NOT in reply to STL The RCU default just keeps thinking in error! Must be AMA EC controlled.

In reality, for all you guys that want the NATS to move around the country: WOW, I just really know that you are going to assist with both labor and $$$$$$ to assist in those logistics. SURE YOU ARE!

How many of you compete in events that are held at the NATs? Do you think any modeler other than hard-core competitors really give a shot about the typical NATs event? How many of you ever watch Pattern flying. Wow, two flights and its NAP time. Would you understand the objective of a Free Flight event? Do you think anyone outside the FF community would do so? Would you consider an Outdoor hand-Launch Glider a work of pure art or just a kid's toy? How much do you think you would enjoy watching CL Combat, carrier, stunt, scale racing, etc.? Maybe 2 minutes or such? Same goes for John Q. Public. The NATs is NOT a show.

The NATs is pure competition and as such its beauty lies within the eyes of the beholders, the contestants. It needs to be conducted where the artists can properly paint their picture under the watchful eye of true appreciators, those that volunteer their time, their $$$ and their labor to GO TO MUNCIE to make themselves available administrators for the love of sport.


Modeling is cheaper today than anyone could ever imagine just 15 years ago. What is not inexpensive is the modeler's "WANTS". You want more and more and have to have the latest of every fad. I have about a 100 kits, all because I "WANTED" them, not because i will live long enough to build them. I buy things I like, and might "need" sometime in the future, same as you, NorfolkSouthern and not because what I already have cannot be used instead. We all do to some extent.

I went to a "Fly-In" today. I took 5 airplanes and flew 4 one time each and talked and talked and had a lot of fun. "Lil Tony" never got up. Each of my Club 40 Racers got a turn. My gas-burning old World Engines Robin 80 had a good workout. Likewise my 3 channel 96" Guff, old timer -- rendition of the original RC model -- with its old Como 61 brought out considerable interest because so few had any clue as to what it was and what it stood for other than Big, Red, and Ugly! How many of you folks would show up at some place around many strangers and drag out such models??? Hey I was flying all 72mhz. The 2.4 GHz stayed at home. [X(] Nope, you have to have those new shinny ARFs, and things of the latest fad. That is where the costs really happen.

Now what AMA needs is a learned membership, a membership that will not tolerate the status quo and a membership that will demand -- by looking into the mirror and stating -- "YOU, shaving buddy, will be certain that NO AMA Officer from my AMA District will ever again run UNOPPOSED!" In other words, YOU will stand up and do something about the complacency that you allow to continue.

Yes, IMO AMA does drastically need something. AMA needs a pro-active membership that can see beyond arm's length and will stand up and say, "I can do better than you, Mr. DVP, EVP, etc, in running this organization and By Golly, I will show you so."

Now, how many of you can look in the mirror and say, "Yep, shaving buddy, you and I can DO this so let the games began, NOW!"

I'll be watching next year. [sm=49_49.gif]