I think you hit on the main difference, size. Then we have different flight times. R/C aircraft flight times range anywhere from a couple minutes to a couple hours. Can you fly a rocket BLOS? Is the general public developing a fear of model rockets? Does the DOD have issues with model rockets?
Not really a direct comparison IMO. Dont get me wrong, I think the AMA could be doing a better job. They are stuck in old school thinking. But then again 90% of their membership is old school. They gambled on forced membership and pushed the FAA to make a decision if membership was required. Think about what would have happened had membership been required. Would RFID been required if everyone were flying from FRIAs? Sure, it saves them $85 plus club dues but how much are a couple RFID modules going to cost? Could it be said that the Park fliers without a structured training program suffer more crashes? Plausible?