ORIGINAL: Minnreefer
Maybe AMA is already loosing money on the plans service. I probably should not be discussing this issue, because I don't have the information to discuss the issue with knowledge.
That's probably the best comment I've seen so far in this thread, and I don't mean it sarcastically or in a critical manner. The fact is that without knowing the cost structure that AMA is operating under it's not really possible for us to know if AMA is making money, losing money or breaking even on the program.
Beyond that, IMO the real meat of the discussion should concern what AMA's goal is with their plans program. Has it been designed as a revenue stream, or a break even prospect, or a "loss leader" to encourage more building? What are they trying to accomplish?
Although I'm not a builder (yet, anyway) it seems to me that given the overall mission that AMA has stated as their goal, encouraging people to build by making plans available at the best possible price,
without undercuting the development process is the way for them to go. If that means that some of my dues is subsidizing the overall distribution process, then so be it. I'm a sport flyer.....my dues are "subsidizing" many aspects of AMA activities.
I just chimed in because I am like many people on a very tight budget last year and this year, I am trying to limit my spending to $400 a year, and that goes pretty fast to club dues, required AMA dues, fuel etc.
I hear that. I bought a nearly completed giant scale Cessna Skylane at a swap meet last November and haven't put it in the air yet. I'm breaking down and stripping servos and receiver out of another plane at this point to get it in the air for the lowest out of pocket cost that I can. My preference would be to not do that, but it'll reduce current costs by about $150 or so.