04/29/23 EC Minutes
Executive Council Meeting
April 29, 2023
Muncie, Indiana
1. Opening Business
In attendance: President Rich Hanson, Fishers IN; EVP Randy Cameron, Springfield MO; CFO Keith Sessions, Burlington KY; District I Andy Argenio, (remote); District II, Eric Williams, Schenectady, NY; District III Mark Radcliff, St. Marys WV; District IV Jay Marsh, High Point NC; District V Bill Barbee, ; District VI, Gary Himes, Kansas City MO; District VII, Randy Gibson, Lansing MI; District VIII Lawrence Harville, Hurst TX (remote); District IX Brandon Koch, Mandan ND; District X Greg Stone, Yorba Linda CA; District XI Phil Tallman, Medical Lake WA; Executive Director Chad Budreau, Parker City IN; NAA Greg Principato, Dayton OH; Felix Gora, attorney (remote).
Others present: Staff: Eric Bachmann, IT; Randy Batchelor, IT; Angie Martin, Membership; Ilona Maine, Clubs; Tyler Dobbs, Government Affairs; Steve Haston, Austin Perlee, Rachelle Haughn, AMA Foundation (remote).
Brian Smith, Jeff Black, Amy Spowart, NAA; Paul Bretson, insurance underwriter, Rusty Kennedy, Bill Lee, Dave Lindley, Brenda Schutte.
Additions to final flight: Percy Pierce
2. Consent agenda (see agenda).
All passed by acclamation.
3. President’s Report
Rich Hanson (President) discussed increased travel to events and meetings. Rich briefly discussed efforts from the FAI Bluebook workgroup established by the FAI Executive Committee. Rich reminded the council that due to scheduling, executive session would be moved earlier into the meeting.
4. Executive VP Report
Randy Cameron (EVP) provided updates to the National Fun Fly noting it is progressing well. Randy just returned from the Jim Richmond Indoor event in southern Indiana and the Toledo show. Randy requested that club officers receive more communication about their membership rosters. The EC reminded Randy that the club officers already have access and use a live roster in the club portal. It was recommended that AMA staff develop a training program such as a tutorial video to remind club officers or train new officers how to use the portal. Randy suggested AMA also consider donating 50 one-year youth memberships to the National Free Flight Society (NFFS) to assist in their efforts with Science Olympiad. There was general support for this initiative.
- MOTION I: Motion by Greg Stone. District X, seconded by Eric Williams, District II, to donate 50 one-year youth memberships each year to Science Olympiad Programs to be administered by NFFS.
- Motion passed unanimously.
9:30 Executive session.
5. CFO Report
Keith Sessions (CFO) shared that AMA began working with an outside accounting firm to process budgets and ledgers in lieu of hiring staff. We should expect reports in the coming weeks.
Keith then discussed AMA capital expenditures to include roof repairs, new pavilions, and IT infrastructure. At the last Fed meeting, rates were raised and will continue to go up, expectations are not positive. The US will hit the debt ceiling in June. It is a similar scenario to 2011.
Inflation continues to impact the organization. AMA’s insurance premium went up, but it was expected but still less than most comparable insurance rates.
6. Executive Director’s Report
Chad Budreau (Executive Director) opened the discussion on Government Relations and invited Tyler Dobbs (staff) to present. Tyler shared that AMA recently released Night Operation Training. Members in controlled airspace can receive night authorization through the LAANC app, and we expect clubs in controlled airspace to have their LOAs amended to allow night operations soon.
AMA and the three other CBOs will begin having quarterly meetings with the FAA. Chrystal Pearson, AMA’s Government Relations Director, will represent AMA in these meetings.
AMA’s Sanctioned Event altitude waiver process has been running very smoothly. We have submitted and received approximately 15 requests and approvals in the first two weeks. Colleen Pierce (staff) has been leading this effort and has done an exceptional job. The only real issue has been educating Flight Standards District Offices and the NOTAM call center about this approval system. However, it has been relatively easy to work with FAA Flight Standards to educate the other departments within the agency.
