GREAT issue of model aviation (doesn't deserve upper case)

[Robert Zambelli]

Cover story - DRONE RACING.

Straight into the trash.

I really hate that rag.

  Bob Z.

[Wayne J. Buran]

Ditto, same result.
Wayne

[Alexey Gorbunov]

I really hate that rag.

  Bob Z.

Maybe rap?

[FLOYD CARTER]

If they would place MA into hobby shops or newsstands, they might sell a bunch of copies with drones on the cover.

(RCM tried bikini-girls on their covers, but I don't think it helped sell magazines)

[Gerald Arana]

Cover story - DRONE RACING.

Straight into the trash.

I really hate that rag.

  Bob Z.

Well, you guys missed a couple articles on CL! 

To bad you are so prejudice against (I won't say the "D" word) the future!

Jerry

[john e. holliday]

I haven't got my issue yet, but like this forum and others if there is something I don't like, I skip over it.   Seen a few CL pics and stuff in between the rotor craft  toys.

[Mike Keville]

Remember when the AMA promoted model airplanes?  When the card was a COMPETITION license?  Remember when they published National Records?

Recently, they've become Drone Pimps....chasing the almighty dollar.

Can't speak for anyone else, but on 12/31/17, I'm done with them --- since 1952.

[Paul Smith]

Advertising sales always drives content.  Not just Model Aviation, but your local newspaper, TV and radio.

The mag is loaded with RTF electric RC junk and thus the content also.

[Chuck_Smith]

Academy of  Multirotor Aeronautics.

Advertising to the least likely people to be members and receive  the magazine.

Genius.

[dave siegler]

If you just tossed it you missed the blurb on a control line multi rotor and how the drone guys found out how much fun control line is. 


Also a pretty good column on carrier. 



The Rubber band guys complained the gas engines would ruin model aviation
the free flight guys complained that control line would ruin model aviation
the control line guys complained that RC would ruin model aviation. 

And now due to low cost electronics, we have everyone up in arms over drones.

History repeats.

[Robert Zambelli]

Remember when the AMA promoted model airplanes?  When the card was a COMPETITION license?  Remember when they published National Records?

Recently, they've become Drone Pimps....chasing the almighty dollar.

Can't speak for anyone else, but on 12/31/17, I'm done with them --- since 1952.

Mike very well said but how could you state that? After all, according to an ama president, drones are the future of model aviation.
In my opinion, the most idiotic comment I've ever read in a model aircraft magazine.

Bob Z.

[FLOYD CARTER]

The 2-page ad from Harbor Freight saved the day for MA.

Let's have more of this!  Useful.

[Robert Zambelli]

The Rubber band guys complained the gas engines would ruin model aviation
the free flight guys complained that control line would ruin model aviation
the control line guys complained that RC would ruin model aviation. 

And now due to low cost electronics, we have everyone up in arms over drones.

Yes, agreed - BUT, notice the common statement in the first three sentences: MODEL AVIATION.
These sentences all pertained to progress and advances regarding MODEL AIRPLANES.

Model airplanes have not progressed to becoming drones.
Drones ARE NOT model airplanes.
They do not fly.
They do not go through the air on lift generated by forward velocity and airfoiled wings.
They are computerized toys.
They do not come about through hard work and building skills.

When you show up at the field with a beautiful plane that you built, you can proudly state as much.
With a drone, you can say "Look what I bought".

My two cents.

Bob Z.

[john e. holliday]

So true, Bob Z.   I couldn't say it better.    Also when are they going to realize that some drones have wings.

[Norm Faith Jr.]

