ARE YOU GUYS MODEL BUILDERS OR LEGAL THEIVES? quit all the harp and get with the modeling activity. pay your dues and enjoy building or paying someone else to build for you. this isn't a commerical forumn. dick

Getting back to the original inquirer's question...

How will joining help him? There are a list of questions one must ask,some of which were stated early on but for the most part joining the AMA is a personal issue. Personal in as much that the AMA provides a modeler many formal activities conducted all across the US in which you can participate, if you are an AMA member.

Competitive flying events ranging from scale f/f, c/l, r/c to aerobatics.
Social Fly-In events comprised of free form flying, or as some say, burning holes in the sky.

That's the long and the short of the perks that come with AMA membership.

Liability insurance is provided to "protect others from you" while you participate in flying your model at an event conducted at an AMA Chartered flying site. If you are always going to fly on your own property, alone... You don't need to join the AMA if you have plenty of money to protect yourself from someone who'd likely take you to the cleaners for a couple of mil if you injure them while flying...you don't need the AMA to enjoy flying modeling.

As you can see, its really simple.

No, it is not a commercial forum. It is a forum for the discussion of AMA issues. If you consider your recent posts here informative or helpful in the discussion of AMA issues, fine.

If the origional poster is looking for a laundry list of benefits the AMA will provide, he might try this document. http://www.modelaircraft.org/templat...-files/536.pdf

BENEFITS OF THIS ASSOCIATION
PROGRAMS
q Sanctioned events (over 2,500 annually)
q Assistance in getting and keeping flying sites
q National Safety Advisory Program and Safety Code Standards
q Annual Youth Scholarship Program
q Youth Education Programs, YES Grants
q Club chartering Program providing club and site assistance to almost 2,450 local clubs
q Dues structured by age groups - younger and older modelers pay less
q Opportunities to serve in leadership roles of Contest Director and/or Leader Member
q World Championships Teams selection and financing, plus travel assistance
q Support and promotion for the sport of aeromodeling for schools, service groups and
clubs
q Air Show Team Program offering demonstrations of model aircraft to millions of people
q Club Officer Recognition
q Mall Show Programs for clubs
q Historic Preservation and Research programs (Museum, Archives, and Library)
q Introductory Pilot Program
q Attendance at major modeling trade shows for member assistance and to provide public
awareness of aeromodeling
q Conduct of volunteer programs for members participating in the International
Aeromodeling Center activities
q Leader club recognition
q Hobby shop displays as an AMA information center
q Hall of Fame recognition
q Experimental Aircraft Inspections for models over 55 lbs.
q Turbine Waivers for jet pilots
SERVICE
q Liability Coverage for the Operation of Model Aircraft, Boats, Cars and Rockets
q $2,500,000 Comprehensive General Liability Protection for model activities for
members, clubs, site owners and sponsors
Academy of Model Aeronautics
5161 East Memorial Drive
Muncie, Indiana 47302
(765) 287-1256 – Business
(765) 289-4248 – Fax
(800) 435-9262 – Membership Services
http://www.modelaircraft.org
D:\PDF\#536.doc Page 2 of 3 040317 ism
SERVICE (continued)
q $25,000 Accident/Medical Coverage for members
q $10,000 Maximum Accidental Death Coverage for members
q $1,000 Fire, Theft, and Vandalism Coverage for members
q Primary Site Owner Insurance - up to $5,000,000 each location
q Published information --Financial reports, Contest Calendar, Construction Articles,
Claim reports and general news
q Information how to obtain Non Profit status to retain income as a Tax Exempt
organization under IRS Section 501(c)(3)
q Accumulated assets ($11 million)
q Safeguarding radio frequencies through liaison with Federal Communications
Commission
q Achievements recognized through the Awards Programs
q World Record performances processed through FAI
q Affiliate of National Aeronaut ical Association
q Contest scheduling coordination to avoid conflicts
q National Records recognized and recorded
q Liaison maintained with major Government agencies (Corp. of Engineers, Navy, Air
Force, Army, Marines, and FCC)
q Film Library with rentals available to members, clubs and general public
q National Museum - Frank V. Ehling National Model Museum - free admission to all
members
q Museum Store for visitors
q Museum Patron Program
q Support and sponsorship of technical meetings
q United States representation to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI),
Lucerne, Switzerland
q Over fifty full time staff members, dedicated to serving all aspects of aeromodeling
interests
q The National Center for Aeromodeling, the world's only full-time model aviation facility
q Lee Renaud Memorial Library - more than 25,000 publications and books with research
service available
q Specialty member programs offered only through AMA membership - Credit Cards and
Eye Care Discounts
q Serving aeromodeling since 1936---now over 60 continuous years
q Convenience of using a Fax machine to send and receive information
q Affiliate of National Aeronautical Association
q Web page on Internet - Information dissemination
q Internet E-mail - to improve ease of communications
q Federal land use with Department of Interior
q District meetings for in person contact
q Free 800 number for member service
q Administrative staff to assist with explanation of various programs
D:\PDF\#536.doc Page 3 of 3 040317 ism
q Coordination with Federal Aviation Administration to promote safe regulations for flying
SERVICE (continued)
q Online Club Charter Renewal Kit
q Online Membership Manual
q Purchase model plans
q AMA Product Guide – web store
EVENTS
q National Championships, world's largest model airplane contest
q World Championships and other special activities hosted
q Development of new outdoor promotional modeling events
PRODUCTS
q Model Aviation Magazine - The AMA Voice of Aeromodeling News
q Standardized AMA competition rules - the FAI Sporting Code Competition Regulations
q Modeling publications available to members at discount prices through Supply & Service
Department
q National Newsletters for clubs
q Delta Dart Kit for introduction to aeromodeling
q Hobby Shop Lists for promotional needs
q Club Labels for promotional needs
q Club Newsletter Labels for promotional needs
q Museum newsletter Cloud 9 for patrons
q Model Flier's Sporting license for sanctioned events
q Advertising about the Association Services in other modeling publications
q AMA Convention (formerly known as IMS Show)
q Sport Aviator (online magazine) – Dedicated to helping the new model pilot
q Grand Event – exposing individuals to all aspects of the hobby of modeling

