For many fliers, the AMA is the organization that provides insurance and a monthly magazine. The AMA provides the structure for holding many types of competetion for R/C, control line, and free flight. They are active at the national level in working to protect our hobby against legislation that would negatively effect us. They also provide assistance and in some cases money, to local clubs trying to secure, or improve, flying fields. They also publish a monthly magazine that's part of your dues. There's much more that they do. Many people complain that the cost for the AMA is too high, hopefully this thread will not turn into an AMA bashing, but I think they do a pretty good job with the money they receive.