I was set back a little when I got my issue of MA and saw the cover, but I have come to accept where we are in this hobby.
Way back in the late sixties and early seventies, I would throw my "two cents" in every once in a while..."You know, when someone comes up with a real cool, ready to fly out of the box, RC model, it would take off like a rocket." "No way...never happen!" I would hear. Fast forward...How about a ready to fly, competitive, full blown, C/L stunt ship? "No way...never happen!" Now look at where we are. I don't have and overwhelming problem with R/C or C/L ARF's, (I've owned a couple) I don't have any real issues with the Drones and "Quads," other than safety and trespassing problems. But what I do have a BIG problem with, is the guy that shows up at the field with a "high dollar," ARF (R/C) bragging about how he "built" it and all of the other ARF owners standing around with all of the "eww's and aah's." GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
Norm

[Fredvon4]

I get where Bob Z and others are coming from but there are always exceptions

I has a bit taken back and shocked years ago when I bought my boy and myself a RC 10 electric RC race car to find a 513 part kit we had to figure out, build, and train all about RC car racing, battery maintenance, shock oils, gear ratios, motor winding specs, Electronic Throttle (ESC), servo torque,  steering ratios, and on and on.... later RTR cars actually were a great way for pop and son to play in the yard or local track

So I build a 50 to 75 piece balsa Ring Master /Nobler kit ----or buy a Brodak / Top flight ARF and I tend to feel the same way when I fly each of them

I am cogent that the most recent winner of the National Drone Racing League Father and son team actually built their own racing quad copters, self taught each to fly, and formed a team to compete up through local, regional and the Nats.... I know this 16 year old kid will have a great future for the experience

Like all others here, I have serious concerns about the mischief DRONES can cause... but as a hobby... Boy am I impressed with a lot of the technology and capability

Build a kit
Hack a ready to fly
Charge batts and fly a BNF

Fun is fun and I will not be sucked into looking down my nose ant ANY of the methods of spending money
and filling free time

BOM...real airplane...
Modeling effort and skill required...
yes sir  all that is there---
just as it is with a Walker Fire baby
or Cox PT 19

[Serge_Krauss]

I too found the cover...troubling. I really don't see the drone market as where AMA should be. As for the magazine, I still look for information there, but it gets a very small part of my time and attention. Sometimes just a handful of minutes. I'm 71 now, and much of my life and things I have dedicated myself to are passing or gone. Time left is too short for me to do much but support what I believe in and keep engaged in my interests. AMA is just a peripheral thing for me now. - SK

[wwwarbird]

 I'm really glad I didn't subject myself to seeing that MA cover, my stomach churns even thinking about it. I haven't been an AMA member for over a year now, I don't miss the MA rag one bit. "The Future" as proclaimed by AMA President Brownhole was what finally put me over the edge. It's all still a sore spot with me and probably always will be.

[Mike Griffin]

I too found the cover...troubling. I really don't see the drone market as where AMA should be. As for the magazine, I still look for information there, but it gets a very small part of my time and attention. Sometimes just a handful of minutes. I'm 71 now, and much of my life and things I have dedicated myself to are passing or gone. Time left is too short for me to do much but support what I believe in and keep engaged in my interests. AMA is just a periphery thing for me now. - SK

Serge you said this so well and got inside of my head when you wrote it.  I dropped my AMA membership two years ago and I am finding myself less and less involved in the hobby as a whole.  The last three models I built. I struggled to finish because other priorities took precedence.  I have not even flown them and really have no burning desire to go do so.  I quit flying contests years ago because of back and neck issues and I find myself going to the field less and less.  I have honestly had thoughts of just selling all of my CL possessions and giving the built planes away to someone who would fly them.  I still enjoy building but find myself doing it less and less.  Admittedly I have put a lot of my spare time into flying with the Civil Air Patrol which I have a passion for. 

I had always felt that making it mandatory to belong to AMA in order to fly in a contest was equivalent to being blackmailed and it went totally against my grain.  It wasn't the money, it was the principle.   I just build and fly now when I get in the mood and I find that becoming more rare.

Anyway, I started to ramble.  Just wanted you to know that you struck a chord with me with your post.

Mike

[Phil Spillman]

Hi All, Back on January 1st, 2017, I was lucky to be invited to fly with my Free Flight Club at their field on a not too distant resurfaced land fill!  I thought that I would have been able to put up a few patterns! I did get to fly one electric powered Stunt plane and I was amazed at how well it flew for me the very first time ever I flew it. But NO PHIL YOU can't fly that noisy plane here it's too close to those houses! Go down over the hill to the Soccer fields you can fly down there!

