My Candidate Statement

The AMA By-Laws allow Vice-Presidential candidates to submit candidate statements. This is mine, you'll see it in Model Aviation Magazine along with your ballot please be sure to vote.

Dear Friends,

It has been my honor to serve as your District Vice President for the last five years. I have enjoyed meeting the many diverse, committed and friendly modelers from District X; and with your vote I look forward to continuing to serve you.

I am proud to have reinvigorated our District website, and will continue to use the power of new media to bring you news from the local and national level.  We will continue to use the district website to offer extra coverage of events that the District magazine column cannot accommodate.

There are troubling issues facing the AMA. The FAA continues to come up with misguided, “one size fits all” restrictions that threaten the sport we love so much. The FAA’s tactics are not new to me; I have spent 24 years working as an Engineer with a major U.S. airline and have dealt with the FAA for decades. I will continue to fight on your behalf to ensure that the membership is free to pursue our sport in the way they have always enjoyed.  With your help we will beat this thing.

In July 2014 there was a motion made at the Executive Council meeting to commit $250,000 to develop a new type of AMA membership.  One for commercial modeling, it was called the small UAS program. I voted NO on this motion because the two things that define the AMA quickly and easily to an elected official are that, 1) we fly within line of sight, and 2) we don’t charge money for flying.  For the first time in my service as your District Vice President the Executive Council cast a tie vote.  The result was 6 in favor of the motion and 6 opposed.  The AMA President broke the 6-6 tie in favor of the program.  I viewed this as a tough loss, but it reflects my commitment to push back when I think it is in your best interest.  With your vote I will continue to fight on your behalf.

Please do not mistake my opposition to the small UAS program to be one against multi-rotor modelers, modelers who use first person view equipment, or those who use advanced flight systems.  I believe that those members who enjoy these new and developing areas of our hobby and do it in accordance with the AMA Safety Code are a welcome addition to our ranks.

As has been the case throughout my term, my top priority will remain traveling the District and visiting as many of our 283 clubs as possible to understand how I can support you.  Vote for me and I will continue to speak up and protect your rights as a modeler.

Please follow my campaign at, http://ama-district-x-election.blogspot.com/

Sincerely,

Lawrence Tougas

AMA District X Vice President

P.S. On average only 1 in 5 AMA members vote in our elections.  Please make sure your voice is heard cast your vote and elect Lawrence Tougas for District X Vice President