That old question about whether we
are involved in a sport or a hobby
has raised its head again, and it is in
a surprising area.
It seems that some airlines have
tightened their policies regarding baggage
allowance, but have included an additional
allowance for pieces of sports equipment. I
became aware of this while serving on a
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
(FAI) committee looking into travel
problems for international aeromodeling
competitions. This was in regards to British
Airways, but I have since learned that it is
apparently true for some US carriers as
well.
As in Britain, the airlines’ policies
include items such as golf clubs, tennis
rackets, and more obscure equipment such
as skateboards, but it does not include
model airplanes. We are pursuing this as
one part of a solution to the transport
problem for aeromodeling championships.
Through the FAI, the international
aeromodeling community has successfully
sought to receive recognition for
aeromodeling as a sport because of the
many advantages it has brought to many
countries. In a few countries it’s a matter of
being recognized as a sport or being out of
business!
Are there “costs” involved? They come
in the form of some oversight by the sports
administrations in those countries where
President’s Perspective
AMA President Dave Brown
T such are in place. There is no such
government support for sports in this
country, at least not yet. In many countries,
such recognition brings with it facilities for
playing the sport involved as well as money
to support their teams.
While I do not expect us to ever see
support for our teams as a result of us being
considered a sport, I do see the advantages
it might have in terms of flying site
availability and now in the area of
transporting model airplanes on various
forms of public transportation.
A start in that direction is for us to face
the situation and refer to aeromodeling as a
sport rather than a hobby. I know many
members will not receive this well. Some
consider that the difference is whether they
compete, while others draw that line at
whether they build their models.
My point is there are many valid reasons
for us to overlook our personal ideas in
terms of what it is that we enjoy, and agree
to call it a sport in order to make the most
of the advantages that designation might
have for us.
As I mentioned earlier, I am a part of a
committee charged with investigating ways
we might ease the transportation problems
that competitors from some countries are
experiencing. I want to hear from any AMA
member who has professional connections
within the security area or in the baggagetransportation
area for airlines. I need help
getting to the right people who might help us
achieve some regulatory relief from the
inconsistency of application of the current
rules.
It is apparent that a piece of equipment
such as a model airplane engine that goes
through security with no difficulty in one
place and is absolutely refused at the next
station needs better definition within the
rules. Any help we can get in terms of
domestic or international governing bodies
will help.
AMA hosted a first in early December,
when the International Aeromodelling
Commission of FAI (CIAM) Bureau met at
the AMA Headquarters in Muncie, Indiana.
I believe this is the first such meeting
outside of Europe.
AMA showed itself well and we received
many compliments for our facilities and
staff. I want to thank all of the people
involved in this meeting for their efforts.
See ya next month!
Dave Brown
AMA president
[email protected]
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/02
Page Numbers: 5