I left and retreated to the Soccer fields and flew alone. Not as much fun as being with the group but fun for me nevertheless! While flying another person arrived and went over to one of the rear fields and attempted to fly. He was there all the time I flew but never did get what ever it was he'd had up! As I was performing my last pattern the young man walked by and just watched my plane doing it's thing! I landed and waved to him. He walked over toward me and said,"Man that's the coolest thing I've ever seen!" I replied that's Control Line Stunt! It's been around for many years but has suffered from declining places to fly! He replied My drone's batteries all failed! I'll have to recharge everything. I said would you like to try Control Line? His reply I have too many other interests! 

I got my newest issue of MA last night, our mail service arrives anywhere from 6:30 to 10:00 pm, if at all! Brought that worthless piece in finished supper and began to look through it. In 20min. I was done and the book went to the recycle box!

If I didn't have to belong so that I could fly in 3 Contests per year or so, I'd quit like others have noted herein!

Phil Spillman       

[peabody]

Isn't the magazine called Model AVIATION?
I went to a major drone (actually an FPV) race in Sebring and enjoyed the Hell out of it....they are VERY fast, and the winners engineer and assemble them from a pile of hi tech parts...
They also flew some fixed wing FPV races, and quite a few of those were built by the flier.
Remember that there are no FotoMats around any more....things evolve.

[Avaiojet]

Isn't the magazine called Model AVIATION?
I went to a major drone (actually an FPV) race in Sebring and enjoyed the Hell out of it....they are VERY fast, and the winners engineer and assemble them from a pile of hi tech parts...
They also flew some fixed wing FPV races, and quite a few of those were built by the flier.
Remember that there are no FotoMats around any more....things evolve.

If it wasn't for ARF's, Drones, and Cars, my LHS would not be in business.

Owned by really nice people who I would like to see stay in business.

CB

[Bill Johnson]

I had always felt that making it mandatory to belong to AMA in order to fly in a contest was equivalent to being blackmailed and it went totally against my grain.  It wasn't the money, it was the principle.   
Mike

Mike, I don't feel that's a legitimate argument. The AMA is the sanctioning body for the contests. they create and publish the rules we follow.

Same thing if I want to shoot competitively. The NRA is the sanctioning body so I have to be an NRA member to compete.

[Brett Buck]

If it wasn't for ARF's, Drones, and Cars, my LHS would not be in business.

Owned by really nice people who I would like to see stay in business.

CB

   I think you are missing the point. No one that I know actually begrudges the existence of use or sales  of RC Cars, drones, etc. (as long as it is responsible). What they do object to is exactly what was stated - why is the AMA actively promoting it? I think model railroading and contract bridge are swell hobbies. Does that mean that a model airplane service organization should be filled wall-to-wall with model railroad ads and bridge bidding strategies?   Should we have reports on the Slot Car nationals, or Frisbee golf, too, just because people like that, too?

   What do you suppose all those drone and other ads, even model airplane ads, do for your local hobby shop? Virtually all of the ads are for items that list a website where you can buy the stuff. It might or might not say, in tiny print somewhere, "see your local hobby dealer", but at the bottom of the page in 36 point type, www.apeshitfordrones.com This was a HUGE problem for decades before drones - the reason that there are no local hobby shops is at least in large part due to the existence of mail order/online hobby supply houses, where Tower/Great Planes has been working towards a monopoly for the last 40 years. Why buy it at J&M Hobby House (one of the last "old-line" hobby shops left) where you have to pay a premium for the unspeakable overhead costs of running a brick and mortar hobby shop when you can get it in two days for half price at Tower?  

       The AMA has been 100% in bed with these guys for years. The AMA is a "not for profit" service organization, not a for-profit publishing house. The AMA is operating in lockstep with the same people that are putting local hobby shops (and maybe more importantly, the regional hobby distributer services) out of business, to the point you can't tell the difference. They justify it by "offsetting the costs" but the effect has been devastating.

