Flying by the rules
From the Copilot’s Seat
by Gary Fitch, Executive Vice President
amaevp@gmail.com
Much has been written about our dealings with the government through our columns, our website, and blogs. I wouldn’t doubt that you are as tired of hearing about it as I am of writing about it.
In the AMA District II meeting, held at the Westchester Radio AeroModelers (WRAM) Show by Vice President Eric Williams this past February, I asked a question, “Do you remember what it was like to fly 10 years ago without government intervention?”
A few people said it was great back then, and most members knew where I was going with this when I said “nothing has changed.” Our members continue to fly by AMA’s Safety Code and rules! Yes, AMA has ongoing discussions with Congress and the FAA, and that is AMA’s appointed task. Our tasks certainly have changed in the last eight years, and we will always have to be engaged with all types of government going forward.
The point I want to make is this: As our members, continue to fly as you have always flown, per our rules. AMA stands guard, protecting your right to fly. Stay informed by signing up for AMA Today, viewing AMA Air videos, and by reading any information we send your way. When we ask for your help to write letters and emails to Congress or the FAA, it is your right and duty to respond. Other than this, go fly and have fun.
For those of you who are concerned about being visited by an FAA official or even the local police, have a copy of Public Law 112-95, Section 336, on hand to prove to the uninitiated official that you abide by the law. A copy of AMA’s membership manual, having our Safety Code in it, is also a good idea for many reasons.
If you are visited, be respectful, listen to what is said, then be informative, showing this official of your right to fly because you are an AMA member. If you haven’t registered with the FAA, you are on your own. If it is an issue about flying as an AMA member, then contact AMA, your district vice president, or local associate vice president.
In early February, I met with AMA Membership Director Shawn Grubbs while at AMA Headquarters. Shawn is part of our Marketing Committee along with Marketing Director Jeff Nance and his staff.
As the Marketing Committee chairman, I asked Shawn how we were doing with signing new members, compared with the same time last year. We were almost five months into the new membership year and I wondered how the new memberships were running, especially with the 2016 dues increase.
Interestingly enough, Shawn reported we were up $7,000 new members over last year. Looks like our message, along with government regulations, are proving to non-AMA members that we are a great value!
The next day, Jeff, Bob Brown, Rich Hanson, and I traveled to Champaign, Illinois, for separate meetings with Horizon Hobby and Hobbico/Tower Hobbies. As our members know, these are two of the world’s premier hobby distributors that have served our hobby well. We had open meetings, updating the companies of our current FAA situation.
Both Horizon Hobby and Tower Hobbies have worked with us when we needed to get the message out about contacting the government. They are supporting partners with us in the Know Before You Fly program. Both companies are great to work with. Please remember this when looking for your next hobby purchase.
AMA has increased its reimbursement to hobby shops that agree to sell AMA memberships. It is now well worth their time to help us grow. It would be great if you would contact your local hobby shop and ask it to become part of our dealer Hobby Shop program. It will benefit not only the hobby shop and AMA, but your club as well.
Another membership marketing initiative launched by AMA is a mobile-friendly enrollment experience that will allow new members the ability to join AMA from anywhere, making it easier than ever to connect with and join AMA.
A member recently asked me how much AMA paid me for being the executive vice president. His facial expression was priceless when I told him that all of AMA’s elected officials are volunteers. He was amazed that we would travel throughout the country on AMA’s behalf without being paid.
I do want to thank the many Adult and Youth members who have come up to us at trade shows, flea markets, and fun-flys, thanking us for our efforts. This is the remuneration that we receive and it helps recharge our batteries. Thanks for that!
It was a rare 65° day in early March in western New York and, although it was breezy, I went to my club’s flying field for the first outdoor flight of the year. The afternoon sun drenched the field and I soaked it in as well. I brought a new electric Spitfire with a 55-inch wingspan and retracts, and had a ball.
Although the flights were relatively short, the joy of flying again brought home why we are in this hobby, and why we are fighting for our right to share the national airspace. The club brings us together to share that love of flight and this is what should be celebrated when at the field.
I appreciate that you took the time to read this! Please help secure the future of our hobby and take a youngster flying.
