How many work in AMA headquarters and how many are in the hobby/sport of aeromodeling?
As far as the big picture goes, wouldn't it be a good idea if all were aeromodelers? Better yet, hypothetically, if many if not all were flight instructors?
Also, hypothetically, if AMA created a school to train members to become RC flight instructors? Or to increase current instructor's skills?

Just attempting to offer possible solutions.

Here is a list of department heads. directors, managers, etc:
Academy of Model Aeronautics - Headquarters Staff

Not sure what the total number on the payroll is.

DAMN!!!!!
11 people in Media and Publications
6 people in Membership and that includes an Operator?
This is good, a Public Relations & Government Affairs Director, a Representative AND an Assistant?
An Education Director, an Assistant and a Specialist?
This is really good, in Marketing and Programs, there's a Director Marketing and Digital Strategy, Email Marketing Specialist, Marketing Partner Lead and Consumer Experience Lead and Creative Manager
Information Systems really needs a Tech Analyst and TWO Support Analysts?
Now why does the museum need a Director, Collections Manager, Archivist and Historian, an Educator and a Media Specialist?
More bloating, FOUR PEOPLE to run the retail department, THREE PEOPLE to run accounting?

I can see now why they have a $2million payroll. Going through the staff, I'd cut the following:
one facilities person
one accounting clerk
at least one, preferably two from retail
two from the museum
one info systems support analyst
half the marketing department
the Education Director
at least a third, preferably half of the Media & Publications staff
one of the Competition & Events staff
one of the Public Relations staff
one of the AMA Foundation/Development/communications staff
one of the Safety/Member Benefits staff
the operator, shipping/receiving clerk and one renewals person
Dave Mathewson as Executive Director
I figure that would save at least $750,000 per year in salary bloat but, with all that, what does Rich Hanson do? I don't see him listed anywhere? I guess he can be terminated as well

Wonder if all of those were to be gone, would there be any change, one way or the other, in AMA's effectiveness?

Probably not.
As far as renewals go, they could hire some temps if needed.
Several positions are doubles so it just means those remaining would have to do a little more to earn their pay
Then again, I don't see where the office people are really doing that much anyway

hanson is elected and receives no salary.

I can deal with that. From what I can tell, he doesn't do anything that deserves pay anyway

I think that AMA members in the organization who aren't paid, they do receive money for expenses. Something on the order of $2000 per year. I could be wrong on that number.

By my count, there's 56 people listed on the AMA website. That includes Hanson, but not the other EVPs. so 67 people total. Based on their 2015 IRS filing, they spent 130,033 in travel that year. That puts it at about $1940 per person. That said, I suspect a large number of the staff don't travel, or don't travel much. That would mean the actual spend per traveler could be quite a bit more. They could cut those costs by using GoToMeeting or similar technology instead of all the EVPs traveling to Muncie 4 times a year.