      Brett

[Mike Griffin]

Mike, I don't feel that's a legitimate argument. The AMA is the sanctioning body for the contests. they create and publish the rules we follow.

Same thing if I want to shoot competitively. The NRA is the sanctioning body so I have to be an NRA member to compete.

Hi Bill

I have been a member of NRA as long as I can remember.  Big difference between them and AMA. One has to do with the second amendment and is directly tied to our freedom as citizens of the United States , the other has to do with toy airplanes. 

This is just my opinion and everyone is certainly entitled to theirs.

Mike

[Avaiojet]

why is the AMA actively promoting it?

Brett,

I understand what you wrote all to well.

But they, the AMA, are going after the money in membership fees and ad fees.

A million of these things will be sold in 2017, possibly more.

I said this once before, maybe a few times.

Can you believe even Home Depot cashed in and had a bunch of drones. They sold like hot cakes.

I have absolutely no interest in drones and I certainly have issues with the AMA giving drones front row seats instead of model airplanes.

I have issues, as you do, with everything you mentioned.

I don't have the answers.

We, collectively as modelers, no matter what level we are at, have to promote this hobby/sport "ourselves."

I always said we can start by getting along.

Been saying this for over five years. Why do you think I never had a negative attitude towards the hobby or had negativity, as best I could, with Forum members? I contribute only to promote the hobby.

I do know, even though I pay more, if my LHS has it or if they can order it, I buy there.  

CB

[Bill Johnson]

Hi Bill

I have been a member of NRA as long as I can remember.  Big difference between them and AMA. One has to do with the second amendment and is directly tied to our freedom as citizens of the United States , the other has to do with toy airplanes. 

This is just my opinion and everyone is certainly entitled to theirs.

Mike

Off topic but that's and apples & oranges argument. If you want to compete in an AMA sanctioned event.....

Following your logic, I could also argue that the AMA is the largest organization fighting to ensure we have a voice in federal regulations concerning the use of air space. But that's a different line of reasoning.

BTW, the NRA spends about 23% of it's income on employee salaries. $55,000,000.00 on salaries. 25% or $57,000,000.00 on membership "outreach" (read mailings). That same year, 2010, they spent just $2,650,000. on lobbying to preserve our 2nd Amendment rights.  I don't have any stats on the AMA but they are typical of just about every organization out there. Their biggest concern is raising money.

With the rise of the internet, web-based businesses have a huge advantage over the mom & pop bricks & mortar businesses and are able to afford advertising that run page after page and they are going to advertise their biggest profit makers which are the drones now. As far as I'm concerned, they are recognized by the AMA as a legitimate form of flying model. We can bitch and complain all we want but in the end, it would be like the guys who shoot nothing but bolt rifles complaining about the "spray & pray" crowd with their AR15s. Do nothing to support them and, in the end, once those are banned, who's next on the list?

As Benjamin Franklin put it so succinctly over 250 years ago "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately"

[john e. holliday]

I wonder how many of these people that are purchasing the so called drones even know about the AMA.  I remember kits used to have a slip of paper telling about the AMA.

[Alex Rillos]

Gentlemen, let me take that from my chest! I think of that everytime I receive a model airplane magazine. What a waste, just garbage. But the true is that, in my opinion, kids do not have time after all school homeworks, to have "hobbies". Their spare time are used on Netflix or computer games. If someone starts in the hobby at adult age, probably will start with a ready to fly plastic toy, and if he really wants to continue, will try an ARF because it is what is available mostly. It is sad, but is the true, unfortunately. I am a builder (maybe an addicted one!) and started when I was 12, in the fifties, building my own toys, but I had many friends doing the same at that time. Today in the club I do not have who to talk about building, but I can see many seniors at training nights trying to solo with their plastic BNF toys. Now those drones everywhere. Whew! What a relief! My 2 cents also!

