Randy Gibson, Candidate for AMA Executive VP

00:15.22
Ron
Hello, everyone, and welcome to the RC Plane Lab podcast. With the AMA Executive Vice President election in full swing, we wanted to give the candidates a chance to talk directly to AMA members. about where they think the organization is headed and what they would do in the position.

00:29.20
Ron
Our guest today is Randy Gibson from Lansing, Michigan. Randy currently serves as AMA District 7 Vice President. In his candidate statement, he talks about his concerns he's heard from members about costs, declining membership.

00:41.09
Ron
Membership value and support from the AMA headquarters. He also outlines ideas for helping clubs with events and community out outrageach or outreach and calls for greater fiscal responsibility within the AMA.

00:53.69
Ron
We're going to talk about those priorities and what he hopes to accomplish as Executive Vice President if elected. Randy, welcome to RC Plane Lab.

01:01.28
Randy
Hey, thank you for having me. I really appreciate this opportunity to talk about, you know I guess, about myself, my background. and what I feel I can bring. to the position and what I have brought to AMA, specifically District 7.

01:18.65
Ron
Yeah, no problem. We are glad to have you on. So for listeners that don't know you, tell us a little about yourself, your history in model aviation, and what your involvement is with the AMA.

01:28.40
Randy
Sure. Well, my history in model aviation may take up the entire broadcast. but I'll try to make it a bit brief.

01:32.69
Ron
So you're a modeler.

01:35.66
Randy
Yeah.

01:36.43
Ron
That's good to hear.

01:37.19
Randy
Oh, yes. I've been a modeler for a very long time. In fact, one of the things that your listeners probably could go back and look at some of my previous columns, because I want to make sure the membership know.

01:51.10
Randy
Who I am and my background. And so to give you the real. brief cliff notes of it i started in model aviation Way too long ago. When I was...

02:04.19
Randy
Probably about in high school. And I started with them flying wing. And in fact, actually, I started at a club in Detroit called the Detroit Aeromodelers. And I had the opportunity actually this past weekend to go visit them. And it was it was really... a good experience. I mean

02:25.39
Randy
Walking around the flying site, seeing the change. A couple of people were still there that were there when I was originally in it. And it was quite a nostalgic tour. you know going back to the old club but like in my in my column one of the things i wrote about was when i had the opportunity to meet hazel sig for her 100th birthday and the reason why i bring that up is because my first airplane was a SIG cadet.

02:55.04
Randy
And I still wish today, I think about it every once in a while, and I wish I still had it today just to look back because as a youngster, I didn't know the fine skills of how to even build an airplane. But when it was finished

03:09.19
Randy
I would have sworn it was the most beautiful thing that was... ever created. And I go back and I think about my first instructor at the Detroit Aero Modelers and how kind they were to me. because I'm sure when they looked at that plane, they thought this will never fly because it was probably twisted. I didn't even know what a... a the covering iron was. I think I used my mom's iron for clothes.

03:38.69
Randy
You know, put the to put the monocode on. But it flew. And that was just... like the beginning of it for me and so Throughout the period of time, I mean I was off to college, you know, and then you hit the real world with a job.

03:57.26
Randy
But I would even go back and say, my modeling experience. Growing up. led me to the career path that I ended up taking. I mean, a lot of working with it because my career path ended up in motorsports, working with race cars. And believe it or not, just even some of the basics you learn from flying airplanes.

04:19.06
Randy
Translated into some of the research we would do in the wind tunnels. because guess what or an indie car race car is an upside down airplane you know It's about getting it to stick to the ground.

04:31.75
Randy
You know let's downforce and reducing drag. What do we do with airplanes? The wings create lift. So that was. that was a part then i Along the path, I got into radio-controlled helicopters and actually used to fly that competitively. I was competed at the Nats.

04:49.83
Randy
Both the AMA Nats and at the time the Mac, the Canadian Nats. Made a lot of friends and that's still a lot that we keep in touch with now. and The bottom line is, if it goes in the air, I fly it.

05:04.33
Randy
So if you if you look through the collection... I have everything from your small indoor planes, which I enjoy that in the wintertime because as I get older, I don't really like the cold.

05:17.73
Ron
I agree.

05:17.50
Randy
At the end of it. Perfect temperature. No wins, great time. So all the way up to large scale, like AJ Laser, I have 120.

05:28.79
Randy
I just loaded up today my... Ex-cub. that I'm taking down to Muncie, which I'm going to tomorrow. to turbines I still do helicopters. So... One and... The next part.

05:43.89
Randy
Which is one of the greatest things about the position I've had. I was elected. To the council in 2020, right at the... Peak of COVID. And but the Greatest thing that I like.

05:58.32
Randy
About being on the council is meeting the members throughout the district. I really enjoy, I travel. Very much through the district my district covers Iowa, Wisconsin.

06:11.93
Randy
Minnesota and Michigan. Since I live in Michigan, the clubs in Michigan don't really see me much in the summertime. I kind of focus and visit them in the winter because it's a little difficult to drive to Minnesota in the middle of winter. But I do go to and visit a lot of clubs. And that was...

06:31.32
Randy
Actually, when I came on council, that was one of the first surprising things when I would go attend a club event because I would put my column Please let me know. Let me know when the events are. And in the beginning, I never heard.

06:46.72
Randy
People would not really send anything because they were so conditioned that in the past the DVPs would not show up. And when I would hear about something, I'd pop up.

06:58.39
Randy
And they're like, wow, you actually came. And in fact, going back to that, when I went to Hazel Sig's 100th birthday. you know which she looked up at me.

07:08.68
Randy
And she said no one from ama has ever been to one of my birthday parties before Which when you think, yeah, when you think about Hazel Sig, a lot of us being in modeling.

07:13.69
Ron
Really?

07:19.92
Randy
Owe it to SIG and SIG manufacturing, whether it's free flight. control line or RC. But... Let me tell you, I promised her and I went to every birthday party after until we lost her last year. so

07:35.40
Ron
Well, very good. You have a very nice history in the hobby, so you know what you're talking about.