The House Aviation Subcommittee has hosted a number of aviation hearings over the last few months. Many of these hearing have highlighted the importance of model aviation, especially as the pipeline to full-scale aviation. AMA appreciates Congressman Yakym’s support of our hobby throughout these hearings. Tyler attended one of the hearings in person.
Congressional meetings continue to ramp up as we work toward FAA Reauthorization. The AMA government affairs team has been traveling to Washington, D.C., multiple times a month, meeting with members of Congress, their staff, the FAA, and DOT. The FAA authorization expires in October, but it’s very possible that Congress passes a Continuing Resolution to extend the FAA current authorization. AMA hopes that a bill can get passed sometime in 2023, or at least in this Congress.
Discussion took place around the push to raise the UAS registration and Remote ID threshold from 250 grams to 1 kg. AMA is supportive of this effort but it hasn’t gained much traction on Capitol Hill. Most congressional offices were not aware of this push until AMA brought up the topic. AMA EC members stated that they have received very few requests from members to raise the threshold to 1 kg. Tyler stated that his department had received two or three dozen requests, but most were from nonmembers.
The FAA and AMA plan on transitioning over current letters of agreement for clubs in controlled airspace to 7711 Airspace Authorizations. AMA stands ready for the switchover as soon as the FAA finalizes its process.
AMA continues working with the FAA on FRIA applications and the upcoming Remote ID compliance date (September 16, 2023). In addition, AMA also continues working with Remote ID module developers. We hope that more cost-effective options will be available before the September 2023 deadline. Current module costs are $150 to $300—three to six times higher than the FAA estimated in the Final Rule on Remote ID. Tyler questions if this elevated cost would have impacted the required Cost Benefit Analysis in the final rule.
AMA will be submitting public comments regarding the National Environmental Policy Act assessment for FRIAs. The Federal Register comment period ends May 3, 2023.
Tyler thanked Chrystal Pearson, Holly Silvers, his advisors, and lobbyists for all of their hard work and dedication.
FAA expects 4,000 sites that will receive FAA Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) status for Remote ID. Tyler will include in a comment for the federal register that more FRIAs are needed. Chad noted that the FRIA process is taking a lot of staff time and effort. Andy Argenio (District I). asked about what areas a FRIA would cover (e.g. roadways, subdivisions). Tyler and Chad said it is too early to tell, but if an application is denied, appeals can be made.
Chad shared that AMA was invited as a member to an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) for the certification, permitting authorizing, or allowing detections and mitigation technologies/systems. Chad and Tyler have been appointed to serve. Law enforcement, airports, critical infrastructures, etc., want ways to identify and mitigate UAS that they consider a threat. Greg Principato (NAA) stated that Chad’s participation is critical.
Chad updated EC on accomplishments and status of program expectations to include charts of each initiative. There was discussion about the status of FRIAs being granted and the status of FAA. Chad also shared updates from the education team and the 100th anniversary of Nats. He shared marketing efforts and a video to promote the Nats. On April 8, 2024, a total eclipse will occur directly over Muncie, Indiana. The IAC will open the property for the viewing of the eclipse.
7. NAA Report (Greg Principato)
Greg will be retiring from NAA in September 2023. Amy Spowart will be taking over as the head of NAA. He shared her credentials to include serving as the President & CEO of the National Aviation Hall of Fame.
The Collier Award Dinner will take place on June 15, 2023. AMA representatives were invited.
Hazel Sig-Hester was awarded the NAA Stateswoman of the Year trophy. Greg and Randy Gibson (District VII) were in attendance to present it to her. Greg encouraged AMA to nominate people for this and any other NAA award. It is for all aviation, including aeromodeling.
October 23, 2023, will be an FAI general conference in Dayton, Ohio. He discussed plans for the event and invited the EC to attend. Sinclair Community College, a school that has a highly rated aviation program, has a purpose-built facility that will allow flying drones and building models.
