Are we as hobbyist UAS users in the clear for now? can we jump for joy? or to soon?
07-13-2016, 07:40 PM
#226
07-13-2016, 07:51 PM
#227
So then, why does the ALPA want the data they asked for?
07-13-2016, 07:55 PM
#228
I agree. I don't think the FAA will EVER mandate membership as a condition of compliance with any part of PL112-95 Section 336 / 14 CFR 101. To do so would be the legal equivalent of requiring membership in AOPA to fly part 61. AMA is trying to lead folks to believe that membership is required, but until I hear it from FAA, it's just wishful thinking on the AMA's part.
I agree, and I did see the video the AMA put out a week or so ago where in the video the statement was made you have to be a AMA member to operate under their programming.
07-13-2016, 08:02 PM
#229
07-13-2016, 08:18 PM
#230
07-13-2016, 08:38 PM
#231
07-13-2016, 09:04 PM
#232
Why is the ALPA concerned about reliability if:
07-14-2016, 03:31 AM
#234
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: El Paso,
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IMO, there's a couple dynamics that are in play with respect to membership, and it will take a few years to pan out before a trend emerges.
Aging membership - While the AMA has been touting the number of youth memberships, it remains to be seen how many of these will remain members over time, or if they will move on to the next techno fad.
Club membership - Dave Scott said in MA that there's been a 15-year decline in club membership. Fewer members means higher costs per member (on top of inflation). Will this result in fewer club fields? If so, does it not start a death spiral of sorts as people find other places to fly or, like me, just choose to fly things that don't require a club field sized area? If you want to pay for the camaraderie? Fine, but not everyone places the same level of value on that.
MRs - Given they can be flown just about anywhere, including indoors in vacant warehouses, there may be less demand for club fields.
I do know that at least in my area, youngsters are not "joining types." They're "grazers." Maybe it's the generation with rapid access to ever changing stimuli. Time will tell.
Aging membership - While the AMA has been touting the number of youth memberships, it remains to be seen how many of these will remain members over time, or if they will move on to the next techno fad.
Club membership - Dave Scott said in MA that there's been a 15-year decline in club membership. Fewer members means higher costs per member (on top of inflation). Will this result in fewer club fields? If so, does it not start a death spiral of sorts as people find other places to fly or, like me, just choose to fly things that don't require a club field sized area? If you want to pay for the camaraderie? Fine, but not everyone places the same level of value on that.
MRs - Given they can be flown just about anywhere, including indoors in vacant warehouses, there may be less demand for club fields.
I do know that at least in my area, youngsters are not "joining types." They're "grazers." Maybe it's the generation with rapid access to ever changing stimuli. Time will tell.
Mike
07-14-2016, 05:50 AM
#236
Kids in the neighborhood have stopped by when I've been flying in the park. While I can't give the controls to the helo, I generally have a FW that I can let them fly. They've all enjoyed it, but not one of them nor their parents have ever contacted me about doing more of it.
Now, a couple guys at work are starting to mess with MRs. But, they're all my age or older, not interested in joining AMA (honestly, I've asked), and are mostly just flying around their homes and cabins for photos.
So, could mentoring solve the problem? I'm in specific cases, maybe. But on a widespread level sufficient to change the AMA's/ club's aging demographic / declining membership challenge? - No.
07-14-2016, 05:56 AM
#237
Chad Budreau of AMA at this link: http://www.modelaircraft.org/aboutama/gov.aspx
Beginning at about 35 seconds, he makes the following explicit statement: "We've made it clear, that to operate within our safety program, you must join the AMA and affirm your willingness to comply with our safety code and related safety guidelines. [emphasis added]"
07-14-2016, 06:02 AM
#238
Franklin's comment says nothing about encouraging. As usual, the comments have nefarious overtones:
"...AMA is trying to lead folks to believe that membership is required..."
I just see it as an outright lie. It comes as no surprise that there is no evidence to support this, that's the standard with something like this.
