Note: Candidate statements reflect the opinion of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Candidate statements are published word-for-word as submitted by the candidate and are not edited by the Academy of Model Aeronautics’ staff for grammar, punctuation, or spelling. The Academy of Model Aeronautics reserves the right to remove any portion of any statement which it determines, in its sole discretion, may contain potentially defamatory remarks.
Randy Cameron
Springfield, Missouri
Since introduced to Free Flight and Control Line flying decades ago by my father, I have enjoyed every aspect of our hobby. With four sons and thirteen grandchildren, my wife Fina and I are now teaching our fourth generation of family flyers.
My interests in our hobby are wide. I have flown Control Line, Free Flight, IMAC, 3D, combat, and sport aircraft. I’ve held every club officer position in multiple clubs over the past 40 plus years, in civilian life and while in the Air Force for 22 years.
I have been an AMA Leader Member since the mid-1980s and became a contest director in the 90’s. I served as the District VI Contest Coordinator for ten years and as a District VI Associate Vice President prior to becoming the District VI Vice President. In 2018 I was elected to the Executive Vice President position, where I have handled many of the presidential duties as needed. I’m kept in the loop on all aspects of the AMA business, in preparation of the unthinkable happening, which could necessitate stepping into the Presidents position if needed.
As an AMA Executive Vice President I oversee all committees. I continue to serve as committee chairman to AMA Special Interest Groups (SIGs), and the Property Acquisition and Development Committee (PADCOM), working to improve the AMA headquarters flying sites—home of the AMA NATs and other events
The federal rules for Model Aviation must allow us to continue our hobby with the freedom to build and fly our aircraft, be they fixed wing traditional models or multi rotor aircraft for racing. AMA is strong in providing both federal and local government advocacy. Our government relations is and must remain strong to continue our hobby.
The only way we can help solve the drone issues is to educate drone fliers and bring the safe and responsible ones into our organization. Most of our AMA chartered clubs are welcoming the newest multi-rotor technologies. Today, many of our new AMA members are multi-rotor enthusiasts. The significant down-turn in media-reported drone sightings and incidents is an important validation that AMA’s efforts and influence within this community are working! I have been a staunch supporter of our marketing efforts which has allowed our membership to grow from 142,000 to approximately 200,000 members today.
The fabric of AMA is its 86-year history and members like you. In 1936 AMA was built on the principals of education, safety, advancing technological, and providing one national voice for all modelers.
From the beginning of Free Flight to Control Line, and then Radio Control, each new technology was accepted. Numerous AMA clubs are reporting that when they welcome new interests, such as multi-rotors, these new fliers are discovering, and becoming, fixed wing and helicopter pilots as well. Just as we’ve done in the past, we must embrace new technologies to keep younger generations interested in model aviation.
AMA needs to listen to our best asset—you the members! AMA must continue to improve on programs that; attract and involve youth in our hobby, foster club growth, aid with improving and purchasing flying sites, and other important programs.
Communication to our members must continue to improve. Existing membership and club programs are not widely recognized. AMA must improve and provide easily accessible and efficient member benefits, and eliminate costs to the members and the AMA alike.
With your vote I will bring your issues to AMA and the Executive Council, and ensure member’s needs are met.
Feel free to email flyrc@modelaircraft.org if you have question or for more information.
Rich Hanson (Incumbent)
Fishers, Indiana
Model Aviation Hall of Fame
AMA Fellow
Fellow Modelers:
Over the past 29 years I’ve had the distinct honor and privilege of representing you at the AMA executive level. The decision to run for another term was one I considered carefully. The deciding factor was the need to finish the work we began fourteen years ago when we were curiously drawn into the new and somewhat unsettled unmanned aircraft arena.
When we began this process I stated my belief that model aviation would continue to thrive, and I expressed my personal commitment to ensuring we continue to enjoy the hobby in much the same way as we have in the past. Fourteen years later we’re still flying our model aircraft as we have for decades, and to date the only new administrative requirements have been registration and the new FAA “TRUST” test. And though a bit annoying, both have proven to have minimal impact on our day-to-day aeromodeling operations.
Nevertheless, questions still remain regarding airspace usage and Remote ID. Over the past two years the Academy has been steadily working through the airspace issues, and to date we’ve been extremely successful in gaining access to the airspace needed for our aeromodeling operations. And, I can honestly say the end is in sight. More importantly, AMA continues to do everything in its power to see that the hobby remains intact and to ensure that any new administrative requirements are minimally impactful to the membership and the aeromodeling community.
As we move into the 21st century there’s still more to be done in securing the hobby for future generations. Our flying sites have become much more important to the continuation of the hobby, and we need to ensure unincumbered access to public lands and open spaces. We need to ensure the public understands that model aviation plays a much greater role in our society than a mere recreational pursuit.
In a greater sense aeromodeling plays a pivotal role in aviation and the aerospace industry. For decades model aircraft have served as a steppingstone to careers in aviation and have often been on the leading edge of technology. This has been realized over the 120-year history of manned aviation, and was most recently demonstrated by NASA’s Mars exploratory helicopter “Ingenuity,” the first (model) aircraft to fly above the surface of another world.
AMA’s chartered clubs are truly the portal to the hobby, and we must do more to support their efforts in promoting the hobby and working within their communities. We need to leverage new technologies to draw the aeromodeling community closer together, to share ideas, and to present a united front in dealing with the challenges facing the hobby.
