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Carl Wheeley: 1929-2002
Carl R. Wheeley, publisher of Model Aviation from 1975 to 1990, died March 15, 2002. He was 72.
A resident of Lusby MD, Carl was instrumental in launching Model Aviation in its current form following the bankruptcy of American Aircraft Modeler (AAM). Previously, Model Aviation had been a section within the AAM publication.
Starting a monthly, color magazine proved an enormous undertaking, but under Carl's leadership, the fledgling publication built a stable of quality writers and found advertisers willing to invest in AMA's largest and most significant publishing effort up to that time.
However, Carl's employment with AMA began much earlier. Fresh out of high school, he was hired as a clerk/typist in 1947. Then he became responsible for assembling Model Aviation, which at that time was an eight-page pamphlet available by subscription for 50 cents a year. Later, Carl became AMA's technical director.
He resigned from AMA in roughly 1960 to pursue work with another modeler in the field of architectural illustrations. During this time his involvement with AMA continued in the form of elected service. He served as AMA District IV vice president, then as secretary-treasurer (now known as executive vice president).
Carl returned to full-time employment with AMA approximately 10 years later, working on the "Model Aviation" section of AAM, Competition Regulations (the "rule book"), and various other publications distributed by the Academy before launching Model Aviation in 1975.
Following his retirement in 1990, Carl periodically worked with AMA on various projects, and he edited the "Modeler's Mail" section of Model Aviation for several years.
Carl was a recipient of the prestigious Fellowship award—the highest honor AMA can bestow on an individual. He was a Life Member, a Contest Director, and a Leader Member.
Carl was a lifelong modeler with a special affection for Free Flight, participating in competitions for many years. His crowning achievement was winning the individual Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Championships for Free Flight Power models (now called F1C) in 1954.
Carl is survived by his wife Susanne P. Wheeley, daughter Ann R. Wheeley, son Scott P. Wheeley, and grandson Benjamin P. Wheeley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to AMA at 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302 or to Calvert Hospice, Box 838, Prince Frederick MD 20678.
Look for a retrospective look at Carl's AMA career and modeling activities in the July Model Aviation.
A special thanks to Norm Rosenstock, John Worth, AMA Executive Director Joyce Hager, Special Services Director Carl Maroney, and the AMA History Program for providing much of this information. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