A lie is a lie, is a lie.
"...AMA is trying to lead folks to believe that membership is required..."
I just see it as an outright lie. It comes as no surprise that there is no evidence to support this, that's the standard with something like this.
A lie is a lie, is a lie.
And yet another quote - this time on video! Chad Budreau of AMA at this link: http://www.modelaircraft.org/aboutama/gov.aspx . Beginning at about 35 seconds, he makes the following explicit statement:
"We've made it clear, that to operate within our safety program, you must join the AMA and affirm your willingness to comply with our safety code and related safety guidelines. [emphasis added]"
07-14-2016, 06:18 AM
#239
I don't see the AMA insisting that you must be a member to be flying under the CBO rules as a bad thing. But the important thing is, what does the FAA think about this? Have they ever said? Have they issued a violation or warning to some non member claiming to be flying under AMA rules?
07-14-2016, 06:23 AM
#240
Banned
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And yet another quote - this time on video! Chad Budreau of AMA at this link: http://www.modelaircraft.org/aboutama/gov.aspx . Beginning at about 35 seconds, he makes the following explicit statement:
"We've made it clear, that to operate within our safety program, you must join the AMA and affirm your willingness to comply with our safety code and related safety guidelines. [emphasis added]"
"We've made it clear, that to operate within our safety program, you must join the AMA and affirm your willingness to comply with our safety code and related safety guidelines. [emphasis added]"
07-14-2016, 06:40 AM
#241
It could be. I suppose that with enough mentoring, "even a blind squirrel will find a nut." But you can't "mentor" someone into enjoying something they fundamentally don't enjoy. I spent 20 years in military aviation, doing some pretty cool stuff. My kids have been around military and civilian aircraft since birth. All of my friends are or were military pilots. Yet not one of my kids has any interest in RC planes, cars, or boats. Baseball? Yes. Soccer? Yes. Computer programming? Yes. My middle son tried it for one summer, on a buddy box, but lost interest in favor of baseball.
Kids in the neighborhood have stopped by when I've been flying in the park. While I can't give the controls to the helo, I generally have a FW that I can let them fly. They've all enjoyed it, but not one of them nor their parents have ever contacted me about doing more of it.
Now, a couple guys at work are starting to mess with MRs. But, they're all my age or older, not interested in joining AMA (honestly, I've asked), and are mostly just flying around their homes and cabins for photos.
So, could mentoring solve the problem? I'm in specific cases, maybe. But on a widespread level sufficient to change the AMA's/ club's aging demographic / declining membership challenge? - No.
Kids in the neighborhood have stopped by when I've been flying in the park. While I can't give the controls to the helo, I generally have a FW that I can let them fly. They've all enjoyed it, but not one of them nor their parents have ever contacted me about doing more of it.
Now, a couple guys at work are starting to mess with MRs. But, they're all my age or older, not interested in joining AMA (honestly, I've asked), and are mostly just flying around their homes and cabins for photos.
So, could mentoring solve the problem? I'm in specific cases, maybe. But on a widespread level sufficient to change the AMA's/ club's aging demographic / declining membership challenge? - No.
Many social clubs are facing tough challenges in today's economy so this is nothing unique to the AMA. Kudos to the AMA for their free youth membership program. An unequal age distribution among membership is not something that's easily fixed overnight. I shouldn't have to explain that to you, but I realize you're going to seize the opportunity to capitalize on it every opportunity you get. You've gotten more mileage out that Dave Scott article than all other AMA members combined.
07-14-2016, 07:26 AM
#245
Simply amazing the lengths some will go to deny the AMA wants a captive membership
07-14-2016, 07:30 AM
#246
07-14-2016, 07:53 AM
#248
Did you offer them one of your Kool-Aid intolerance shaming drinks with a nice little squelch umbrella, shaken, not stirred, just the way you like it?
07-14-2016, 07:57 AM
#249