Education Through Aviation-2011/07

AMA News
Announcements, news, and information from the
Academy of Model Aeronautics and the elected district representatives.
... OR MAYBE it’s the president of your
club, your favorite columnist, or possibly
the guy you fly with every chance you get.
Any way you look at it, it’s someone who
is willing to take command.
One of my personal goals is to provide a
level of communication with our members
that is not about AMA Headquarters, but
about the individual members and clubs.
Our clubs are really where the action is,
always have been, and will continue to be.
Clubs are the heartbeat of this activity. I
can write all day about educational
outreach, Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
programs, NASA grants, my favorite
Aerobatics (Pattern) airplane, a gaspowered
aircraft, or whatever.
And do you know what? This
organization always comes back to the
social value of a group of people who enjoy
spending time with each other. If you take
a careful look at those people with whom
you like to share interests, go flying with,
go to meetings with, host events with, or
attend swap meets with, there’s one person
who always makes sure that everyone has
the information, energy, transportation,
whatever it takes to
make it work—the one
person who is willing to
take command.
Have you ever given
pause to why that’s the
case? People tend to fall
into one group or
another: “get ’er done”
or “somebody will take
care of it.”
As we (the AMA)
engage the challenges of
membership, the
upcoming release of the
Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking from the
FAA, and the usual stuff
we handle, where is
your saddle strapped? If
you haven’t made
yourself aware of the
FAA scenario, please do
so. It’s on our website
and very easy to use and
understand.
If you aren’t aware
of it, our numbers are dwindling. Have you
ever brought one single individual into this
great hobby? Recruiting members is not
just about kids, it is about engaging
potential members from all sources.
What does your club do to promote
model aviation in your community? Are
you waiting for a leader? If you’ve thought
of it, you’re probably the person to lead the
effort.
So, what’s the moral of this story? Get
crazy. Be willing to take command. Don’t
allow our government to control model
aviation. Don’t allow a local civic authority
to take your flying site because you weren’t
visible in the area.
Don’t let someone talk you out of the
educational value of model aviation. Get
crazy. Take command.
Education Through Aviation Bill Pritchett | [email protected]
“When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one individual
who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that
person is crazy.”
5161 E. Memorial Dr.
Muncie IN 47302
(765) 287-1256, ext. 515
[email protected]
—Dave Barry
Help AMA advocate for aeromodelers!
One of the biggest reasons an AMA membership is important for
aeromodelers is the Academy’s strong advocacy and government relations
program.
Stay informed and help AMA defend your right to fly by going to
www.modelaircraft.org/gov where you’ll find background information
and all the latest interaction with such government agencies as FAA,
FCC, EPA, municipal governments, and more.
Do you have a specific question to ask the AMA Adocacy Team? Contact this
group by emailing [email protected].
AMA is there for you in the halls of power. Won’t you consider being there for AMA by
continuing your membership and helping add to the collective voice for the aeromodeling
community?
Let your voice be heard. What could be more American?
AMA Government Relations
July 2011 130
Two students from the La Salle Model
Aeronautics club with the models they
built during class. The MASC program
provides free after-school aeromodeling
youth groups membership and club
charter benefits! If you are or your club is
currently involved with an after-school
program, or if you are a youth member
wanting to start an after-school club and
share the hobby with your peers, this
program is for you! Please visit
m o d e l a i r c r a f t . o r g / e d u c a t i o n /
masc.aspx for more information.
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