Originally Posted by
speedracerntrixie
Yes, Horizon purchased most of Hobbico including Tower just after Hobbico filed chapter 13. IMO Horizon is following in Hobbico ‘s footsteps and will eventually suffer the same fate. As far as the AMA goes, yes their finances look bad. I agree with that . I however see it as a result of the poor health of the hobby overall. If the hobby was thriving the same as in the ‘80s and early ‘90s then the membership would be up and participation at Muncie would be up as well.
So why hasn't AMA membership reflected the so called health of the hobby? If memory serves it was 150k or so in the 80's and according to the AMA, is even higher today. In fact, thanks to the FAA we now know there's as many as a million of us out there today. Just so few chose to join the AMA for whatever reason.
No! If the hobby were in poor health the membership numbers would reflect it. What it is is the AMA no longer provides value to the majority of hobbyists. Participation has grown but the AMA has failed to attract it's share into the fold. The AMA has failed to change and adjust. In fact, it seems the only thing the AMA can adjust is your dues.