RE: AMA "Model Aviation" mag seems kinda, well...
Ray,
well, I'm going to disagree with you. In the last few months the AMA magazine has started a couple of new articles that are geared directly at the beginners. I really have enjoyed reading these "beginner" articles. And if I remember correctly they have featured electric planes in the last 2 magazines. I think that the AMA magazine is doing a good job of keeping up with the changes in the hobby.
As somebody that has been hit by an airplane, I can tell you that having the "insurance" just so you can fly at a field should be the least of your concerns. Let's face it, in this world "stuff happens". It's pretty easy for a plane to get away from somebody no matter how safely they fly, and it can hit another person. If that happens you can pretty much rest assured the damages are going to top out close the 7 figure range, if not higher. When that happens the insurance will be nice to have.
Ok, I'll get off of my soap box now.