porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

That's a great question you ask..what problem is trying to be solved? If it ain't broke.....

Of course it would be logistically difficult to have the AMA secure and administer flying fields across the country. Pretty sure that would take more people at AMA, and more bureaucracy, which of course would then get more complaints from the "ama is too big too many people working there and taking my dues money" crowd.

I'm not a fan of paying more for anything, but the reality is it probably won't be much more than we're paying now, if they even go up that is.

Chris P. Bacon

My Feedback: (4)

In some parts of the country public flying fields exist that are part of the parks system at the federal, state, county, or local municipality level. IMHO I think it would be better for the AMA to build relationships and these entities (beyond what exists today) and create playbooks so local clubs with the assistance of the AMA can acquire more flying sites within the public parks systems. I think what we need to do is get RC recognized as a national recreational activity. We have plenty of baseball/softball, football, soccer, lacross, etc. fields around, why not acquire flying fields using similar justification that's used for athletic fields?

franklin_m

People with close access to Muncie have any number of flying options available to them, from dedicated CL circles, to well groomed grass runways, to paved runways. For the vast majority of the rest of us, we have far fewer options. In order of priority, I'd rather see my AMA dues fund local flying fields, competitions for "average modelers" (i.e. no sponsored pilots - no "royalty"), then advocacy, then everything else.

Chris P. Bacon

My Feedback: (4)

The options are what we make of them. If you're an AMA member, you are the AMA! There are a number of clubs that have dedicated CL circles, paved runways, clubhouses with heat/AC, stoves, restrooms, WiFi access, weather stations, etc. AMA members made that happen and there's no reason others cannot do the same. What's hard is getting started.

It's easy to sit back and make requests of the AMA, but we need to keep in mind they're a small non-profit organization with limited resources.

As far as competitions go, I believe any AMA member can sanction a competition event.

rcmiket

Aren't local clubs " small non-profit organizations with limited resources"?
Comparing the local clubs to the AMA isn't really fair at all The AMA has "deeper pockets" than the local clubs and can (and do) spend money anyway they wish without consulting the membership. We ( the local Clubs) make the hobby happen without us the AMA would not exist and the local clubs could use more financial support from the organization WE FUND.

Mike

Chris P. Bacon

My Feedback: (4)

Providing flying sites to members is not the role of the AMA.

http://www.modelaircraft.org/aboutama/whatisama.aspx

Duncman

Increase dues from $58 to $75 a year, that works out to a whopping 22.6% increase, pretty tough pill for some folks to swallow. No doubt the AMA needs more operating capitol to continue to provide the services they do but they would lose far less members if they limited their increase to say 5 to 10% and set up a 5 year cycle for dues increases. It is a tightrope, you raise them too much and you lose such a significant membership base that your revenue stream is actually reduced, counterproductive result. I hope they maintain a prudent approach to this action.

paulsf86

My Feedback: (52)

I don't have a problem with a dues increase if necessary after AMA reviews their spending policies and really needs the $ for member related expenses. Remember, the Executive council spent $250000 on suas marketing and education a year ago without member approval. Executive staff frequently seen at high end restaurants when attending events and shows. The travel junkets and Council spending would be my first option for cost savings and maybe the dues increase does not have to be as much.

littlecrankshaf

My Feedback: (58)

Well, at least they weren't catering to that market.... I've been corrected for saying they have been... LOL

Look, I am on record saying that AMA would be a bargain at twice the price...I also believe gasoline should be more than $10 a gallon...it would get a lot of the riff raff off the road so I can roll on! Likewise, we need to get the riff raff out of the hobby...so yes, we "need" a substantial dues increase!

ira d

That is why I suggested the AMA partner with some clubs to establish sites on par with Muncie in various areas of the country.

cmoore806

My Feedback: (82)

Answer: Lifetime membership. no more dues for me. Now I'm spending money on gas and balsa

[email protected]

My Feedback: (1)

i wont pay for life time member iam 83 my time is short

littlecrankshaf

My Feedback: (58)

Hmmm...maybe they "need" a pro rated option...

