Message sent to Tony Stillman - my district VP

From: Bill Gowen <b.gowen_at_comcast.net>
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:34:35 -0000

Tony I've been observing the discussion about seating a third Junior
team member for some time now. I had high hopes that the FAI Executive
Committee would do the right thing and allow a third team member to be
selected. When they refused, an emergency qualifying event was put
together to occur at Lakehurst in a week or so. This should have settled
the issue, but apparently the FAIEC didn't agree. My first reaction to
this situation was that the proper body to rule on it would have been
the Indoor Contest Board. Before I could make that suggestion, the FAIEC
had already ruled. I can tell you that everyone I have heard from -
which includes many of the world's best indoor flyers - is totally
shocked by this ruling. I could spend all day trying to voice all my
concerns about this, but instead let me quote from an email sent by Jim
Buxton to Bob Brown, his district VP: As you know there is an issue
with the unfortunate loss of three of
the Junior Indoor Free Flight participants in the team selection
process. Unfortunately the current rules do not allow for a
participant to be added at such a late date. Obviously the rule is
there for a reason, and a precedent has been set. However, this is a
very different situation. F1D is a very challenging and specialized
event in all accounts. Finding motivated and qualified participants
in the Junior program is not easy, especially when they graduate away
every several years. I could go on and on about the success of the
Junior FID program here, but I am sure you are aware of it.

Instead I would like to focus on my viewpoint of this, which I feel
is very applicable. In 1988 the very first Junior Free Flight World
Championship was held in Poland. As a young Free-Flight competitor I
applied for the team. Being the first Junior World Champs, no formal
process was even in place for a Junior F/F team. Based solely on
application I was selected as and alternate rather than a fully
funded member by the AMA. News of this travelled to my family and
friends, local AMA members, and my local EAA chapter. A fundraising
effort was established by my local EAA chapter, chapter 45 of
Pittsburgh PA. Enough funds were raised through donations to
completely subsidize for my trip to compete as a member of the F1B
team. We still did not have a full team, but I became a member of
that first team to represent the AMA at a World Championships for
Juniors.

I say without hesitation that this experience changed my life. The
experience of travelling outside of democracy for the first time is
something I will never forget. I forged friendships with team members
I cherish to this day. I discovered the depth of model aviation on
that trip, and how it bridges cultural gaps that are greater than I
ever imagined. I will never forget standing in a field at dusk
having a disjointed but very clear discussion with the members of the
Russian, German, and Korean teams about the differences in being a
teenager in our own environments. Some of my fondest memories a teen
took place during that week.

I implore you to find a way to allow a third motivated junior to take
place in this event. I understand there are rules for the Open class
team selection process, but I also understand what it is like to
attend (and almost not attend) a World Championship event as a young
adult. As important as a team spot may be to an adult, it is
character building and eye opening opportunity for a young flier.
For the open fliers, there will be other chances to compete. For the
Junior fliers, a life changing opportunity may only come around
once. If at all possible please find a way to send one of our
deserving young modelers tom compete with like-minded teens from all
over the world for a truly life changing experience. Don't let this
opportunity go to waste, Bring Modelers Together.

Respectfully,
Jim Buxton
AMA 75154
Columbus Ohio Tony, I respectfully ask that you vote to overturn this
decision. Our team deserves the chance to win and the third team member
- if he is allowed to go - will benefit in ways that far outweigh the
concerns being expressed. Bill Gowen AMA 6157 CD Indoor Contest Board
Representative District V


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Received on Fri Jul 18 2008 - 06:34:39 CEST