Last week I found several PDF documents on AMA's website that had out-dated information. The new AMA Contest Board Procedures document had the correct information but the PDF's on the website were wrong. I notified Steve K. and he emailed me back that they would make the necessary changes as indeed the information was wrong. That was over a week ago and I for one feel it is unacceptable for outdated info to be left posted once brought to someones attention. This data has direct bearing on CD tests and rule proposals that are being submitted since January 1, 2005. As of today the information has not been changed, no warnings posted and the old PDF's are still available.

I had two AMA club members submitting tests for being a CD this coming year and they would have not passed had I not reminded them to read ALL the information INCLUDING the New Contest board procedures and to use the most current info available in MA.



I know several that are making rule change proposals and it would burn me to no end if I had a rules proposal submitted only to have it rejected because it had the wrong type of sponsors.

Hi Marty

As of Jan. 8, when I asked Rob Kurek, AMA Director of Publications, no one was in charge of the web site. Some of the changes are being made by staff, basically, in content items. I am not sure that Steve has the expertise to make the changes needed, relative to the competition items. Work to get it posted appears to be ongoing: http://www.modelaircraft.org/compreg.asp

Your concerns are absolutely valid, especially now that the competition regulations on the web site are official. I would think a call to Don Koranda, the new ED might be in order. Keep in mind, however, the weather there was not cooperating through the holidays. Not sure what it is like now.

*Feel your pain* however it's not an unusual thing, although as you say, it definitely shouldn't be. Those new rules could have been all posted several months ago.

But to give the devil his due, perhaps there are some things afoot that preclude anyone from just jumping on the web site. That ol' *Document 537* event last Sep. just may have caught someone's attention. I know I will never know for sure, however that just had to be an embarrassment for someone.

I notice Koranda finally got Joyce's slot in the staff listing. I did not see Joyce anywhere although the ED said she would now be an Executive Assistant.

I need a new Safety Code Poster for the field. Documents 105A and 908 conflict. I sent a question but just today so nomanswer yet.

318 is ancient history but doesn't hurt anything.

334 is fairly up to date -- we no longer get Rule Books. Now the RB was always a great little toolbox item for event-going and for the CD's pocket. Printouts only are really, IMO, a crock of dog feces. I don't mind paying but I like the book.[:'(]

hoss:

amen on the rulebook vs printouts.
even ifn i gota pay fer it.

Did I miss something? I thought that RB's were available IF ONE REQUESTED THEM. I had been led to believe (by the D-8 boyz of course) that the on line version was the UP TO DATE document that carried the between cycle changes and the available once a cycle printed version was still the boss.

http://www.modelaircraft.org/compreg.asp

"No printed version will be automatically mailed to the membership. Members unable to print from the web may obtain an unbound three-hole punched copy by sending a check for $2.50/ section to the AMA Competitions Department"

I really do not like what is being done with the rulebook. So when I CD a contest I'm going to have to buy at $2.50 a section the sections of the rulebook I think I will need. Thanks a bunch, AMA!!!

Jim

So much for the boyz of D-8 talking to the unwashed membership. I guess they just don't ever have the time. Thanks for the straight info, I hadn't paid that much attention to RB issues lately.

Hey Jim-

What have the boyz in D-8 have to do with it? Right from the lead horse's mouth....errr.....whatever orifice of the nag it comes from, what you get from the web is just so much CB chatter.

Abel

Until the head boyz from D-8 has publicly refused to give me TWO MINUTES OF HIS PRECIOUS TIME, I had assumed that what we (the unwashed lowly members) were told on the 'communication' channel of the district was true. That is where it was announced, in days of old, that the PUBLISHED AND PRINTED BOOK was primary. I don't recall it ever being mentioned by any of the boyz that status had changed. Guess the head boyz wants to use the information for political fodder or something.

As for the lead horse's ill considered remarks, they will haunt us in one bad form or another for a long time to come. Someday we are going to have to resolve that one!

You know I actually like and agree with a lot of the AMA's past actions and yes I even like the idea of a NFS but if this is true that the AMA is now going to deny a hard copy of the Comp regulatiions to the majority of the membership who wants one, and yes I beleve a majority of the membership is not on line, then that is a heinous travesty. A book without all the disciplines only just one venue is useless and can anyone tell me how this can foster the sport or encourage cross discipline activity?

What a joke and just another probably miniscule attempt to be able say they are trying to save money at the expence of the volunteers who have worked so hard and I am talking CD's not the polititions. First the take away the CD credit completely then they give a peice of it back and pat you on the back and now they the are effectuively hiding hiding the comp regs from the general membership and more importantly the CD who is expected to maintain those regs.

This is plain and simple 'BullCrap' !!

John

I appreciate all the comments and feedback on this subject. I thought I would give them a little more time before calling Don K. and voicing my concern. Its been almost another week and still no changes. I also think it is very interesting that we were told the reason was always that "the printer was the holdup on rulebooks" And yet when the printer is out of the loop they are still way into January and still do not have all the categories posted.

LOOKING FOR GOOD NEWS?

