So, lets shift MA to quarterly, and take the extra $18.05 and put it towards AMA flying fields. using the 150,000 member number yields $2,707,500/year.
You've just realized that the magazine doesn't cost 2.7mm. The AMA spends a total of just over 1mm cost on the magazine after it's all done and over with. So how could the AMA save 2.7mm, if they are only spending over 1mm to produce the magazine 12 issues???
The magazine actual cost is in black and white and confirmed by the AMA President. Retail price is a different story.