07:38.55
Randy
And Ugh.

07:40.57
Ron
But

07:40.36
Randy
I've been around you know let me tell you just like everybody else i've had some good times and I've lost some aircraft.

07:49.16
Ron
Oh, I bet we could talk about that all night because I'm in the same boat.

07:50.74
Randy
Yes.

07:52.28
Ron
Well, we'll try and keep it moving just a little bit.

07:54.69
Randy
Okay.

07:55.03
Ron
So I want to ask, why are you running for the AMA Executive Vice President?

08:00.55
Randy
The reason I am... is this. One of the things that I've... prided myself on within the district. is being a voice and letting the district members know exactly what's going on.

08:14.22
Randy
And what my goal is it because i've even had back in the beginning of the summer, I had one of the club members in iowa the event i was attending asking me well what do you really hope to gain from the position of the Executive Vice President.

08:32.57
Randy
Because that's still just one vote. And I said, what my main goal is. is I have a district voice right now. So the members of but of my district are very in tune with what's going on at AMA.

08:47.93
Randy
My goal is to have a national voice. because it would not be proper for me to go into other districts. and you know, talk to them about what's really going on and as you saw my campaign statement that was one of the key things because i feel if I can get out there and educate our membership.

09:10.11
Randy
Then they can hold they're District. VPs, the district reps. accountable. Because one of the things, again, going back, as I said, when I first came on the council.

09:22.22
Randy
In 2020. was the comment We never see our district VP. So, If... If the DVP...

09:32.89
Randy
Is not going out to these events. How can they really represent the members within that district? Because they don't know what's actually going on. And I'll give a... a specific example of something that happened back in January.

09:49.47
Randy
So... the council had discussed a rule a proposed rule. with regard to limiting the power on turbine.

09:59.54
Randy
Airplanes. Well, I fly turbines, but... When I saw that was going to be on the agenda for discussion in January, Even though I fly turbines

10:11.05
Randy
There are other considerations that I may not even know of. So I reached out throughout the district. And asked members, because I've seen met at meets like Minnesota Jets that I've been to and some others. And I said, hey, this is...

10:26.04
Randy
A proposed rule that's coming up I want to know your thoughts. So that when I go to the council meeting. I'm representing and speaking for the members of the district. on it.

10:37.92
Randy
And one of the key things that I took from that was One individual emailed me back. And he said, well, have you considered this? And what the big difference was...

10:50.58
Randy
I call myself in the I'm in the cheap class of turbines, you know. I mean, I guess they all none of them are cheap. but compared to some of the people i've seen flying with massive twin turbines Well, what this person brought to my attention, and again, I didn't think about it because I don't fly that specific style of jet.

11:12.13
Randy
Is that ruling was going to have a very detrimental effect to twin turbine airplanes. Didn't even think about it from my standpoint because all I have are single you know, similar.

11:25.53
Randy
And... that was really good because then that enabled me to go to the council meeting and then speak intelligently and represent the members of the district. Had I not...

11:36.96
Randy
Gone out you know first off had I not gone to some of the meets you know, I wouldn't have met the people that I could reach out to later to say, What are your thoughts on this?

11:48.70
Randy
I need to hear from you. so

11:51.02
Ron
Yeah. And we all know bigger flies better.

11:51.81
Randy
Two.

11:53.22
Ron
So

11:53.42
Randy
Yeah Yes.

11:54.09
Ron
But

11:54.94
Randy
Yeah And so cubic dollars too. so again, going back, one of my main goals is to...

11:57.58
Ron
Yeah.

12:02.67
Randy
Be able to speak on a national level. rather than just the district and help. make sure because If... Members in...

12:13.52
Randy
Other districts are not getting the information. That they should receive They are then able to go to their DVPs and AVPs in that district and say, hey, how come I'm not getting updates on this?

12:28.66
Randy
And... Guess what? If that if they don't get a satisfactory answer then I guess they look at replacing them.

12:35.76
Ron
Yeah So what do you think or what do you see as like the three biggest challenges facing the AMA right now?

12:42.22
Randy
Huh. Without a doubt, the one of the biggest is the membership decline. And with everything follows with that. With the membership decline, then you have the financial issues that come to bear.

12:56.98
Randy
You know, costs are going up, as we all know, we see with... just even gas prices, we see how they are. continuing to rise. And so that is, again

13:09.27
Randy
The membership side... is one of the keys. And it I really like to appreciate the fact that you asked that because... it brings back one of the things that...

13:21.28
Randy
Throughout when I meet clubs. and attend their events or club meetings. I ask questions. Like, do you what do you find... as a value for being an AMA member. Or do you find a value in being a member?

13:36.72
Randy
And the Answers. that have been unfortunately very consistent but rather disappointing are that they look at the membership of many. And again, I've only spoken in my district.

13:51.48
Randy
So I don't know nationally because, again, I'm not able to reach out nationally. but Unfortunately... The common view is the AMA membership is a tax Now let me explain so if you go to the store and you buy your you know, your next model airplane.

14:12.78
Randy
You have to pay a sales tax. Well, the members that I've spoken with in my district, They look at it as if they want to go to the flying field to fly.

14:24.06
Randy
That's the price they have to pay. That's the tax. they not They are not feeling that they're getting anything in return other than the ability to go to the field. That's rather disappointing. you know in my in my view that is it.

14:39.18
Randy
And... the problem that leads is if they don't feel there's a value. If something else comes along. They would just leave. They'll leave the hobby.

14:50.33
Randy
They'll go pursue other things if they don't really feel a strong value in it.

14:55.65
Ron
Yeah. Oh, I'm going to be honest. It's hard. So I'm... i'm Trying to give you your, I don't want to make this a conversation between us.

15:03.84
Randy
Sure.

15:03.93
Ron
I'm trying to let you do, and this is, it's kind of hard for me not to. throw my opinions in there, but...

