PAMPA president

Last weekend, at the Houston contest, I spent some time with my very old friend and PAMPA president, Frank McMillan. Frank seems tired of the responsibilities of PAMPA president and is anxious to get back to some serious building and flying. That is going to leave the office of PAMPA president open. Since Frank isn't going to run again, it opens the question of who would make the best possible PAMPA president. In spite of my reluctance to express my opinions publicly (as we all know), I'd like to start a movement to draft another of my very old friends, Keith Trostle, who, I think, has unmatched qualifications for the job.

First, at the 1973 NATs (which I won, but that is another story), Keith and Wynn Paul started PAMPA and Keith was voted president to run it, and did, for eight years. Keith ran the NATs Stunt event for a couple of years, judged stunt at the NATs and FAI team trials for a bunch of years, ran the FAI Team trials for a bunch of years and was a USA Judge at world Champs for three years, I think. I'd say he's paid his dues.

Second, as for having an ability to run an organization, I'd think his MS in Engineering Management from the Air force Institute of Technology should amply qualify him.

Third, I think it is important to have a stunt flyer run PAMPA. Well, in 1970 Keith won stunt at the NATs (I was second, but that is another story) and the Walker trophy and, for good measure 4th in FAI speed and 3rd in overall high points. To say that Keith has many placings in CL Stunt, CL OTS, CL Classic and 1/2A Stunt at both the NATs and VSC is just too much an understatement and ignores his win in CL Precision Scale at the NATs in 2000. Keith is a builder and a competitor, a craftsman and an individual of unquestioned integrity. In appreciation for all that Keith has done for stunt we inducted into the PAMPA Hall of Fame.

Fourth, Keith has had four construction articles published including his NATs winning TA-152 and his three times NATs wining 1/2A Stunt Tercel.

Fifth, Keith has held FAI administrative positions including World Championship Assistant Team manager and US representative on FAI Stunt rules committee.

Can anyone propose a more qualified candidate for PAMPAs president (again) than Kieth? If not, then join me in this attempt to draft him to run.

In spite of my reluctance to express my opinions
>publicly (as we all know),

Good one!

>I'd like to start a movement to
>draft another of my very old friends, Keith Trostle, who, I
>think, has unmatched qualifications for the job.

Keith is certainly imminently qualified. The real question is, does he want to be president again?

I don't think most people can imagine the abuse it lets you in for.

Hey, I'll vote for him. Like most of the ace PAMPA dudes he is pretty tough and multi-talented. If he wants the job again he can probably handle it with aplomb...

J.

Ron B.
F4Fguy

I'd vote for Keith in a heartbeat,but I wouldn't wish the job on anyone.If he's willing to run he's got my vote.We owe a huge debt to all our officers and volunteers,past,present,and future for their dedication and hard work in our behalf.

Ron Burn

Kieth would make a great President. I would contact him and get his feelings. His wife is battling cancer right now, plus there building a home in Tucson with to move there later this year or early next year.

Larry,
I think Keith's Tucson house is to be ready after Keith's retirement late next year. Yes, Barbara is sick, but at home, feeling OK, and working with great people to beat the sickness. It is possible Keith might find the paperwork duties of PAMPA president more compatible with his disrupted lifestyle than not. It would provide some relief in the form of distraction. In any case it should be Keith's decision to make. There will be several candidates and voting won't take place until the end of the year. Anything can happen. Because of Keith's qualifications, I'd like to see him have the option of making this decision.

Keith and I have discussed his intentions several times. He is most willing to accept the nomination at the 2003 PAMPA annual meeting in July.

Keith has the tenacity to carry on the work of our past presidents and further the cause of PAMPA among the SIGs associated with AMA. The office carries with it the good and the bad, but that is the nature of what we do. We continually strive to advance the technical aspects of CLPA through the newsletter, and we strive to advance the good qualities of PAMPA at the grass root level. We also argue alot but arguing is just another form of brainstorming through an idea.

To be sure, PAMPA represents all of the members of CLPA when meeting with the AMA bureaucracy, but it is the job of the president to present that image in a calm, thoughtful manner, and Keith has that quality.