Chris P. Bacon

My Feedback: (4)

I've been considering doing it for a while, I guess now is the time! Wish I would have done it when I started in the hobby years ago.

littlecrankshaf

My Feedback: (58)

If you do, remember its tax deductible! A great way to give to AMA.

paulsf86

My Feedback: (52)

Be careful of what you wish for. If you want to limit the hobby to the "elite" that can afford the high end prices, you may end up without a hobby at all. The majority of the spending that goes on to support the hobby industry is made up of the everyday modeler. If you price them out of the hobby, there is no hobby, no matter how much money you have.

littlecrankshaf

My Feedback: (58)

I can assure you, I have my hobby "needs" met for a least a few lifetimes LOL

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

Yes, but its been years since we've had an increase, so I'm betting if you take what incremental inflation adjusted increases would have cost us over the years, we'd be paying more, but it would be more tolerable because it would be a "smaller increase"

Chris P. Bacon

My Feedback: (4)

First and foremost, I realize there are people with real financial hardships.

However, I'm also sick and tired of people complaining about the cost of AMA dues when they have a winter home in Florida, or have an iPhone, or drive a big gas guzzling truck/SUV paying more for a single tank of gas than an entire year's worth of AMA dues, or have every cable channel imaginable, or have a huge RV/camper, or smoke, or drink. Often times it's said that people who complain the most have the most. The Park Pilot program was an attempt for those flying smaller aircraft to pay less dues. Not sure how many took advantage of it, but I thought it was being phased out due to lack of participation.

Chris P. Bacon

My Feedback: (4)

That's one of the incentives that's been pushing me in that direction.

rcmiket

OK than why do we need the Muncie site?

Mike

Chris P. Bacon

My Feedback: (4)

[h=1]What is the AMA?[/h] World's largest model aviation association, representing a membership of more than 175,000 from every walk of life, income level and age group.

Self-supporting, non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote development of model aviation as a recognized sport and worthwhile recreation activity.

Organization open to anyone interested in model aviation.

Official national body for model aviation in the United States. AMA sanctions more than 2,000 model competitions throughout the country each year, and certifies official model flying records on a national and international level.

Organizer of the annual National Aeromodeling Championships, the world's largest model airplane competition.

Chartering organization for more than 2,500 model airplane clubs across the country. AMA offers its chartered clubs official contest sanction, insurance, and assistance in getting and keeping flying sites.

The voice of its membership, providing liaison with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, and other government agencies through our national headquarters in Muncie, Indiana. AMA also works with local governments, zoning boards, and parks departments to promote the interests of local chartered clubs.

An associate member of the National Aeronautic Association. Through NAA, AMA is recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world governing body of all aviation activity, as the only organization which may direct U.S. participation in international aeromodeling activities.

[email protected]

My Feedback: (1)

from around 150 members to 40 in a yr and a half is a big drop that is my clubthe field we have is free it has been there at least 25 yrs>> at my field not one person cares what happens to it

porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

I love quotes like this. Rumor and innuendo. Did YOU see anyone at high end restaurants, or is this a second hand thing you've heard? What's frequently? High end restaurants...yes, for sure. Now was that the Chili's or the diner that was the high end joint?

You do realize how the decision was reached to spend money on the marketing/education right? If not, you should research that. Why do you think a membership approval was needed? Do we normally get asked about say, how they spend money on advertising, or what health insurance company they should go with, or what to spend on advertising this year...etc etc. You have local and regional reps, if you don't like whats going on voice your concern. Then vote accordingly. See alot of people throwing their hats in the ring for positions?

porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

Corrected.....?...nah...reeducmacated, that's all. Joking aside, they have adapted to the changes as they have come up over the years, they have to. Adapt and change or die (or at least stagnate for a loong time).

Did you really say get the rif raf out of the hobby.....hoping you were joking. That would be disappointing, This hobby has hierarchies in terms of what is flown and the value of it, but nobody should have the right to look down at anyone else in the hobby and label them as rif raf. Dude!