[Fred Cronenwett]

I just got my copy and there is always some article that I have absolutely no interest in and the drone article is one of them. But if you look at what else was published and I always find something worth reading. Some of the topics in the columns and articles have some application towards CL modeling

1) CL navy carrier talking about the Spitfire ARF conversion
2) CL scale talking about how to prepare for the nationals
3) Bearcat construction article...it might be advertised as RC project but it can be converted to CL
4) DeHavilland Beaver article - Talks about how to take an ARF and dress it up with scale details
5) I look thru the ads and try to figure out what technology I can rob and steal for CL scale even though they never intended for it to be used for CL!

I didn't see any CL models in the focal point section but that is because probably nobody submit any material for them to publish. heck even my Fox 35 speed racer was published several months ago.

Fred

[Mike Griffin]

This subject comes up regularly on here and the arguments both pro and con never change.

Mike

[JoeJust]

Check out page 8 in the latest issue. Headline says that our "Industry" is in bad shape and hen askes us to come up ith ideas on how to save it. Interesting but weird.
Joe

[wwwarbird]

  I think you are missing the point. No one that I know actually begrudges the existence of use or sales  of RC Cars, drones, etc. (as long as it is responsible). What they do object to is exactly what was stated - why is the AMA actively promoting it? I think model railroading and contract bridge are swell hobbies. Does that mean that a model airplane service organization should be filled wall-to-wall with model railroad ads and bridge bidding strategies?   Should we have reports on the Slot Car nationals, or Frisbee golf, too, just because people like that, too?

   What do you suppose all those drone and other ads, even model airplane ads, do for your local hobby shop? Virtually all of the ads are for items that list a website where you can buy the stuff. It might or might not say, in tiny print somewhere, "see your local hobby dealer", but at the bottom of the page in 36 point type, www.apeshitfordrones.com This was a HUGE problem for decades before drones - the reason that there are no local hobby shops is at least in large part due to the existence of mail order/online hobby supply houses, where Tower/Great Planes has been working towards a monopoly for the last 40 years. Why buy it at J&M Hobby House (one of the last "old-line" hobby shops left) where you have to pay a premium for the unspeakable overhead costs of running a brick and mortar hobby shop when you can get it in two days for half price at Tower?  

       The AMA has been 100% in bed with these guys for years. The AMA is a "not for profit" service organization, not a for-profit publishing house. The AMA is operating in lockstep with the same people that are putting local hobby shops (and maybe more importantly, the regional hobby distributer services) out of business, to the point you can't tell the difference. They justify it by "offsetting the costs" but the effect has been devastating.

      Brett

 One of the best explanations on this subject to date. 

[Mike Keville]

Check out page 8 in the latest issue. Headline says that our "Industry" is in bad shape and hen askes us to come up ith ideas on how to save it. Interesting but weird.
Joe

==============================================
Is he so brain-dead that he can't see that pandering to the drone crowd is destroying model aviation as we knew it?

Granted, drones are awfully popular with thousands of people.  That being said, those are NOT MODEL AIRPLANES....nor are their adherents MODELERS.

The AMA (Academy of Multirotors & ARFs) has outlived its usefulness.  They no longer represent MODEL AIRPLANE builders and flyers.  It's patently ludicrous to continue believing we need their "sanction" in order to conduct contests and (yes) "Fun Flys".  We keep hearing about their "insurance"...which most know is secondary, after our homeowner's insurance.

In short, why should I continue paying $65 per year (Senior rate) to receive a publication that glorifies drones and imported foam toys?

[Robert Zambelli]

Isn't the magazine called Model AVIATION?
I went to a major drone (actually an FPV) race in Sebring and enjoyed the Hell out of it....they are VERY fast, and the winners engineer and assemble them from a pile of hi tech parts...
They also flew some fixed wing FPV races, and quite a few of those were built by the flier.
Remember that there are no FotoMats around any more....things evolve.

What a crock.
Yes, it's model aviation - you know, things that fly.

