PROPOSAL FOR ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS

PROPOSAL FOR ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS

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March 23, 2016

Dear Committee Members,

I am grateful for the opportunity to present a proposal that I believe will strengthen both the AMA and RC FlightDeck — ultimately to the benefit of modelers in our community.

Our software and business have evolved substantially since I first launched RC FlightDeck in early 2012. RC FlightDeck is now one of 11 sites operated under the Eventsquid brand. Eventsquid officially formed in January 2015 and has quickly gained prominent partners and clients, including, Comcast Business, Golfsmith International, Nspire Sports League, United Launch Alliance, Qdoba, Experimental Aircraft Association, David Duval and USA Archery to name a few. We have 6 individuals in the organization and will be adding more this year as we expand our operations.

As you review this proposal, it’s important to know that the SAME software that powers RC FlightDeck powers all of our platforms. In addition, you should know that we have spent a substantial amount of time and money making the software easy to use and suitable for simple as well as complex events. When we meet in Toledo, I’ll be able to show you screens and functionality that bear this out.

This proposal is meant to give us both a launch point from which to commence discussions. You will quickly notice that my aim is to present a very attractive partnership at the outset. I have always believed and continue to believe that the combination of the AMA and RC FlightDeck will give the world an unmatched platform for promoting and conducting events in our hobby.

I look forward to entertaining your questions prior to our meeting and to engaging in a productive discussion in Toledo.

Regards,

Michael Kranitz, CEOEventsquid LLC

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WHAT RCFLIGHTDECK.COM PROVIDES

1. Automated event “micro” websites that contain all information needed to promote any type of RC related event — from a club meeting to a fun fly or swap meet.

2. Instant web app for every event. App can include live voting (e.g. fan favorites), text bulletins to pilots and more.

3. Online (or onsite) registration for pilots, exhibitors and volunteers, along with companion product sales (e.g. lunches, shirts, services).

4. Online (or onsite) ticket sales for larger events.

5. Automated reports, badges, labels, AMA compliance documents and digital exports for every event.

6. The hobby’s only searchable event database. Users can find events by more than 30 different criteria (e.g. location, distance, date, event type, AMA district, host name, etc).

7. The hobby’s only portable event calendar. More than 400 websites host our event “widget” to promote RC events on their own websites. Our widget hosts include, Horizon Hobby, Hobbico, Hobby People, FlyRC Magazine and Hitec).

8. Online scoring system for soaring events

9. Free club websites

10. Club roster management tools, including dues collection, automated reminders and member communication tools. Dues can be collected off-calendar to ensure that every member gets the full benefit of their payment.

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USEFUL STATS ABOUT RCFLIGHTDECK.COM

1. Approximately 1650 events in the previous two years2. $260,000 in registration dollars collected in the previous two years3. 1,500 organizations enrolled4. 111 Club websites5. 10 pilot registrations (for events) per day average6. At the end of this document is a collection of emails we have received from users

PROPOSED BUSINESS STRUCTURE

1. The AMA and Eventsquid enter into an operating partnership or long term license that provides for a 50/50 split of all revenue generated by RCFlightDeck.com.

2. We can co-brand the RCFlightDeck website so that it bears the name and logo of the AMA (e.g. AMA’s RCFlightDeck or “powered by AMA”). This is completely up to the AMA.

3. Eventsquid continues to support, maintain, operate and enhance RCFlightDeck.com as it does with its other websites. Eventsquid will cover all expenses related to the hosting of RCFlightDeck (e.g. servers, SSL, third party software licenses, etc.).

4. The AMA markets, advertises and promotes RCFlightDeck.com as its exclusive online repository for promoting and managing RC events. AMA covers the expenses related to the marketing, advertising and promotion of the site. We should discuss the interplay of RC FlightDeck and the AMA’s current static calendar. My previous company, Kaango, was witness to the newspaper industry’s failed attempt to hold onto print classified ads at the expense of digital advertising. They spent millions trying to backward adapt online classified ad software to accommodate print ads (known as liner ads). They were forced to close Kaango this year as print classified revenues have diminished to an insignificant level. I believe RC FlightDeck represents the future of event promotion. With this proposal, I hope the AMA views its participation with RC FlightDeck as its path to maintaining a relevant role in the future of RC event promotion and management.

