Hey members, newcomer to AMA here. I think the AMA isn't growing because of the lack of relevance to the huge park crowd. AMA is for the club and sanctioned flying sites. So how does it apply to parkflyers?

I just joined the AMA last week. So it grew by one more person. But I was thinking that where I live there's a flying field in Mather, CA(near Sacramento Ca). And I couldn't be less interested in going there right away. Now it isn't that i "don't care". I'm always posting on other threads in RCU, as an inside joke, "nobody cares" but I do care. My perception as an electric flyer is that clubs aren't worth the time away from my family, because you have to wait for everyone else to fly. And the big club fields and their larger runways are better suited for gas power. Today, with better electric technology than ever, a park that is close is better than a club further away. There are so many people who got into this from the parkflyer scene and who prefer the convenience of flying that a RTF parkflyer brings.

For me its the choice between a group of veterans (and possible "one upmanship", territorialism, or general extra time waiting for the others to get done flying ...), or a quick trip down to the huge park to fly my super cub, micro p 51 (without feeling looked down upon) or warbirds that takes 30 to 50 minutes tops. I can go with a friend or family member and it fits into my life easier. But I have hastily generalized the members themselves and this is wrong of me to do. So I am guilty of prejudice: As for my own insecurity with people, I have erred in that I've prejudged a group of flyers (local club members) without even meeting them yet. For that, I see the error of my own way. And I commit to join the AMA and approach the local club. I have to at least give it a try and meet the club out there some day soon.

Why did i join AMA? I wanted to keep my options open to approach the Club at Mather, CA and for the mag. And mostly because i want to be responsible as a model aviator, and become a contributing member to the AMA. But i can tell you this: the minute i get the feeling that i'm inferior or imposing on the others at the club (if i ever show up) will be be an indication that the local park is better for me. For me, one-upmanship is the worst. I know you've seen these guys. The ones that need everyone else to know why their choices and their set up is better than everyone elses. Yuk. (My motto on this website is "nobody cares" and it was born out of disgust for know-it-alls on other threads. I don't have the patience to stroke someone else's ego. I just want to fly. And of course I fly as safe as possible.

I'm interested in learning more about the rules, not to be bound by them, but to be set free to fly responsibly with a knowlege of what is appropriate. Rules are there to provide freedom to enjoy the hobby with consideration to others, and to protect us from harm.

I guess i just don't know enough about AMA and how it applies to me outside the sanctioned flying site and/or local club.