So, why not go the whole f*****g route?
Let model aviation start featuring articles on these? After all, they fly.

https://www.wish.com/c/57eb922a3022a61c69607764?hide_login_modal=true&from_ad=pla4&_display_country_code=US&gclid=Cj0KEQjwiI3HBRDv0q_qhqXZ-N4BEiQAOTiCHmh4sgw5DIZmFQyUEgkqMXL7zeKmSj-MU72D9T4CPGoaAsA18P8HAQ

I really don't give a rat's ass whether or not drones fly.
They're NOT model airplanes.
If you want to include everything that flies, where do we draw the line?
Give coverage to the guys with the most money?
Should we go with toy blimps and kites too?

If this junk is the future of model aviation, just think where our sport will be in twenty years. DEAD.

I'm about done with the ama anyhow.
It's a shame that we have to join the enter contests knowing that a portion of our dues goes to that worthless rag.

My rant for the day.

Bob Z.

[Leester]

If getting MA in the mail is a problem get the digital copy. I'm guessing you go to the AMA website to read it...well for the last three years I've never gone to the web site...Problem Solved !!!

[Avaiojet]

If getting MA in the mail is a problem get the digital copy. I'm guessing you go to the AMA website to read it...well for the last three years I've never gone to the web site...Problem Solved !!!

For the last three years I've had my MA sent to someone else....Problem Solved!

CB

[peabody]

"I'm about done with the ama anyhow.
It's a shame that we have to join the enter contests knowing that a portion of our dues goes to that worthless rag."
I would wager, Bob, that the "worthless rag" keeps the annual membership costs down.

[JoeJust]

[quote , Bob, that the "worthless rag" keeps the annual membership costs down.

Then why do membership fees keep climbing?
Joe

[Dave Harmon]

[quote , Bob, that the "worthless rag" keeps the annual membership costs down.

Then why do membership fees keep climbing?
Joe

Because the AMA keeps on raising them!!
IOW....because they can....

[Russell]

I love flying my drone and have plans to build one too. DRONE SMILE is what you get when you fly one!  

[john e. holliday]

If control line had kept doing what they did years ago with regional meets to qualify for the NATS with big money prizes, you think CL would be in the shape it is?  How many remember the Air Youth State Champ thing.   Also if we could have moved CL around the country every so often.

[Mark Romanowitz]

The AMA is between a rock and a hard place..

They are struggling with relevancy with a group that has grown unbelievably fast and shows no signs of slowing down.

At the same time the more traditional forms of model aviation are declining for a whole number of reasons.

I'm not a drone flyer.. I fly control line with IC engines..

What follows you all already know perhaps..

Drones have captured the imagination and attention of the age group that would have in past decades been interested in C/L or R/C or F/F, but not just that segment.. Older former R/C, FF and C/L flyers are getting involved too.

Technology has advanced where you don't need a lot of space away from populated areas to fly something. And drones are now cheap enough and capable enough for just about any segment of the population to operate them.

And if you have visited any of their forums, there is in many of them the attitude of "Who is the AMA and why should I care? I don't need them to fly my drone."

The younger ones see us as a bunch of old farts who do not keep up with the times. And there is some truth there, but not for the reasons they assume.

(I just happen to like flying control line, and nothing against electric, I'm like that guy who rides a Harley.. I just like fiddling with the IC engines/motors.)

Only in a few drone forums is there discussion of the insurance that AMA provides and how it can open up new places to fly..

Other than that most seem not to care about the AMA, or the other forms of model aviation. Drones (particularly with FPV) do all they want and therefore many (most?) perhaps don't see relevancy in anything else.

Drones also, as you know, have captured Governmental and media attention. You also know that most Bureaucrats/News casters/etc do not see any significant difference between a drone with a camera spying on the neighbor and a control line aerobatics plane. To them it is all the same. (Perhaps the distinction requires more thought than they are capable of?)

The uninformed public just hears the horror stories and the noise and lumps us all together.. (Perhaps because they let bureaucrats and the media do their thinking for them?)

