organize local and regional chapters, having seen how successful this system has been for the Experimental Aircraft Association.

In order to make the job of forming and operating a chapter a little easier, we have now prepared some material for those who want to participate in this part of our international program. Read the material, think about it and then come up with some new ideas that fit your chapter and your part of the world.

If you have any questions, contact the Society’s Secretary, Herman Schaub, 168 Marian Lane, Berea, OH 44017, U.S.A. tel. (440) 234-2301. E-mail airrace25@adelphia.net  If you have any new ideas, let Herman know about them, too.

To form a chapter, you need to alert every possible member in your area to what you want to do. This involves lots of publicity for the organizational meeting: notices in local newspapers and on local radio and TV stations, posters at small airports, and via information sent to other aviation organizations. It is best to run notices at least twice to make certain they are read or heard.

Have an especially good program for the organizational meeting, preferably one that includes slides or videotapes of air racing, and/or a talk by an air racing expert. Make certain this is included in your publicity, so that potential members will know what to expect. Keep the talk about administrative matters to a minimum.

For your group to become recognized by the Society of Air Racing Historians, it must include at least four active members of the Society when it begins. There is no requirement for all members of your chapter to be members of the Society, but it is encouraged.

The heart of any chapter is its regular meetings, whether monthly, bi-monthly or otherwise. This brings the members together, and enables them to get acquainted and to exchange ideas. It also provides an opportunity to plan activities and to involve as many of the members as possible in the workings of the chapter and the Society of Air Racing Historians.

SPEAKERS

Members and potential members will be attracted to each meeting by the formal program. It is of great importance that each meeting’s program have a clear connection to air racing. That is why the Society exists, and that is what makes it different from all other aviation organizations. The program for the next meeting should be announced well in advance. Speakers can come from any of several categories:

Racing pilots. They can be veterans of the sport, or they can be currently active pilots. Either way, their first-hand experiences will bring air racing alive for the members.

Raceplane designers and builders. These men (and women) can bring the members into their workshops by describing how specialized speed airplanes are designed, how they are built, and how they are tested. If there are any builders near the site of the chapter, perhaps one or more members can provide assistance.

Historians. There are dozens of topics that historians (amateur or professional) can describe to the members. These include specific races, the history of racing classes or series, specific racing events which involved two or more classes, engines, propellers, the lives of veteran racepilots,

4. Photographers. They can describe special techniques used in photographing

air races, such as shooting from a pylon. They can talk about the best cameras

and film to use. And they can talk about their personal experiences in photo-

graphing air races.

Officials. They see air races from a different viewpoint, and can describe

certain aspects of the sport that most people don’t see.

 

SLIDE SHOWS

Slides of air races

Slides of individual raceplanes

Slides of displays of raceplanes

Slides of raceplane construction projects

 

VIDEOTAPES

There are a lot of commercially-made videotapes of air races which include sequences from the earliest races, right up to the present time. Most of these are in the American VHS format, but can be adapted for other systems. Many of the presentations at the annual Symposium of the Society of Air Racing Historians have been videotaped. Copies of these tapes, also in VHS, are available from the Society.

This is the best way to keep the members current on activities, especially those members who are unable to attend every meeting. A newsletter can cover:

Chapter meetings

Society activities (as covered in the bi-monthly "Golden Pylons"

Schedule of up-coming meetings, air races, displays, etc.

News of old racing planes that have just been discovered, are being restored, have just been placed on display in museums, etc.

News of replica racers being built, completed, flying

News of members

News of old racing personalities

 

Your chapter should try to be part of the larger aviation community, and of society at large. You will recruit new members this way, and you will become known as a reliable source of information on air racing. Activities can include:

Illustrated talks to aviation groups

Illustrated talks to non-aviation groups

Displays at air shows

Field support of air races

General support of local or national air racing

training of timers and pylon judges

publicity for air races

 

The highlight of the Society’s year has always been its Air Racing History Symposium, held near the site of the 1929-1949 Cleveland National Air Races. It features illustrated talks, slide shows, and displays of photographs, models, paintings, programs and other items directly related to the history of air racing. It brings together enthusiasts from many places, to talk about air racing and to build their enthusiasm.

There is no reason why you can’t put on a smaller symposium for your area. It isn’t as difficult as it may seem. You can count on lots of advice from the crew that puts on the Cleveland symposium.

Pick a date that doesn’t conflict with other events.

Select a location that offers a meeting room, convenient restaurants and hotels or motels for those who want to stay overnight.

Recruit a few speakers

Start your publicity at local airports and in aviation magazines, the local press (newspapers, radio, TV) and put an announcement on the Internet, and of course in "Golden Pylons"

Assign jobs to chapter members: publicity, registration, master of ceremonies

Show up for the Symposium and have fun!

 

Get as many of your members involved as possible. Giving them jobs to do

(treasurer, assistant newsletter editor, etc.) will help make them part of the organization. They will be more than just spectators.

2. Develop an exchange program with the Society’s headquarters. Send in your news, and use any information you want from "Golden Pylons". Ask questions of your Headquarters, and be prepared to answer questions about air racing history in your area.

3. Remember: The best way to record air racing history is to be there when it happens! The results of a race that has just been completed are now part of history. Don’t just sit back and read about air races. Go to races and see them from the inside by taking part in one of many capacities. Volunteer to work as an assistant timer, or an assistant pylon judge, or a "gofer".

Please send comments to Herman Schaub

You are the th person to pop in on us since April 21, 2002. Thank You for the touch & go, please take an early flight back....

Site last changed on Sunday, February 18, 2007 09:13 PM