Greg thanked the EC for his time on the board and said he was privileged to be a part of it.
Lunch Break
Paul Bretsen, AMA’s insurance broker, spoke to the EC. AMA’s insurance is with Westchester. He discussed the current coverage and expressed his appreciation for AMA’s work. Rich discussed the fact that AMA’s insurance is secondary to homeowners. Paul explained that homeowner’s insurance is designed to cover most incidents and that if AMA’s insurance were primary, then premiums would be much higher. There was a 6% increase in premiums this year.
8. Committee reports
Special Interest Groups
(Randy Cameron) Randy Cameron (EVP) presented a new application for SIG status: Warbirds and Classics Alliance. Randy stated that the group has a good safety program and is a 501(c3). There was some discussion about the alliance and its membership. The World Miniature Warbird Association (WMWA) and the Scale Warbird Racing Association (SWRA) were both removed as SIGs in 2021.
- Motion II: Motion by Randy Gibson (District VII), seconded by Mark Radcliff (District III) to accept the Warbirds and Classics Alliance’s application as a Special Interest Group.
- Motion passed unanimously.
There was a brief discussion about the SIG application itself and there was discussion/question concerning a women’s auxiliary.
Scholarship Committee
The recommended scholarships are as follows:
- Carson McCacheren: $8,000 Charles H. Grant Award (CHG); $500 Sherrow Award
- Ashley Can Milligan: $7,000 CHG Award
- Cooper Thompson: $5,000 CHG Award
- Tyler Pandis: $4,000 CHG Award
- Trevor Harrison: $3,000 CHG Award
- Ray Austin: $2,500 CHG Award
- Greyson Pritchett: $1,000 Cooper Award; $5,000 Telford Scholarship
There was discussion concerning how many applicants there were, whether the available amount was used, and local recognition of the individuals.
- Motion III: Motion by Mark Radcliff (District III), seconded by Greg Stone (District X), to accept the scholarship recipient recommendations by the Scholarship Committee.
- Motion passed unanimously.
Foundation Report
Steve Haston (staff) noted his appreciation for the AMA staff, the EC, and his staff. He discussed external grants including several grants that have been received. The Torchbearer Drive has a leather jacket as an incentive to all new Torchbearers between April 1 and May 31, 2023.
The AMA Walk of Fame has been cleaned up and enhanced, and a new kiosk has been installed in the AMA Headquarters lobby that will let people know where particular bricks are located. A new bench was also installed.
The AMA Foundation’s new website has been updated with new branding, a new tagline (Fuel Your Passion), and a running total of how much the Foundation has received year-to-date.
A new “free will” program was introduced that allows a potential donor to draw up a will and include AMA in his/her will. Steve noted that the program was heavily used by various foundations throughout the nation.
Internal grants were discussed, including Disaster Relief, Flying Site Improvement Grants, and Take off And Grow grants.
A new brochure and new marketing materials were presented and discussed.
The AMA Foundation will have a donor hospitality tent at the AMA Fun Fly and a luncheon for donors.
National Model Aviation Day will be on August 12, 2023. They currently have 35 clubs registered to participate.
Total received money was presented with a comparison with the previous year. The major difference was a large bequest in 2022.
Rich Hanson (President) questioned the TAG grant disbursement process. Unused TAG monies were rolled into the Flying Site Assistance program this year. This process will be addressed before next year so that more TAG applicants will receive an allotment.
Motion IV: Motion by Phil Tallman (District XI), seconded by Greg Stone (District X), to accept the Flying Site Improvement Grant recipients as recommended by the Flying Site Improvement Committee.
- Motion passed unanimously.
DEI Workgroup
Randy Gibson (District VII) has been leading a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workgroup since last year. He expressed appreciation to those who have provided input.