AMA has to figure out some way to pull drone fliers "into the fold" so to speak and keep membership up because this same group of folks (drone fliers) are in a position where they can ruin it for all of us.

See: http://droneidiots.com/

At the same time, if AMA membership declines enough we will have little/no clout with law makers who can/will shut us down completely.

BTW, there is an ordinance in my town which prohibits ALL model aircraft flying within city limits (from way back in the 1960s, I've heard). I used to fly FF also.. but there is no place within at least a two hour drive to fly those now, so all of my stuff just sits there.

Someone recently told me that Kaz Minato is considering moving to the US because Japan has just shut things down completely over there due to drones.. (Is this really true?)

Like you all, I flipped through the mag and saw it was drone dominated. I read Bob Hunt's article about Radio Control Control Line. It shows Bob flying his Electric Second Wind (with retracts). It was an informative and well written article - and it shows us where top level competitive stunt is heading. and many thanks to Bob for all he is doing to push our sport/hobby forward - but aside from that article, not much else in the magazine got anything other than a cursory glance and then after that I threw it in the recycling bin.

But folks, these are the times we are living in and times are changing.

I'll keep supporting the AMA and deal with the drone content because at least for the time being, it keeps me able to fly my smelly, greasy, noisy control line Harley-Davidson powered stunt planes.

When they take that away from me, I'll donate all of my IC engines to a museum and fly electric unless that is outlawed also..

In which case perhaps I'll take up indoor with microfilm..

Or paper airplanes..

Just my 3 or 4 c.

Mark

Addendum (In case you missed the above)

This is why I will keep supporting the AMA.. Even if MA becomes entirely devoted to quadcopters

http://www.modelaircraft.org/oklahoma.aspx
http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/51579/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=21244

Right now, we need to realize that we need drone fliers in our camp.  We need to embrace variations of this hobby and pull them into the fold in order to protect our common interests and promote responsible operation.

Years ago there were ads in MA for renewal that said "Strength in numbers." That is still the case. The AMA is the only organization that has the clout right now to help fight these legislative battles.

[Mark Romanowitz]

See above.

[Mike Keville]

This is why I will keep supporting the AMA.. Even if MA becomes entirely devoted to quadcopters . . .

===========================================
Than you need to join a different organization.  Quadcopters are NOT model airplanes!!!

[Brett Buck]

Years ago there were ads in MA for renewal that said "Strength in numbers." That is still the case. The AMA is the only organization that has the clout right now to help fight these legislative battles.

    In this case, however, they don't seem to be bothering to fight at all, while at the same time tying an albatross around everyones' neck. People in general HATE drones and quadcopters and see them as an annoyance and/or dangerous. Drone idiots keep flying into people's back yards, invading privacy, and crashing on other people's property, Damn near every day, you hear of some other idiot doing something irresponsible with them. The public has HAD IT with this crap, drones are going to be heavily regulated and restricted.

      None of this was true about model aviation as we have defined it, for 100ish years no one cared what we did. Now, since the AMA has decided to adopt them and absolutely and utterly refuses to draw any distinction between responsible model airplane people and the swamp of utterly irresponsible quadcopter idiots, we are all going to get sucked into this, whether it is deserved or not. You could see it coming 3-4 years ago and now the time is near.

      Drones/Quadcopters are the first genuinely mortal threat to model aviation. Even 9/11 and/or demonstrating autonomous navigation all the way across the Atlantic ocean wasn't sufficient to cause a real threat. Drones/quadcopters ARE such a threat, and the AMA is chaining us to the irrevocably.

     Brett

[Chris McMillin]

If control line had kept doing what they did years ago with regional meets to qualify for the NATS with big money prizes, you think CL would be in the shape it is?  How many remember the Air Youth State Champ thing.   Also if we could have moved CL around the country every so often.

No, I don't remember that but I do recall my 84 year old father telling me about it, John!
Chris...

[Jim Svitko]

I think Brett has summed it up accurately.  Nobody cared what the model airplane guys did until drones showed up.

