AMA Sport Aviator

[Garf]

Has anyone seen AMA's new website, Sport Aviator? This site is dedicated to R/C exclusively. There is no mention of C/L or F/F in any form. This is one of the most outrageous things I have ever seen. The AMA is supposed to represent ALL of aeromodeling, not just the big buck R/C segment. It's as though nothing else even exists. I'm planning to file a protest. How do you all feel?

www.masportaviator.com

[tperry2054]

Phil,

I feel about the same way you do about it. I left them a comment.

Tom

[otshodges]

I have already sent a question to the editor asking why there is RC only on the Sport Aviator site. His reply was, if CLer's want info published there, they will have to submit it. It is obvious that this is an RC only ezine and the editor has no inclination to change that.

Bill Hodges

[n42222]

Man, that was tough! Took me a long time to get that long password right. I read the sport aviator and F. Granelli, the editor, wrote that the first issues would be RC only, but they do intend to include F/F and C/L in later issues. It's pretty far down the editor's thread under the caption "Copilot's Thoughts". dale gleason

[DickFowler]

I sent an e-mail with my comments and here is the response. Seems they are willing but can't get anyone to stand up and be counted.

---

Dear Mr. Fowler,

Thank you for visiting Sport Aviator On-Line Magazine. We appreciate your comments about the missing facets of model aviation. In fact, we had hoped to include both Free Flight and Control Line in Sport Aviator.

However, despite our best efforts, we have not been able to find a single qualified author willing to spend the time to help new pilots understand and learn about these disciplines. I have contacted many noted C/L and FF pilots and authors, but none were able to help us.

We have also contacted the organizations at the shows and, despite their good intentions, none have been able to help put C/L or FF articles in Sport Aviator. If you know of anyone who is qualified to write introductory articles about these important parts of Model Aviation, please have them contact us.

Thank you again,

Frank Granelli

----- Original Message -----
From: Dick Fowler
To: [e-mail]
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2004 2:20 PM
Subject: How do I like the Website


Hi Folks,

I would like to see some control line represented here. I know we are not where the "big bucks' are flowing but the AMA has almost run CL off the pages of Model Aviation and nothing here.

Geez

Thanks for listening to me ramble

Dick Fowler AMA 144077

[Garf]

This seems to be a stock response. I got the same reply. It could be the truth. Maybe no one will take the time to do an article. Most of the "qualified" people are busy running their business or are otherwise occupied. How do they define "qualified"?

[jet]

I cruised the site a bit and was struck by a couple of things. First, the comparatively slender resources available to someone who wants to try CL. There isn't a really good trainer package available. The chance of finding anyone to help who knows something is pretty small compared to RC. Secondly, I'm not at all sure what sort of article is needed. Maybe something about getting ARF's ready to fly? Maybe a review of the Ukies? maybe a review article on different kinds of tanks available? Maybe an article on how to learn the stunt pattern so as to better enjoy sport flying ?

Jim

[StuntMaster]

Hi guys,

Prehaps, if this really is something that concerns you, the answer is for you (And I do mean YOU!) to fill the void by sitting down and writing an article and the submitting it for future publication.

I once wondered why one of my Stunt Heroes had an occasional article in FM and I didnt. He told me that it was because he had sat down and written something and I hadnt. He was right.

Compared to the adverage RC guy or other non-CL modeler, most of us are EXPERTS when it comes to CL flying. Furthermore, many of us possess skills that almost everyone else can profit from learning!

I long ago wised up to the fact that many of the top modelers got to the top by harnessing the knowledge and skills of experts in other endevers. Custom car painters, graphic artists, surf board builders, draftsmen, machinists, composit molding manufacturers and many others.

Think about what you know that the rest of us don't and how you apply this stuff to your modeling. Then, write up a short article.

If you don't know how to write an essay, simply read a few magazine articles and then use the same format for your own peice substituting you own words and experiences.

Interestingly enough, thats something I learned from a woman lawyer who quit her job and became a successfull novelist. She did'nt reinvent the wheel, she just adapted her writing skills to the stacks of wheels in her library. Once she had rewritten a couple of her cookie-cutter books, she started selling them and never looked back.

If your experience is similar to mine, you will find that many publications including Stunt News and Model Aviation will welcome your writing. Generaly, if the work is not up to standard, they'll give you suggestions about how to rewrite/repackage your stuff in order to get it published. Some will even direct you to other publications that better suite your writing, so don't be afraid to ask for constructive criticism.

Stop complaining and DO SOMETHING!!

LOL!!!

SM

[jet]

I havn't done anything about it in a while. MA used to work that you sent them a prospectus of the article you wanted to write and they told you they weren't interested or to go ahead. I've submitted five prospecti , and written two articles. One of the rejected articles is going to be sent to Flying Models someday.

Jim