[NSRCA-discussion] Amnesty idea

Tue Aug 20 12:02:18 AKDT 2013

AMA has never kept up with points/classes, etc. at least in the 40+ years
I've been flying pattern. And today's AMA has almost no interest in any
competition other than for whatever dollars may be involved in the Muncie
flying sites (if any). Unfortunately most of the membership feels the same
way I guess.

Dave

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of John Gayer
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 2:42 PM
To: General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Amnesty idea

You will note that there is no specific consideration in the rule for the
competitor that says " I made a mistake moving up, I was not ready although
I thought I was and I would like to move back a class". The examples given
would lead one to believe that this "various reason" would not be accepted.
And this example is the key missing element that loses us competitors.
You will also note that "various reasons"  could mean anything. I thought
the AMA tried to stay away from ambiguous rules like this. 
Quite frankly the AMA has abrogated their responsibility to maintain the
class distinctions under their rules. If they want to keep lists of
competitors and their classes, advancement points and disqualify results for
being in a lower class without waiver, that would be fine. Right now the AMA
maintain no lists of competitor classes, points towards advancement or
participation levels and should have rules that reflect that lack of
interest, leaving the SIG to self-police. 
John

On 8/20/2013 12:43 PM, John Fuqua wrote:

Here is the rule:

8.1.2: Exception: Consideration will be given to requests for
reclassification to a lower class for various reasons, such as disability or
breaks from participation of several years. For a contestant to be
reclassified to a lower class, the contestant must petition via email (or
letter if email is not available) to the contestant's AMA District Contest
Board (CB) representative explaining the reasons for the reclassification.
The CB representative will forward a recommendation for approval/disapproval
to the AMA District Vice President (DVP). The AMA DVP will concur/non-concur
and forward the decision to the petitioner and AMA District CB
representative with an info copy to the AMA Technical Director.

Note that the petitioner goes to his CB rep who actually makes the
recommendation.    My DVP has always agreed with my recommendation and I see
no reason why other DVPs would act differently.   All this is done via email
so it should not take more than a week or two at most.  I always info the
AMA Tech Director as well just to keep him in the loop.   

JohnF

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of John Gayer
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 12:01 PM
To: mike mueller; General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Amnesty idea

Mike,
Thanks again for the loan of a very nice airplane for the Fat Lake Pattern
Meet. Glad Russ was able to buy it, it will be a very good airplane for him.

The contest was very well run by Bob Wilson and John Hoelscher and other
members of the Peoria R/C Modelers. I had a great time flying, meeting new
folks and hanging out at the field in Russell Shavitz' new RV parked in the
middle of all that corn.

As Scott McHarg has pointed out in this thread and we discussed during the
contest, the rule change we proposed last year addressed the problem of
being able to move down a class at the end of the year. Others have pointed
out that there is a mechanism for doing this now. It involves petitioning
the AMA for a change in class. There are two problems with this system. One
is that there are some who quit rather than go through the process. Those
flyers are lost to us for long periods of time and may never return. I know
about that, I was one of them for a decade.
The second issue is that the AMA VPs seldom(ever?) reject these petitions.
They do not know the flyer and his abilities, may(or may not) do a bit of
research, and then approve the petition. If they are always approved, what
is the function of this process? Why should we waste the time of the DVP?
Leave it up to the competitor to recognize that a move back one class would
be good for him. Peer pressure will take care of  abusers - as it does now,
not the AMA.
John

On 8/19/2013 12:16 PM, mike mueller wrote:

At the Peoria contest this weekend we had the pleasure of having John Gayer
from New Mexico attend and fly with us.

 We got into a discussion about ideas to grow the sport.

 One I brought up and it's nothing new is a one time only Amnesty period.

 It would allow any flier who has been a consistent low placer in their
class the ability to drop down at the end of a season.

 It seems clear to me that this really needs to happen and the residual
benefit from such a program could very well help to get some guys back into
the sport.

 What would it take to get such a program instituted? 

 What are the barriers that would stop this from being put into the rules?

 Is there a potential downside to this that would make it worse than what we
have now?

Mike Mueller

Customer Services 

F3aunlimited

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