But, the drones are here to stay, like 'em or not.  At first I thought they would be a passing fad.  Well, for some, they were.  They were a nice Christmas gift but when the "newness" wore off they ended up on a shelf in the closet.

Others, however, have taken to them.  I was at our field yesterday and noticed more brush removed from the north end of the site, several yards outside the north end of our circle.  I also saw some colored poles.  I asked one of the RC guys what that was all about.  He told me it was a drone "racetrack" under construction.

So far, we all get along at this site.  We help each other with field maintenance and we stay out of the other's way when flying.  Now, with the drones so close to our circle, I have some doubt.

[Fredvon4]

While I agree and respect Brett Buck's and several other's thoughts on this subject

I find myself in a quandary:

I do NOT now personally NEED AMA insurance
BUT I do accept the NEED for Clubs, fun fly's, and sanctioned competitions to have members and contestants insured by the AMA
I am also cogent that LOBBYING Congress is a necessary evil


I am much more distressed about loosing Control Line World last year.... than if I woke up tomorrow to find Model Aviation was no more
I only FEAR drones from the potential EVIL aspect...I am totally jazzed about their potential in a lot of areas....including getting me a Piping Hot Pizza in less than 30 min.....

I am in utter awe at the fast pace of the newer technology--- and I personally have a lot of leisure time fun with a lot of it

I also applaud the various entities in my local world who use and exploit drones...saving lives, counting feral hogs/deer populations/land use/water acreage, inspecting power lines etc etc... usually saving we/me money

I am mostly a motor head...and do have  a great respect for tradition
I prefer ANY thing hobby related that is a MODEL of some real world Bigger craft...car, boat, glider, airplane, helicopter what ever

I see a broad blurr in the notion of MODEL Aviation...some of you are dead set that the Model Aviation definition is strictly fixed wing...coming from an "in awe of Sikorsky's engineering" background..I find that a tad narrow minded

Some few of us love, admire, and prefer total Nostalgia old school spark or diesel ignition craft built from stick and planks cut from WWII life raft balsa, adhered with rendered down toot brush cellulose or Horse hoofs, covered with hand woven worm spunk...thinking that: ANY thing; with nylon, polyester, or carbon fiber, stuck together with a high tech Poly something  glue is an Abomination


But dear gents I do get it.... AMA has hitched to the wrong horse ---if only from the perspective that MODEL BUILDING is certainly no longer main stream--- and in the long haul that is NOT good for USA future engineers, tinkerers, and innovators

I can absolutely trace a LOT of my employment success to the early lessons my Dad and the Modelling community taught me ---and more importantly the curiosity that was sparked to learn HOW THINGS Work and WHY

Years ago I would donned an Asbestos suit...today I know better... and the Kevlar and Nomex flight suit is zipped up awaiting your wrath

[Steve Scott]

If it wasn't for ARF's, Drones, and Cars, my LHS would not be in business.

Owned by really nice people who I would like to see stay in business.

CB

Jay Smith, chief editor of MA, had a telling article in this issue about the general demise of the industry.  Many LHS have gone by the wayside, fewer and fewer vendors are frequenting the trade shows, events are down as is attendance.  Even the glow engine manufacturers are trimming their product lines as electrics dominate more and more.

I've always tried to support my LHS but they never seem to have the prop I need that day in stock.  There is a small shelf of dope which has dated labels from 8 or 9 years ago and lids caked with dust.  CL is becoming a specialized SIG where you have to order everything from the few cottage manufacturers who bother to build the stuff.  The kids at the LHS are stunned to learn people still fly CL.

Even RC, I haven't seen a kit stocked at a LHS in years.  Everything is ARF.  You can't build and cover a kit for what you can get an ARF for nowadays.

I'm also guilty as the RC foam micros with stability gyros are actually a hoot to fly.  Fortunately, I'm not into quads yet.

There is still plenty of innovation taking place.  Go to www.flitetest.com and see what these 'kids' are doing with cheap foam board, hot glue and razor knives.  Utterly amazing.