I know this must be one of the most begginer questions ever asked but... what is AMA? why does every1 talk about it, what do u do there...

The Academy of Model Aeronautics. (www.modelaircraft.org) It's an orginazation originally started to promote the growth of R/C and to aquire radio frequencies for our use that are generally protected from being assigned for other general uses. Along the way, it became the orginazation that developed safety rules for the sport and encouraged competition. On a regional, national, and international level. Competition is what has brought almost all new and innovative products to the sport/hobby.

The AMA, as a service and not a primary function, came up with a insurer that would underwrite the pursuit of or hobby at a reasonable cost. That cost has gone up over the years, but insurance costs have gone up disproportunately to the cost of living in all areas.

The AMA is a non profit orginazation. For the most part, the officers of the AMA are not paid. Bear that in mind when people start complaining about the AMA. They do what they do, for free. That's a lot of abuse for nothing.

You will find that most clubs that have their own flying site require AMA membership so that all the members of the club, the site property owner, and the club itself, is and are, insured. That was never the primary purpose of the AMA, but that has where it has gotten to.

Tha AMA publishes a monthly magazine that's included with the price of membership. This magazine gives space to all facets of radio controlled, free flight, electric, and control line avaition. Learning about areas that you don't normally have an interest in usually increases your knowledge in the area that you are interested.

The AMA has a purpose, and overall they do it well. Check them out at the website I have noted at the beginning of this post and make your own decision. My opinion is that for the current rate of $58.00/year, it's a pretty good deal. Especially if you take advantage of all they have to offer.

its 58 dollars a year????? just to be a member[:@] ouch that doesnt sound very fair espeacially if there not making any money... im 14 by the way and dont know how im gunna earn that

At 14, I believe that you get a substantial break in the cost of membership. Going to their website to get more accurate information is free. Take a look and see if it suits you. I know that the first time something serious happens, you'll wish you had the insurance, if nothing else. No one plans on anything happening, but it sometimes does. In 30 plus years of this hobby, something went really wrong for me one time, and one time only. When it did, it was comforting to know I was covered.

Plus, I've had a lot of fun along the way in clubs where AMA was required. Flying by yourself all the time kind of takes the luster of of everything.

Your in luck nitrobasher!!!! At 14 you only need to pay $1 if you dont want the magazine that comes with the AMA membership.
So bum a buck off your old man and become a member!!!!!

Happy Flying,

Sean

thanx for the info im very happy that its only a buck lol but when u say insured what do u mean by it?? i dont really understand lol, also you say since im 14 i get 1 dollar registration but what happens when i get older do my prices increase??? thanx a lot [&:]

http://www.modelaircraft.org/templat...C778CB4EC17994

Membership without the magazine is $1 for those under the age of 19. After you turn 19 it is $58. Explaining the insurance is more difficult. The part of the insurance most members are concerned about is the liability coverage. An example of what this coverage does is if you crash your plane into someone's car it would help pay for the damage.

Eric

A little controversial note here.

You have all right to complain about the AMA b/c....

They have grown so large that they dictate a huge majoirty of the fly-ins and competition across the country (meaning somewhere around the 95% mark). They also dictate the rules at most of the clubs across the USA. Some of their new ANTI 3D rules limits what the pilot can and cant do with his or her model. They claim its a safety issue with 3D flight but have failed to show any case where a past claim had been made. I think the fact of the matter is that 3D flying and traditional flying do not mix well. 3D pilots are striving to be the best pilot they can be and the grandpas are flying around with their mouths open. Its b/c of this that I do not want to join the AMA however if you want to fly at the local flying field or at a fly in or even go to Joe Nall you have to be a member. Seems monopolistic to me. Its time the AMA gets some competition.

The AMA insurance is supplemental to homeowner's insurance, so being underage, your parent's homeowner's insurance would pick up the initial cost. Keep in mind, if you hit a person instead of their car, then your parents homeowner's insurance might not cove the law suit that would follow, and without AMA insurance it's possible that your folks might lose their home. [X(]
Dennis-

You should save your rant on AMA for another forum. Let's help inform the new people and let them be the judge as to wether or not the AMA is good or bad.

