ORIGINAL: P-51B
ORIGINAL: jonkoppisch
I wonder if this would be as big a problem if the ama headquarters was still in reston?
It may have still been a problem, but there would have been three large advantages.
1. They (the leadership) would be more in-tune with the realities of land availability for flying.
2. They could more effectively lobby on a national level.
3. They would still own the land and have a flying site where there are other things to do for the family...oh, and if they sold that land now, they could by 6 or 7 completly furnished Muncie sites.
1. The only way anyone can be in tune with available land is to tour the countryside. That "land available" changes and sometimes waits for years then changes very rapidly. 11 years ago I bought a 100 acre tract for 2500 dollars per acre cash. (I sold Jetero RC Club 30 acres at same price and hold mortgage so we could fly). 20 months ago the 70 acres was professionally appraised at $3100 per acre. Now I am selling a few acres for $5000 per acre and was planning to sell more until 6 acres across the road sold for $10,000 per acre. I had a conversation with a real professional in the area. He told me of a plan for 7,500 homes just a couple miles away within the next five years. I'm now back in the "hold" mode.
2. AMA ,as now organized cannot officially "Lobby" as a non profit. They can present their case, but cannot "lobby":
>>>: to conduct activities aimed at influencing public officials and especially members of a legislative body on legislation
transitive senses 1 : to promote (as a project) or secure the passage of (as legislation) by influencing public officials
2 : to attempt to influence or sway (as a public official) toward a desired action <<<<<
3.Unfortunately, AMA was not on the wave's crest when they sold the
office building in Reston, nor did they have the best of advice. They sold at a loss.
There was no flying site associated with the AMA Headquarters in Reston. Just an office building.
Gentlemen: I beg of you, Please do not place yourself in Fantasy Land. Considering that the average RCer cannot understand having to pay $50 club dues and/or $58 AMA due, one must remember that as a group RCers act like paupers until they see some model, some engine, some radio or group of each or case of goodies they don't need, whereas they suddenly strike the mother-lode and will sell the homestead to buy whatever they want.
In any case we can evidence in this AMA forum, as well as our association with others around the modelers that we associate with, that there is no way in this lifetime, definitely mine, and I'm betting yours, that AMA will ever be a large landowner able to own land for flying facilities throughout the nation to any degree, especially within range of YOUR place.
It isn.t feasable, it isn't within the economics, and it 'ain't gonna' happen. One of the first methods to get something accomplished is to recognize one's capability. The model aviation community simply does NOT have such capability.