J_R,
I read those 2 links and now I have a headache. Geez. All your fault.
This is directed to the insurance guy. I'm a bit surprised you made no mention of a homeowner getting a rider or a policy that lets a guy be covered doing what he wants.
This is for the fellas that believe the AMA is the last line of defense for our hobby. The AMA is forbidden by Federal Law to lobby for anything at anytime. They may attend public forums in the same manner as private citizens. As a 501 (C) (3) they have rules to follow just like everyone else. And one thing to remember is the AMA represents a small number of people at 165,000 and shrinking. The people that are going to defend us is the manufacturer's of the equipment we use. From the radios and receivers that we buy to all the accessories that they require, the stick planes, the arfs, engine's, motors, boats, cars and everything else. Our saviour is BIG BUSINESS. And BIG TAX DOLLARS.
In reading one of the links J_R posted I may have gotten a bit dizzy and missed the part where the AMA covered you flying anywhere except in a sanctioned AMA Club field or the airspace directly over your house. Cross your street and it looks like you are not covered. The AMA's main claim is insurance. The first link from J_R gives the clue. Insurance at the top, Rules from the AMA in the middle and money at the end or something like that. The AMA card is needed to fly at clubs. All fine and good. Lots of good clubs out there. Something bad happens at an AMA club, you're safe. I'd rather fly at the Basin and put my trust in the people allowed to put their money where their mouth is. Legally.