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5. The AMA and Eventsquid will agree upon the revenue structure of the website. The software is setup to charge a small fee (dollar, percent or both) based on a tiered grid of checkout prices for registrants, exhibitors and outside ticket purchasers. In addition, the site charges for any membership dues paid to clubs who use our member management system. Currently, the site does not charge for any registrations other than club member dues processing. At any time and within moments, we can create a fee grid similar to the one below from our fitness website.

6. The site is set up to display banner ads based on the type of event the ad appears on and the geography of the visitor. The site is also set up to display ads or coupons on the receipts of all registrants based on similar criteria. Finally, the site has a “watch list” that notifies members of upcoming events that match the members’ event type, date and geographic criteria. RC FlightDeck has the most precisely targeted ad placement opportunities in the industry. We conservatively estimate that the site can generate at least $100,000 annually in advertising sales. With proper promotion and widespread adoption, we anticipate that figure to be two or three times that.

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Sample fee grid from Fitsquid.com

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7. We are open to various structures that ensure the continuity of our service to the AMA and its service to members. If the AMA requires, we are open to any of the following:

A. A long term arrangement (e.g. 5-10 years)B. In the event of a sale of Eventsquid, a partition that excludes RC FlightDeck and

provides for ongoing hosting and support either by Kranitz Enterprises, Inc (KEI) or a third party to be mutually agreed upon. In that event, KEI would simply step into the shoes of Eventsquid and the substance of our agreement would remain unchanged.

C. In the event of an impending sale of Eventsquid, a right of first refusal for the AMA to acquire the software (which can be easily operated by a skilled web engineer) for an amount equal to 3 times the annual average of the previous two years operating revenue.

D. Any other arrangement that addresses the concerns of the AMA in this regard.

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Typical RCFlightDeck User Responses

___________________________________________________________________________jean.dorais@rogers.com

Michael,

I love your software, love that it is free (THANK YOU) and that you put it out there for the world to use.

Jean

Jean DoraisOttawa Radio Control Club- Gliders___________________________________________________________________________tommy2toes@q.com

im fairly new to this site but i wish i knew of it long ago. i appreciate what your doing thanks keep helping us all to live fuller richer lives though model events and comradery . i want to do a event here in cedar rapids iowa, we help our first sailplane event it went well but i wish more people knew of it so i hope that this site does that for us this time. thanks again,tommy

___________________________________________________________________________rcpilot48@gmail.com

I have signed up for IRCHA each time I've gone thru you & was just told by a flying buddy that you have OHB too. Good for you! Keep up the good work....typos included. I dictate 20-25 or more notes a day, I don't think many of them come thru without a typo, Andrew Levy, DPM; Abacoa Podiatry, Jupiter, FL

___________________________________________________________________________gtintheair@hotmail.com

I have to say that RC Flight Deck has been a great tool to use. Not only has it expanded our club it has made doing events much easier. Although we don't use all the functions to their fullest capabilities what we do use has been very helpful.

Thank you for all your efforts and our club stands behind you 100%. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.

Gary Taylor, secretary Turlock RC Club.

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___________________________________________________________________________Scott.Dedic@am.sony.com

As you recall I was a little skeptical of using RC Flightdeck at first but after one event I am an advocate. It’s a great service and really takes the load off of the event managers. You and your team are doing great. Scott R. DedicDirector, Corporate SecuritySony Electronics Inc.___________________________________________________________________________dossett.scott@gmail.com

I think RC Flightdeck ROCKS!

Sent from my iPhone___________________________________________________________________________shane@commission-tracker.com

I think it’s an awesome site! I’m the owner of an accounting software company and I still write code too. I know the huge amount of work that goes into something like RC Flight Deck.And I was excited when you launched and the improvements you’ve made since the launch are amazing! I go to about 8 “fun flys” per year. So I consider myself fairly active in the event part of the hobby. And a couple of my best friends are Contest Directors with the AMA. Myself and many others in this hobby basically no longer want to attend any event that does NOT use RC Flight Deck for registration. That is a FACT!Your site and the HeliFreak site are the only way I find when and where the events are. Your email notification feature is really great. I love it! Your UI is super easy to use, especially the latest revision. Just put in your data and pay! Simply put, you are the best thing to happen to RC events in the past decade.

