ORIGINAL: Ray Davis

This is the way I understand it:

Firstly, no one has to belong to the AMA to fly anything......but generally speaking, to fly models in the USA you need a site....you want a site, the owner needs to be insured. The AMA can provide that site insurance and does so thru it's Chartered Clubs. But, in providing that service, the AMA requires all participants be be Members, and for good reasons: Members individually are aware/agree to abide by the Safety Code to reduce accidents/claims...only makes senses from a insures standpoint. Good for me, too....if I'm flying somewhere...I want to know for certain the other pilot is insured for his liability....he is if an AMA Member.

So, the AMA has requirements if you want to avail yourself of their insurance. Period. But here's the kicker: if you are an AMA Member, then you are insured anywhere you fly...insured site or not...site insured by someone else, or not. And the AMA is saying that since your insurance is always in effect you may not violate their rules (heavy planes, fast jets over 200, etc.) and make them liable for behavior they don't permit. And if you do, then certainly it is within their rights to no longer include you. Loss of Membership.

Apparently, the AMA/carrier cannot just 'turn on/turn-off' their insurance when you want to violate the conditoins you contract for w/ Membership. Yeah, pisses many off because the AMA has a lock on us for site isurance, particularly......but you wanna fly in violation, and jeopardize the AMA program, why shouldn't they want ya out?

Ray