ORIGINAL: apwachholz

All -

I appreciate the insight on many your behalf surrounding the possibility of regulations begin sanctioned on our hobby community and the AMA regarding pending FAA rulings. It's given me a good perspective where some of us stand, how we see this affecting us, and most of all the passion that you all have for our hobby and its future.

Unfortunately, I will be resigning any further comments on this particular thread following a final post.

Please note: If you would care to contact me directly and share some of your thoughts, please email me through RCU and I'd be happy to get in touch with you directly via email or phone and share a conversation. I'd post my contact info on this thread however, that isn't the wisest of ideas online ('bots, spam, et.). Hit me up via my bio.

Have a safe and happy holiday everyone.

// Some closing comments to individuals: //

@phlpsfrnk
Actually I attempt to keep GA quite separate from the FAA as I know you are a body primarily represented by AOPA; of whom I'm also very familiar with. It's a great organization in my book and does a fine of job as any working with the states and federal governments to represent GA pilots in a fair manner.

As for my lack of posts on the AMA forum, RCU has more visible traction within our hobby and it seemed the logical place to gain the most insight from others.

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@jonkoppisch
I'm not asking for the worst to be unleashed on our hobby or the AMA. The reality is that we will have possible collateral damage done to our hobby with pending rulings. Or perhaps not… either way, I'm not out to destroy you or the hobby. This is why I wanted to pose the questions to you all. Please don't assume that fully support all the FAA has to say or rule. I'm trying to understand us as much as them - and to make the best possible decision based on the facts given.

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@littlecrankshaf
You don't have to support my opinion, but what I do ask is that you support the AMA and the building of our community. We can agree to disagree.

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@Hossfly
I am not compensated, nor am I claiming to be of high rank. Rather I'm an individual who was chosen by the AMA to participate in a group who's sole objective is to increase membership and community of the AMA; not to stifle its growth or its members. Horrace, I understand your point of view and your concerns but again, please don't assume that I'm a proponent of governmental 'control' over aero modeling. I'm not proposing control. If anything, at the least, I'm asking that we have an open mind and as an rc community be more open to working with the FAA and organizations like them.

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@CowboyLifesaver
Actually I'll talk to the FCC about my bedroom activities :-) Seriously though, I'm not looking for hard and fast regulations and lock down. But I do support some type of oversight.

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@Thomas B
Agreed. Unneeded regulations will be a detriment. But as far as I can tell, the rc aviation community can't seem to agree on anything other then complete free reign. Unless there is one unified voice (AMA) that we support (note that I said we support the AMA) we're going to be at the mercy of whatever is thrown our way. AOPA was created to try and stem the tides of this for GA. Do they succeed all the time? No. Does everyone agree with them? No. But they have a presence on Capitol Hill and more of a unified voice then we do. Why is it that we seem so separated from the very body that we need (AMA)?

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@eddieC
I don't fear the government. We only fear what we don't know and If I don't know something about the government, I try to find out. As for what rc has done to warrant scrutiny? It hasn't. But the stunts like the NYC vid over the Hudson and near the Statue of Liberty show that we're skirting the line to where we do warrant scrutiny.

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@aeronca52
I'll gladly go head-to-head with you on some of your thoughts. Actually, I think it would be good for both of us. Being a certified pilot it surprises me that you have such a distain for the FAA. I'm curious as to why. Email me through RCU when you get the chance, we should talk.