15:08.38
Randy
No, I...

15:09.25
Ron
I'm gonna leave it out.

15:11.01
Randy
Okay. Yeah. You're welcome.

15:12.85
Ron
We

15:13.89
Randy
If there's something that, you know, you have a thought you want to discuss, I'm more than open to that.

15:19.02
Ron
We can talk afterwards. well Like I said, I want to leave this just about you.

15:20.75
Randy
Okay. Okay.

15:23.09
Ron
But No, that's a very good answer on that one. and one I can understand. So we'll move on a little bit.

15:33.31
Ron
So you've already served.

15:33.45
Randy
Sure.

15:35.06
Ron
For several years in the AMA leadership, like you said, want something that you have accomplished already personally during that time that you're proud of.

15:44.62
Randy
Well... i mean Personally, I'm proud of. One of the things is... i love this hobby and i love the people that i meet in this hobby because they become long-lasting friends.

15:53.71
Ron
Hu

15:57.06
Randy
In fact, today it was... Pretty... special because In part because of running. And obviously the ballots are out. But.

16:08.11
Randy
Also, I guess because I'm on Facebook. A very dear friend of mine that I have not seen or talked to for probably 20 years reached out to me. And this person, we used to go and we'd see each other because we competed flying RC helicopters.

16:25.73
Randy
And... well i That is what... to me is I guess. personally the greatest thing is because It just was... Here's somebody that we met I met through the hobby.

16:39.84
Randy
We were but We were best friends back in the day. Obviously, lives take us down different paths. But... can reach out. and is still there so as far on a personal level it's because of the people that i meet and that i continue to meet and that we can share we share the same passions probably more what you're probably looking for to be honest is like specifically things on council one of the the things that

17:09.85
Randy
I take pride on, and again, This also relates to... value and AMA membership. is You know, I believe in leading by example.

17:20.37
Randy
You know clubs are suffering the same thing as ama is decline in membership, things like that. And many times AMA will send out you know, like suggestions for clubs to get more involved in the community.

17:38.54
Randy
Something along those lines. But what I came to find out... was you know Again, I believe in leading by example. When I would... When I initially went and ask the question at headquarters, what are we doing?

17:51.83
Randy
I mean AMA. to be involved with the local community in Muncie. Initially found that. to be a question without an answer and that was That was not acceptable to me. so I took it upon myself with again friends of mine that helped and reached out And I'll just fast forward without going into like. Although... Good.

18:18.44
Randy
Hmm. microscopic intricacies of it. but we have now developed a very good relationship with the Muncie Children's Museum and we have put on programs now. We finished our second year putting on a program with them.

18:33.05
Randy
We started a community event where we invite the community out And we have planes. that we buddy box them on, but we take it one step further.

18:45.39
Randy
We also have every month when we have that session, we have a ground school. We discuss various aspects of the hobby because it's not just RC, and some people may not want to.

18:58.39
Randy
Go the RC route. Some may want to go control line. Some may want to go free flight. And so each month, we talk about different aspects of the hobby. We buddy box them because that's what. we can do and we can take them up and one of the things as well is One of the barriers that people can find is the barrier cost of entry.

19:21.54
Randy
This program. Come. You fly our equipment. have a great time and they even get take home log books with them because in it we cover what the lessons were in the ground school.

19:37.47
Randy
We... Add in their logbook. If they completed certain tasks, like let's say they were able to fly straight and level consistently, able to do 180 degree turns.

19:49.14
Randy
So on and so forth, that's logged in. because the other thing what we found is it gives the participants ownership. When you go to fly learn to fly a full-scale airplane

20:00.59
Randy
What's the first thing they give you is a logbook. what happens in that logbook every task that you perform is in that. So you can review it all the time. So

20:11.30
Randy
We follow that procedure we have log books we hand it out to them they write in and to put it We were looking at the numbers. earlier And between the two events that we've done this year with the Children's Museum.

20:29.33
Randy
And our monthly community event we've probably brought 300 plus people on AMA's site.

20:37.43
Ron
Very nice. That's something that could be implemented.

20:40.70
Randy
Yes.

20:40.73
Ron
Nationwide.

20:41.67
Randy
Well, and the goal is, you know... thing. There's so many aspects. that's what So I'm sorry if i if I speak too much. But one of the things... that I looked at is going back to the value of being an AMA member.

20:55.83
Randy
What? I would like people to do, and this is why I would like to see the programs develop there, because let's take you, for example, in your club. but Let's say you just formed a new club and you want to know.

21:10.13
Randy
Ideas get ideas on how to become... more integrated within the community. develop community relationships and support. Well, when you reach out to AMA, it'd be in the ideal world.

21:24.91
Randy
That they pull a book. Oh, yes, here's a program that we did. They send it to you. Are things going to be exactly the same? No, but it gives you kind of a guideline to follow.

21:36.53
Randy
And that is one of the... One of the things I hope... You know, that by putting on these programs that we're doing in Muncie, that we're developing the database, so to say.

21:48.20
Randy
To be able to provide clubs in

21:51.31
Ron
Okay.

21:51.81
Randy
Trust me i've had in within my district i've had what i call the secret shoppers call and ask these questions, you know, because i want the only way for me to know...

22:00.68
Ron
Yeah

22:03.84
Randy
Is to actually find out. So I have had secret shoppers call AMA. and say hey you know we just formed a new club and we'd like to learn more about how we can get involved with the community.

22:17.73
Randy
And then. analyze the responses from that.

22:20.98
Ron
Yeah, good way to audit yourself.

22:22.86
Randy
Yes.

22:24.19
Ron
One of the things you brought up was the decline in membership. And I think we all know that's an issue that is. AMA is facing. Why do you think membership has declined and what?

22:32.67
Randy
Yes.

22:37.12
Ron
In your role, if elected, do you think you could do to help? combat that.