My modeling experience led me to a life-long career in full-scale aviation. I’m an accomplished public administrator serving in leadership roles in public service for over 26 years. I’m a decorated Vietnam helicopter pilot, and it was my great honor to serve 27 years in active duty and reserve component military service.
In its role as the community-based organization for model aviation the Academy has gained national prominence, and it’s imperative the AMA maintains effective leadership. The Executive Council must continue work in concert to achieve our primary responsibility of serving the membership and promoting model aviation. Moreover, in my term as president I’ve demonstrated the ability to achieve these results.
As your president I pledge to continue fighting to protect the core principles of model aviation as well as the rights and privileges of all model aircraft enthusiasts and aeromodeling disciplines.
Andy Argenio
Smithfield, Rhode Island
I am honored to have served as the District (D1) Vice President for 18 years and once again I am asking for your vote to show support for the efforts the AVP officers and I provide to promote, protect, and advance aeromodeling for AMA clubs and members.
My 5th term ended in December 2019 when the FAA’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Remote-ID (RID) for UAS was published and the coronavirus outbreak started. This 6th term has been the most challenging and yet the most rewarding.
During 2020 AVPs and I utilized multi-channels of communication to educate members on how best to comment opposition to FAA on RID issues involving onerous and burdensome rules for club sites, flying, and model aircraft remote tracking. In December 2020, the FAA completed reviewing the 53,000 comments which influenced FAA revisions to not include overly restrictive unnecessary proposed rules for recreational flying.
From 2020 thru 2022 we considerably improved engagements in discussions between AVPs and me with D1 clubs and members utilizing Zoom virtual meetings. These meetings have monthly agendas which have included guest speakers discussing topics on altitude limit determinations and enforcement in controlled and uncontrolled airspace, TRUST testing, FRIA site application process, RID broadcast modules, AMA’s 2022 work initiatives, and promoting events.
We still engage in educational outreach initiatives utilizing project-based RC model aircraft as tools for STEAM education with AMA mentors working with school teachers in D1.
I chair the following AMA Committees, Bylaws & Standing Rules, Advanced Flight Systems, Executive Director Review, and Staff Liaison & Affairs. I am on the Safety and Flying Site Grant Committees.
With your vote, the AVPs and I will continue to keep you informed while addressing your concerns and best interests!
Andrew Griffith
Jacksonville, Florida
I am writing to the members of AMA District-V, as I seek re-election to represent you as your D-5 Vice President and to represent you on the Executive Council.
My experiences are exceptionally broad in all forms of aviation. My full-scale aviation experience includes my service as a Navy Petty Officer 1st class where I flew on board P-3 Orion patrol aircraft. I’ve been involved in the hobby and an AMA member since the late 1970’s where I got my start flying gliders. I have been a regular contributor to Model Aviation, Park Flyer, Fly RC, Model Airplane News, RC Heli Pilot, and RC Helicopter magazines as well as an online content author on RC Universe web site. I have been an AMA contest director and associate VP for over 10 years and the last 3 years as your District VP.
I fly everything RC related; jets, giant scale, gliders, helicopters, and foamies, and I also hold both fixed wing and rotary AMA turbine waivers. My broad experience gives me an excellent foundation in understanding the needs of our diverse membership base.
I am well experienced in business management and budgeting, and I currently work as a Network Engineer and security specialist for a large software company. I will utilize my experiences for sound decision making and responsible management of your membership dues.
For many years I have visited countless clubs and their flying events. As a District V AVP I have worked with members, answering their concerns on FAA regulation and legal issues as well as our shared enjoyment of model aviation.
I learned a lot about AMA leadership in my first term as VP and look forward to putting that to use to continue our hard work. Most importantly I learned that we have an awesome staff at AMA HQ and while there's a lot I don't know, I know who the experts are and who to ask whether it’s a club issue, flying site help, insurance or government relations.
Brandon Koch
Mandan, North Dakota
An AMA District VP’s job should be simple, they should be someone that listens to their representatives and works towards addressing their needs on the Executive Council. They should also be a good steward of membership dollars–especially in our current political and inflationary climate. I believe I can be such a voice on the Executive Council for District IX. One who will work to keep our organization vibrant and fiscally responsible.
I have been an AMA Member for 12 years, Life Member for 10 and a Leader Member and District IX AVP for 8.
I am an avid flyer of just about any fixed wing RC. I am member of two local clubs and have served as either President, Secretary, or Safety Officer of one or both for the last ten years.
I was on the Flying Site Improvement Grant Committee for two years and have helped many of our district clubs gain grants for field improvements.
For 4 years I have been on the AMA Safety Committee working to improve, simplify, and keep our Safety Code up to date with changing technology. The last two I have served as the Committee Chairperson.
I also serve on the AMA Government Advocacy Workgroup helping to recognize and find solutions to issues facing AMA Members due to government overreach.
As a District IX AVP I have attended many EC Meetings and even filled in for our current VP Jim on several occasions when he was unable to attend. My Committee work has also helped me get to know many of the other VPs and AVPs from other districts as well as AMA staff. As such, I have good working relationships with many of the EC members and Headquarter Staff ensuring that a smooth transition occurs after our current VP retires from the position.
I aim to keep pushing for club support, meaningful member benefits and fiscal responsibility just as Jim has done so well for District IX in the past. I ask for your support as District IX’s next Vice President.