I've kept my mouth quite for several months now listening, and hearing, both pros and cons on the AMA. I'm sorry if this offends some people, but my opinion is that the AMA is way off course with an annual fee cost of $58. But being an r/c enthusiast, that doesn't have their own corn field, I really won't have a reasonable choice but to pay it.

For most of us, this is a just a "hobby" . . . $58 basically covers, a secondary insurance policy and a magazine.

Even a basic AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) membership only costs $36 a year. Even at my AOPA rate of $72 a year I get my membership, legal representation by an aviation lawyer, proactive representation on Capitol Hill, TWO well produced and authored magazines (AOPA & Flight Training), more educational and safety materials than I care to read, a telephone hotline for clarity on the FAR/AIM (Federal Aviation Regualtions/Airman's Information Manual), as an aviation instructor a FREE six month subscription to any student I have, personalized address labels, etc.

Again I know I don't have a realistic choice but to join the AMA, but basic business sense tells me that AMA could use some healthy competition.