ORIGINAL: P-51B
ORIGINAL: ptulmer
When I signed up with the AMA, I purchased a product. That product was the ability to join a club.
Maybe the problem starts here;
When you signed up with AMA you viewed it as purchasing a product, rather than as supporting the model aviation hobby.
That's exactly what it is, a product, specifically a place to fly which is suitable and (usually) safe. Insurance, etc, etc, are just extras, nothing more.
What you get out of any organization reflects how much you put into an organization, whether it's a place to fly, insurance, enjoying the company of others, drinking coffee, whatever. Some, like many individuals in this thread, choose to go above and beyond, and actively work to sustain and improve the organization. Others just want to fly, and there's nothing wrong with that either. You pay, you get to play. Some just play harder than others.
Original: 50%
Ptulmer, I know you despise electrics, but why can't you just let it go? Why do you have to bash another segment of our hobby repeatedly? I know you're big into slimers, but I could care less for them. Do you see me bashing you for your slimers?
50% - I think you read pt totally wrong. He's not anti-sparky, he's just into 1/2a more. Heck, most of his designs would (and have) make wonderful electrics, suitable for parkflying. Even the 1/2A "slimers" make pretty good parkfliers, except possibly the engine sound - and even that's debateable, depending on location.
Original: Abel
... They don't need improved flying sites like the traditional club flyers need, and many have said they prefer to fly as independents, in parks...
<snip to shorten>
...they don't need the flying site assistance program, they'll find their own places to fly...
Exactly!
Do parkfliers really need AMA, or does the AMA need the parkfliers?