22:43.56
Randy
Very good question. Unfortunately, me as an individual, cannot just turn the tide, but we can try to work to try to stem that. the first thing i'll refer back to what i said before regarding when members feel that their membership is solely a tax.

23:05.11
Randy
And they don't really find much benefit for it. That's when they're on the edge. They may be a member today and then go off tomorrow. They don't they don't really find the value in it.

23:16.18
Randy
You know going back to It was my career in modeling. I said I started a long time ago, developed friendships. There was many paths. that I was able to take.

23:27.74
Randy
And that's why I'm still an AMA member. because I did find value in it. Unfortunately, today we are in a different world. I mean, it's a lot of instant gratification, you know, the technology and so many other aspects is there.

23:42.85
Randy
So... That's the number one thing. We have to bring value back. Now, one of the things that I have seen with the programs we've run, The next.

23:53.50
Randy
Critical thing to not only bringing in new members, But... keeping them engaged, is we've got to bring the fun back. you know And that's one of the things that... that i see i mean we all have been inundated with rules and like the remote ID and things like that. We have to bring the fun back.

24:16.21
Randy
You know, I went to an event last year, and I'll just put it right out there because I'm the unique person. I went to Flite Fest last year. and You know what? I watched a lot of people having a lot of fun.

24:31.80
Randy
And... you know it was it was a good group i actually learned a lot took a lot back from them but Yeah, when you see, and this is what I see when we did the Children's Museum event, and I'll tell people if they want to, it's yeah they'll have to dig down because it's...

24:49.05
Randy
Back in June, but if you went to the Muncie Children's Museum Facebook page And you looked at the photos. of the kids. out on AMA property flying their gliders, just smiles and having a great time.

25:05.29
Randy
That's what's going to bring it in. And I can even give you a real world example. It's small. you know in terms of the chart it's not like a thousand people but last year again one of the community events and we put together an indoor fun fly at the Muncie the Horizon Convention Center.

25:27.63
Randy
And it was to benefit the toys for tots. It was right around the Christmas time. And so we had a lot of pilots there. very generous with their donations for the Toys for Tots program, but we also had the doors open and the public coming in and to see.

25:42.72
Randy
And there was this one family that came in and they had her daughter their daughter with them. Their daughter was 9 or 10 years old. seemed really interested in the planes and things like that. So

25:55.81
Randy
You know, we brought... brought we brought a We had... And we'll have this year for our Toys for Tots. But we had... things like night vapors, we had small plate foam airplanes. And so we also put her on the simulator.

26:12.12
Randy
And then put her on a night vapor and she was having a great time parents were enjoying it Fast forward to June. when we have our monthly community events.

26:25.06
Randy
That family... Came to that. event. And... So, I mean, again, ground school, buddy boxing them and the like. And she could hardly wait to show us. She had been to the Dayton Air Show. She had photos with the Blue Angels.

26:40.01
Randy
Really exciting. and But here was here was really the point. live. really made me feel good. She asked after yo she had done the buddy boxing, and also her parents had to because at our events.

26:53.08
Randy
This is not a dump and run. The parents also participate. So we've had... every child and their parent participates the parents get a log book as well But she asked me, they the young lady asked me

27:08.82
Randy
If I would mind. looking at her airplane. And... I said, sure. you know but In my mind, unfortunately, I'm thinking Wow, this is going to be no disrespect to Amazon, but something that... was bought on Amazon, probably had zero chance of being able to fly.

27:29.45
Randy
And... I see her. She goes to the car. and I see her carrying this box that was almost as big as she was. And that box was a ready-to-fly apprentice.

27:41.66
Ron
Oh, okay.

27:41.99
Randy
They're like Whoa. So. She's excited. She's putting it up on the table and unpacking it. So I asked her mom and I said wow that's Whoa. that's pretty amazed i was flabbergasted actually because that's not what i was expecting And I asked her, I said, when did you get that for? And she said.

28:02.15
Randy
We got it for her at Christmas. Look. Well, this is June. That's six months later. And... i was again still surprised and what her mom said was That. They saw how interested and how focused she was.

28:19.17
Randy
At that indoor funfly. And they wanted, you know, to... support her with that. I'm like, wow, great. He said, well, it's still, that's December. This is June. That's six months.

28:30.87
Randy
Have you taken it to another club? And what... her mom said to me was no we didn't because we knew that you would be having other events And they really liked the way that we worked with the youth.

28:44.94
Randy
At the Toys for Tots. And so they wanted to wait until that. so You know, they knew we were going to have events and they brought it out there. and So that particular day, she had...

28:56.88
Randy
Two or three flights on the planes we use which are maxford mentors and then we probably flew her on her plane half hour 40 minutes

29:05.62
Ron
Wow

29:05.78
Randy
You know. on it so we had that, and then... Oh, let's see, July. August we had the torrential rains down there so we had to cancel that.

29:17.44
Randy
But... oh Let me just a quick side story on that. Most people would have thought. Well, with the reins, because I'm sure you probably heard about the flooding that happened in Muncie and AMA it was just flooded out. I've never seen that much water.

29:30.86
Randy
And we have... On the flyer, we have that on that particular date. We go from 4 to 7 p.m. And... I come from the school, if I say we're going to be 4 to 7 p.m., if it's a big downpour like that

29:47.50
Randy
I'm still going to sit there. And we had two families. that actually showed up. Yeah. And... you know that And we have one other family that has already purchased a... apprentice as well so you know what we have to do and i in I would say Going back to...

30:09.60
Randy
Circle into your question. What we did, well and it may it'll make sense when I put it this way, what we did is we brought fun. The families that came.

30:20.73
Randy
Had fun, they had a great time. They enjoyed it. And then they came on board.

30:27.58
Ron
Yeah

30:27.77
Randy
You know, That's what it's really about.

30:31.15
Ron
Very nice. Okay. So let's move on a little bit.

30:34.30
Randy
Okay.

30:35.11
Ron
We know that there's a lot of people that buy airplanes and they will be flying. without joining the AMA. So if one of them asks you, why should I spend money to join the AMA?

