I'm not exactly sure what you are implying. If you are implying that I'm some kid living in my mom's basement well, you couldn't be more wrong.

However, to give you the benefit of the doubt, I simply have no interest in living in Muncie, Indiana. I'm currently living in the midwest and have no real use for it. But if the job could be managed remotely (and I see no reason why not), then I might be game.

R_Strowe

Guys, you're forgetting one thing. The Congress that existed during the time of the "Taylor cases' doesn't exist now. The one that exists now won't exist in a few months. Before we start lamenting the end of the aviation hobby, let's wait until after the upcoming election and take our case to those elected for the next session. The way I see it, going after "lame duck" legislators would be a waste of time and effort so we need to take the next few months to get a plan together and be ready to take it "to the house" as soon as we know who's going to be "representing us"

^^^This^^^

R_Strowe

Does that mean you agree?

You guys must have amnesia. We are just waiting on the NPRM from last December for the FAA to issue a final rule. Litigation is over.

. Yep. A new Congress may, MAY give us a chance. And I think we both agree that although the FAA is the current whipping boy, the real way to fight this is through Congress. And a change of power would be the first opportunity to make that change happen, if possible.

R_Strowe

And the FAA dragged it's ass for basically 2 years to actually write the NPRM. And now have spent the last year debating it and figuring out how to implement it without being strung up by the modeling community at large.

The whole NPRM process is about registering our displeasure with the current process, but the reality of it is that the FAA is carrying out the laws as passed by Congress, who were lobbied by DHS, DOD and DOJ (which are branches of the administration). Having a new Congress in place would give changing the laws a chance, since they are the only party that can do so, as well as maybe (and it's a BIG maybe) be a little more beholden to their constituents.

No guarantees, though. But voting for representatives who actually have a record of listening to the voters would be a good start.

R_Strowe

Not necessarily, Echo. Everything done by Congress, State Legislations, county and city councils can be overturned by a majority vote. Once the newly elected legislators are known, it's a matter of trying to convince them about who and what are the threat to the national air space. If we can do that, they might be able to change the law with the next authorization bill

A final rule outlined in the NPRM last December is about to be issued by the FAA. Comments are over.
This is the culmination of a years-long legal process and several laws passed by Congress.

All I'm hearing otherwise is wishful thinking. Any names of legislators you've contacted who are on board
with the revolution? Staffers? Anybody?

I will be contacting Washington State's Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray in the near future though, with all of the House of Representatives being up for re-election in November, I won't be worrying about contacting anyone there until probably December

I’ve already been in contact with Sens. Duckworth and Durbin, and am working to arrange a time to meet and discuss (as well as demonstrate) what our hobby is actually all about, as well as show the damage this is doing. It’s difficult right now, as there are some more pressing issues presently, but I’m refusing to give up. I’m also working with others to take over when my family and I move.

I will be the first to admit, I’m a stubborn mot#*$ f@*#&r. I do NOT believe in defeat.

R_Strowe

I guess I may need to finish some Kadets I've moved to the back burners after all. I hadn't thought about doing a demo but that might not be a bad idea. Maybe I could have Astro join me for that since he's been flying and I haven't

That is exactly the type of thing we need. Just getting one’s hands on a transmitter isofter all that’s needed. I’ve ordered a Great Planes PT60, and will build it as an electric, for just this purpose. Probably won’t build it until after the move, but again, whatever it takes.

If you can arrange something let me know. If I’m in Seattle at the time I’ll try and join you for it.

R_Strowe

Careful, I may hold you to that

That's his problem. But I'd be shocked if bonuses etc. isn't tied to increasing membership. With paying membership increases come increased revenue. I have to wonder if he received a bonus (paid by us remember) in 2019, despite cratering membership revenue. "And the survey says....?????"

And when you're not increasing revenue, you have to significantly decrease spending ... unless of course you have a magic money tree growing somewhere in Muncie. And since we've not heard of it, I suspect it doesn't exist.

Capitalism 101 : Provide goods and/or services that people WANT to buy, at a price that is less than what they perceive to be the value of those goods and/or services. And the membership revenue shows, AMA has yet to figure out how to do that ... despite the EC all being "...pretty smart..." (as described by former AMA EVP).

