Some club flying sites require AMA membership because the owner of the flying site says so. If this is the case allowing a nonAMA member to fly could lose the flying site. some clubs have all the members they want and are therefore exclusionary. Other clubs want new members and don't care who flies. It is really a local situation and should be seen as such. And, yes, you can fly on non-club sites until someone stops you. Which may never happen.

Well, I'm new to RC so I don't know much about any of it. However, when I first started in this on my first visit to the
club, the President shared with me about AMA and the club dues, explaining the purpose of both.

Our annual club membership dues are $50.00. AMA is $58.00. So, for $108.00 I can fly (learn to fly) without any worry.

When I thnink about this annual cost I remember I used to pay $22.00 for 18 holes of golf, $15.00 to go to a movie
(that's with 1 bucket popcorn), $50 to $125.00 to go to a C & W concert (plus the drive), so it don't sound so bad,
after all. I guess it's just how much you value what you like to do.

Everything costs dough. I couldn't play 5 rounds of golf or go to 8 movies or attend 1 or 2 concerts for what
I spend annually on Club and AMA dues.

All in all, my addiction is relatively cheap compared to some addictions.

From my point of view the $58 is cheap (I get a decent magazine, too) and if I ever hit something or someone,
I would sure be glad I spent the $58.

I hate to see people go after each other in such a mundane way over such a small amount.

If you don't want to join just don't. In America we are free to make our own choices. Hopefully, those choices won't
cause anyone else any pain or grief.

The other side:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_50...tm.htm#5019052

This person had a great experence.

>>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>
AMA Bylaws, ARTICLE III, MEMBERSHIP: (Emphasis Added)

//snip//

Section 2. The Chartered Club is the local division of the AMA. It is the
vehicle for recognition of any geographic grouping of AMA members.
(a) The Charter provides the local organized group with added
insurance protection for the club, the club officers, and flying site
owners. Other services such as assistance in acquisition and retention
of flying sites, materials for public relations, and legal counsel, when
necessary are available to the Charter Club.

(b) All members of the Chartered Club, including officers, must be
members of the AMA (except Associate members who are not officers,
defined as a wife, husband, child, or parent of an active club member
who does not operate models as part of the club activity); such member
must be listed on the Charter as an associate.

Section 3. The Executive Council’s determination on eligibility or class
of membership shall be conclusive. Upon acceptance for membership,
each individual shall agree to accept the Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws of the AMA and to pay such dues as may from time to time be
determined by the Executive Council. No member shall have any right,
title, or interest in or to AMA property.
<<<<<<<<<

Therefore an AMA CHARTERED CLUB has to REQUIRE AMA membership for ALL club-members. If the club has a flying site which the Club controls, or even doesn't control, all CLUB MEMBERS will be AMA members. How a club defines the use of a flying site WHICH IT CONTROLS is up to the Club.

In my learned opinion, if an AMA Chartered Club has a flying site which it controls, where all club members ARE AMA, and the Club allows non-AMA members to fly there, then they are placing the Club's own members in jeopardy subject to fliers that may well have no insurance to cover whatever they -- the non AMA -- fliers may do relative to damage to person or property. Again my opinion, however to allow such is an example of stupidity at its highest level. The Charter is basically worthless. Five members could hold a Charter for the land-owner's insurance and no one else need be AMA. Use the money saved for improving the site and a few Friday Night Beer-Busts.

So for those that think an AMA Chartered Club should allow non-AMA fliers on the Club's flying site then think again. Either join the club along with AMA or go find your own spot. The Club fronts the money and performs the labor of getting, keeping and maintaining that facility and doesn't owe those seeking a free ride one DA_N thing and for a couple out there, when a Club incorporates, borrows monies to have a site, builds that site and maintains that site and pays the bills including real taxes, then that club is doing 1000% of their share for promoting the hobby. Free-loaders can either head on down the road or stop and lend a hand -- their choice -- and no longer be a free-loader, again their choice.

Excellent points Horrace! Pretty much hits'r on the nailhead for me. I don't think people should ever be snobish to newcomers! However, some come off that way, allthough they may have no idea they do.

Of the Four AMA R/C clubs I have belonged to over the years and the many others I have visited during fun flys or other events, I have to say I have found all of them to be very accomodating and friendly!

In many cases an interested individual comes out/stops at a flying field with high hopes and is going to do it all. Many of us have spent alot of time with these individuals who never come back. decide to go to another club or can't understand why there are rules and insurance requirments and give up the whole idea in a week.
This explains the stand-offish club members (in many cases), we value our time at the field and are not going to waste it on people who will never return. We are polite, friendly and glad to answer questions (how much does it cost ?) but I find myself more cautious from long exposure to this same situation time and again.
Return and we will try and set you up and teach you how to fly properly.........after you have your AMA.

anybody want a cheeseburger?

Do what?

Are you trying to say that I posted in this thread under a different user name? Well, I can tell you that is most certainly not the case.

