AMA Candidates

Leonard is going to really love me for this. I just got my renewal from our national AMA association. $58.00 for one years dues. I am not complaining about the dues increase. What I want to complain about is the campaign statements included with the renewal. Not a one of the candidates said a word about the other forms of modeling. All they are worried about is the Radio Control Sport flier and his flying sites. Where would model airplanes be if were not for competitions. Also model flying has been pushed out into the boondocks that when I do fly at the park, people stop and say they thought control line was dead. I am fortunate that that park manager lets me fly and maintain the Shawnee Mission Circle. Topeka has a fairly decent site as well as Wichita. They are where people see us fly when we are there. Wish I would get out more often. Enough rambling. Later, DOC

Doc:
Dave Brown, current AMA Prez, was a pretty fair c/l stunt flyer, I'm told.....

Dave Mathewson has flown c/l with us on occasion, and is a forward thinking guy.

I know that all of the candidates are concerned about r/c....as they well should be......irresponsible r/c flying may well cause ALL OF US to lose our flying privlages! Add some 200+ mph jets operated by folk that probably shouldn't have driven to the flying site, and 42% aerobatic models available to all and they have their hands full.

See Ya

Don Brown has done a good job in his years as President.

However, Dave Mathewson has gone out of his way to help the Middlesex Modelers retain their field. They nearly lost it last fall due to a couple of energetic new City Council members who wanted to make some sort of mark. I think this is the oldest active field on the East Coast, maybe in the country. Anyway, Dave M. pitched in and helped with the legwork needed to keep it. They've even got an AMA grant to help with the repaving, which probably also helped get the City Council's attention.. Nothing like money to get a politicos attention!!

We are indeed fortunate to have Bob (Robin) Hunt as aeromodelling editor of our AMA magazine. He has moderated the influence of R/C content in MODEL AVIATION magazine toward more coverage of C/L flying. It is probably an upill battle for Bob, but he has done a great job for us. Advertisements for RTF R/C models cannot be ignored by the publishers, but at least they pay the freight!
Floyd Carter

Perhaps your ballot has already been mailed. It is no secret that the current AMA pres and possibly future presidents will have to give serious consideration to the advertising dollars and to the trend of model activity in favor of R/C, and especially (ugh!) 50 lb. planes flying over our heads! I tend to support Mr. Mathewson for two reasons:
(1). Mr. Brown has held the office long enough.
(2). Mr. Brown authorized the publication of an erroneous and alarming message in Model Aviation magazine regarding the dangers of Lithium batteries for (I guess) electric R/C flying. The Brown message, and his subsequent responses to Mr. Marks regarding Lithium battery technology indicates that Mr. Brown simply doesn't understand the physics, and is possibly responding to "doomsday" people who expect (and demand) the worst! We need informed officers in our AMA.

\F. Carter

>We are indeed fortunate to have Bob (Robin) Hunt as
>aeromodelling editor of our AMA magazine. He has moderated
>the influence of R/C content in MODEL AVIATION magazine
>toward more coverage of C/L flying. It is probably an upill
>battle for Bob, but he has done a great job for us.

I agree, having Bobby on our side is a huge plus. He's very passionate about it.

But to my assessment, the AMA has really done a bang-up job for C/L over the years. Say all you want about the 40% r/c models, Trans-Atlantic cruise missiles, etc, but given our absolutely miniscule numbers (and even potential numbers) they really do a pretty good job of supporting us, far out of proportion to the income derived. The C/L W/C was run by Bill and the EDs - but AMA really came through with funds, logistics, etc.

Accuse me of being the same sort of apologist for AMA as I get accused of being for PAMPA, but I would say we don't have a lot to complain about in that area.

I was pleased with Don Brown hauling home that Chinese Junior WC entrant that showed up alone, late at night. Maybe anybody would have done the same, but then again, maybe not. It was the right thing to do. All of the candidates seem qualified, tho.

It looks like I get a $26 discount, and in another 6 years, may get another $5 off (over 65 discount). Steve

>I was pleased with Don Brown hauling home that Chinese
>Junior WC entrant that showed up alone, late at night. Maybe
>anybody would have done the same, but then again, maybe not.
>It was the right thing to do.

That was a pretty good story, all right. (it's Dave, of course). I couldn't imagine anyone in modeling letting the kid sit out on the porch all night, if they knew about it.

He was a real nice kid, too. I asked him if he managed to get his airplane back together and he said something to the effect that "no, I don't want to, it's too windy".

I was also struck by the overall demeanor and behavior of all the kids at the W/C. They were kids, but they were very polite and respectful. Quite refreshing.

Again I got to agree with you Brett. Dang!!! What's the world coming to?

Bigiron

> Again I got to agree with you Brett. Dang!!! What's the
>world coming to?

It's a bizarrre and unexpected turn of events, that's for sure. Maybe we should retire to our corners and reassess our positions.

Actually and seriously, Marvin, the only reason we disagree on a few issues is because agreeing with each other (which we probably would on a vast majority of the possible range of issues) isn't worth noting. Same with me and Brad, and me and De, too, I expect.

Despite the arguing, *all* of us have far more in common than we have in opposition. Something to bear in mind when both reading posts, and writing them.