Keith is also a forward thinker for the future of CLPA and control line in general. He has made four proposals that have passed the first go- around and is in the process of drafting some counter proposals that will mesh his recommentations with those of other proposals for better clarification.

Our past presidents have done a wonderful job of building PAMPA to the level it is today but I wish to stress one very important point here; it is not the president, membership secratery or any of the EC that builds membership, it's you, at the grass roots level that builds the membership. Indeed the EC is made up of competative flyers and they contribute mightly to the cause. But they don't begin to have the power that you, the single member, has on any given weekend at the local flying field.

Thanks for your time...

Col. Trostle would be a fine choice. As far as giving the PAMPA president a hard time, why would anyone do that? People do tend to disagree with rules, policy, and etc., but the president is not the one to absorb all the slings and arrows. We have district VPs to take the absurd hits from disgruntled members.

Dr. Spark,

Either you are pulling our collective legs or you are incredibly naive. The hobby of CL Stunt is much, much more than mere hobby to a few. Or at least one would guess as much after seeing some of the shenanigans which are pulled several times a year.

If Keith says he'll accept the nomination he certainly has a great amount of support. Including mine. (Always the kiss of death, sorry Keith.)

I have never met Keith Trostle, but I have read all of his posts on here & many of his articles, rules proposales, etc. I don't think anyone could be better qualified to run PAMPA. There are probably others who are equally qualified, but if Keith is willing to take on the job he certainly has my support, fwiw.

>I have never met Keith Trostle, but I have read all of his
>posts on here & many of his articles, rules proposales, etc.
>I don't think anyone could be better qualified to run PAMPA.
>There are probably others who are equally qualified, but if
>Keith is willing to take on the job he certainly has my
>support, fwiw.

I have also never met Keith (a deficiency I will remedy at Muncie next year I hope), but not only from the clearly reasoned "plain good sense" he writes on this forum (and elsewhere) from time to time, but also for the EXCELLENT inputs he's made to the F2B Working Group over a pretty long period now, then he'll get my vote too if he chooses to run.

P.S. This will be the 1st time in 12-13 years of continuous PAMPA membership that I will vote (if Keith stands). Why? Simply because as a foreign member the District Reps don't apply to us (of course), and for past Presidential elections (I'm still talking PAMPA!), I simply have not known enough about the candidates to feel that my casting of a vote had any value except to possibly "distort" the votes from those that did know the candidates - i.e. the American PAMPA members. That BTW, is not a complaint about PAMPA or it's a procedures, just a statement. But this time I would definitely vote for Keith because I feel that I do know a fair bit about him and his capabilities.

Lucky:

Thank-you for taking the time to talk to Keith and answer my response
in a thoughtful and tactful way. My concerns were for Keith and Barbara. Keith has done so much for CLPA and Control Line in general over the years. He has my support and I would urge everyone to vote for him.

Larry Foster

I have met the good Col. on two occassions and he is a true gentleman. He can handle any abuse. Most importantly, he knows PA, PAMPA and listens, thinks before he speaks, knows both sides of any question, is respected by those who don't even know him. He will get my vote, should he run.

Hi all:

I have kept my responses on subjects that appear in this forum to a minimum (one in over a year is a minimum, I'd say). I get lots of "ink" now, and have had lots of coverage in the past in articles, columns, editorials, etc., so I figure that you don't need my 2-cents here on every subject posted. This subject is another matter, and I'd like to weigh in if I might.

I've known Keith Trostle for about 30 years, and have come to respect him as a hyper intellegent, fair, unbiased and compassionate person, who is a natural born leader. I had given some thought to running for PAMPA President myself, but will gladly put those thoughts aside in favor of the very best person for the job; and that is Keith.

I've worked under Keith as the Assistant Director of two FAI Team Selections, and can tell you from first hand experience that Keith is the one who we want in this very responsible position at this point in time. I look upon his running as a blessing for all of us.