30:41.97
Randy
Yes.

30:46.27
Ron
What is your answer?

30:48.19
Randy
Well, my answer is The social side, the camaraderie. it's also You come to a club field or you're involved with a club and you have a problem with your plane, there's probably someone that has had the same problem and knows how to fix it.

31:03.79
Randy
However, Again, going back to the same thing, we have to bring the value back. I mean, when I, again, going back to the way long time ago, sorry for the gray hair.

31:16.14
Randy
But...

31:16.59
Ron
I have it too.

31:17.04
Randy
And the It was one of those things at the time that... You wanted to be an AMA. And you wanted to be involved with the club. I mean, going back on the nostalgia trip that I had this weekend, visiting the club it first started at

31:32.83
Randy
I remember people that would Come to the club field. Just to hang out. You know and Chad and laugh and things like that was fun.

31:44.78
Randy
You know, and We have to bring that back it is just it is critical the reason you know if there's No fun.

31:55.34
Randy
No camaraderie. no social benefit. Then there is. then there is no reason. to join.

32:03.75
Ron
Yeah.

32:04.21
Randy
And be part of a club. So we have to bring that bring that Back.

32:09.90
Ron
So what do you think AMA should be doing for local clubs that it isn't doing now? or isn't doing well enough.

32:16.53
Randy
Well Again, that's a question that can go on all night. So I'll just give you a brief version.

32:23.59
Ron
What? Yeah, let's do it let's do an overview shot of that.

32:24.49
Randy
I mean Yes, yeah, so One of the things, again, like I said, what I find out from you know, as I call it, my secret shoppers.

32:34.80
Randy
We have to remember that the members are our customers. And we are here, you know, for our customers and to support them.

32:46.65
Randy
When... a person calls with a basic question. And they go through. Transfer after transfer after transfer. leave a voicemail.

32:59.58
Randy
Don't get a reply back. That's not going to leave them with a good feeling. And, you know, I've been told that many times. I'll be honest, I've actually witnessed it myself. We need to get Better. with our communication to our members.

33:17.87
Randy
You know

33:19.58
Ron
Yeah. i like that answer, actually. I dealt with the same thing at a fly-in I was CDing last weekend.

33:27.84
Randy
Okay.

33:28.58
Ron
But once again. Not about me, about you.

33:29.97
Randy
Look. Yeah, yeah.

33:31.30
Randy
Well, let me just tell you, will I mean, I'll lay this right out. i Because one of the things that you will find and in... if Again, if you could go interview... People throughout District 7, they will tell you I'm an open book, and sometimes that gets me in trouble. But... Just like you said. For the Toys for Tots event.

33:51.34
Randy
That is coming up. this December 5th. I had to file a sanction. right makes sense you know sanction and have the certificate of insurance for horizon It took me...

34:06.92
Randy
I mean, doing the online portal between like some slowness and some hang-ups, it took me probably 30 minutes to file the sanction for Funfly. That to me is...

34:19.03
Randy
Too much time. you know

34:20.39
Ron
Yeah

34:20.95
Randy
It just it shouldn't you know We need to look at... making it simpler And sometimes, unfortunately, what I've seen as well, when we think we've made an improvement, it's actually a regression.

34:36.93
Ron
Yeah I've seen that.

34:37.59
Randy
Yep.

34:38.33
Ron
In a lot of things.

34:38.34
Randy
Yeah. so I mean...

34:39.67
Ron
Not just a hobby.

34:40.94
Randy
No, but no. And so that's one of the things, you' again, to deal with. so And there are some other things that we really need to look at. i mean of Fiscal responsibility is huge because...

34:55.54
Randy
As All of us on the council, we have a fiduciary responsibility to the members. And we really need. to take that. And... you know make sure that we are doing right by them

35:10.88
Ron
Yeah So. It kind of goes into the next thing I have written down. and Like I said, i so I have quite a few more questions, so if we kind of can...

35:17.62
Randy
Okay. I'll try to speed it up.

35:18.95
Ron
Yeah, as politely as I can say that.

35:19.56
Randy
Sorry. Yeah. had little No problem. but

35:24.74
Ron
Yeah, so... One of the things that... we are concerned with is the loss of flying sites. I've heard a lot of different flying sites closed down because they lose their land or something like that. What do you think AMA can realistically do to help clubs protect what they have or find new ones?

35:42.74
Randy
Well, I think it goes right back to what I was saying you know with some of the events. I mean, one of the things that is... To me that I've seen again and have done firsthand leading by example is community relationships I mean

35:59.05
Randy
I will go back, and again, and I'm just doing this because leading by example and giving some personal... views of it.

36:10.14
Randy
There's We have a club. in Michigan where we fly jets. It's at a full-scale airport. It's like Claire Municipal Airport, 48 Delta.

36:21.07
Randy
And... we got We got the ability for that flying site because... Woodruff Lake Airport was familiar with a lot of us that flew. We also had a flying site that the city provided to us that we flew electrics at. so What I've found is...

36:40.73
Randy
You know, the communities the communities want to see activities for the youth. Because again, they don't want them like this. They want them being able to be out doing things.

36:51.88
Randy
And One of the things, and I've had i've had clubs call me up. And they've said, you know, we just were notified that we're losing our flying site. My first question to them was

37:03.28
Randy
How What type of community involvement do you have? and The clubs that have said, no, we don't. do anything with the community. We just want to fly.

37:13.76
Randy
Like, well... You're going to have a very tough time. but I've had other clubs that have... very entrenched within the community and let's say for some particular reason that flying site is going to be developed into something else.

37:28.82
Randy
The community is working to get them another flying site. So, one of the predominant things, and I've and i've said this throughout the district, and they know that, and again, this would be a national statement.

37:42.21
Randy
Is It is important. imperative. to be involved. with the community. If you're not Then when you run into a problem You don't have the support It's just...

37:54.79
Randy
Who controls the community.

