Now I know many of you will take issue with this BUT, I honestly don't understand the anger/frustration/vehemence with the AMA and or the FAA/Fed Govt. Assuming those people really are trying to find solutions to "present/future problems; shouldn't we, the hobbyists, be sharing "good, viable ideas and concepts" for them to consider? Shouldn't we join with them to oppose the unregulated sale of items/devices that "could", potentially cause immeasurable harm to the general public? I mean, the states mandate drivers licenses, insurance and so forth ( complied with by "most" good people, don't they?? Unless I'm mistaken, the "shotgun" approach to the legislation has to be imposed to protect the innocent from the "intentionally bad", am I missing something?
Based upon just a couple of the news reports I've read about, the person(s) who dropped a device on White House grounds, the person who was caught flying a device near a full-sized helicopter, the person caught videoing a neighbors yard/house, etcetera; none of these people were members of AMA, were they?? The sources where they purchased these items were not members nor was there any limitation in place requiring or even recommending the sellers or buyers membership in the AMA (if for no other reason than seller/customer awareness or safety and propriety of use) or with a local club with an authorized, sanctioned flying location, or am I mistaken.
Yes, while I dread the "shotgun" approach to legislation what do you think we, control line, free flight, r/c'ers, would be doing at this moment IF the AMA, with all its flaws, weaknesses and "mere mortal" leadership had NOT been there to lobby and "politic" on behalf of us, its membership??? I fear we would be facing one heck of a big "shotgun" like many of the modelers in other countries faced/face. Oh, that's right .... let's blame the principle agency standing in the gate!! Am I missing something??