I hear nothing but GREAT things about your site when I am at events.

Thank you! Sincerely,Shane Brown___________________________________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________________________markrj01@gmail.com

Love RC FlightDeck! Keep up the good work. Most of use out here do appreciate your service to the hobby.

Sincerely,Mark Jenkins___________________________________________________________________________cmcelveen75@gmail.com [mentioning Paul Stenberg’s chiding of RCFD for a typo in an announcement]

Unfortunately, we have grown this type of person out of ignorance, increased levels of self importance and a pinch of just plain ole lack of respect for others. I can't understand how someone who knows anything about RCFlightdeck can't see that the work you are doing is to improve and move forward our hobby and the enjoyment of all who participate in it. If you are even half way intelligent you would use the context of the email to ascertain the meaning of that sentence. Some people look for a reason to complain and fire off an inappropriate email, trust me, I know the feeling. Don't fret man, keep your head up and keep helping to retain the greatness that is The RC Hobby.

Chris "Cathead" McElveenCo-Host at The CrashCast

___________________________________________________________________________cbryson@iinet.net.au

Hi Michael Along with my co-organiser, Greg Tracey, we recently used RC flightdeck as a platform to host our event the Luskintyre RC Scale Festival. We found it a great tool, which DID assist the organisation of our event immensely. This is a great gift and the rest of the RC community, THANK YOU!!!

Kindest RegardsCraige Bryson___________________________________________________________________________

simpson.shane@gmail.comI very much like RCFD - never a complaint. Best,Shane Ottawa, Canada

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___________________________________________________________________________gspannelljr@gmail.comMike,Keep up the great work!Regards,Glenn Pannell___________________________________________________________________________cassidy@inil.comHi Michael,Just want to say thank you for helping out the toggle twisting community. You are obviously are a rare person that tries to put others first and I appreciate all the work and effort that goes into RC flightdeck. I am trying to introduce my grandkids to RC flying and other RC sports by taking them to events and clubs. I am always thankful to the person who comes along and welcomes us and takes an interest in who we are – that is what makes my grandkids get excited about the hobby and the placed we go. Stay true to who you are – you don’t always know who you help but I’ll guarantee there are many people who really appreciate your work. Have a great weekend.Regards,Mark Cassidy___________________________________________________________________________leoohle@yahoo.com

We love your site THANKS Triple creek r c___________________________________________________________________________tmtidaback@gmail.comThank you sir, for your good will towards the community. :)

-Tim in Virginia___________________________________________________________________________waknfk@yahoo.comI appreciate and respect what you do and thank you for it. Keep up the good work.

Wes___________________________________________________________________________bmurray@omearaford.comWarbirds Over The Rockies loves RC Flight Deck typos and all. Great product that works well!BonnieEvent Coordinator Warbirds Over The Rockies___________________________________________________________________________sam-w@cox.netMichael,

I admire your tenacity and dedication! RCFD is the gold standard of RC events. Sam

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___________________________________________________________________________kstewart@bbtel.com

The service you provide is excellent and nothing about it is tough to navigate. Anyone who says otherwise, just don’t know what they are doing on a computer. Ken StewartOhio River View RC Flyers___________________________________________________________________________1tc3guy@gmail.com

I appreciate RC flight deck, and the ease it creates in registering for events! Keep up the great work, Austin Amos

Sent from my iPhone___________________________________________________________________________twhite346@charter.netHi Mike. Keep up the good work. Thanks for a great website.

Terrell L White (Terry)

___________________________________________________________________________What you has done for the RC community is huge! Everyone I have ever talked to loves the RCFlighdeck site. Ken A. BlackfordDesign EngineerImageworks Display & Marketing Group___________________________________________________________________________taylormadehelicopters@yahoo.com

I have used Rc Flight Deck a few times and fount it very simple to navigate and a breeze to register,donate and answer a few great questions about what I'm bringing to a event.