37:57.72
Ron
Yeah.

37:58.35
Randy
Yes.

37:59.16
Ron
Yep.

37:59.28
Randy
So

38:00.47
Ron
I agree with that. So. Okay. Next. How would you evaluate AMA's handling? of the FAA regulation. and its adbasscy or advocacy for recreational model aviation. Oh. Is there anything you would change?

38:17.41
Randy
No, to be honest, again what i when I've looked at various... Aspects you know And i've when I've created, as I call it, my list

38:27.62
Randy
Of what we do well. and what we may not do well. what I feel that we do well and maybe not. tout our horn as well as we should.

38:38.30
Randy
Is the advocacy side of it because Going back when the remote ID situation started, i was really when i came on board there was a big panic and one of the things i would tell people in my district is, look

38:57.20
Randy
Let us have time to work through this. You know, don't hit all the alarm bells. Let us... And it will be back to where we were. And that's where we are actually. are right now because many, if not most of the clubs are free us.

39:13.24
Randy
Those that aren't. Like the jet club that we fly at the airport, we have a remote ID exemption. So it's still kind of like it was back in the day. So I would say our advocacy is very... good and it's strong and that's one of our that is one of our strengths you know and we're constantly having new challenges.

39:33.12
Randy
That come up, but... I'm confident in our advocacy program.

39:37.53
Ron
So with that, with as much... As many things change as, you know, technology progresses. How important do you think it should be for newer parts of the hobby like FPV, multi-rotors, GPS-coordinated flights and all that stuff be to AMA's future?

39:55.90
Randy
I'm not sure I'm quite following. i use you

39:58.85
Ron
So like the... I guess what I'm trying to get at is, you know when I think of AMA, It's flying RC airplanes. When I think of the hobby, that is what it is to me. I don't do quadcopters.

40:09.68
Ron
I don't do helicopters. I know other people do, and that's fine.

40:12.92
Randy
Okay?

40:13.35
Ron
But.

40:12.95
Randy
Yes.

40:14.35
Ron
As we're getting more... like DJI drones and that kind of stuff, how much... of that should be included under the AMA umbrella. versus pure hobbyists and I don't want to say dumb airplanes, but not like smart controlled GPS waypoints and all that kind of. technology

40:33.85
Randy
Well That is... a question that is multifaceted and let me try to explain i do think That. FPV The multi-rotors.

40:47.36
Randy
All should be included. And here is why. Because, for example, the cinema industry, your movies. Guess what? They have pilots.

40:58.94
Randy
That fly camera drones. to get the shots. Where else is it better for a youth? to start learning about that. so that when they progress onward, they can do that.

41:11.52
Randy
An example that I had last year, I've had my 107. since it first came out and i got my 107 because of the fact that i would just was curious you know just like so many other things oh you got to have a part 107 to do this well okay i took the test just to see him and hello i've got a 107. last year I was visiting some friends up in northern Michigan.

41:35.75
Randy
And I saw a drone in the field, and this was a massive drone. It was an ag drone. And so I actually watched it. And then when it started to go back, I followed it because I was. curious and i found the company that was flying with spray drones And she was talking to them because, again, if it flies. I'm into it. you know I want to know about it.

41:56.93
Randy
And Believe it or not, long story short there. He had so much work. but didn't have pilots that he brought me on board and I flew ag drones. last summer.

42:10.20
Randy
Okay. And so...

42:11.48
Ron
Okay

42:11.91
Randy
So this is why I say, you know, this is all part of it. because boy i And I've had drones myself in the past, but... I think embracing it all because it's all different aspects of aviation. And let me... give you just one I'll try to make this really quick because this was a conversation I had with an RC heli pilot.

42:31.87
Randy
At one of the clubs I visited. And this... this heli pilot was... talking about that you know The helicopters today are amazing. You know, they have GPS, they have attitude hold, height you know altitude hold, heading hold. They're really easy to fly.

42:49.50
Randy
And he was... Of the opinion that. That shouldn't be allowed. you We shouldn't have that technology on the helicopters. And so I looked at his helicopter, and he had a Saab Goblin.

43:02.03
Randy
Familiar with it. And I'm looking at the fly barless controller on it, and I said... You know You would really hate it if I said the same thing. And he's like, what do you mean? I said, well, when I started flying helicopters, we didn't have.

43:14.31
Randy
Flight control systems. We didn't have three-axis gyros. In fact, I was on my second helicopter before I even had a tail gyro. So, And I said to him, you cannot hold back technology because for you to say that about the current technology in helicopters would be like me saying to you, well, you shouldn't fly your helicopter with a fly barless gyro system on it.

43:37.55
Randy
It comes back to... What the person does. that they enjoy.

43:42.60
Ron
Everybody's comfortable where they started.

43:44.86
Randy
Yes. Yes. That's a very may I use that?

43:48.96
Ron
Yeah, that's where we all should stop, just where I started.

43:51.73
Randy
Yes.

43:52.33
Ron
Yeah

43:53.03
Randy
Hmm. So, yes, no, I think especially when I look at the educational standpoint and what exists out there. you know in the world. I mean, the police departments you know are using them for search and rescue.

44:07.15
Randy
You know, I mean, there are positive things. Anything can be turned into a negative, but there are so many positive things from it.

44:15.12
Ron
One of the things you talked about quite a bit is the communication. You think that communication is very important. I agree with that. What would you change about the way the AMA communicates with members?

44:25.73
Ron
You know, website changes, anything with a magazine, email, social media. anything.

44:30.81
Randy
Well I think I first would start with in-house and how we receive phone calls because that's the one-on-one contact that we have with people. So I know where our failings are and I would have to go in and start looking at how can we improve that.

44:49.48
Randy
The magazine, there's a lot of... issues that are going on with them. As you saw, the print magazine, they put a surcharge on that started at $10 surcharge, I believe. and We have to look at that because, again...

