Model Aviation Online - View from HQ (October 2006)

You are the Academy's ambassadors.

As I write this, the Nats is in its final week and it couldn't get much hotter. I want to thank all of the volunteers, contestants, and AMA employees who helped make this happen. Check out the AMA Web site at www.modelaircraft.org/events and look at NatsNews. The daily newsletters are informative and have many good pictures.

     Although the Nats is completed and planning for 2007 has begun, we still have many events going on at AMA's International Aeromodeling Center. Check out the site calendar and see if there is a particular event you are interested in and come visit. You will enjoy the surroundings.

I want to share with you an E-mail I received concerning a new member and his experience with a chartered club. I realize I am only reporting one side of the incident, but I have heard this type of story many times. I have excluded names and the location of the occurrence.

     "This letter is addressing the issues of new-member recruitment into AMA and local clubs. I am new to the sport. I have little flying experience but am very eager and excited to become an independent flier.

     "I joined a club about the middle of this year, paid full price, and assumed that my membership would be in effect for one year. About four weeks later, I went to the field with a friend who has many years of flying experience. He is not a member of the club. He arrived to the field before I did and was approached in a very rude and abrasive manner.

     "Then when I arrived I was told that to fly that day, I would have to pay the current year's dues plus a late penalty of $50. Then I was told that since I didn't have the money to pay we would not be able to fly and would have to leave the field.

     "We did not leave but stayed and showed each other the gear that we had brought to the field. Then another member of the club said in a loud voice that he wouldn't leave until we left. At that point, my friend and I left.

     "Needless to say, we will not be returning to that club. My son is very interested in modeling, but the way I was treated at this field I felt like I was a plague and I don't want to expose my son to close-minded people. New members should not be treated like a plague but as our future. I will find another field of people who are friendly and willing to work with those who may make mistakes."

     I am not siding with the above individual. As I mentioned, this is only one side of the story. I hope that most of our clubs welcome new members and explain how the club operates. They should note when dues are due and whether they are prorated.

     AMA offers new members a discount on the following year's membership. Club members, let's be friendly and open to new individuals. You are the Academy's ambassadors. We need your help to solicit new members and give them good experiences.

Enough of that! I want to continue the list of individuals, clubs, and other entities that have a brick in our Walk of Fame. MA

Safe flying.

Joyce Hager, Acting Executive Director

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