Flyerjoe

My Feedback: (9)

I have been a AMA member since I was 10years old. I am 57 now and my AMA number is 12207. There are to many reasons why the AMA is not growing, but I submit that the economy is a major contributor. Just look around your local areas and see how many small businesses have closed. Add the fact that in this economy many of the young people that would have found jobs couldn't.

Things will not get better until the tweaking of the economy stops, gets better or goes bust. Take your pick. The bottom line is the AMA will continue to shrink by cuts and bruises. I suggest a consortium between ALL the manufacturers, the AMA, AOPA, EAA and LSA, including general and corporate aviation. If they would pool the resources more could be done and people would see a common front.

Here is what I see....model aviation leads to general aviation, then leads to corporation aviation and military followed with the airlines. Without model aviation and general aviation there would be no aviation!

Just my two cents because I became a pilot because of model aviation starting with CL models, then at 16 years old working in a hobby shop to fly R/C and get my PPL in 1973.

103/17

Fliers1,

Thats a strange reply if it came from AMA as thats the whole reason for TAG. I bet there is more to it. If you wanted to fire up a TAG event I would be glad to help you do it. Let me know.

103/17

103/17

Flyer Joe,

Good news for you is EAA and the AMA have recently met and gotten their heads together. They all realize clearly that what you said about the link between general aviation and model aviation is 110% true. They need each other and models are a great stepping stone for full scalers..................thanks for the input !

103/17

theriddler33872

no offence but using the economy is a crutch that i hear alot i'm not saying that it might have a little something to do with it but if you get the extra time read through some of these threads (if you haven't already)  there is a common link, i've listed some of my problems and i've got more issue's then listed that i've placed on other threads and by no means am i a trouble maker i think most can see i do not lash out at people unless they first poke me with a stick .
to help the AMA and clubs during this time of a poor economy they should get togeather and come up with a price that could be somewhat universal think about guys you go on the AMA web site you pay 1 fee for 1 year you can go to any of the clubs fly check them out see if you and the club get along and go to another do the same you as a new member to the AMA will find right were you belong you'll get to make freinds from different clubs you'll have conntacts for life .
or the AMA and the clubs could continue with hasn't been working and suffer in the end.

the thing i've never understood if your club is AMA sanction or chartered then way isn't there some kind of unity in pricing out memberships or why is it if your a AMA member you can't go where ever you want i know some clubs have a cheaper membership enrolment if you belong to another club it seems if your all under the same banner then there should be or the AMA should set universal rules it would make things alot easier on the guys that are standing outside looking in.....

i know i'll get it for this .  

Tjettzky

The AMA implementing and regulating a Universal, easy-to-use and understand Club fee structure? That's Socialist Talk! Get the pitchforks!

804

My Feedback: (1)

Our club sets dues based on what we want to accomplish (buy) each year.
I don't want AMA, or anyone but club members to have any say whatsoever in this.
And I'll bet any attempt by AMA to do so will be met with stiff resistance.

fliers1

AMA might a good organization, but it's gets a bit tiring getting ignored by them. I all but gave up trying to do what they ask members to do, which is to help the cause.

I imagine the next TAG event won't be happening until next year. Our club might try again, but I don't think they will be in the mood.

Fliers1

fliers1

For many years now, I've said: "Hey AMA and club members, I know I have a solution, want me to give a demonstration?" I continue to receive a resounding "NO"!!!!!

Fliers1

Luchnia

My Feedback: (21)

I have not found this to be the case in my area. Almost all the clubs here you are required to be a guest of a current club member in order to fly and then only three times and you have to have AMA membership. Maybe it is different in other places, but not in my area.

Longbaskt

My Feedback: (5)

Flyers1 I'm a paying AMA member... I'm also on the education committee... I want to hear what you have to say... TELL ME already! Some are ready to listen and change/ learn. Go for it.. show us. And, NO, I'm not kidding.

Reindeer

My Feedback: (25)

Well, guess I'll be the token commie radical and suggest the following... ROFL!

What if the AMA were to charge a $10 base fee for membership which is basically just the number, and then charge for the services used after that?

$10 base membership. At that price level it's pretty hard to complain about not being able to afford membership.

+$10 for expanded membership. This allows the member to vote and fly in AMA sanctioned events, etc.

+$15 for the magazine. Personally I think that if Model Aviation had to compete directly against the other R/C magazines out there, the quality would likely improve significantly.

+$?? for the basic secondary insurance. Yes, I do think insurance should be optional. For those with something like homeowner's insurance that already supplies significant primary coverage and only flying park fliers, they won't need it. Same thing for someone flying out in the middle of the Arizona desert.

+$?? to upgrade the AMA secondary insurance to primary insurance that would kick in first. Don't see why it should be that big of a deal as the NAR/Tripoli offers $1 million primary coverage for model rocketry, and their membership fees and structure is very similar to the AMA.

KidEpoxy

They already tried that
$30 basic so you can fly at clubs with minimal insurance and minor magazine
+26 Magazine Upgrade to MA
+2 Upgrade Insurance, ModelType, ModelSize, FlyingBox, and may Nominate & Vote, and may really compete

fliers1

Ok, but the best I can do here is give you the same links I've given over and over again. It would be much better if I could show somebody in authority in person, but that seems to be out of the question.

http://www.runryder.com/helicopter/p...pcinc#p1463695

http://www.modelretailer.com/en/The%...od-bc0507.ashx

http://www.amadistrictii.org/column/...9%20Column.pdf

As you can see, I've given a demostration to AMA President, Dave Mathewson, but he said that AMA cannot "endorse" my teaching/promotion method. Why? I haven't a clue.