45:07.67
Randy
What I have found going throughout by district is many members actually want to hold it in their hand they're not you know i mean if you look at our demographic we have a lot of older members And we, again, we have to realize who our customers are. you know I will be honest.

45:25.66
Randy
I get the digital copy, and I get the paper copy, and I think it's once in a blue moon that I open the digital copy.

45:33.17
Ron
I'm actually the same, to be honest with you.

45:33.40
Randy
So. Yes, I'll see. But yeah, so I mean, what the first the first day, well, there are a few things that I want to address if I am elected on day one. and so and most And some of those are internal.

45:50.89
Randy
But with regard to communication, that's where we really need to sit down. I mean, why is it? The calls are going. Well, I would wouldn't say unanswered because, you know, the receptionist answers the phone and transfers them. But why is it that it's that we're not?

46:07.23
Randy
Responding to our customers. you know in a timely manner. I mean, and i And I know firsthand the worst call I... I... hate getting is when a member calls me and the first thing they say, Randy

46:22.92
Randy
Really... Hate having to call you. Because I know you're busy, but I've been trying to get... X. or I've been trying to get this information or I've been trying to what have you.

46:36.51
Randy
And. you know i don't like to be the guy that has to go in and say hey what why are we not answering this person's question. you know or

46:44.98
Ron
Yeah.

46:45.82
Randy
I just go in and find it for myself and then provide it to them.

46:50.62
Ron
So you said that, In-house communication obviously needs improvement, but do you believe that AMA's executive counsel or council is transparent enough with... ordinary members and what would you change, if anything?

47:02.44
Randy
Well, that goes back to a statement that i that was in my statement that I made earlier. From what I see...

47:12.83
Randy
You know My own opinion is I do not feel that is the case. that they meaning to your question that yeah either council members transparent enough to their membership. And I know once this goes out, I'm going to have more hate mail from the council, but...

47:29.23
Randy
You know what? I've had it for years. It's not going to change. But again, going back... to why I seek the national position. is because then it gives me a national voice. And as I said earlier, the members throughout the country you know, we'll have the curtain pulled back and if they don't find that their representative is doing an acceptable job by them.

47:54.63
Randy
You know Every three years, the vote comes around for the different districts.

48:01.46
Ron
Very well put. So is there any one thing you believe the AMA needs to be doing differently at this point?

48:09.13
Randy
Well, again, that's a list. But we've kind of hit on it with regard. I mean the biggest thing is realizing our customer base.

48:19.72
Randy
You know that we depend on the members if we do not have the members supporting us you know We're done. We need to bring fun back to the hobby.

48:31.30
Randy
You know, it needs to be fun. i mean Yes. there like You asked before about some of the... federal issues we've had to deal with in the advocacy.

48:42.33
Randy
You know as i said ama does a spectacular job i find you know it's slow. Government is always slow. So it's not going to be a next day thing.

48:54.34
Randy
But... We do have a very stout government affairs group. And... I really give them the thumbs up in what they do. and We just continue to fly and enjoy the hobby.

49:09.26
Randy
And let them do their job. So that would be unchanged. But yeah, we we have to respond to our customers. And we have to be transparent.

49:20.09
Ron
Have you given any thought as to if the membership continued to decline? What? should be done. like financial it or financial adaptation.

49:31.52
Ron
Expenses services raising dues anything like that

49:34.60
Randy
Oh well. Well... The first thing is we have to... To really... There's a saying I have, but I can't use it. Okay. But it's just about leadership, I guess, when the leadership has to take the first bite.

49:54.12
Randy
Out of the sandwich. And what I mean by that is like last year. You know, and this is this is in the minutes if you actually go through it. When we received the budget last year, the council votes on the budget for the upcoming year. So in the end of October of this year, we will be voting on.

50:13.17
Randy
The 2027 budget well The 2026 budget. fortunately was presented to the council. with enough time to review it and Again, one of the things that I looked at is... I have some AVPs that have pretty stout financial knowledge and background from their work industry. So I formed my own little group and we tore through the budget.

50:40.28
Randy
And when... you know there were things that needed to be addressed. And so when, and unfortunately, again, this comes back to one vote.

50:52.30
Randy
But when we sat down at the council meeting in October of last year, You know, I had all of my notes prepared We had restructured the spreadsheet to make it more clear.

51:06.43
Randy
For myself to ask questions and It was close to probably a two-hour drill. with questions on it. And that's what we need. We need to have...

51:19.39
Randy
That type of fiscal responsibility. We cannot Just rubber stamp it and say it's good. and then move on. And that means we have to do.

51:30.09
Randy
Some Hard. Cuts. starting from the top down. And in fact, I will say one of the things, because I'm just going to answer a question that you haven't asked, but it was asked by, again

51:43.84
Randy
People within my district because they Like me. And they're afraid. What's going to happen if you're... gone and you're an EVP and I said well so the one thing I will guarantee you is and I actually brought that person along with me I have the AVP I have

52:03.56
Randy
Basically selected If I were to win, I have to name. a replacement for the DVP slot. And... That person has a... extremely strong financial background.

52:16.44
Randy
And has attended all the three meetings so far this year and I took them I've taken them to meet Clubs.

52:27.29
Randy
You know so And I let the clubs, because they know me, and they and I'm used to them asking the difficult questions. I mean, your questions are quite easy compared to some of them.

52:36.23
Ron
But

52:37.50
Randy
From the clubs. But... They were able to sit down with my potential replacement. And... ask the difficult questions. And so they have...

52:48.62
Randy
A really good feeling on the person taking it so that would be taking my spot And I told him I'm always going to be a District 7 guy. I grew up here. you know

53:00.01
Ron
Yeah, I get it.

53:00.47
Randy
You know.

53:01.17
Ron
But...

53:00.96
Randy
Can't get rid of that.

53:02.49
Ron
Well, our questions might have been a little bit easier. But... I appreciate you coming on and answering them nonetheless.

