ORIGINAL: carwood444
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Just to let you know I am not dogging you for your opinion. But the total split of R/C as one group and CL+FF as another group, can not be 50/50. It is probably more like 90% R/C and 10% CL+FF. My point to this is as I stated earlier, when was the last time you opened up any other Flying Type magazine and saw this much coverage of these two area's of flying on a continual basis. I don't want to demean the people that fly CL or FF, I think it is great they enjoy this part of the hobby.
My point to all this is not running down MA or the AMA. My point is that the AMA is stuck in some kind of time warp. They are living in the past and in order for the AMA to survive the AMA needs to change with the times. I was hoping that someone might pick up on the point I was trying to get across. The way these people that publish the AMA magazine proves the point. I don't care about how many advertisements are in the magazine, count the numbers of ad's for CL and FF and then count the number of ads for R/C.
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Carwood, I'm betting you are not in a timewarp, and like the vast majority of RCers, you never know when you receive an election ballot from AMA, and if you did, you would not do anything with it other than the nearest trash can. Those CL and FF modelers, being in a time-warp, if there was some way to observe such, I would bet that 85-90% of them not only know when the ballot arrives, but they know how to mark said ballot, plus where to send said ballot to keep the people that keep that magazine publishing articles for CLers and FFers and keep that magazine being mostly paid for by RCers.
Some years ago it was audited that nearly 90% of the non-RC fliers voted in AMA elections. Less than 10% of RCers voted in AMA elections. If we were to meet at some big RC event, I would bet you a case of MY favorite drinking whiskey (Gentleman-Jack or Maker's Mark) that we could go forth and ask any number of RC fliers three questions: 1. Are you an AMA member? Most would know the correct answer to that one. Then #2 What is your AMA Number? and #3 Who is your resident AMA District Vice President? If more than 5 out of any 100 members, asked questions # 2 and 3, could correctly answer both questions, I would buy you a case of YOUR favorite DW.
So my point is that the CL/FF community knows what is happening. Those that make things happen take care of those that take care of them. RCers are of the newer generation and expect things to be provided for them. Hey, I raised 3 kids now approaching their fifties, with teen/grown kids of their own. None have ever wanted. I had to make my own way since age 14. Mine and theirs always have had the milk in the refrig. Unfortunately far too many expect others to pave the way and make things right all the time. If you want changes get involved.
If you want things changed, it's time you make some changes and become interested in the operation. OTOH, if AMA doesn't give the CL/FF some attention, just who will? Both of the disciplines are wonderful works of the true arists and craftsmen. Comparing the skill required to wallow a foamie around the sky as compared to the CL stunt pattern is like comparing a walk along the sidewalk to a runner jumping hurdles. The FF doesn't have to fill these forums with, "Where's my CG?" and "What size prop.?" He finds it out or just knows.
AMA stands for Academy of MODEL AERONAUTICS, not just RC. We're all here together.