The composition of the EC and its leadership needs to accept that it needs to become more diverse and inclusive. He suggested that, when filling positions, we need to look at female and minority applicants for various positions to include the pending vacancy for the CFO position and other AVP appointments. He strongly stressed awareness of the number of underrepresented people. He suggested that term limits are not being honored by the EC and restated the necessity of EC members taking the responsibility to recruit and train a more diverse culture. He brought up an example of attending a convention that included a tent for females. Schools generally have gender-targeted programs with a goal of inclusivity.
There was some discussion about how accomplish these goals.
Greg Principato (NAA) noted that the issue is a sustainability issue. “We know what to do, but we need to just start doing it,” he stated. He noted that if an EC member does not have anybody to take your place after 9 years, you’re not doing your job.
There was discussion about various programs, including the Science Olympiad, and its inclusivity.
Randy stated that his report was to open eyes. He cannot point a course of action, but present a concern that is vital to address.
Paul Bretsen, the insurance representative, noted that in his insurance experience many boards are coming under scrutiny for not having an active DEI policy. There is a responsibility to adhere to DEI efforts/guidelines.
Rich Hanson (President) requested that Randy share his report to the EC for further review and discussion.
Publications
(Gary Himes District VI) Park Pilot magazine is on pace to be sunsetted with the Fall issue. Subscribers will receive access to MA digital earlier than previously determined.
Review, update FAI Bluebook
Chad Budreau (ED) thanked all of the people involved including in the workgroup and estimated 300 volunteer hours were committed to the project. Because the Bluebook has not been updated in over a decade, there were numerous outdated and ambiguous issues. Requirements for entry were updated. Complaints and protests processes were improved. Positions and qualifications were updated. Communication guidance and requirements were clarified. Even logistical efforts such as travel recommendations were updated including insurance, medicines, visas, equipment, and fuel. Funding was discussed at length as was a specific rule that allows countries to fund a team to include FAI’s “female” requirement.
The proposed funding increases were questioned by many on the EC. It was noted that FAI competitors are a small percentage of AMA membership, yet AMA pays more FAI fees than any other organization. He suggested that FAI competitors be separated into a new individual SIG and only that SIG (far smaller membership) would have to pay the FAI fees. Greg Principato (NAA) discussed the logistics of AMA dropping out and only an FAI competitor SIG be an FAI member. Rich Hanson (President) stated that competition drives the hobby. Keith Sessions (CFO) who supports competition expressed concerns that the money spent on teams/FAI participation is out of proportion to the number of people affected by FAI programming. FAI fees are expected to increase dramatically. Rich stated that for most countries the FAI program is their entire program. In the US, AMA has its own program.
Bill Lee (member and workgroup volunteer) discussed the actual cost per person and what AMA actually pays to help subsidize these competitors’ individual costs. Dave Lindley (member and workgroup volunteer) mentioned the emotional effect of the teams and their successes.
Chad asked for any additional feedback to give to the workgroup as they develop a final draft. Rich commended the workgroup for their work and suggested they address the concerns presented by the EC.
Mark Radcliff (District III) proposed that Leader Members be invited to attend EC meetings via Zoom or similar activity, making reservations available to a predetermined number, first come, first serve. There was discussion about how to manage such engagement, how to control comments or input, and who will monitor the discussion, and who will be the gatekeeper and validate who is in attendance. There was much discussion about confidentiality and social media.
- Motion V: Motion by Mark Radcliff (District III), seconded by Lawrence Harville (District VIII) to invite current AMA Leader Members to attend quarterly Executive Council meetings virtually.
- Motion VI: Motion by Randy Cameron (AVP), seconded by Phil Tallman (District XI), to table Motion V to allow for time to further research the logistics needed to implement.
Eric Williams (II) asked the EC to consider accepting a proposal he shared earlier from the Marketing and Membership Committee to recognize and honor our active military with a discounted join rate. There was a discussion about logistics, terms, and qualifications.
- Motion VII: Motion by Eric Williams (District II), seconded by Andy Argenio (District I), to offer a first-year initial member rate of $49 through 2024, to active US military personnel no later than June 1, 2023.
- Motion passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 4:32
Release Date
Thu, 06/08/2023 - 15:05