The AMA 2

[RC Storick]

Dear AMA Members:

As many of you know yesterday, August 6, 2008 we took a big step forward in promoting model aviation and the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

A little over seven months ago when I became AMA president, I said that I wanted to get model aviation on ESPN – and yesterday we accomplished that objective! While this was a relatively short clip, and our ultimate goal still is to get feature coverage of an aeromodeling event, we now have our "foot in the door".

ESPN's daily show, "ESPN First Take," featured footage (provided by AMA member Fred Midgett who is President of High Planes Productions) of the 2008 XFC and AMA All-Star Andrew Jesky flying his helicopter. ESPN First Take, formerly Cold Pizza, is aired Monday-Friday from 10 AM-Noon ET on ESPN2.

During the segment, host Dana Jacobson mentioned that she doesn't think of model flying as a sport although she thought it was "very cool". While many of us view modeling as our hobby, there are just as many of us that describe today's aeromodeling activities as sport. Let's contact Dana, thank her for featuring model flying on her show, let her know that competing in championships such as the XFC is indeed a sport, and that we, as AMA members, would love to see more model flying on ESPN.

You can contact Dana at: espnfirsttake@espn.com

If enough of us contact ESPN, perhaps we can continue to see model flying on national T.V.

Sincerely,

Dave Mathewson
AMA President

Do not mention PAMPA in this thread!

[Bradley Walker]

I am not sure what you are trying to do here.

There is no way to discuss promotion of CL stunt  without mentioning PAMPA.  This is a CL stunt forum and the thread was about modeling exposure in the mainstream media.  Like it or not, the two are inexorably linked.

Maybe you should delete post or posters, not threads (just an idea).

[RC Storick]

I am not sure what you are trying to do here.

There is no way to discuss promotion of CL stunt  without mentioning PAMPA.  This is a CL stunt forum and the thread was about modeling exposure in the mainstream media.  Like it or not, the two are inexorably linked.

Maybe you should delete post or posters, not threads (just an idea).

You are right however whenever PAMPA is brought up it starts the bickering. Don't need it!

[George]

OK, I wrote an email to Dana.

George

[Jim Thomerson]

Thanks Robert, good move.

[Andrew Hathaway]

It seems the topic is more about the promotion of R/C helicopters... 

[Mike Keville]

As Brad Walker noted, with PAMPA being the approved AMA Special Interest Group for CLPA, it would be a challenge to avoid mentioning one without the other.

That being said, any such mention should be done in a courteous manner.  Let's please not start dragging-up old ... (well, you know).

Mike Keville
Tucson, AZ

[Larry Cunningham]

CL Stunt shouldn't be such a contentious issue.

L.

"DIPLOMACY, n: The art of saying 'nice doggie' till you can find a rock." -Wynn Catlin

[Doug Moon]

I sent this note to Dana. 


Dana,

Thank you so much for your short clip on model
airplane flying on your show ESPN First Take.

My name is Doug Moon and I fly model airplanes.  I fly
controline planes.  Whether it is a sport or a hobby
is all in the eye of the beholder.  Many participants
like myself compete many times a year and put in long
hours practicing and getting ready for competition.  I
dont really have an opinion on it a sport or hobby I
just love doing it.

We as a group, controline flyers would love to see
some of our pastime also featured on ESPN.  If you
have any interest in showing more model airplane
flying please contact me and we can discuss upcoming
opportunities. 

Thank you so much for showing model airplane flying on
your show.  The AMA as a whole is very lucky for the
exposure you gave us on your show.

Thanks

Doug Moon

I have not received a reply but hopefully someone's email will get read by the producers.  it surely cant hurt to let them know exposure of model airplanes, NO MATTER WHAT KIND, is always appreciated. 

[Doug Moon]

By the way there is no need to mention PAMPA.  Anytime promotion of CL happens to people who are not involved in CL it comes from individuals and their desire to do so.  If anything comes from this recent exposure the same will be true.
 

[Mike Keville]

Good point, Doug.  Let's not baffle the viewing public with acronyms and semantics.  Exposure of model flying activity, be it sport-flying or competition, should be sufficient...and very welcome.

Your letter to Dana, by the way, is commendable.

[Marvin Denny]

  I was going to comment on this thread, but Doug and Mike said everything I was going to say, so I will only say good to you both Doug and Mike.  I am still composing my letter to them but it will also be about the same as Doug's.

  Bigiron

[wmiii]

 I'm not all that articulate, but I would think that the recent world championships should/would be pointed out, the number of contries etc.

 Walter

[Jim Thomerson]

i wrote a letter also.  The response to this AMA effort was much less positively received on an RC forum than it was here.  CL people have been much more receptive to promoting RC than RC folks seem to be. 

[George]

Since some of us are showing what we sent:

Dana,
 
Model Airplanes is both a hobby and a sport. The segment where airplanes are controlled by steel lines (control line) has recently held both a World Championships and a USA National competition.
 
There are three major disciplines for model airplanes:
 
Free Flight, where the planes are trimmed beforehand and released with no further control.
 
Radio Control, where the planes are guided by flyers on the ground
 
Control Line, where models fly in a hemisphere guided by flyers with steel lines
 
All three of these disciplines are further subdivided into more categories according to rules established by either the (AMA) Academy of Model Aeronautics or the ((FAI) Federation Aeronautique Internationale.
 
Thank you for showing model airplanes on your show.
 
George Bain

[Richard Grogan]

Has anyone seen the footage? Does anyone know a schedule ESPN will re-run it?

[john e. holliday]

I am glad we have people that can put into words what can be said.  I have noticed in the last few years that model planes are showing up in commercials and some shows on TV.  As an 8th grader I remember a segment on the Mickey Mouse Club that involved some model airplane flying.  I still wonder about who is in charge of publicity and advertisement at AMA.  How come there is no ads in the magazines about cars, motor homes, trailers and other things we use in involvement in this hobby/sport?   H^^Have fun,  DOC Holliday