VPresley, Roby and CafeenMan (and anyone else)

I respectfully disagree that this forum and the crying and whining in it have no value. Let me give you three examples of the usefulness of this forum.

Hossfly (AKA Horrace Cain), in response to a thread, wrote a letter to the EC about the lack of coverage for paid instructors. Dave Brown appointed a committee to look into such coverage. Dave Mathewson was named committee chairman. Mathewson invited Horrace to become a member of the committee. This was close to a year ago. This last weekend the finishing touches were put on the coverage and the EC voted to extend such coverage to casual instructors. Would this have happened without this forum? Horrace certainly understood the process prior to his effort, but, did the input from the members of the forum spur him on? Only he can tell you.

ProfLooney felt there was a problem with 3D flying over the runway at sanctioned events and expressed his concerns here. He learned that he had the right to contact his VP and try to get the item on the agenda of the EC. He contacted Bill Oberdieck as a result of what he learned in this forum. Oberdieck placed the issue on the agenda and it is currently being looked at by the Safety Committee. I think ProfLooney will tell you that it was through this forum that he learned the process and got the input for his effort.

Gordo-Outlaw was upset with rule #9 and expressed his concerns here. Ultimately, he contacted his VP, Sandy Frank, and the item was placed on the agenda of the EC. This past weekend the item became a motion, was seconded and discussed. The EC decided that something should be done, but was not sure what. It sent the item to committee for recommendations. The agenda item was tabled so that it could go to committee. Would this have happened without this forum? Maybe. I am not sure if Gordo understood the process before being in this forum or not.

The above three items were certainly the object of crying and whining taking place in this forum. Several members of the AMA leadership do follow this forum. Sure, we meander sometimes, but, some good has come from all of it. These are just three high profile items that come to mind quickly. There are others.

JR