President's Perspective-2011/12

December 2011 5
i, folks! Have you ever asked,
“Why should I pay my AMA
dues?” This recent terrorist
activity involving model aircraft
underscores why our Association is critical
for us to continue to enjoy this wonderful
hobby of ours.
At 3:43 p.m. on Wednesday, September
28, I received notice from our Director of
Public Relations and Development, Chris
Brooks, that I was to call him ASAP to
initiate our emergency response team
concerning an alleged terrorist plot
involving modified model aircraft. Chris,
Government Relations and Regulatory
Affairs Representative Rich Hanson, Dave
Mathewson, AMA Executive Director, and
many others at AMA Headquarters worked
tirelessly for the next 24 hours to develop
and release communiqués to our
membership and the media.
This was a serious issue that required
us to execute our crisis communications
plan developed for just this sort of action.
Our media release and position statement
can be found on the AMA’s website.
In the ensuing days, your AMA
President’s Perspective
AMA Executive Vice President Mark Smith
H
leadership has fielded a high number and
wide variety of emails and telephone calls
about this news item and our response.
The majority of AMA members shared our
collective outrage at a US citizen who
would literally hijack a recreational model
airplane to attempt to bomb the Capitol
dome and the Pentagon. Just outrageous.
Many responded that this young,
physics major from a private Boston
university was a “complete idiot” to think
that he could reconfigure and fly a 60-
inch-wingspan foam jet laden with GPS
guidance and several pounds of
explosives. With this aircraft? With no
training? Without being detected
beforehand? There was barely even a
remote chance, as any serious modeler will
tell you.
Many others wrote and called, with
pain in their voices; that this will do
irreparable damage to our ongoing
discussions with the FAA over pending
federal regulations. Although we all desire
a safe National Air Space, we have been
told consistently by FAA representatives
that their interests are the general safety of
model aircraft operations, not national
security, per se. We have to take what they
say at face value until we learn something
different.
But know this: we are 143,000
aeromodeling sets of eyes and ears
throughout America. We are the first line
of defense, much as the Civil Air Patrol is
for full-scale aircraft, for any modeling
threats to safety and security primarily
because we are caring US citizens more
than aeromodelers.
Several members have written to say
how sad, and maybe a little mad, that their
peaceful, recreational pastime has been
invaded by a form of madness in the “real”
world. We want to escape the hustle and
frustrations of modern life through our
hobby, not look for would-be terrorists.
To this I say, “I know.” I feel the same
way. It’s sad. But, we have a responsibility
to our communities and to our hobby, so
we will step up where and when needed.
Still others have asked, “Well, what
can we do?” Be aware and be fair. This
isn’t a witch hunt. We’re just asking that if
you see or hear something suspicious,
contact your local authorities or FBI
office. They are there to help you in ways
we can’t.
Some of the best people in the world
are aeromodelers. That’s a fact. Let’s keep
it that way. And let’s not forget the real
reason we fly—to have fun. MA
Mark Smith
AMA Executive Vice President
[email protected]
Mission Statement
The Academy of Model Aeronautics is a world-class association of modelers organized for the purpose of
promotion, development, education, advancement, and safeguarding of modeling activities.
The Academy provides leadership, organization, competition, communication, protection, representation,
recognition, education and scientific/technical development to modelers.
And let’s not forget the real reason we fly—
to have fun.