2007 Campaign Statements
Ed. note: "Candidate statements reflect the opinion of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Candidate statements are published word-for-word as submitted by the candidate and are not edited by the Academy of Model Aeronautics' staff for grammar, punctuation, or spelling. The Academy of Model Aeronautics reserves the right to remove any portion of any statement which it determines, in its sole discretion, may contain potentially defamatory remarks."
AMA President
Richard D. Hanson
Scottsdale, Arizona
During my tenure on the AMA Executive Council I’ve frequently asked myself: "Are we fulfilling our primary responsibility of serving the AMA membership, are we achieving our mission of furthering the educational and technological advancement of model aviation, and are we doing everything possible to secure the future of this great sport/hobby?"
Don’t get me wrong—I’m in no way critical of the organization or this wonderful hobby. I’ve enjoyed every minute of my 40-plus years in model aviation and over 14 years serving on the Executive Council. The Academy of Model Aeronautics is an absolutely superb organization. Even so, greatness does not come easy or without constant dedication to the ideals and principles that have made this organization great.
The AMA has come a long way since its inception in 1936 and the hobby has vastly grown in complexity and diversity. I believe there is much more that could be done and should be done. It is this belief that leads me to dedicate my personal time and efforts to the Academy of Model Aeronautics and to seek the office of AMA President.
The AMA must have effective leadership, a clear focus on its purpose, and an innate vision for the future. Our success in achieving this depends greatly upon establishing a clearly defined set of goals and objectives that lead the organization toward achieving our primary responsibility of serving the membership and bringing our vision to fruition. I offer three very simple yet critical goals for the Academy:
- The promotion of model aviation as a recognized, viable, and acclaimed recreational activity for adults, families, and youth. The success stories of aeromodeling and its worthy contributions to our communities, schools, youth programs, and social welfare need to be told to our neighbors, politicians, governing bodies, and the general public.
- The fulfillment of our National Flying Site Assistance Program geared toward helping modelers, local clubs, and associations in the acquisition, development, and retention of flying sites. Though the criticality of this issue may vary from region to region, there is no doubt that without flying sites we will no longer have a hobby. Moreover, the problem is not going away but is growing in severity and gradually impacting all areas across the country. Failure to establish an effective and proactive safeguard today foretells the gradual dwindling and extinction of the hobby.
- Further development of outreach programs that introduce model aviation to newcomers of all ages. These programs need to be enhanced and expanded to bring the enrichment of model aviation to a large generation of baby boomers rapidly approaching retirement, young families seeking traditional family values, and a generation of troubled youth torn by competing and often detrimental interests.
I am a commercial pilot with over 6,000 hours in helicopters and airplanes. I’m an accomplished public administrator, having served in leadership roles for over 26 years in public service, and I have 27 years of active duty and reserve component military service.
As your AMA President I pledge a resolute commitment to the pursuit of excellence and improvement. I will make it my goal to bring the organization together and create synergies throughout the hobby, and I will ensure that the AMA is focused on supporting the membership and securing the future of this great sport/hobby.
Dave Mathewson
Camillus, New York
My name is Dave Mathewson and I’m running for the office of AMA President. I am currently the AMA District 2 VP, holding this position for the last six years. Prior, I was an AVP for John Grigg and Wes DeCou. There are several areas that AMA needs to focus on going forward. I have identified four priorities: flying site acquisition and retention, enhancing our working relationship with government agencies, expanding AMA’s education programs, and promoting model aviation as a worthwhile recreational activity.
Flying site issues have dominated my time as a district vice president. I have met with every level of government in an attempt to create flying site opportunities for our members. In 2005, as a result of these efforts, I was invited to testify before a Congressional committee in Washington investigating public access to federally owned land. Experience gained through these opportunities is cumulative and will enable our ability on a national level to successfully negotiate with those that control potential flying sites.
Spread-spectrum technology is clearly our future. Yet there are tens of thousands of members who are still using, and have made a significant investment in, radios that operate on 72 MHz. We need to work with the FCC to protect our continued use of those frequencies.
It is clear that our government is concerned with UAV activity in our national airspace. Federal regulations will eventually be created to address these concerns. Our job will be to separate what we do as model aviation enthusiasts from the commercial and military UAV activity that concerns the FAA. At the same time, we need to embrace new technologies and encourage those that offer innovative ideas to help find ways to safely incorporate them into aeromodeling.
Potential threats to national security continue to concern our government. We need to work with the Department of Homeland Security to become a source of information and advice on issues concerning aeromodeling. In our district we have worked toward developing that partnership. In New York, law enforcement authorities have reached out to AMA clubs asking us to be observant and judicious in reporting any unusual or suspicious activity involving model aircraft. In doing this, the modeling community has become an asset to authorities. We need to build on this success to incorporate strong working relationships with law enforcement throughout the country.
AMA has worked hard to develop programs to introduce model aviation into our education system. However, most of these efforts are directed toward the teaching profession. We need to create programs our members and clubs can use to reach out to the younger members of their communities through organizations like Scouting, CAP, and community recreational programs. These programs would allow our members direct involvement in introducing model aviation to the children of their friends and neighbors, resulting in a growing membership for the club along with a more visible and positive presence in its community.
Good programs that promote model aviation are key to our future. A greater public awareness of the value of model aviation as a recreational and educational activity can only have positive implications, especially in the areas I've touched on. Our best resource to realize this goal lies with our members. To help you accomplish this, we must provide you with the proper tools and support.
Member organizations like AMA rely on those who possess a clear vision and enthusiasm to remain a viable organization meeting the needs of its members. I believe that I have these qualities and ask for the opportunity to lead AMA. Visit www.mathewson4pres.com.
What does the future hold? We have seen tremendous changes over the last few years. Electric flight is now a major part of aeromodeling. AMA must address these changes and help create an environment where both traditional and new facets of modeling can flourish. With a new AMA President to be elected this year, the next three years may see many changes.
I don't take the job lightly. I would appreciate your support to help me continue the work I started three years ago.
District IX Vice President
Mark T. Smith (Incumbent)
Shawnee, Kansas
I would like to serve District IX as your VP for another term. The past three years have been extremely busy and rewarding. I reviewed my 2004 campaign statement and am pleased to report that each of those promises has been met or exceeded, which include establishing a District IX website, holding a Lawrence, KS District fly-in, and traveling to all six states to meet with modelers to encourage continued open communications.
Clearly, these accomplishments are due in large part to an extraordinary team of Associate Vice Presidents and other volunteers we've assembled over the last three years. These folks represent AMA for each of the District IX states as my "eyes and ears" and have done an outstanding job! I also must confess that I have been so pleased with the warm, friendly welcome I have enjoyed when visiting modelers around the District.
Areas I would like to continue to work on over the next three years include:
- Stimulate the growth of our Association by implementing various creative marketing programs
- Grow the number of Leader Clubs in our District
- Grow and aid in securing flying sites for our clubs
- Support the introduction and education of model aviation to our youth
- Push for a maximum of three terms in office for Executive Council members so that new, fresh, and creative ideas can be implemented, ensuring the longevity of a healthy AMA
I would like to continue this modeling journey and, with your support, I believe we can accomplish even more in the next three years. Thank you!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
