It is good to actually find out that an important position holder actually exists.
You may find that the biggest thing that relegates users such as I and most other forum users to the outer limits of the legislative considerations, is the well founded idea that the RC fraternity, (in the vast majority), are effectively a bunch of ignorant and dangerous cowboys who do not even deserve to be considered seriously.
Locally I have tried to actually educate and inform such persons who will listen into such things as how the digital radios actually work, their shortcomings, safety, (I mean actual and demonstrable safety), proper antenna setup, the installation and use of flight controllers and stabilisers as well as being a flight instructor including strange topics such as even model repair techniques.
The result of my efforts are that I have a few very aware students but no where to fly and in inability to get insurance through the so called national associations simply because they do not understand any of the information I have presented to them and they are too self absorbed to do any research for themselves.
Their positions of power are more important to them than the safety of the membership, the insurance risks, the federal regulations and recently even disabled service veterans. Recreational users actually need to smarten up their act, as collectively we are at the fringe of a new industry with autonomous flying vehicles or drones being on the horizon. What space will remain for those who refuse to learn and act responsibly, (to be able to maintain and enjoy the recreational pastime), appears to be effectively zero unless actual and serious education of the sector is commenced soon.
A collection of confused and garbled voices from a number of self interested persons who have little actual knowledge and therefore cannot offer anything to the discussion apart from what appears to be their complaining about their individual self interests is always going to be an easy to dismiss and even greatly annoying entity. Collective and knowledgeable voices actually impress regulators and law makers.
If the collective of users cannot learn, then the sector is doomed to extinction. Heck even the AMA has a lack of knowledge of the current technology and refers its members back to the Chinese manufacturers, (with the Chinese having concerns about intellectual property, copyright and of course their national interest concerns in relation to giving a person from a hostile country sensitive information).
If nothing changes in the hobby sector I am afraid it is soon to cease to exist or remain recognisable.
Sorry for the rant but after almost 5 years of effort in just getting proper safety understood I am disgusted at the determined ignorance and unwillingness to learn anything shown by the vast majority.
Good luck with your efforts.
Have fun!
