View from HQ - 2003/06

192 MODEL AVIATION
AS I WRITE THIS, winter is still alive
and well in Muncie, Indiana. I think I have
seen enough snow and cold weather for one
year! By the time you read this column,
spring will be here. I feel as if we will all
go nuts if the sun doesn’t shine soon and
bring some warmer weather. I know I am
not alone in this feeling.
The club-renewal process is in full swing
right now. I want to thank all of the clubs
for submitting a copy of their bylaws. Later
this year AMA will review those bylaws
submitted, and, if necessary, we will make
recommendations for improvement. This
does not imply that your charter will be in
jeopardy; we are only trying to look out for
your best interest should a problem arise.
By the time you read this, clubs that
have renewed should have their charter and
site-owner (if applicable) certificates. If
you have not received these items, please
contact Club Secretary Lois Pierce
([email protected]). All E-mail
addresses and forms can be found on the
AMA Web site: www.modelaircraft.org.
For those who surf the Internet and
interact on other Web sites, I am sure that
you are aware of the considerable talk
about model airplanes being used to spread
doom. Since September 11, 2001, this issue
has surfaced roughly once every six
months.
I want to thank all those concerned
AMA members who bring this to our
attention. We do appreciate it and have
designated one person at AMA to respond
to such inquiries. That person is Programs
Director Jay Mealy (jmealy@
modelaircraft.org).
AMA has taken the position of not
involving itself in discussions concerning
this subject on the Internet. We feel that the
less is said about it, the better off we will be.
However, behind the scenes we are
working to verify these reports and protect
the hobby/sport. In fact, we are working
with several government agencies on this
issue. Check the Web site for important
news or see the “What’s New” section.
In December, AMA President Dave
Brown and several members of AMA’s
staff met with the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) in Washington DC
to discuss the transport of model aircraft
and equipment. We are working with
transportation security personnel, teaching
I hope this provides
some insight.
Joyce Hager Executive Director
View from HQ
Happy flying,
Joyce Hager
Executive Director
[email protected]
them about what items our members would
travel with.
AMA Technical Director Steve Kaluf
will be going to New Jersey to do some
testing at the TSA facility. He will actually
take airplanes in model boxes through the
X-ray machines to see what triggers them.
Then we will find out what we can do to
educate our members about packing their
models for air travel and teach the airline
community what to look for.
This will not happen overnight, but as
soon as we know how to help our
members, we will get this information out
via the Web site or push E-mail. It just
takes time and patience. The AMA Web
site contains detailed information
concerning this issue.
There you will also see that we are
encouraging members to help support the
rocketry people with a problem they are
having. A recently published article
indicates that the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) wants to put
restrictions on high-powered model
rockets.
We encourage you to write to your
senators and voice your concern. See the
front page of the Web site for details about
how you can assist. Remember, there is
strength in numbers!
At this time in our history, it is important
for all modelers to be especially
conscientious when flying their models. It
is important to follow the safety code and
project a positive image of our sport at all
times.
As we get into the full swing of the flying
season in Muncie, Indiana, check out the
Web page to see what the schedule is for
the site. This is a special year in aviation
with the Celebration of Flight taking place
across the country. I hope many of you will
get a chance to visit the AMA
Headquarters this year.
Michael Smith, the National Model
Aviation Museum curator, and his staff
have built a display featuring the Wright
brothers and the events that led to their first
flight. I think what you see will impress
you.
Several issues ago I asked what members
would like to see in my column. I am no
different from a club’s newsletter editor; I
simply run out of ideas. I did receive some
suggestions, and I appreciate them and
welcome additional comments.
One member sent me an E-mail stating
that MA articles refer to helpers and was
curious about what skills are required, what
experience is needed, and when to
volunteer to help at events. This is an
excellent question, and here are some basic
guidelines and suggestions if you are
interested in helping out.
AMA does not provide volunteers for
events held on-site other than the AMAsponsored
Homecoming. The contest
director running an event is responsible for
recruiting needed volunteers. The
“Competition Calendar” or the “Contest
Calendar” on the AMA Web page
generally lists events and contact
information.
During the National Aeromodeling
Championships, we compose a list of
information about individuals who are
interested in helping during this time. We
pass that information on to the members of
the Special Interest Group responsible for a
particular event.
Skill and experience needed depends on
the event. No experience or skill is
required to be a timer or run scores. For
other tasks, the event directors are often
willing to train you for the job that needs
to be done.
Some jobs only require a partial day’s
work. This information should be provided
to you when you contact the event director
or send in your volunteer information.
If you want to volunteer to help in the
museum while you are in Muncie, you can
contact Michael Smith at AMA
Headquarters ([765] 287-1256, extension
500) to find out what projects may be
happening during your stay and see if you
can assist.
I hope this provides some insight.
Hurry up, spring! MA