To start, essentially, I had planned on teaching others to do this, along with many other ideas with the use of this promotion technique.

Ok, here it comes.

http://www.abchobbyshop.com

Fliers1

804

My Feedback: (1)

Typically, an organization won't endorse because of liability concerns.

fliers1

AMA president had no problem putting it in his column. They used the term endorse. All they had to d was investigate it. Besides, it's as "legal" and safer than tradition methods. Dave personally witnessed how safe it is when he saw his wife and others safely land on their very first or second ever lesson. Can't do that with the much praised buddy-box.

Fliers1

theriddler33872

i knew i was going to get some attention but please don't take it as i'm a boat rocker i'm just trying to get some to see a different way or at least bounce some different ideas off of like i've said i'd join but it just seems all over the place i'm not going to pay any club $100 a year thats just a little over board from what alot of members in different clubs have told me, i have seen one club say $60 a year then a one time charge of $100 for maintence and i know thats b.s. it's a way to punish someone that leaves and wants back in and thats even fine with me it's still only $60 a year and ive seen more around $60 some at lower but you can't deny it's all over the place to say "well we charge depending on what we want to do" thats not good your going up and down with your dues or is it depending on who that person is ? i'd think the later and no matter how you look at that it's wrong big time .

i understand some different dues you rent the land, taxs and so on .

The Toolman

Riddler, ours is $25 a year an if we don't use it every few years we give all the current members a free years worth=$25 every so often

Other than some gas for the mower, an a little roofing tar to patch nail holes in the roof with we don't have any other costs. We got more mowers than we can use most of the time an everybody takes a years turn at mowing. Usually about 10-12 times per year and it takes about 2 hours to mow an weedeat anything that needs it.

mountaineer070

Quote: "i'm not going to pay any club $100 a year thats just a little over board from what alot of members in different clubs have told me, i have seen one club say $60 a year then a one time charge of $100 for maintence and i know thats b.s."

What about a $150 per year dues...and you can work off $75 of that amount by mowing, maintaining the airfield, building structures, helping with fly-ins or TAG programs? Set down and figure out what it takes to just mow a 90,000 square foot airfield...and do it right. Annual mowing alone can be upwards of $1,000...and then throw in ancillary maintenance or improvements, and a $100 maintenance fee isn't all that much.

Then one must consider that building an airfield may cost upwards of $10,000 or more...depending on the surface material, it is easy for clubs that charge sufficient amounts to make this happen. Clubs charging $60 per year (depending on the number of members) could easilygo broke...especially if they have to lease the land or pay property taxes...or hire someone to maintain the airfield. I see facilities where members pay upwards of $500 per year with a facility that would knock your eyes out...and then on another activity...golf courses that charge $80 for an 18 hole round (one day) and you don't get a golf cart.

Please explain why we are more than willing to pay thousands of dollars for airplanes, jets, helicopters, and all of the miscellaneous items (tents and trailers)that we absolutely have to have in order tofly...and fuss about a $100 annual membership in a club with an airfield? What is wrong with this picture?

theriddler33872

you know what i was going to dig into that little story and pick ya' apart but i think you've done enough damage on your own .

can you imagine if a newbie was see that yup this is the hobby of the rich !!!!!!!!!!!!!
i don't really know what golf has to do with all this but it's been mentioned a few times and i take mark twain's view of golf .

i've talked about my personal experence and was just bouncing idea's around but i see it's all about money with some i was just relaying what i have heard from some members but somebody wants to compare bank accounts wow can you all really sit there and say ................. nope don't know why the AMA is on the decline, well guys when members with money get done there won't be a AMA to worry about .

yup that struck a nerve time for me to go sorry to the moderator again if i went off the deep end but when people tell those type of storys you don't have to worry about the AMA must of us common folk won't be able to afford it . 
 

dbcisco

Whats with the "we"? Got a mouse in your pocket?
I don't have a single plane worth more than $100 to replace, the most I spent on a radio was $70 and I fly at parks, fields and parking lots for free.
No wonder the AMA can't get members, if your telling people they need to spend thousands of dollars.
I think I know what is wrong with your picture.[]

theriddler33872

one more thing the AMA ain'tno country club man i just want to fly with friends and enjoy the hobby which i can do for free sorry i feel dirty after hearing that !

yeh i edited this i feel i was being a *** sorry ....................

where are you at toolman after hearing about $500 clubs i'll move to you it would be more cost effective for me !

The Toolman

This is what happens when the elite try to run things. A good lean-to like ours, an a nice dead smooth, 600 x 65 ft short mowed grass field is about good enough for 99% of the flyers if ya ask me.

I guess theres nothing wrong with a fancy place, but it is intimidating to us poor people an usually their attitude is to.

The Toolman

Lake of The Ozarks
Warsaw, Missouri

We are right at the middle of 2 lakes that contain 111,000 acres of water an some of the best fishing in the midwest

Truman Lake an The Lake of The Ozarks. 120 miles due north of Branson Missouri, right on Hwy 65

Heres the spot on Google I think....38.204954,-93.392651

dbcisco

You know the saying, "Missouri loves company".

theriddler33872

heck for $25 a year membership i'd bring the mower pay for the gas rebuild any and all structures and .................. dig a latrine and let all your retired military guys push me around like i'm a buck private if they wanted .

i was going off of what about 100 different guys from differnt clubs had told me and probably 50% said do not pay more then $60 a year so i just figured maybe this one local club was a little high but after hearing about $500 clubs i think i'm the one that needs to be high ....jeez !

any club i'd join i'd be there like that just minus the latrine on though ............................