53:08.86
Randy
No, I appreciate you asking the questions and you know probably letting me expound a lot longer than you would have liked. But, you know, again, there's still so much and, you know, trying to get it in with a compressed time.

53:23.26
Randy
And...

53:23.32
Ron
Yeah

53:24.05
Randy
Many of the people that will be listening to this. are from other districts so they this is the only chance that they've actually had to Listen to me to hear me.

53:36.53
Ron
Yeah, that's why I thought it was important to do this for both of you, honestly.

53:37.83
Randy
So I much appreciate it.

53:41.32
Randy
Thank you.

53:42.18
Ron
So. I will give you last word. Do you have anything else? Was there anything I didn't ask? Was there anything that you wanted to say? Anything with AMA or just you in general that you would like to...

53:51.49
Randy
Who else?

53:51.93
Ron
Make sure it's covered.

53:52.62
Randy
I think we covered quite a bit. I mean... on it. you know i will tell you this and i am very glad for some of the friends i have And this is the reason why I say it. There have been times.

54:07.98
Randy
That I have left. Council meetings. Or... other activities focused in on ama things and my head just wants to explode I mean, I'll be honest. I'm straightforward like that. and One of my friends that I talked to quite a bit You know, and there have been times where I really have thought

54:31.77
Randy
You know what? Why do I need this? i can just go out like etc i can go out and fly why do i need this and my And one of my friends said this to me, which was, very poignant They said

54:43.33
Randy
You fight you a one that's a modeler. and you fight for modelers. If not you, then who? And when I look at that and, you know, and I look around and I so look and I say, yeah, okay.

54:56.79
Randy
I'll take it. I'll take go back in the little ring and take another punch. But when I get to go to the flying fields... to the clubs and sit back. Fly, laugh, have fun, and let me tell you, I've smoked some planes in. You know, nothing I hate worse when they say, like if you had said a fun fly and they're on the PA and they say, oh, on the flight line, we have District 7 AMA.

55:21.05
Randy
Please. President Randy Gibson flying a right when... Into the dirt I go, you know. But hey they realize I'm just a regular one. And... and Well, I would just tell this. Sorry. And I promise this will be the live, but this was with the controlling club because. I tried Control Line when I was little. and Didn't go so well

55:43.47
Randy
And again, I like going to club events and meeting people. And so I go to control line club events. And there's the one club, the Circle Masters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

55:55.19
Randy
And I've gone to their summer event a couple of years now, and those guys were really cool because they're like, we're going to get you on the strings. it's like okay and so we did and had a good time with it this was last year And then they were really cool. They built a trainer.

56:15.44
Randy
Gave it Donated it to me, said... This is going to be yours. Every time you come back, bring this and we'll get more time on it. Great! So I'm going to learn to fly control line. Except...

56:26.06
Randy
Here's where the RC stupidity in me came. So this year I go to the event. And... I made up a flight box, like the old school flight box with a power panel and a fuel jug and stuff like that.

56:37.65
Randy
And, The instructor, who was also the club president, was like, hey, you ready to go out? Yeah, okay. So... I fuel up the plane. You know, we get it started, go out to look and into the control line circle.

56:52.19
Randy
And he's helping me, you know, I guess. the version of buddy boxing where he's you know on his hand is on top of mine and we're going around And I'm getting dizzy. and He says to me he goes

57:05.62
Randy
How much fuel did you put on the plane? Well, I'm an RCA. We don't take off unless it's filled. And I said, I filled it up. And he looked, he's like, oh boy. So we don't do that. We're going to be here for a while.

57:19.98
Randy
And then he's, and this is where it really gets funny. I mean, so I'm really getting dizzy, but I'm not going to give up. You know, there's no way I'm leaning up against him, you know, and using him kind of like as a post, like almost like what they do for control line speed with that post that they used. to Keep them being sent out of the circle.

57:39.64
Randy
Hey we're going and i'm like he's like are you okay i said no i'm really getting dizzy And he said, well... What we'll do is we'll just do some loops. Okay, because that way you're not spinning around. Right?

57:52.27
Randy
Makes sense. But I didn't think so. Hmm. Gave a little bit of up wrist. Started a loop. When I snapped my head up to look, that was it. Lights out. Bang. Down goes Randy.

58:04.59
Ron
Ho ho ho!

58:05.77
Randy
Oh yeah, i down I went. And in fact, and actually, see again, I'm very open. I wrote about that and in one of my columns. They said...

58:15.63
Randy
Control Line Plane 1? Randy Zero. but

58:20.50
Ron
Man.

58:21.83
Randy
Yep. i mean it's it was like literally lights out but here again going back to the hobby

58:22.63
Ron
That would...

58:27.83
Randy
We're all laughing. I mean... I'm not upset. You know, it's like, heck. That happened. You know, and where and it gives us something as a relationship that we'll continue to laugh about. That's what the joy of is of this hobby.

58:41.61
Ron
Yeah, I agree. It's the laughing, it's the friends. And it's enjoying what we all enjoy doing.

58:46.13
Randy
Yes. Yes.

58:48.80
Ron
Okay. Well, Randy, thank you very much for coming on.

58:50.72
Randy
Thank you.

58:50.72
Ron
I do appreciate it. You will have to come back.

58:53.82
Randy
And to your listeners, Obviously, my email is in AMA Magazine, as is my phone number. so You know, if you have you have a hard question...

59:05.41
Randy
And you want to know my thoughts, reach out. Because that's what I'm here for.

59:09.59
Ron
Very good. Well, thank you very much then, everybody. Until next time, thank you for listening and have a good night.

59:18.09
Ron
You enjoyed this episode. of the RC Plane Lab.

59:21.49
Randy
Little piece of music.

59:21.93
Ron
To ask questions. Give anything back. Connect with us at RCplaneLab.com. Or email us directly. at either ron at rcplanelab.com or tom at rcplanelab.com you can also text us or leave us a voicemail at 818-351-9846 Please- Subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast app.

59:42.57
Ron
Until next time, may your landings be gentle.