Soapbox Now Youre Talking..... Dear Editor am writing response news paper article read recently Its too bad didnt keep copy Im sure would have found interesting Before get would like say wholeheartedly agree articles Model Aviation has published recent months concerning alarming rate flying fields suitable RC Control Line matter being lost Fortunately Control Line requires fraction space RC does may account tremendous comeback Control Line now enjoying densely populated areas such live modelers must everything possible maintain strong public image want keep what have recent incident involving Goodyear blimp good example press goes shark-feeding frenzy whenever something like happens modeler made 6 oclock news NBC set model aviation back 10 years Certainly flying fields lost development such dont have too much control over can also lost foot-in-mouth disease some individuals come down being interviewed newspaper reporter comments end up front page world see Im referring article members AMA chartered club bragged reporter about wonderful belong organization Im going identify club because far Im concerned theyve already greased own skid usual malarkey about friendship camaraderie covered thing got attention lot other people matter part about activity referred combat According individuals combat two remote control investments chase other over sky trying cut others streamer noted required great skill courage avoid mid-air collision would like mention taking place military base active flightline nearby helicopters flying way time time Anyway newspaper reporter expressed concern over its told quote article full-size aircraft vicinity dots horizon nothing wrong what doing book standing out field bunch other courageous individuals twiddling levers little black boxes combat Never has never will Portrayed manner ended up newspaper makes us mean everybody look like arrogant boneheads care little what people think Maybe never occurred takes battery connector become dislodged antenna get cut another planes propeller gold stickered gizmo suddenly ceases respond God knows now flying bomb will come down speed some RC guided missiles capable partial tank fuel just far can go mile Five miles guess good dot horizon now very real target so-called fail-safe features what kind guarantee baby coming down somewhere Perhaps courageous people day newspaper reporters spectators played witness fiasco hope wearing helmets record have already people know what come up ask its really such good idea combat average person has no idea what Control Line Combat about far theyre concerned model airplane model airplaneperiod Believe organization Pinelands Combat Team runs tight safety-first the-rule-book operation Vince Mankowski AIVIA Executive Director can verify see Vince also avid CL Combat flier have pleasure competing against him occasion contests average newspaper reader doesnt know either know what official AMA policy regarding RC combat know thing base commander military installation question happened read article along coffee Danish didnt check would have president model airplane club office afternoon didnt supply some very good answers questions legion doom would history As ex-RCer has no intention ever returning rat race Radio Control has become along its can top mentality can shake head wonderment people obviously feel have field life sounds like Im concerned flying privileges group individuals article Im long shot What am looking out own interests because like blimp situaion tragic incident will also make 6 oclock news ripple effect could very well spell death knell model aviation area Perhaps responsible people within organization will also realize take bull horns before its too late Fred Stetter AMA 132031 August1992 17 Now Youre Talking will present time time constructive thought-provoking ideas criticisms AMA rules policies affect members issue has two sides Now Youre Talking will endeavor print viewpoints have submitted within limits available space uniqueness constructiveness timeliness good taste Determination appropriateness publication of matters must necessity rest solely publisher thoughts presented author should construed being AMA Headquarters staff AMA officers publisher Readers should note publication rules-change policy-change idea does necessarily mean specific proposal has presented Contest Board Executive Council appropriate AMA committee such action responsibility author anyone else interested obtaining official action Editors Note Now Youre Talking does appear edition Model Aviation Sometimes nobody has anything talk about times gets squeezed out last minute because space limitations late-breaking news