porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

Who knows anymore. I doubt the feelings will fade, it's been pretty strong in one direction for at least 10 years, even more so the past few after not being "heard" by the AMA.

porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

Here is the FB page for Laurence Tougas, who announced in May that he would be running. His opinion on MR/Drones is quite clear, as is his discussion about "traditional" modeling. I would have thought that would be enough for the "Traditional" modelers to throw their vote to him, but I guess not. Not much in terms of specific actions he will take in dealing with the most important issue of the times, dealing with the feds. Just more generic "i'll look at the plan" and see what needs to get done. Hello...you've been a District VP for how many years now....if anyone knows what's been going on it's YOU! I like that he plays up the fact that he visits club and actively flies, big marks off for commenting that he is the only one flying each week. A bizzare tidbit that's unable to be validated, and sorta presumptuous.

He seems to fit all of the criteria for the job. I might not agree with everything he says, but kudos for his service to date, and even more so for wanting to assume more responsibility.

https://www.facebook.com/tougas4pres...30956167085721

cj_rumley

What a surprise! The GOBs need somebody to fill the 3rd slot in the nominating committee quota to keep Tiano off the ballot.

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

This has been discussed publicly so I don't think I'm releasing anything out of turn.

The candidates on the ballot for AMA president are

Eric Williams - District II Vice President
Lawrence Tougas - District X Vice President
Rich Hanson - Government Affairs consultant

Tepid Pilot

Thank you for the civilized response.

TP
AMA 59376

porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

What a shocker, you don't agree with something the EC did!

I've yet to hear from those complaining (yet again) how or why someone on the EC shouldn't be able to put their hand in the air and run for office. Who exactly should be on the nominating committee. Should anyone be able to run, unlimited candidates? The usual complaints, after the fact, but no useful suggestions or alternatives presented.

TimJ

Please don't ask me to comment on this.

TimJ

A reason was never given. Which I find odd considering that Frank qualified in the past to run for AMA President, of which Frank ultimately lost.

porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

I knew enough NOT to!

jetmaven

Thanks Barracuda , were I to vote today it would be for Rich Hanson , the Government affairs guy .
We don't anyone sitting in the Presidents seat with an ill temper, or a short fuse .
Most of the time an " establishment " person will do just fine .

cj_rumley

Roger that, and WILCO.

Just a somewhat related anecdotal event comes to mind.....
While running for D-X Laurence was the subject of a demeaning, protracted anti-campaign in this very forum, similar to what is currently been directed at Frank T. by a (very) small minority. As you well know, he won the election.
Deja vu

porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

Truth hurts sometimes...facts are facts. Folks can bury their heads in the sand and stick their fingers in their ears, it doesn't negate what is there for the reading. You'll note the "very" small minority hasn't started attacking those ardent Tiano defenders. It's all about getting the information out there for all to see.

Sure would clear a lot of questions up to hear from the candidates though...not their proxies via a whisper/grassroots campaign. I'll be asking all of them the same questions. I'd rather have all the info at my disposal rather than pick someone on one simple issue.

porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

I've often said, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Did you vote for Tougas at the and help secure his victory. He certainly has a very anti-drone platform already.

porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/ama-...ml#post9049091

Interesting discussion from 7 years ago.

rcmiket

Anyone know just what happened and why Franks not on the ballot? I've contacted Harville looking for more info on what transpired and am awaiting a response.

Mike

cj_rumley

Yes, I did vote for Tougas. I liked the other guy also, so it was a toss up.

I'm not going to vote against anyone in this race. I will be doing that when I vote for POTUS.

Hanson is the obvious choice of the GOB's, but I won't hold that against him, I think he's a good man. It's pro forma to have others on the ballot, pseudo democracy and all that, so they had to name some also-rans as well.

rcmiket

Interesting, this is from Tougas's FB page (a re post from Tim J. I'm posting it due to the fact that I along with others have been saying just this since we ( the AMA) started chasing the "droners" thinking we would get a influx of new members. According to him it ain't happening.
Now is it fact or just BS to get the "traditional modeler" vote?

"Since an MRM pilot doesn’t need flight instruction and they can be flown from a small area there is no incentive to join a local club or the AMA. This is reflected in our membership numbers. Less than 10% of our members list MRM or First Person View (FPV) as their interest. Most of the current MRM and FPV pilots that are AMA members are traditional modelers who have expanded into these areas not new recruits to our fold. So if we are not seeing a large increase in membership in these areas then why is the AMA chasing people who have clearly spoken that the AMA is not for them? Like most important questions it’s a complex issue. The original decision to market to MRM and FPV modelers was made with the best intentions. The thought was the AMA would have a new stream of members to fund all of our membership programs such as flying site assistance grants, education scholarships, political outreach, etc. Now we have a much better understanding of the market and it shows that it is time to reassess our plan. Elect me and I will conduct a review of our plan and work with the Executive Council to make the needed changes."

Mike

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

Yep that is basically it.....all good intentions



"Park Pilot Program" redux

porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

That election seemed incredibly close! At least from the thread, Tougas handled himself well, answered the questions as best he could, and equally as important was dignified in noting what the outcome was, a real class act. Goes to show too how nothing is ever written in stone and if he had gone off the deep end with complaints and conspiracy theories it might have come back to haunt him this time around.

porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

I would say it's a bit of both actually. Actually the closer it's read,the closer it looks and smells like pure BS, a blatant play really for the "traditional" folks. His use of the stat that "less than 10% list MR as their interest" is pretty vague, but lets take that number at face value and apply it to the membership numbers. 180,000 by 10%....18,000...knock of 2,000 just because, and your at 16,000 people. His own stat....16,000. Oh, and lets not forget the whole percentage of people who respond to surveys in the first place right? 5%, maybe 10%.

So on one hand he says about 16,000 list MR as their interest....but goes right on to say "so we are not seeing a large increase in membership in this area...." Err...wait, wha? Which is it, one or the other. we already know about 700 joined just this year along with the Best Buy program. That seems to have been left out of his discussion.

And oh, both he and Tiano have given vague general answers as to what they will do, sort of like "we'll make us strong again, we'll build a wall, just don't ask how, believe me, we'll do it". Anyone who thinks anything they are going to do will change anything the FAA has already done is absolutely insane. There is no turning back the clock. There is no do over. Whats done is done, and what's been done isn't that big of a deal (registration). Reassess our plan...really, like how? Specifically. And how ill this right the ship?

And oh, let's not forget the position isn't a dictatorship...he'll have to work with ALL of the EC members.

porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

If only all the attention and programs could be directed to guys who build 10 and $15,000 airplanes. Serious, well intentioned traditional modelers.

mongo

My Feedback: (15)

damn, i was hopeful that there would be at least one running i could believe was actually qualified to be president. gonna be another case of hold the nose and vote for the least offensive one on/or off the ballot.

init4fun

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mongo

My Feedback: (15)

a decade or 2 ago, Horace Cain won a write in campaign for DVP, course he was the incumbent in that election as well.

init4fun

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