Interesting thread.<div>
</div><div>Clearly the AMA needs to get a bit friendlier, from what I can see. </div><div>
</div><div>My RC history starts 20 years ago with building a trainer, turning up at the local field, being told it was crap, then rebuilding coming back, seeing an instructor test fly it, then ... I sold it. Too hard, too much money, too much hassle. For what, showing up at a field and maybe getting a few flights per month. Not to mention, trainers are often pug-ugly. I had some 5 foot wingspan, nitro powered, fiberglass box fuselage dump truck of a plane. Even its mother would disown it. I then switched to nitro buggies, then nitro 1/8 th ic on-road, and had a blast. Stick to meeting rules and just have fun. Cars are awesome, especially the Kyosho Burns then Serpent Sprint which were pretty much my main models at the time.</div><div>
</div><div>So why am I posting here... Well, I have been having a ball with my ParkZone P51 micro Mustang, which with basically no prior flying experience, aside from an air hogs jet set, I have managed in a weekend to get to the point of flying circuits, including getting it down in one piece. This is a 4-channel, electric foamy, just weighing an ounce or so (dunno exactly) and it flies awesome, even in the 5 - 10 wind we have right now. </div><div>
</div><div>Small movements, small movements, back pressure in a turn, ease the nose down, ... fun fun fun! Total cost $160, including buying a proper Spektrum 5e transmitter, since I figure I'll be flying a few of these type models. The RTF is $130. I bet thousands of these things sold at Christmas, and if 10% are as persistent as I am, that's a few thousand folks that can now basically fly a baby 4 channel warbird!!!!!!</div><div>
</div><div>If the AMA could convert some of us folks, they would assure their own survival. Maybe one thing the AMA could do is charge 5 or 10 bucks per trip to extend insurance coverage at their fields. That might help get people more used to the idea of paying to fly, and after a few trips, maybe if dues paid were credited to the $50+ fee, it might get a few more folks joining up and turning up.</div><div>
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