Executive Vice President
Gary Fitch; [email protected]
Thanksgiving and gratitude
It is Thanksgiving and I have a few minutes after a great day with family, food, football, parades, and simulator time. I know it is corny, but this is the principal day when we think about what we are thankful for. The obvious are our family and friends, our employers, our country, and our military—they are our life and protectors of our culture. I am thankful for my wife, Diane, and my children, who always stand by me. Serving on the Executive Council is a commitment of much time and travel, and this wouldn’t be possible without their support.
I am thankful that Bob Brown, with many years on the national stage and Executive Council experience, stepped up to become our 24th AMA president. I know the love that he has for our hobby/sport and the Academy. He will leave no stone unturned in our quest to minimize government regulations and protect future generations of modelers.
Leadership transitions and thanks
I want to express our thanks to outgoing Executive Vice President Mark Smith for the work he has done on behalf of the Academy. Mark stepped up and assumed the duties of the president after Dave Mathewson resigned to become our executive director. He helped guide us through our 75th Anniversary Celebration, two Executive Council meetings, and national media coverage of an uncovered plot in which a man allegedly planned to use model aircraft to attack our nation’s capital. Mark, thank you for your time, knowledge, and effort in leading the Academy!
I also want to recognize Vice Presidents Bruce Nelson and Bill Oberdieck, who leave the council after many years of honorable service. When you see these gentlemen, thank them for their dedication and many thousands of hours of volunteer service.
Please join me in welcoming the new Vice Presidents:
- Eric Williams
- Mark Radcliff
- Tim Jesky
- Mike Mosbrooker
We look forward to your intellect, dedication, and commitment.
My role and how to reach me
I am also thankful for all of my friends and supporters who have allowed me to become your new EVP. The function of this office is to support and work with our new president and Executive Council in furthering our goals and causes. I represent and serve all AMA members. The purpose of this column is to discuss items of importance, timely events, club milestones, etc. If there is news that you consider significant, I would like to hear from you.
AMA services and Publications
AMA Chartered Clubs are not only the foundation, but the backbone of the Academy. Many of our clubs understand what AMA is all about: serving them. We have 55 outstanding employees in Muncie, Indiana, who stand ready to assist our clubs and members. You could spend an entire evening researching all of the programs the Academy has developed to benefit our clubs—both from educational and financial standpoints. Dave Mathewson recently wrote about some of these programs.
Most members view us primarily as a supplier of insurance, and yes, we do that. Perhaps it is because our primary liability insurance for Chartered Clubs is a key element in securing flying fields. Also, clubs require members to belong to AMA for the insurance.
The truth is we are much more. Take a look at just one example: the impressive, forthcoming changes to our flagship publication, MA. It is already one of the finest magazines in the industry and is getting better. Our Publications Department has done a tremendous job providing first-class print and digital publications to our members.
FAA NPRM — a call to action
Unless you are a new member, you have read about our meetings with the FAA and our efforts to mitigate onerous regulation. I believe this is the most serious threat model aviation has faced. The FAA is expected to release its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in January or February. The FAA has called this the “default” path. While this may not represent what our members will have to live by, it is vital that we all respond by using the talking points that AMA will provide, and by writing the FAA and your senators and representatives.
We only have 90–120 days from the date the NPRM is released to provide written commentary. Handwritten letters are worth more than form emails, but any type of written correspondence is far better than no response. The FAA has a legal obligation to read all written responses, and your comments can have a positive influence on the outcome of the default path. This is a do-or-die situation and you don't have to be an AMA member to respond in writing to this threat. Engage the help of your family, friends, and co-workers.
Action items:
- Use AMA talking points to prepare your comments.
- Write the FAA and your senators and representatives as soon as the NPRM is released.
- Encourage handwritten letters when possible, but submit any written comments you can.
Club responsibilities and the Safety Code
I ask that all club presidents and club safety officers download and review with your club members the 2012 AMA Membership Manual from AMA’s website: www.modelaircraft.org. It can be found under the drop-down icon of AMA Documents.
This manual provides a wealth of information, and it contains AMA’s Safety Code. You may not realize it, but when you join the Academy or renew your membership, you agree to abide by the Safety Code. Why do I mention this? I have seen serious violations of our Safety Code. For example:
- Starting and flying aircraft and helicopters from vehicles parked behind the pit and spectator areas.
- Clubs or contest directors not maintaining a safety line during flight operations.
Our Safety Code is the core document in our negotiations with the FAA. Negative press from bodily injuries or property damage, due to unsafe operation of our models, can impact our futures. It would be great if each club annually reviewed our Membership Manual and Safety Code with its members. Collectively, it makes us a better organization.
Closing
If you are still reading this message, thanks for letting me expound a little. I look forward to hearing from you.
Until next time—help secure our future and take a youngster flying!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
