No, the AMA Intro Pilot Program does not cost anything. This is basically what it is. Instructors at a club are designated as AMA Intro Pilots, and they must turn in an application at $5/year to the AMA to be an Intro Pilot. When they are an Intro Pilot they may train a student, and as long as that student flies with the Intro Pilot Instructor they will be covered by the AMA Liability Insurance. They may not fly with any pilot other than the designated Intro pilot that is on the application. Training must be completed within 60 of the time of application. There is not fee for the student.
This is copied directely from the AMA files on this program.
A non-AMA member may fly at a chartered club site and receive member liability insurance protection as long as he/she
is flying under the direct supervision of a club-designated Introductory Pilot Instructor. The Introductory Pilot Instructor
must hold a current AMA membership with the “Intro Pilot” classification. Supervised instruction must take place at an
AMA chartered club’s site, and must be closely supervised. The non-AMA member will have the same liability insurance
coverage that other AMA members receive, solely while under the direct, one-on-one supervision of the Intro Pilot
Instructor, for a period of 60 consecutive days starting from the first session. No other AMA benefits are provided to the
non-AMA member.
Participation in this program is on a one-time basis only. This program covers assisting new modelers through education
and training activities only, and does not constitute permission to fly in any organized event of AMA members or clubs,
sanctioned or otherwise. No AMA card will be issued to the non-AMA member during the 60-day introduction period.
You can read the full document here: [link]http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/917.pdf[/link]
Ken