AMA membership interests
06-02-2020, 01:07 PM
#1
Thread Starter
AMA membership interests
Please forgive me if this information is out there but has the AMA ever published the results of the survey we have to complete on our applications every year? They ask what area of model flying we are interested in and I would love to know the results.
Last edited by allanflowers; 06-02-2020 at 02:21 PM.
06-02-2020, 03:01 PM
#2
06-03-2020, 02:45 AM
#6
This also goes to the larger issue of transparency, or rather lack of it, from the AMA. Data like this should be driving organizational strategy and resource allocation.
For example, as noted above, if less than 10% care about FPV, then why is AMA spending money on FPV programs, events, magazine content, MR editor salary, etc.? At a time when every dollar is precious (read 25 April 2020 EC notes to see why), they simply cannot afford to spend money on things that members don't care about (or care very little).
Yet lack of transparency throws obstacles in front of members so it's more difficult to hold EC members accountable for spending prioritization. And it's not like this is the only area where transparency is lacking. Did anyone know that EC voted to give six-digits worth of member money to the Foundation? Was there any communication in advance of that, so members could make their feelings known, BEFORE the EC members voted on it? And why does that matter? Because foundation money spending is controlled by a much smaller subset of the EC, which gives them (including Hanson) power to drive how members money is spent (when washed through Foundation).
For example, as noted above, if less than 10% care about FPV, then why is AMA spending money on FPV programs, events, magazine content, MR editor salary, etc.? At a time when every dollar is precious (read 25 April 2020 EC notes to see why), they simply cannot afford to spend money on things that members don't care about (or care very little).
Yet lack of transparency throws obstacles in front of members so it's more difficult to hold EC members accountable for spending prioritization. And it's not like this is the only area where transparency is lacking. Did anyone know that EC voted to give six-digits worth of member money to the Foundation? Was there any communication in advance of that, so members could make their feelings known, BEFORE the EC members voted on it? And why does that matter? Because foundation money spending is controlled by a much smaller subset of the EC, which gives them (including Hanson) power to drive how members money is spent (when washed through Foundation).
06-03-2020, 02:59 AM
#7
This also goes to the larger issue of transparency, or rather lack of it, from the AMA. Data like this should be driving organizational strategy and resource allocation.
For example, as noted above, if less than 10% care about FPV, then why is AMA spending money on FPV programs, events, magazine content, MR editor salary, etc.? At a time when every dollar is precious (read 25 April 2020 EC notes to see why), they simply cannot afford to spend money on things that members don't care about (or care very little).
Yet lack of transparency throws obstacles in front of members so it's more difficult to hold EC members accountable for spending prioritization. And it's not like this is the only area where transparency is lacking. Did anyone know that EC voted to give six-digits worth of member money to the Foundation? Was there any communication in advance of that, so members could make their feelings known, BEFORE the EC members voted on it? And why does that matter? Because foundation money spending is controlled by a much smaller subset of the EC, which gives them (including Hanson) power to drive how members money is spent (when washed through Foundation).
For example, as noted above, if less than 10% care about FPV, then why is AMA spending money on FPV programs, events, magazine content, MR editor salary, etc.? At a time when every dollar is precious (read 25 April 2020 EC notes to see why), they simply cannot afford to spend money on things that members don't care about (or care very little).
Yet lack of transparency throws obstacles in front of members so it's more difficult to hold EC members accountable for spending prioritization. And it's not like this is the only area where transparency is lacking. Did anyone know that EC voted to give six-digits worth of member money to the Foundation? Was there any communication in advance of that, so members could make their feelings known, BEFORE the EC members voted on it? And why does that matter? Because foundation money spending is controlled by a much smaller subset of the EC, which gives them (including Hanson) power to drive how members money is spent (when washed through Foundation).
06-03-2020, 08:34 AM
#8
Senior Member
This also goes to the larger issue of transparency, or rather lack of it, from the AMA. Data like this should be driving organizational strategy and resource allocation.
For example, as noted above, if less than 10% care about FPV, then why is AMA spending money on FPV programs, events, magazine content, MR editor salary, etc.? .
For example, as noted above, if less than 10% care about FPV, then why is AMA spending money on FPV programs, events, magazine content, MR editor salary, etc.? .
so can be found in Rich Hanson's campaign statement last November:
"In 2008, AMA was asked to assist in formulating new regulations applicable to the emerging
unmanned aircraft industry and the associated capabilities brought about by advancements in
microelectronics, brushless motors, lithium batteries and onboard guidance systems."
Hanson sees AMA's primary mission as regulating drones, while at the same trying to keep
the model aircraft side afloat, as Hanson says congratulating himself on the effort:
"Eleven years later we’re still flying our model aircraft in much the same way as we have for
decades, and to date the only real administrative impact has been registration."