Bob Hunt

I'm not an American. As such I don't want to have any influence on PAMPA matters. However I'm a PAMPA member, and as such I have some modest knowledge about what's going on in your circles.
I know Keith since about 25 years, having met him on several occasions. Maybe I know him even better than many American flyers. I know his selfless work in F2B working groups, his helpful advice as world championships team manager, and his competent comments in PA forums. From all people I've met and got to know somewhat better, Keith is the one whom I can recommend that you will vote for him. I have highest respect for him, and I can only agree with what Ty Marcucci and Bob Hunt said about Keith. I wished we had such a personality in my home country. He has the ability to do exactly the job you expect him to do - if he accepts to do it. Whatever the outcome: my hat is off for Keith.

Best possible nominee I have heard of yet. Keith would get my vote!

Having had the pleasure of meeting and spending some time with Kieth, I heartily agree that, he is very qualified for the job, and has the temperment, and integrity to master the job. I hope that he will decide to run.

We are getting a lot of votes here for Keith. There is just one missing. Keith's.

Keith, where are you? Check in and give us yours.

I talked to Keith last night, and he is aware of the suggestions and comments here. I didn't push the issue but I got the impression that he is giving thoughtful consideration to all of the relevant factors, pro and con.

As if we needed more proof of Keith's sensibilities and high level of intelligence, now we hear he and his wife are planning to move out of California. Anybody smart enough for that decision makes a compelling candidate.

I think Keith is an excellent choice. Hope he would be interested.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..................... Who else is going to run for the presidents job?

Lucky,

I believe that Brad Walker, aka Godzilla on this forum, is also an announced candidate for the office. Running a search on this forum may yield the thread that deals with this. NEVER MIND!! Try this thread:

http://clstunt.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=4613&forum=DCForumID1

I did not read the entire thread again and I cannot remember if Mr. Walker decided to run or not.

Have fun.

The question has been asked here and in a more recent thread if I am willing to be nominated for the Presidency of PAMPA.

I had not made a decision regarding this until recently. Furthermore, I am not sure this is the appropriate forum to do so. However, since the question has been raised, I think that I should respond here.

I called Frank McMillan about two weeks ago and told him that I agree to be nominated for the office of PAMPA President. I will not be able to attend the business meeting at the Nats where the nomination process takes place. Frank assured me that the matter will be taken care of.

Keith,

We misssed you at the NATs.

>Keith,
>
>We misssed you at the NATs.
>
>Al

Yes, we did. And I missed you, Al. You were there, but where were you?

Leonard,

Down the hill on the two new circles, in the cool, calm of the evening, flying the BBQB Bearcat. I can fly in the wind but a fellow would have to be crazy to do it when he didn't have to. I had a trim problem on my first flight traced to the leadout guide being bumped out of position during a thousand mile motor transit, but subsequent flights were typical of this very different competition airplane. Windy understands.

I had a great time renewing old friendships and starting new ones. I wish I had known you would be there. I would like to have shaken your hand. I thought for a while I might have found the Stuka Stunters when I saw the beautiful Stuka from the East coast. I hesitate to say who's airplane it was. I met so many great guys that my memory is unreliable as to matching specific flyers with specific airplanes.

Just gotta say, what about Windy's B-25 and Gordo's Tony.

He is not a republican, we hope.

Keith,

You will make an outstanding president and for all the right reasons.

Go for it. I support you 100%.

Hawk

Hoyt D. Hawkins
34 Arledge Drive
Attalla, Alabama 35954

Please pardon this question. I hope y'all will bear with me. I'm not personally familiar with any of the candidates and if I vote I'd like to make an informed choice... The candidates are very qualified, decicated and have the intrests of PA at heart. But what are the differences? what are their priorties? where would they lead the stunt community? what changes would they like to see? what would they like to see remain unchanged? What do they see as the biggest challange facing the stunt community and what do they propose to address it?

The
>candidates are very qualified, decicated and have the
>intrests of PA at heart. But what are the differences? what
>are their priorties? where would they lead the stunt
>community? what changes would they like to see? what would
>they like to see remain unchanged? What do they see as the
>biggest challange facing the stunt community and what do
>they propose to address it?

I would like to hear this myself.