Thanks teookie,

JUGFLIER turned me onto the conversation in another thread about AMA membership discounts. I didn't read that thread before my other two posts, but realize this problem is at least already being explored by the current AMA administration. I completely agree with the AMA offering a less expensive membership option for those of us who want to fly an electric plane in a field near our house. I'd gladly pay $20 a year for the insurance coverage and government relations. That's all I want and I believe that's what most of us young blood's want. We're simply not interested in paying $58 and donating countless hours that I'd, frankly, prefer spending with my wife and child.

What AMA is probably afraid of is turning a 170,000 $58 memberships into 20,000 $58 memberships and 100,000 $20 memberships. Further, they are probably worried that their association publication's rate base would slam into the ground if people were given an option to not receive it and pay less each year. But that's another story.

Again, there has been a fundamental shift in the culture of hobby enthusiasts and, more importantly, the way clubs/memberships are perceived. Therefore a fundamental shift in the way they are treated is in order. There are those who thrive on club participation and others who don't. AMA should look at their membership as a product and treat it as such. Very few young people are interested in the product they are selling at the price offered.

I'll also throw this out to bring it back to the original post - the only way they are going to get a bunch of young people involved is to sell franchise licenses of certain geographical regions in which enthusiastic young people could capitalize on their efforts.