Rc Flight Deck has always been great tool and can't see how anyone could have a major issue. Thank you for your provided service over the years

Sincerely, Taylor Drain

TaylorMadeUAS, Inc.CEO/President ___________________________________________________________________________antoniocratsley2209@gmail.com

I'll say what you are doing for the RC community is great! Keep up the great work! I for one absolutely appreciate the site and for what it does for us. Tony

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___________________________________________________________________________ pwgalligan@outlook.com

Michael:I appreciate all that RC Flight Deck has to offer! On behalf of the Rutland County RC Flyers, thanks for all you do.-PG ___________________________________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________________________jfrickie934@gmail.com

What you do for modeling can't be replaced. Please keep up the good work. JimF

___________________________________________________________________________rthomasflint@yahoo.com

Your product is solid, I have enjoyed watching your product grow. I hope your fee based registration grows enough to allow on going product development and free user interface..___________________________________________________________________________johnebybee@gmail.comI found your site very helpful when signing up for the Ottumwa meet coming up in Aug. Thanks for the work you do. john___________________________________________________________________________rich.melton@gmail.com

You are greatly appreciated, by a whole community of RC enthusiasts. You're doing a wonderful job!

-Rich ___________________________________________________________________________lane.tyson@gmail.comHey...I appreciate what you are doing for our hobby. Keep up the good work!!!! Lane___________________________________________________________________________bob.mosinski@gmail.com

First I hope you enjoyed a well deserved vacation with your family. I have been a big fan of yours for some time. I follow your personal page and marvel at your accomplishments. I have promoted our club events on RCFlightDeck.com for some time now and have always found the process to be easy and intuitive as with most of your other ventures. I speak for many in the USA and greatly appreciate the fact you provided rcflightdeck.com for FREE! I appreciate your talent, skills and efforts toward advancing our hobbies and wish you continued success in all your other ventures. I keep thinking of new ideas I someday might be able to pitch you or at least pass them on. I live vicariously through you so please don’t stop doing what you enjoy and are passionate about. I run my club and most things with one common rule “Make most of the people happy, most of the time.” More than most of us are happy and love RCFLIGHTDECK.COM Regards, Bob MosinskiPresident Prop Masters R/C Aero – AMA 397

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___________________________________________________________________________knifeedge63@yahoo.com

RC Flight Deck is a wonderful tool to use and benefit us as small clubs, and those who want to put on events :) Without your help and the website, we would not have gotten the advertisement for our spring fun fly on your main page! (Middle Georgia State University Aeronautics Club). So thanks to you, and keep it coming :) So once again, all the best and keep up the good work! I'm loving it!

-Colin Harrington___________________________________________________________________________chumleyf16@gmail.comYour company is doing a great job and provides a wonderful service to the RC community. Thank you.Brian___________________________________________________________________________charlieshobbies@yahoo.comI think your site does a great job of keeping us informed of events coming up. I love getting emails about upcoming swap meet events.

ThanksCharlie___________________________________________________________________________RLippman@lemerygreisler.comLoving RCflightdeck btw, really gives our club a professional look!___________________________________________________________________________paul.bradbeer@rogers.comYou're doing a wonderful job! Please keep up the excellent job you're doing.

And thanks! Paul Bradbeer President, ORCC ___________________________________________________________________________dave.anderson@reagan.comWe really appreciate what you are doing! Keep it up.Dave AndersonWet Wings Director and P/R, Clark County Radio Control Society, Vancouver, WA___________________________________________________________________________jfwelcome@gmail.comPlease keep the service. I thinks a great tool and our club loves. God bless and have a wonderful day. John Welcome___________________________________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________________________mitch@downandlocked.comI think your site is excellent as was R/C Universe when you were at the helm of it. Sadly it has changed for the worse since you left.

I use your current Flightdeck to help us here at Down and Locked electric retract systems keep up with events going on around the Country so we can either attend or support them for the purpose of expanding our R/C specific retract and electronics business. It also helps benefit the events by having us provide product for pilot awards etc.

Thanks again for all you do and have done. Mitch Stott

Mitch Stott828.817.0412Down and Locked,LLC___________________________________________________________________________darwin.loomis@gmail.comYou are doing good things for the hobby! Darwin Loomis___________________________________________________________________________