The Academy of Model Aeronautics. (www.modelaircraft.org) It's an orginazation originally started to promote the growth of R/C and to aquire radio frequencies for our use that are generally protected from being assigned for other general uses. Along the way, it became the orginazation that developed safety rules for the sport and encouraged competition. On a regional, national, and international level. Competition is what has brought almost all new and innovative products to the sport/hobby.

The AMA, as a service and not a primary function, came up with a insurer that would underwrite the pursuit of or hobby at a reasonable cost. That cost has gone up over the years, but insurance costs have gone up disproportunately to the cost of living in all areas.

The AMA is a non profit orginazation. For the most part, the officers of the AMA are not paid. Bear that in mind when people start complaining about the AMA. They do what they do, for free. That's a lot of abuse for nothing.

You will find that most clubs that have their own flying site require AMA membership so that all the members of the club, the site property owner, and the club itself, is and are, insured. That was never the primary purpose of the AMA, but that has where it has gotten to.

Tha AMA publishes a monthly magazine that's included with the price of membership. This magazine gives space to all facets of radio controlled, free flight, electric, and control line avaition. Learning about areas that you don't normally have an interest in usually increases your knowledge in the area that you are interested.

The AMA has a purpose, and overall they do it well. Check them out at the website I have noted at the beginning of this post and make your own decision. My opinion is that for the current rate of $58.00/year, it's a pretty good deal. Especially if you take advantage of all they have to offer.