Originally posted by FLYBOY
Yes, the main problem with AMA is no competition! There will never be a good competitor because AMA will just put them out of business with new rules saying if you talk to them you will not be covered. Ok, that is a bit much but you get my drift. You will sure get a lot of guys writing back and telling you to just shut up and pay so they can enjoy their field back east that noone can get to but the select few. Seems that everyone pays the AMA dues, and most pay it because they have to, but Most will not voice their opinion when it counts, so we all have to pay. Thats the problem when a large group gets too large. It turns into a money making machine and looses its focus. EAA did the same thing.
I don't know if you would call it competition, but there is another modeling organization:
http://www.unitedmodelers.com
You don't even have to join UMA if you already have AMA to fly in a UMA club. But as you would know it, it doesn't work the other way around.
Take care,
CCR
http://www.kites.org/rc_instructors