A month later the FAA released the proposed rule.
06-03-2020, 01:51 PM
#9
It shows AMA trying to pound a square peg into a round hole with drones. Why they're doing
so can be found in Rich Hanson's campaign statement last November:
"In 2008, AMA was asked to assist in formulating new regulations applicable to the emerging
unmanned aircraft industry and the associated capabilities brought about by advancements in
microelectronics, brushless motors, lithium batteries and onboard guidance systems."
Hanson sees AMA's primary mission as regulating drones, while at the same trying to keep
the model aircraft side afloat, as Hanson says congratulating himself on the effort:
"Eleven years later we’re still flying our model aircraft in much the same way as we have for
decades, and to date the only real administrative impact has been registration."
A month later the FAA released the proposed rule.
so can be found in Rich Hanson's campaign statement last November:
"In 2008, AMA was asked to assist in formulating new regulations applicable to the emerging
unmanned aircraft industry and the associated capabilities brought about by advancements in
microelectronics, brushless motors, lithium batteries and onboard guidance systems."
Hanson sees AMA's primary mission as regulating drones, while at the same trying to keep
the model aircraft side afloat, as Hanson says congratulating himself on the effort:
"Eleven years later we’re still flying our model aircraft in much the same way as we have for
decades, and to date the only real administrative impact has been registration."
A month later the FAA released the proposed rule.
06-03-2020, 03:49 PM
#11
And all of this is true. Now, however, things have changed and not in a little way
06-03-2020, 03:51 PM
#12
Senior Member
Dead man walking.
06-03-2020, 04:16 PM
#13
On paper you would be right, however walk onto any flying site AMA or not and you would notice little to zero change as of now. I flew in a sailplane contest on Sunday, no difference then the ones I flew in 20 years ago. Not saying things won't change in the future but for now it's pretty much the same out there.
06-03-2020, 05:08 PM
#15
On paper you would be right, however walk onto any flying site AMA or not and you would notice little to zero change as of now. I flew in a sailplane contest on Sunday, no difference then the ones I flew in 20 years ago. Not saying things won't change in the future but for now it's pretty much the same out there.
06-03-2020, 06:01 PM
#16
Only when the FAA starts enforcing their own laws in regards to traditional LOS operations. Up to this point they have demonstrated no intent to do so. Now that Covid-19 restrictions are loosening up events are starting to take place again. You can go to just about any club website, click on events and find when and where these are taking place. The FAA can't claim that they aren't aware of what we are doing nor can anyone claim that we are doing anything secretly.
06-03-2020, 06:16 PM
#17
On paper you would be right, however walk onto any flying site AMA or not and you would notice little to zero change as of now. I flew in a sailplane contest on Sunday, no difference then the ones I flew in 20 years ago. Not saying things won't change in the future but for now it's pretty much the same out there.
Astro
06-03-2020, 06:42 PM
#21
Thread Starter
While I can’t stop people from writing whatever they choose, I did not start this topic to create another venue for whining and complaints.
I would hope to see more comments on the stated topic. Indeed, if we could actually get some data from the survey, it would inform us as to how the AMA is fulfilling its function. In the meantime, a bunch of negative opinions really doesn’t advance the understanding of how it is achieving (or not) its purpose.
I would hope to see more comments on the stated topic. Indeed, if we could actually get some data from the survey, it would inform us as to how the AMA is fulfilling its function. In the meantime, a bunch of negative opinions really doesn’t advance the understanding of how it is achieving (or not) its purpose.
06-03-2020, 06:55 PM
#22
Senior Member
While I can’t stop people from writing whatever they choose, I did not start this topic to create another venue for whining and complaints.
I would hope to see more comments on the stated topic. Indeed, if we could actually get some data from the survey, it would inform us as to how the AMA is fulfilling its function. In the meantime, a bunch of negative opinions really doesn’t advance the understanding of how it is achieving (or not) its purpose.
I would hope to see more comments on the stated topic. Indeed, if we could actually get some data from the survey, it would inform us as to how the AMA is fulfilling its function. In the meantime, a bunch of negative opinions really doesn’t advance the understanding of how it is achieving (or not) its purpose.
06-03-2020, 07:01 PM
#24
Allan, without the full picture it's difficult to contribute anything to your topic. There was that one post that claims only 10% of AMA members were interested in FPV ( would have been nice had he given credit to the source ). That said, with all the different facets of our hobby including FF, CL and R/C genres 10% could very well be a relatively large number. I'm interested in seeing what percentage of members genres will be extinct as a result of enforcement of the 400' law.