thanks for your last response. was on the head of the nail. POSITIVE __POSITIVE. Dick

And just does that big list off stuff benifit the guy who's flying in the sticks by himself. I belive that was the whole idea behind this forum.

Dick

I felt the first responders to this thread did a nice job of addressing the questions asked by the first poster. I doubt that he will find the large majority of items on the list as having value to him because of his current location.

There are three subjects which are questioned in this forum, time and again. Insurance, and Model Aviation, along with the benefits of the AMA. Since the nature of forums is that people prefer to post rather than to read what has been posted before, it will continue to be this way.

As has been suggested before, RCU should probably have a FAQ sheet pinned to the top of this forum addressing the benefits of the AMA, insurance, and Model Aviation. Unfortunately, they do not, and as a result, the questions and the answers will be posted again and again.

believe we had said, if you have your private flying area , you takes your chances on your property. harm yourself- not someove else. dick

May I invite you to read the initial post in the thread, "Jetero RC 3rd Annual Pattern Classic," in the Pattern forum?

This illustrates where it all comes together. Forget the insurance. Get into the real world of RC and what it offers for your pleasure. In spite of those that would lead AMA into areas only for their personal benefit, like our USA, somehow great things just continue to make it all right again.
Be an active AMAer, and help direct the course and enter some sanctioned AMA events.

Why Can not a person fly in events if he has proof of Home Owners ins. All the Lawyers look for is the max. If you have AMA it adds to what they will go for! My God I don't belive I pecked that out?????????
EDIT
The club pays the liabilty on the property owner

Does the insurance policy apply to the membership for minors? If not, how can I get the AMA insurance, am I allowed to pay the $58 like the Senior Membership?

Yes, the insurance does apply to minors. The cost of AMA membership depends on your age. Go look at the AMA website http://www.modelaircraft.org to get the correct amount.