Good question. To JPO's credit, they HAVE elevated the AMA EC's awareness level on a bunch of issues relevant to turbine-powered jet modeling. In particular we (JPO) get high marks for raising the level of consciousness on safety issues and what it takes to bring new or novice level enthusiasts on board in a structured manner. But, with respect to your question, some well-deserved chest pounding (like, what we've done lately) would be helpful if it appeared on the JPO website.

Deserved or not, the knock against JPO *used to be* that it was just a bunch of good ol' boys who liked to get together and tell each other how cool they and their jets are. That is certainly not the case as the JPO, most recently and notably under Steven Ellzey's leadership, has come a long way to not only encourage input on a variety of jet-related matters, but they developed the organizational maturity to actual lead a balanced, consensus-focused outcome.

The membership numbers - no matter what they are - is by no means an indicator of JPO's effectiveness with the AMA - quite the contrary. For most of us, the challenge we face is educating our respective AMA district VPs as most seem to be ill-informed, if not clueless, when it comes to jet-related issues and challenges. Some are just not inclined to be informed about anything as they've formed their "reality profiles" long ago... [sm=drowning.gif] The other challenge we face is the AMA Safety Cmte as they seem to be the single face to the EC - special interest group inputs be damned - on several matters, several of which involve jets.

I say join up! What's a few bucks? If nothing else it gives you bragging rights and a VFR direct path to an organization that really wants to make a positive difference.

Mike
JPO 1329 (and former JPO VP)