Originally Posted by
RickVB
Put this here since IMAA is (or was) an AMA special interest group.
Just received the following email from IMAA District VII Director Lloyd H. Swanson. The contents were a complete shock to me, as I knew that we had membership issues, but had no idea things were this bad. HighFlight has been my favorite hobby magazine since the demise of R/C Report; now where will I get all my (printed) Dick Pettit reviews?
Yes, IMAA is a goner. I joined IMAA sometimes around back 1986 or so. I liked the way they did things back then, especially that events were for relatively
large (for those days) models. Unfortunately some of AMA fellows did not like such, especially some hierarchy types. Then the IMAA people seemed to simply
forget AMA and set up their own Sanction procedures. Then comes the superior brains that allowed regular AMA events sanction for same such events in
the same area. IMAA would not be sure to keep their events off the AMA slots. IMAA was very -- IMO -- much less than sharp in this process because after really
setting up for a nice event the local AMA clubs reaped the whirlwind, therefore the IMAA group had very little turnout. BTDT
The IMMA officials were so much afraid they would lose the AMA insurance so AMA had IMAA by the round things!! As time passed, IMAA attendance fell by the wayside.
The average modeler is cheap when it comes to dues money, club dues, etc. but will throw away his last $$ for the very latest new item being sold.
AMA had IMAA by the backside, and IMAA Leaders were/are far too stubborn to see the easy way to get around it. Average modeler doesn't really care, he/she just wants to fly his/her latest masterpiece. AMA had the cannon, and IMAA stayed with their slingshot. So surprised that IMAA has lasted this long!