The beauty of their current approach, continue to do more of the same and hope for a different result, will be self correcting eventually. When they run out of investments to liquidate (something fast approaching), they will then either have to get serious about cuts, start selling land/property, or try something different and create actual value people want to buy (see above).

That's a pretty bold statement Hydro! LOL I don't think I claimed that I have been flying lately......In fact, I haven't flown this year at all! Mostly a "perfect storm" of kids, Covid, new job, new interests (and, quite frankly, a little bit of malaise regarding RC due to recent happenings and attitudes).

At any rate, I would be happy to help give a demo with you. Although it is not really centrally located to, well, anywhere, I can make sure my field is available for a demo. if needed.

Astro

I wish you guys the best of luck with that venture. I have been trying to provide a demonstration to Oregon senator Jeff Markley for about a year now. Send a reminder email monthly. So far after the initial contact neither he nor his staff have contacted me other then spam emails. Hopefully you can be more persuasive.

Who knows, maybe we could start a movement. Imagine hundreds of members contacting government officials offering to give hands-on demonstrations. Really stress the educational aspects and how therapeutic flying RC airplanes are. How do you feel after every successful flying session? It's like a runner's high. Send them videos of your club's flying sessions and mostly with kids flying. Get the kids off of their mind numbing video games and out in the open air, should be our message. Government officials also have kids. S.T.E.M.

I honestly believe that the FAA does not give a fat rat's @$$ about the modeling community. They clearly do not understand us and look at the world though drone colored glasses.

And the FAA has a poor track record when it comes to changing a NPRM based on comments. Sure, it happens, but by in large most final rules look more like the original NPRM than not. I am not optimistic this case will be any different.

Legislation on RC flying has ended. It is all administrative now and whatever the FAA hands down.

HUH????? Isn't that what the AMA has been doing all along attempting to get congress and the courts to force the FAA"s hand???? How do you expect any different results. The only course that I can see working is the AMA going hat in hand to the FAA and ask for an exemption for AMA members only as its the only group that they hold sway over.

That isn't an option. The scheme coming is called FRIAs, FAA-Recognized Identification Areas. AMA fields will have to apply with the FAA
for approval. Once accepted, model aircraft at those sites will be allowed to operate without remote ID, so it is an exemption of sorts. Flying
RC anywhere else will be illegal (without remote ID). The FAA has stated that they expect to reject 10%, or about 240 flying fields.

Now can you see why not advocating a hobby-wide exemption for a certain weight of model aircraft means suicide for the AMA? In addition,
fields not accepted or those rejected in the future cannot be replaced.

The AMA has lost credibility with the FAA and Congress. Once that happens, it is nearly impossible to get it back. That is even more the case when the legal team and management is still the same as when said credibility is lost. I never said to go for an end run around the FAA but, rather, I said to go to our local, state and federal elected officials and see what we could work out AND THEN TAKE THAT TO THE FAA, starting at the local level and working up to the federal level as well. IF you don't get the support of all involved, you're never going to get change, it's that simple. You also didn't see me make any comment about taking anything to court as that would have no effect on the FAA(as we've already seen with the four court cases that were already filed and played out) other than line the lawyer's pockets with our hard earned money
The AMA tried to bring multirotors into the fold, claiming they were model aircraft, only to have people cause serious problems with full sized aircraft, videoing inside private homes and apartments, etc. Why did they do so? GREED!!!!!! They were trying to tap into the multirotor crowd to generate more money for pet projects and to bolster a sagging profit margin. We all know how this played out, those flying them wanted nothing to do with the AMA since they didn't need a flying field, a club or the AMA to have a hand out to take their money.

"Lighten up, Francis."

It was a joke! In case you're unaware of this, one of the two major candidates for US president seems to be doing most of his campaigning from his basement.
Some people take themselves way too seriously.

Because FAA is well aware that AMA won't hold members / clubs accountable for following AMA rules. So why in the world would they think AMA would hold members / clubs accountable for following FAA regulation?