RANT:(

[Graham Lawrie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixSOaL9 ... e=youtu.be

[pvolcko]

I don't understand how:

1) The AMA wasn't there. How did they not get invited when the central point of the entire thing was about eliminating 336? How did the AMA not know about this and manage to get themselves invited or at least be able to submit written testimony for the record?

2) After it was known this hearing occurred, how did the AMA not ask the membership to get on the phones to the committee members and leaders and raise hell for not getting our representatives in as witnesses?

As always, I fear the AMA does not understand the threat facing the hobby or the mentality of the people we need to defend against and/or persuade.

[Derek]

I couldn't agree with you more, Paul!

Where was the AMA when this meeting took place?

Why has the AMA not addressed this meeting since then?

Ugh!

[pvolcko]

AMA did acknowledge and speak of the hearing: https://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amago ... e-july-23/

[Graham Lawrie]

AMA did acknowledge and speak of the hearing: https://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amago ... e-july-23/

Dont know about you guys, i watched the debate and to me the AMA comments makes me smell a rat.

In the debate there was as the rant said one guy that defended modellers and got cut off as he was making sense for modellers.
I would suggest you all lobby the AMA , before it is to late and 366 is repealed.

[pvolcko]

I've recently been in touch with my AMA district's VP. My summary of his comments on the matter: AMA was present in the room during the discussion, but were not invited to speak. Interestingly DJI's main govt liason was also in the room but wasn't invited to speak. Given that DJI is the biggest commercial interested in the drone biz, that's somewhat telling. Also, the published and purported topic for the meeting was more national security, law enforcement, and interdiction of drones related. It was not supposed to be about 336 or commercial/industrial concerns. There were some games played and decks stacked to result in the topic focusing on those areas. The discussion is was just one aspect of things going on in DC that day and over the past several months, as the FAA reauth bill has been making its way through congress. AMA is working many angles behind the scenes to maintain 336, some of which, unfortunately, they cannot speak about publicly.

AMA is working the issue. From time to time they aren't going to get a seat at the day's table. That doesn't mean they are faltering or failing to advance the agenda.

I made a couple of suggestions for better engaging and informing the membership, and how to better keep AMA rank and file morale up when things like this happen.

[Graham Lawrie]

Nice one Paul, however ther is big money looming in the commercial market and if they take over the little guy will suffer. I just hope i am wrong:)