That accusation infuriates me but more importantly it shows what a ......... {content removed by --ghost_rider}


It seems all you can do is run...run your mouth...run for office within AMA...and run cowardly from your charge of duties when elected.

Why not preach to the choir how you feel involving the youth in the hobby is a waste of time…you remember that post?

Horrace you are a waste…of time…space…and bandwidth.

The local hobby shops give a 10% discount on glow fuel to all AMA members.

If hobby shops were SMRAT they would do this with more then just glow fuel, but also trainers and other certain models and items with good margins like parts. Perhaps random products like grocery stores do with their club cards, AMA club card products. This would make the AMA card like their own hobby shop club card discount program and would get potentially a lot more repeat business if they "captured" a potential, then becoming a loyal hobbyist. Hobby shops have this one potential to use over an online retailer because you can't show your AMA membership card to an online retailer. Finally ... the hobby shop would have an advantage!!!

This is exactly what the EAA does, just about everywhere you shop for experimental parts/planes/training materials you give them your EAA membership, you get a discount. Same with AOPA. Shop at Sporty's (the Tower Hobbie of GA) and get a discount with your AOPA. Same with just about every pilot shop and FBO in USA, they all give discounts for fuel and pilot accessories with AOPA card.

Now just pass the idea on to your local hobby shop. This way your hobby shop would be paying your AMA membership and making money at the same time, really a no brainer. Then there sure would be a lot less whining about how the AMA takes your $58 every year and spends it on their magazine like Y'ALL do. Instead Y'ALL would find something else to whine about, I'm sure Y'ALL would find something.

STL That's spoken like most people that think club guys are the ones that shop the most at hobby shops to start with and that they owe you something for shoping there. I work part time in a great shop and we give good customer discounts not ; hey thanks for showing up discounts because you belong to a club.

Don't take this the wrong way, this is constructive criticism. So in one hand you are saying your shoppers WANT to be part of a membership and on the other hand you are saying that you give them great customer service, but not listening to what they really want, to feel loyal to your store. They are not saying they want something for free, they are saying that they want to belong to your store, like they belong to their field. Basically you are telling them, we already give you great prices and great service, keep your pie hole closed, this is our shop not yours. Give them what they want or at least meet them in the middle, that's good customer service, now what you think is good for them.

That's why you beat them at their own game and create the "select" product discounts, which are basically the same items you would put on discount or sale, for AMA members only. Just like that guy was saying with the gas, brilliant. Or just random products, like fuel and batteries. Everyone needs fuel and batteries and even glue right? Well if you only have a specific amount of products already discounted for AMA members, they really have nothing to complain about, they are all getting a discount on something, if they are AMA members. And then offer sale products for everyone else.

Like I said, it works for EAA and AOPA in our "hobby shops", why wouldn't it work in theirs? Think of some of the positive aspects, they are there. Like wouldn't a hobby shop want to encourage AMA growth? This is exactly why the EAA and AOPA encourages Sporty's, FBO's and pilot shops, to discount with these cards, they are creating their own loyal customers with 1. A card carrying member, which to most is worth more then money (statistically proven) 2. Someone who committed to signing up to fly for a certain range of time 3. More pilots 4. More customers 5. More money. It doesn't have to be much, just a few "everyday" or at the very least training items. It's not like your discriminating, your trying to bring more AMA members together, you'll be town heroes.

Hey I know first hand about how hobby shops think outside the box, I walk into my hobby shop it's like I stepped into the twilight zone. I mean it really looks like 1939, no joke. But this is why WalMart and big box stores are kicking the crap out of hobby shops and it's growing every day. The more AirHogs planes we see advancing to higher skill levels, the more we'll see another hobby shop shut it's doors, been happening to other niche markets for a couple decades. Hobby shops are in big trouble in some areas due to internet prices and what's happening out there, it's time you guys think outside the box and that's just one shoppers opinion to a hobby shop employee. Take it with a grain of salt if you want.

Put your money where your DA mouth is SMRAT boy...let's see 20% discounts offered on the junk you sell...I didn't think so... are you a hypocrite? All empty head talk I imagine.

Ron, the idea is sound. The shop I go to in Jacksonville gives a discount to club members. It helps offset the cost of joining the club and people who join are more likely to stay in the hobby long term and spend more. If I ever get around to opening a shop up, I'd do it with AMA or club membership. You're in business to make money. This is just a method of increasing potential sales. Not something to get worked up about. It's not the perceived elitism that some guys (who don't belong to either) will talk about.

FWIW, I've never been to a club that was snobbish to newcomers. I have seen newcomers that come up to our club demanding things. Guess how that turned out?

Who said it has to be 20%, could be 5%, something that gives a feeling of membership.

