President's Perspective

President s PERSPECTIVE problem lies inability aeromodelers put forth case credible manner experts' Well IMS Convention 99 over accounts huge success say few problems nothing cant fix next year Most problems outlined last column very few surprises Congratulations AMA staff particularly Jay Mealy job well done Environmental wildlife issues becoming more factor ability get flying sites regional site proposed Visalia California first situations potential site lost result of hoops required jump through satisfy environmental wildlife restrictions whatever impact would have real Free Flight site northeastern part United States now endangered lost same reason will lose opportunities fail act have strong personal feeling aeromodeling activity friendly environment wildlife feeling based lot years watching interaction between elements seeing firsthand results Ive watched awe mother bird hatched cared offspring pits during National Championships also watched pride modelers cordoned off area protect her little ones Its hard see natural bond between aeromodelers birds aforementioned Free Flight site large portion wildlife moved onto site after aeromodelers cleared scrub maintained area have heard aeromodelers being moved another place park because wildlife nesting have nesting wildlife follow new location have seen lot evidence activity wildlife environmentally friendly yet losing sites very reason am convinced problem lies inability aeromodelers put forth case credible manner experts field have good case good track record no credibility wildlife environmental circles need fix first step has taken As AMA President created committee address environmental wildlife issues chaired Dr Sandy Frank District VIII Vice President Sandy really fired up about has stated goal put together team committee members will put committee par Education Committee no easy task have lauded work Education Committee being highest order Sandy will recruiting help area professionals fields among membership great things about having membership 150000 few fields cant find few members Fortunately members willing volunteer help common cause aeromodeling successful will have work together what new about true virtually endeavor part planet share other species widely accepted human race intelligent species earth Lets prove working environmentalists wildlife experts sport/hobby friendly cause willing adapt areas might suggest change c Dave Brown AMA President dbrown@dbproductscom May1999 7