144 MODEL AVIATION
HI, AGAIN! As I’m writing this, the weather around the country
has been bad! The struggles that the city of Dallas, Texas, had with
snow and ice during the Super Bowl is indicative of what many parts
of the country have been going through.
Outdoor flying is almost impossible in these areas, but thankfully
there are some indoor sites that allow flying even with bad weather
outside! I hope you can take advantage of these facilities and enjoy
some hobby time.
As I mentioned in last month’s column, I was at the AMA Expo in
Ontario, California, for the AMA Executive Council meeting. While
at the show, I was able to give two separate seminars about “Getting
and Keeping Flying Sites.”
I am pleased to note that these went very well. Those who
attended participated in great discussion and in the question-andanswer
period that we had at the end of each seminar. These sessions
were videotaped and they have now been edited and are on the AMA
Web site located at www.modelaircraft.org/membership/clubs/
fsap.aspx.
Having this seminar online allows AMA members and clubs to
get an overview of the book Getting and Keeping Flying Sites. This
book is available online or by contacting AMA Headquarters and
speaking with Erin Dobbs at (800) 435-9262, extension 272.
I hope you take the time to watch it. There are several 10-minuite
video chapters that comprise roughly one hour of total time. I would
love to hear your comments on this seminar!
I will also be presenting this seminar live at the Weak Signals
R/C Show in Toledo, Ohio, on April 1 and 2. If you are planning to
attend, I hope to see you at the seminar.
I received a link from the staff at AMA Headquarters about the
Miniature Aircraft Association located in the Tri-Cities,
Washington, area. These club members are working well with their
local parks department.
I am impressed by the video—especially when I found out that it
was created by a 14-year-old member of the club! The video gives a
short history of the club and how it has evolved to include 1/5-scale
RC cars and float-fly events.
This is a great way to give visitors to the club Web site an idea of
the club and what it does. I recommend that you take a few minutes
to view the video. It can be found at http://bit.ly/dJ8dua.
I hope everyone remains informed about the ongoing issue with the
FAA. AMA President Dave Mathewson and members of the AMA
Headquarters staff have been working hard to put information out in
MA.
However, for the most up-to-date information, you should be
visiting the AMA Web site. Make sure you check in with the site at
least once a week to be aware of any new developments. This is
probably the most important issue AMA and aeromodeling has
faced, and we need to stay informed!
See you at the field—when it warms up!
Tony Stillman | [email protected]
Tony Stillman
Flying Site Assistance
Coordinator
www.modelaircraft.org/membership/clubs/fsap.aspx
102 Cherrywood Ct., Brunswick GA 31525; (912) 242-2407;
[email protected]
This is probably the most important issue AMA and
aeromodeling has faced, and we need to stay informed!
Flying Site Assistance
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 e-mailing [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
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/04
Page Numbers: 144
