The AMA is an organization dedicated to Model Aviation which is a multi faceted interest. It attempts to cater to all aspects of this hobby/sport as best it can. Due to the overwhelming interest in R/C, the AMA gives this interest the majority of its' coverage. However, it still has to cover FF and CL!

People run the AMA and people are fallible and/or influenced by other people. People also have a bad habit of pushing their own agenda or allowing others to push their own agendas onto them. However, I believe the AMA's leaders are doing the best they can and are attempting to appease all people involved in this hobby and listen to their interests.

It costs an adult $58.00 to be a member, which includes a subscription to the AMA's publication "Model Aviation". For arguments sake, lets say the subscription to M.A. costs $25.00 (this would be cheap for a monthly periodical). Then lets say it costs another $25.00 for the annual premium for the insurance coverage we all receive as a benefit of being an AMA member (Do you buy insurance [of course you do] and therefore isn't this the cheapest insurance premium you have)? This then leaves $8.00 for the AMA to cover all the other costs it needs to cover, which it does! You can argue that my breakdown is unrealistic by the divisions I've made in the costs which your dues cover. However, no matter what, you can't argue that the costs aren't covered by the $58.00!

In the mid 1980s the AMA went to bat for all R/Cers by negotiating with the FCC for 50 new frequencies. Previous to this we had 7 frequencies (excluding HAM and the 27 MHz). Imagine being at the flying field and waiting for your turn to use a frequency when there were only 7 to use! Frequency control was a real issue back then and I think we are almost to lackadaisical about it today.

I realize I'm not going to stop anyone from complaining about the AMA. However, excuse me for thinking it ain't so bad and in fact is a real value!