ORIGINAL: Bob Mitchell
ORIGINAL: Stickbuilder
Again, if the AMA has the PeePee program for the little (under 2 pound) slow (under 60 MPH) models, and they receive their own special magazine, why in Hell is the AMA still putting that crap in MA? Is this all that they know about and understand in Muncie? Is the Advisory Committee (read that Horizon and Hobbico) running the show now? Are the luntatics in charge of the Asylum? What in Hell is going on?
Bill, AMA 4720
Bottom Feeder Brother #1
Perhaps there are some Open members who are indeed interested in these things. One has even so posted here.
Do you really expect that MA is going to cover only the building of scale models from kits or scratch? We all know that is your primary interest, and your disdain for anything not built from sticks is well known. It's quite unrealistic for you to expect an organization which serves the interests of a very wide and widening range of interests to cater only to yours. My guess is that there is a large and growing contingent that may groan at the magazine when they see what they consider to be yet another boring and wasteful article about a kit/scratch build of a 25% scale Waco.
In another thread that has recently been brought back to the surface you ask "What's Happened to My AMA?", and I think that's really the crux of what you are saying in this thread as well. The AMA that you knew 40 years ago really doesn't exist anymore. It's grown and changed. Such is the nature of life. The PRIMARY focus is no longer on stickbuilt aircraft as it was several decades ago. That such still exists is without question, though, and IMO it remains the foundation of the hobby. But it's no longer the primary focus and I don't believe that it ever will be again.
To me, the great thing about AMA is the breadth of activities, skills, equipment and technology that it embraces. If one has an interest in any sort of aviation one can find something in AMA that will hold their interests. What I don't understand is why some can't find enjoyment in that part of the hobby and AMA that holds their interest, and at the same time recognize and embrace that others find THEIR enjoyment in something different. The latter doesn't diminish the former.
Umm Bob,
Nowhere have I ever asked that MA include my discipline within the covers of that rag. I really would not wish to see an article dedicated to any Scale model, since there is not and will not be enough space required to do justice to the build. It would actually be a waste of time, effort and paper, since there is only a small minority who would benefit therefrom.
What I have said, is that there is absolutely zero that the Editorial Staff of Model Aviation has to say that I wish to read. If I want to know what is going on within a particular District, then I can ask a friend who resides within the confines of that District, and get a better overview than from what is submitted by the several DVP's. Heck, normally, I can find out more of what's going on within my District by reading the report from District II than from what my DVP has to say. Don't know why, but that's the way it's been for years. Before we got the one that we have now, we had Mr. I. Attended. Sorry for having to say that, but it's the unvarnished truth.
To repeat what I have said all along, I don't want the magazine. I don't want a discounted membership. I'll happily pay the full price, and never ask what's going on the MA. What could be simpler than that?
You can read whatever you wish into it, but again, you are wrong. It's not because they don't lean toward scale, but it is because they lean so far toward electrics, and foam airplanes. If you want to read all about how to make a geeky little nerd airplane go ahead. I'll pass.
Bill, AMA 4720
Bottom Feeder Brother #1