@ptulmer: Yah, I don't mean to restart the "what makes a modeler" debate. This is just echoing Dave Brown's comments from the June and July MA issues. Some seem to be choosey about who to accept. I've been constantly trying to get other people into the sport. Some I'm successful with, some I'm not. I got 4 into the hobby so far. 2 of them won't join AMA...yet...[] Give me some time on those two. I do confess that it's a very small percentage of modelers who would turn away a flier just because they have a foamie. Most of us are always eager to welcome them...then get them hooked on some 4-channel, over-powered goodies!

The 2mil insurance is to cover liability in this sue-happy country. A football in the eye could cost as much if the lawyers are good (and evil). RC Modeling suffers because the people in the seats of power can't relate to it or understand it sufficiently. Almost everyone remembers playing ball and surviving it, so it is familiar and safe-sounding. WHo would want to ban their own favorite past-time. We got an uphill battle on our hands!

The other headache is that most extracurricular activities at schools survive on donations, now. AMA is not overflowing with cash, and there are few corporations who would benefit from an RC program. Lockheed an Boeing are the best I can think of. Lockheed has been good in the past to the Cal Poly Mustang Flyers, but I rarely hear of handouts from Boeing.

The Slo Flyers in San Luis Obispo work with the local Community College that their field is located next to. They put on regular Air Shows and provide a student discount. I believe they might still be running a training program with a club-provided trainer for visiting students to sample some buddy-box flying. I noticed their club had a lower average age as a result. Some food for thought. However, they are pretty much doing all the work. There is still no official school program save for the occasional air show on the school grounds. []

I know little about appeasing the City Council, and even less about starting a program in a school. It's something I'm going to have to read into before I can suggest any workable solution to this problem.