We have a visibility problem in our hobby. Our lack of good visibility and acceptance is costing us flying sites all across the country, both in denied and lost sites. Some mistakenly think that the solution lies at the national level. While the AMA must be involved with parts of the solution, the problem is that the national visibility does not convert into LOCAL action. This means that the AMA should have a program that provides clubs effective guidance in creating their public image. This is a lot more complex than it appears on the surface.

I was speaking to someone a while ago and mention was made of the various programs already in place to present model aviation and the AMA to school students. That is not an image building activity as much as it does create a level of acceptance of us and our activities at the table of education. Unfortunately those folks are normally not heavily involved in the decision making process about land use. In another thread ScottRC explained that his club had a member who was also in the local government group they 'invited' to accompany them to a school presentation. That comment clearly demonstrates the failure of all our school programs to raise our visibility in the eyes of the local decision makers.

So what does this mean? We have been missing the boat for some time now and that needs to be changed. The local politician only wants to be involved (seen as supporting, helping, or encouraging) activities that impact LOCAL people who are better known as constitutions or potential voters. Since the school efforts are rarely if ever seen on the evening news, we must find a better way. This is what WE need to do as a local club. The AMA cannot do it for us and all the national efforts will not earn a single vote for the local politician.

What is the concept? Simple, get your club identified as good folks by the general public. The best way to do that is clearly to get air time from friendly T.V. folks, and they ALREADY are on board because WE are a good story they can push. All that we need to do is make sure that we do as many things to accomplish that task as possible. The media has repeatedly given us the 'platform' we need to capitalize on it.

When the local club decides to try to 'penetrate' this 'market' there should be some guidance available from AMA. You know, little things like pointing out that Jerry's Kids is a good charity but it rarely does it have the same impact on local government officials as helping local charities or needy folks. LOCAL orphanages, battered women's and children's shelters or other LOCAL high visibility 'targets' have much better impact on the club's future flying site situation than all the monies donated to faceless national groups. Other things the AMA can do to improve the local club's penetration of the media (news) market is to protect events that may be non-competitive but generate high profile views of the hobby. Collecting and making available 'cook book' approaches is another start that the AMA can and should do for us. How many newer members have any idea of what all is involved in hosting and 'marketing' and event? These issues and others are among what I feel the AMA needs to take on to insure the future of the hobby.

Well over a decade ago several people in my club were discussing problems we were having finding a new flying field. The number one problem was that NOBODY ever heard of us or what we do. We concluded that something in our approach needed to change. I found a local Christmas charity and we began to work with them. In the last 11 years my club has gotten well over 2 hours coverage on the local television station in a fairly large market from this one event. We became well enough known that the local Fox affiliate spent some time getting instruction on camera that was seen AND REMEMBERED by many. I know because I was the instructor and someone at my church saw the news program and commented on it to me. Has all this helped my club? YES! Our newest field was 'given' to us partly because the landlord directly supports the charity we have worked for.

These are the things I have spoken to before. They have not changed.