AMA News View From HQ - 2012/10

Outdoor flying
events are
beginning to
wind down at
the International
Aeromodeling
Center. All things
considered, it’s
been a great
summer. Despite
drought conditions similar to what
much of the country has experienced
this year, and several days of stifling
100° or higher temperatures, our onsite
events this year went well.
The 86th National Aeromodeling
Championships (Nats) concluded
during the third week of August.
Although there was some concern
that numbers would be down
significantly this year because of
rising fuel prices, this wasn’t the case.
Perennial Nats fixture, Ron
Morgan, retired after this year’s
competition. Ron had been involved
in the Nats for more than 50 years,
serving as Nats manager since 1994.
Dave Guerin was appointed to
replace Ron and worked with Ron
this year to learn the ropes.
Dave is a longtime Nats volunteer
and was the RC Aerobatics event
director for a number of years.
He also organized and ran the
competition portion of the Fédération
Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)
F3A World Championship in 2011.
Dave is clearly up to the task of
managing the Nats and I’m confident
that this will be a seamless transition.
In mid-August, AMA played host to
FAI President Dr. John Grubbström,
and FAI executive board member,
Robert Henderson. They came to
the US and AMA Headquarters at
the invitation of AMA President Bob
Brown.
The purpose of the meeting was
to share AMA’s concerns about
the future of FAI programming in
the areas of world competition and
education outreach, and to gain a
better understanding of what FAI’s
plans are for the future.
AMA is an air sport organization
member of the National Aeronautic
Association (NAA) in the US, and
is the only entity that is authorized
to represent aeromodelers in the US
to the FAI. AMA has always been a
strong supporter of the NAA and the
FAI, and we envision those strong
relationships will continue.
Bob Brown will report the results of
this meeting in a future “President’s
Perspective” column in MA.
Many of you have written to
compliment us on the newly
redesigned Model Aviation magazine
digital library. The beta trial version
has been online for a couple of
months, but will soon become a
members-only benefit, as it was
before its redesign.
When that happens, every issue of
Model Aviation since its inception will
be in the library. Several additional
elements will be activated, including
the ability to print and use enhanced
search features.
In addition to the new library, the
AMA Publications Department is
working hard on an online version
of Model Aviation that will provide a
page-by-page copy of the magazine
each month to our members in a
more traditional electronic format.
Many of you are aware of the tablet
version of Model Aviation magazine
launched in July. Combined, these
new features will provide a great
resource for our members.
It’s the time of year again when your
AMA renewal notice will arrive in the
mail. Although I am writing this in
early August, at this point it appears
that in 2012 we will have our first
membership increase in 10 years.
We have worked hard during the
past year to support model aviation
and our membership and believe we
have been successful in adding to the
value of your AMA membership and
the numbers reflect that. I want to
thank each of you for being a member
and let you know how much AMA
appreciates your support.
Included with your renewal notice
will be the annual election ballot.
There is no national election this
year and district elections are taking
place in II, IV, VI, VIII, and X.
Additionally, a special election
is taking place in District III to
permanently fill the vacancy created
when Bob Brown was elected AMA
president.
Candidates’ campaign statements
can be found beginning on page
140 of this issue or on the AMA
website at www.modelaircraft.org/
membersonly/2012campaignstmt.
aspx. If you live in a district where
an election is being held, please take
a moment to read the statements
and vote for the candidate of your
choice to represent you on the AMA
Executive Council.
Election ballots include prepaid
postage, so you can mark your
choice and drop the card into the
mail or return it to AMA with your
membership renewal form.
See you next time.