View From HQ
AMA is working long and hard to keep the hobby alive.
Another month has come and gone. As I'm writing this column, I am pleased to mention that we are having a heat wave! It is almost strange not to see snow and ice. I am sure it isn't going to stay this way for long, but we will enjoy it as much as possible for now.
I am sure that members have had a chance to read AMA President Dave Mathewson's comments concerning the FAA issue, so I will not delve deeply into this subject.
It is important that our members realize that many hours are spent on this issue. We are working very hard for all modelers with both external and internal help.
A web site has been developed for relaying the most current information we have. Please check there for up-to-date information and read the frequently asked questions and answers under the "Learn" tab on the page. This is our official platform, and it is reliable for recent, up-to-date information.
This FAA situation stresses why it is important for those who have e-mail addresses to make sure that AMA has your current one. I can't state this often enough. E-mail is the fastest way to share crucial information.
The government relations URL is www.modelaircraft.org/gov. If you still have questions, don't hesitate to give us a call. Paraphrasing what one member wrote, AMA is working long and hard to keep the hobby alive at this juncture. If you're not aware of the FAA's proposals, it is a good time to read the material.
This is also a good time for AMA members who know people who fly but do not belong to AMA to get them involved. Urge them to join the association. It is easy and can be done online, at hobby shops, at trade shows, and at sanctioned events. Strength is in numbers!
This is the time of year for the show season. I recently returned from E-Fest, an event held in Champaign, Illinois, and soon will be traveling to the Westchester Radio AeroModelers (WRAM) Show in New York. I enjoy attending these events, and I take pleasure in meeting new members as well as old members whom I have known for years. It does put a strain on our various workloads at AMA Headquarters, but that is why we are here. Each department has its busier-than-normal time, but all of us are busy with additional travel, programs we are launching, or events held at the Muncie, Indiana, site. Sometimes your e-mail may not get answered in the time frame you expect or your telephone call may not be returned that day, but it will be. If you have a problem with communication from AMA Headquarters, please let me know.
Many of our employees are multitasking and helping other departments. Numerous others are involved in the flying activity held on the AMA site.
Some of this year's main events that are sponsored by the Academy or run by AMA employees include:
- Indoor Nats, Johnson City, Tennessee — May 24–29
- Extreme Flight Championships (XFC) — June 3–5
- National Electric Fly-In — June 10–12
- Outdoor Nats — June 25–August 11
- AMA's 75th Anniversary celebration — July 14–17
- RC Aerobatics World Championship — August 2–11
- International Radio Controlled Helicopter Association (IRCHA) Jamboree — August 10–15
- Indiana Warbird Campaign — September 2–4
These are not the only events that involve personnel from AMA Headquarters. There are additional gatherings and contests held every weekend, and all require our maintenance staff, which does an excellent job. For more information about many of these contests and events, please visit the AMA web site at www.modelaircraft.org/events/events.aspx. Schedules, entry forms, and more are available, and remember that anyone of any skill level can participate in the Nats!
My hope is that everybody has a safe and fun-filled summer.
JH
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