Also Sign up as an affiliate on TMPro USA's website and you can take 10% off anything from the site automatically, including what you buy. Or get even 15% discount if you want credit to our store. Just use your own affiliate link to checkout and you can use that affiliate link anytime you want to. Plus you can make even make money for your club or website if you want to put the link on your site. It's right there on the front page of our website and in our AFFILIATE PARTNER PROGRAM (keyword partner) user agreement. Like I said, it's a feeling of being part of something, everyone qualifies as a TMPro member or dealer without even picking up the phone to call us. Spend more then $250 and take ANOTHER 10% off your purchase. That comes out to potentially 25% off for members only.

Mouth put where the money is.

http://www.tmprousa.com/affiliate/index.html

Your nothing more then punk, you know that don't you. You have anything good to say about anything? I'd have a sneaking suspicion you use your tough guy talk on the web only.

Ok Clinton...err...STL, That discount you talk about at TMP only applies to AMA members???????????...you know the essence of what we are talking about here… or did you get lost in all the spinning you do?

Apparently you can't read STL. He said they give "good customer discounts" instead of a discount just because they belong to a club or the AMA.

One of my LHS does this also. This means that the customers are entitled to certain discounts based on shopping in the store rather than whether they belong to a flying club. You see, everyone gets treated equally whether they belong to a club or not. You shop in the store frequently, you get extra bonuses.

In my case, they cut me a good deal, usually as good or better than what is found on-line, I don't pay shipping, I get a percentage built towards store credit for future purchases. The downfalls, you pay sales tax, and if they don't have something stock you may have to wait a week or two for it to come in when ordered. Sure has cut into what I spend at Towers every year.


The shop has a loyal customer base from local club members, as well as the flyers that don't belong to any club. Seems pretty smart to include all customers in the programs that build loyalty to the store, rather than a select few.

I guess STL couldn't spin around that last query very fast. Well, while he is spinning a response…. why not turn this around a bit...when you purchase something from a LHS we should send AMA our receipts and they can rebate 10% towards AMA memberships...Hmmmm....Oh….I see it only works only one way....the hobby shops should support AMA but AMA shouldn't be called on to support the hobby shops....

If you see it that way you are being...well you figure it out.

OK, but there is more then one way to skin a cat. The guy that brought this subject was the one whose hobby shop discounted fuel for AMA members, which I think I thought was a good idea and he sounded happy about it. You think your idea is good .... great, now they have 2 to choose from. Thanks for you input. Potatoe, Potato.

I said earlier in another thread today if we all had the same ideas, then we'd all be flying Wright Flyers.

Like I said, this is how it works in full scale aviation. You pull up for gas, show them your AOPA card and chances are you'll get a discount since your a AOPA member. Same goes for supplies in the pilot shop. Proven to work in that industry, guess it doesn't carry over into little plane industry. What does the the FBO or pilot shop get back from AOPA and EAA in return? NOTHING, AOPA doesn't ask for anything and the FBO doesn't ask for anything back from AOPA. Instead they are both helping to keep the GA industry GROWING and be part of our little own happy family. It naturally works out to be a win win for everyone. GA pilots are much more tightly meshed then RC pilots and then some.

Hmmm...Interesting to say the least. You think you thought??????? That explains a lot to me...evidentially a dual personality exists. Now things make a little more sense.

Now STL...Peter Pan...or whoever you are...you have not answered the question at hand...I will ask again to clarify.

Do you or do you intend to give a discount for your little planes to AMA members in particular?

If I could do it, I would do it. You tell me how it can be done. Humor me with how this is going to work online?

I ALREADY SAID, this is an advantage that hobby shops have over web sales which they can take advantage of. That WAS my answer.

Now I see why you won't tell anyone your name or where you live. If you want to constantly sit here and say my ideas are crap and your ideas, well no ideas really, are the best, then that's your opinion and we'll just leave it at that.

But the fact remains, the person that started this particular discussion doesn't sound to dissatisfied with what his hobby shop does and either does PTUlmer who doesn't always agree with what I say either.

Oh... for posterity

OK. Here is your Answer: AMA has an online verification you could utilize and if valid information is given you can apply the 20% discount....Now we will be watching for you to follow through.

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Our website it automated there my friend, like every other website on the Internet. How does it work automatically, like the Affiliate program works? There is a benefit to having a website sales and there is a benefit of having offline sales.

When you find me a way to having the system work like a WEBSITE works, then you let me know. Of course the AMA could grant us access to their system, so make the call for me, like I did for you guys who asked for clarification. But I don't think they will grant us that privliage, it's confidential. Otherwise I could cherry pick their database and I don't think they would like that.

If you want to get in the RC business, there is a lot of rooms for guys who think they know what they are doing. Buy a few containers and start selling! Instead of telling what everyone else does wrong.

That is a pure BS excuse.

I guess some machine fills the orders and puts them in a box and ships them. I would only take a few additional seconds for the order to be processed and AMA info verified...or alternately it could even be on the honor system. It would not take any longer than a LHS to validate and give the discount. You suck and your excuse is pathetic.

There is a way but you are full of....well.... yourself.