There are things that AMA can do, and things that it cannot do. Among things AMA CAN do are:
1) Provide liability insurance for model flying activities. 2) Work with FCC and FAA officials to obtain frequencies and establish guidelines regarding "model flight rules" pertaining to proximity to airports, flying altitudes, etc. 3) Establish a general safety code for all types of model flying 4) Establish rules for competition flying 5) Sanction and publish event calendars for competition and "fun fly" events 6) Hold national competition, open house, and "fly in" events 7) Act as the U.S. representative to the FAI for purposes of rule making, U.S. world championship team entry, and establishment of world records 8) Work with special interest groups in selecting teams to represent the U.S. in world championship events 9) Host some of the various world championship events 10) ...and other functions too numerous to listSome things AMA CANNOT do are:
1) Save flying fields from being lost due to construction of housing projects next door 2) Convince JR that they should connect their charge plugs with the same polarity as everyone else 3) Publish a magazine that everyone will think is "worth the money" it might cost to produce 4) Convince everyone that it is "worth the money" for AMA to be involved with items listed 4-9 above which most members are not directly involved with 5) ...and more items too numerous to listAll things considered, though, I think Dave has done a good job. His business experience has helped him deal with the "business" nature of the AMA, which is considerable.
While Dave is best known for his R/C flying, most notably aerobatic competition, he realizes that all aspects of the hobby are important, and AMA's successfully hosting occasional international events can be a "good thing" for all modelers.
Dave has the right temperament for dealing with such things as being questioned by the FAA about "these people flying model airplanes at
20,000 feet." While it is unlikely that the people who are performing such stunts are AMA members, the AMA has to defend our use of the airspace, and Dave is a good person to do it.The job of AMA president, or any other office in such an organization can be thankless at times. As Dave and his predecessors well know, you can't make everyone happy. Sport R/C flyers think too much money is spent on the Muncie site. Free flighters, who, as a group, have donated a lot of money for development of the Muncie site feel making it "free flight friendly" should be a higher priority. Maybe you can't win, and maybe Dave hasn't done everything perfectly, but in general, he's done a good job. If he's willing to do it a few more years, he has my vote.
Kit Gerhart AMA 224