Originally Posted by
cj_rumley
Good question, one that AMA perhaps should be seeking answers to. Trying to sell them something because AMA thinks it's good for them isn't generating the business it used to.
Yeah, 'nothing' is too extreme when describing processes like the decline of an organization, but 'fading' seems accurate. Maybe we should use concepts/terms like 'half-life' in characterizing AMA's future.
Some of us don't see a relevant comparison between AMA the other orgs, Gerry. At least that is what I infer from some prior posts in this amazing thread-that-wont-die.
I'm taking your statements about 'losing FS pilots' and 'drags down' their orgs at face value, and the nexus between those trends seems clear. Not so clear when we drop the presumption that we are losing model pilots. I don't see that happening outside the limited scope of AMA...........modeling is vastly larger than AMA, and a tour around RCU alone is enough to see that picture. What population does seem in decline is 'modelers ala AMA,' that is, those whose models require dedicated, improved facilities the beget organization to procure, i.e., clubs.
One thing I've wondered about is why non-club modelers join AMA. I've seen few answers (mongo being one of the rare birds that has aired his reasons in this forum). Maybe AMA marketers could learn something worthwhile from such folks that seem to be more like the general modeling population as to what they need/desire. After all, that sub-population is about half of the AMA members, so it shouldn't too hard for AMA to ask.
cj
About 1/2 of the members of the clubs I belong at one time or another were involved with full size aviation. I am sure most (if not all) on this board cannot help but looking up when you hear an airplane. Let's face it, even if our toys are small (well 1/3 scale is not small) we love full scale airplanes. But not everybody else does. And if you have your family over for a BBQ and an AT-6 flies overhead, you will look up, and know what it is before even seeing the airplane. Well, guess what, look around. You are the only looking up...
Kids have more choices, and aviation has lost the romance it had for us. Of course, this is a big country, and there are big differences from one area to another. I can only speak form my experience. I had the opportunity to attend some jet meets, and there most pilots I met were also full size pilots many military, many commercial.
As far as the answer to why do non club members join AMA, I can only telly what I think: Maybe they want to fly at contests, or fun flys. I got my IMAA membership to be able to fly at their meets...
I have no problem with people that do not belong to clubs, heck it is a free country. I like what I do, the way I do it, and the AMA is great for my purpose.
So if for some the AMA us nothing in relation to whatever, I do not care. They have a big membership, and while I can see that the membership will be re-sized, or downsized, we will remain enough to keep this going.
I think that a lot of naysayers are well, I reserve my opinion, but it would be nice to see a new organization rising... If there is a need for an organization, it will be formed. But quite frankly in most cases you fell like getting some cheese to go with all this whine...
Gerray
We had a great weather at the field this weekend....