Originally Posted by
astrohog
The price you pay to enjoy those fields are the club dues, NOT AMA membership. Club dues go to support each local flying field, as the AMA does nothing (or very little) to support the actual facilities, they are all owned and operated at the expense of the individual clubs. The AMA LOVES that narrative, though! LOL
You're missing my point. I understand all of that, but membership in the local club requires membership in the AMA. Is it all just a racket of some sort? Sure, but in order to gain access to the field it is worth it to me. I also know that I would need to buy some sort of insurance (either through the club or privately), so the fact that I am paying the AMA for that insurance also defrays the cost in my mind.