[50%300SFlyer]

This is interesting guys,

I received this email today... read below, and then have a look at the link contained in it.

"I was wandering around the AMA site yesterday and discovered that the AMA Executive Council voted on 1/29 to create a separate contest board for scale aerobatics.

Here's the new contest board:

http://www.modelaircraft.org/comp/SCAContestBoard.htm


These folks will have the final absolute say so on ALL rules pertaining to
scale aerobatics. All rules proposals, whether from the SIG (IMAC) or
individual AMA members will be voted on by this new board. They are the
final authority."

So guys, what do you think?

[ronm]

My first thought is, should MAAC do the same?

[50%300SFlyer]

Originally Posted by ronm

My first thought is, should MAAC do the same?

Final approval for our rules are given by the MAAC executive Ron. I don't think MAAC would ever allow that to change, nor should they.

Whats happened in the US, is that it gives the power to create rules, execute them, and approve them within the AMA, ALL to the same people.

I personally find this VERY disturbing! Now add to that, that we here in Canada currently follow IMAC rules....

[ronm]

Ok, now I see what you mean.
But didn't these guys already have that "authority"? AMA has only "rubber stamped" anything that comes from the IMAC BOD.

[50%300SFlyer]

Originally Posted by ronm

Ok, now I see what you mean.
But didn't these guys already have that "authority"? AMA has only "rubber stamped" anything that comes from the IMAC BOD.

Somewhat true, but not everything was just rubber stamped. Now it will be for sure, as they now are the AMA too!

It also makes it next to impossible to remove any rules brought in by these guys, because they are ones who approved them in the first place, plus they are now also the ones you have to convince that a particular rule does not work well! [example... Zoneless Box]

As far as Im concerned, IMAC and the AMA have taken a huge step BACKWARDS.

[ronm]

It would only be fair to post IMAC president Wally Pitts statement:

"
I'm not going to go into allot of detail here tonight, but will cover the
subject more in-depth on my next Presidential Update.

I whole heartedly agree with Doug.

Roy gave a good description as well and I agree with everything he said.

The creation of a scale aerobatic contest board has been a long time goal of
mine personally and many folks have been involved trying to get it done as
well. Over the years, I discussed this issue with anyone who would listen,
for the most part, it should be noted, I was told I was a wasting my time.
Being the eternal optimist that I am, I kept it as a goal to be accomplished

Frankly I feel this is a watershed moment for IMAC. Without a doubt a
milestone in our history. How many of you for example, have complained over
the years that scale aerobatics is not listed on the MA membership
application? To segue from that, to the fact that the AMA has now recognized
the growth, maturity and prominence of scale aerobatics in model aviation by
giving us our own board, is an astounding achievement. The action of the AMA
is one that I salute, as should and all IMAC members. I was also gratified
that the EC allowed newly elected VP Tony Stillman to make the resolution.
The fact that it passed unanimously was yet another vote of confidence in
the progress of IMAC as a leadership SIG by the AMA.

We have, I believe, entered into a new era of relations with the AMA, a
relationship, that, as you look to the size and scope of this year's NATS is
already bearing fruit.

My apologies to the group for not releasing the AMA's decision on our
website. I have been out of town (and out of pocket) with the airline for
all but one day this month. I had hoped to prepare a release for everyone
when it happened, but work commitments did not allow it, this time.

Finally I cannot close without stating that, with every development, there
always exist those that desire to criticize, to tear down rather than to
build. It's unfortunate but that's just a fact of life, especially in the
internet age where no face to face or verbal communication exist. In my
view every, IMAC member should be overjoyed with this development as the
benefits to our sport should be, to even the most casual observer, self
evident.. Sadly it appears that some will always want to create controversy
where, in this case, frankly, none exists.

Some also seem to imply, that by the creation of a Contest Board, and by the
staffing of a few of it's initial members, that rule changes may be "pushed
under the door" and given rubber stamp by the contest board without
membership input or examination. This perception is simply flat wrong, and
is ignorant of the actual process as defined and administered by the AMA.
As long as I am the IMAC President, every rule change proposal, prior to
submission to the AMA, will be given the full view of, and consideration by,
the IMAC membership, there simply is no other way to do business. There will
be no back door deals, everything we do as your IMAC leadership, when it
comes to our rules, or rule change proposals, will be done in full view of
the membership and with their input. I hope this makes my position crystal
clear.


Wally Pitts
IMAC President"

[Bob Hudson]

Ron,

Good observation, and thanks for posting ( forwarding) Wally Pitts views and statement on the matter.

Wally's position is clear, that it IS IMAC, ( the IMAC members and the IMAC BOD )who will be governing the rules for IMAC, ( with certain, in the USA and under the premise of AMA)

[50%300SFlyer]

Originally Posted by ronm

It would only be fair to post IMAC president Wally Pitts statement

Quite true Ron, and thanks for posting it.

While I have tried not to promote political issues as a topic for discussion on these forums, [I have been guitly of that myself on occasions] this one seems unavoidable.

I really don't know how you can have the same people sit as the jury, judge, and executioner... and this is exactly what has happened in this case, without I might add, any prior communication to the general membership concerning this issue.

If you remember the campaign platforms during the recent elections, this was one of the key promises made. Full disclosure to the membership, and to actively seek the memberships input. This has not happened here. It seems some things never change....

Sorry for the negative tone of my post.

[Icebird]

So, I take you that you, Mike, would rather have pattern people deciding on the issues that involve IMAC?????? That is the way that it used to be. Are you afraid of "The Big Bad IMAC"????? It sure seems that way.

You should really take the time to check out the hierarchy of the AMA. The SACB will only decide which proposals go to the AMA EC. They don't have the power to approve them by themselves, the AMA still has the final say.

One other thing that doesn't seem to be acknowledged is that the representatives were chosen by the AMA district VP's, not the IMAC board or anyone related to IMAC. The IMAC board merely supplied some suggested names for them, and the VPs didn't have to use one of the suggested names, they could very well have come up with a candidate of their own choosing.

Jim

[Bob Hudson]

I think the creation of the IMAC / AMA Scale Aerobatic Contest Board ( SACB) truely is, as the IMAC President Wally Pitts put it, "History Breaking" and a great thing.

IMAC members and those directly involved in Scale Aerobatics ( and not just some AMA District Rep, or members of other Special Interst Groups ) will now have a direct voice within the AMA on how OUR SIG is run.

Yes, I am a MAAC member ( 9709L) ( being Canadian and all !!) but I am also an AMA member, and formost, I am an IMAC member.

As a Scale Aerobatic flyer in Canada, where we have decided to follow the IMAC Rules and Guidelines, I endorse the formation of the IMAC / AMA SACB.