They need the prodding so go for it. I expect that after the CA show, Mr Koranda is having a bit of difficulty getting things moving. A New Boss, especially one from not within the *GROUP* usually finds a lot of boulders in his path. [X(]

OTOH things are looking up a bit. The AMA doc. 908 says that Clubs will have to buy or make Safety Code Posters.
On the 17th I posted -- above -- "I need a new Safety Code Poster for the field. Documents 105A and 908 conflict. I sent a question but just today so no answer yet."

Here is the latest from Mr. Koranda.[sm=thumbup.gif] Today01/21/05

>>>>>>>>
Mr. Cain,

My apology for the delay.

The safety posters will be sent to the clubs. This expenditure was
budged and approved by the EC. The new posters are rather large as
they include the entire safety code and are not in sections as was
previously done.

Regards,

Don Koranda
Executive Director
<<<<<<<<<<<<&l t;<<<<

That's a GOOD start, or so I think.

I have been aware that the online rulebook is now the official one (where are the hackers when we need them? I was not aware of the change in the printed version until just recently. As far as I am concerned, the AMA's primary function is maintaining rulebooks, sanctioning contests, keeping track of records, etc. All that stuff that 93.4% of the AMA membership cares nothing about. So I am not a happy camper with the screwups.

Jim

Marty,
Please make sure you are calling the right party because this really is important as competition is what has (until now) defined the AMA.

This was sent to all the folks concerned such as DB, SF, and staff. 01/18/05.

No ansaawers as per yet. How about all you people that want rule books fire off some stuff to your VPs, YOUR PRES. and to the Staff ED and Comp. Dept.

>>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>
AMA "RULE BOOK"

"No printed version will be automatically mailed to the membership. Members unable to print from the web may obtain an unbound three-hole punched copy by sending a check for $2.50/ section to the AMA Competitions Department"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TWIMC
Just to express my total displeasure at this operation. Again those people that truly support AMA thru competition and Event Directing have to get it in the shorts. That little book was always a welcome item in the flight-box or the pocket of Event Directors and for fireside reading every so often.

Rule Books have been a part of AMA since as long as I remember being in AMA and that is for about half a century.

It seems that a certain number -- based on previous distribution -- over the past 3-5 years could be printed and then First Come - First Served distribution over the life of the book.

I don't think this is anything to try to blame on the Competitions Department as that is the only Dept. in AMA that generally has its stuff together.

Horrace Cain
AMA L-93

<<<<<<<<<<<<&l t;<<<<<<<<<<<< <<<<<<<<<<<<&l t;<<<<<<<<<<<< <<<<

Tell them how YOU feel.

I just paid my $58 and had questions about coverage, and claims, here was their email response I hope all can comment on, did I throw my money away?

AMA has only denied one liability claim in all it's past history of offering liability coverage. This was the incident involving the Goodyear Blimp in California several years ago.

You are correct that the AMA policy is an excess policy, or secondary to any other applicable insurance the member may have. Please keep in mind that your AMA insurance will come into effect if your primary insurance denies a claim or it exceeds your policy limits.

Failure to comply with the safety code may endanger insurance coverage

There are several documents posted on our website www.modelaircraft.org you may want to review. By selecting the "Membership Services" button, then "AMA Documents (PDF)" you will find some informative information such as the following:
Document 500-B is an Incident Report Claim Summary for 2003 (we will be updating this for 2004 at a later time, so please check back for this update). Out of 177 closed claims listed, only 14 were denied. Out of the 14 denied, the majority were theft claims denied because there were no signs of forced entry.
Document 500-C is the 2003 AMA Annual Report. If you view the table "2003 Financial Insurance Summary" you will find the dollar amount AMA has paid for claims, including legal expenses / fees.
Document 500-D is the 2001 AMA Annual Report and it provides the same basic information for 2001 as document 500-C provides for 2003. We did not compile a report for 2002, however, we will soon be posting an update for 2004.
Document 500-E provides a four year loss summary on medical claims.
AMA works with a Third Party Administrator (TPA) who actually processes the claims. Depending on circumstances and / or conflicting statements, the TPA may decide to get a local investigator involved to gather additional information. However, this is not done to find a "loophole" to deny claims.

I trust this answers your questions and eliminates your concerns regarding the insurance benefits provided with your AMA membership. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Amy Wilson
Special Services Dept.
765.287.1256 ext. 252
[email protected]

Ok, here is laugh and a half,

I just received my certificate (Dated January 19th 2005) for Leader Member status and guess who signed it as Executive Director.......None other than Joyce Hagar! And here I though she had been replaced!

Transition situation. New ED had not been issued his pen yet.

Red S.

or,
possibly,
they are still trying to teach him how to spell his name<G>


most likely though, getting rid of the last few pre signed forms.

I received my membership card, first time after 30 years of flying without an umbrella. Oh well, now I'm conditionally insured. I keep wondering if I should have bought a kit with the $58 though?

Well we are making progress. I contacted my district vp Charlie Bauer and he contacted Don K. I received an email from Steve K. Stating the document had been changed and when I checked indeed PDF 333 had been changed to the new version. I did point out that his link on the Competitions page pointed to the old document but under a different name and location. He emailed me back that he forgot all about that one and said he would make the change.......day two and counting.