For $10 million dollars a year (membership dues only) ... have they ever considered becoming a self insured group .... or do they pay out more than $10 million a year ??

I know ... the mag. cost "most" of the $58.00 .... right !

feel free to check out their financial statements on their website.

[qu. Seems monopolistic to me. Its time the AMA gets some competition.
[/quote]

The AMA had some competion during the late eighties and early nineties. They went under.
If you don't like something about the way the AMA does things you have to make your opinion known to get things changed. That's why elections are held for district VP's. You could become one. The AMA has changed a lot over the decades it's been around and continues to do so.
No offense to any one who has a problem with the AMA, but everyones input counts. With time and patiance things change. Good Or Bad. [&:]

Oh...sorry please retract what I said. I guess its against the law to have a different opinion with small minded people (thats only directed towards one person right now) I was just giving some food for thought.


Doug. I dont have time to run for V.P. I have to make a living.

I am a member of AMA, not because of insurance but because of the magazine and it promotes our hobby. Insurance is not really a consideration. Like previously said, homeowners then landowners then maybe AMA. But the organization does represent our needs with the FCC and other agencies as well as give us a basic set of safety guildlines to follow. Every organization cannot be everything to all. I don't know of anything AMA has done in direct support of our club. That being said, the cost is acceptable. Much less than most other organizations fees. And as we all know, if you are going to fly in a club, most require AMA membership. I'd say a $1 is more than worth the return.

The AMA may have some faults, if so take them up with your V.P., for 16 cents a day I am glad to know that after other coverage ends there is still a couple of million $ available in the insurance pool. Go to your local agent and see if he or she can match it.

Btw, the AMA was self-insured at one point. But things being what they are, it became less expensive to stop doing it that way, and purchase insurance instead. (I don't know when that was done, just that it was done. The self insurance was back around 1990, plus or minus a couple of years).

The insurance is a non-issue for most of us, but they have paid out some big settlements a few times over the years, so it has done something for someone. They tend to be really secretive about what they pay out, and with information on the accidents, which is a shame.

The AMA, like any big organizations is far from perfect. I don't agree with everything they do, and I certainly have heard enough about the actions of certain specific people who hold office to know that not everyone running the AMA is a saint. There are some we'd be better off with out. But on the whole, the AMA has more going for it than not. If nothing else, the AMA is a big part in helping us keep our frequencies.

But the bottom line is that many clubs and flying sites require it, and just about all the competitions and flyins do as well.

Say all you want about the AMA but at least they didn't build a multi-million dollar hq then jack up membership dues!

Andy

I'm still waiting on my card. It's been 3 weeks

You know I really enjoy this forum and spend a lot of time here. One thing that does get on my nerves a little bit is the endless tirades against the AMA. I realize it probably isn't perfect, and maybe not everyone needs it, but I enjoy the magazine and as a renter don't have other insurance coverage. I think it's a good deal for me and probably for a lot of other people. Having served on municipal boards and being active in local government, I can tell you that gripers far outnumber helpers. If you don't need them, don't pay the dues. If you want to change them, run for office. Most of the people in the leadership of the AMA are doing it for the love of the sport, I don't think anyone is getting rich taking the abuse. In my opinion, if you don't want to put in the time or energy to lead, follow or shut up.

We all have opinions !

I didn't run for President of the US
I don't want to be a Senator or Congressman

But I do believe that Americans can have a voice about how the country is ran , and we can vote.

Why wouldn't this philosophy apply to the AMA.

We can state what we feel are good and bad traits of the org..
IF they are listening, they can elect to change or not.
We can then vote for or against them.
And we are allowed to try and sway others toward changes.


Seems American to me !

Not to be a jerk, but if $58.00 is alot and will cause problems (Although you can get away with e $1.00 mentioned earlier), what about the cost of your radio, your airplane, fuel, etc.?

You have every right to complain! Get in touch with your District VP and inform him of your concerns; if he doesn't respond in a way you feel appropriate, then vote for someone else next time or run for the office yourself.

The system is there to use, you just have to do it!

Carping from the sidelines is seldom productive, a cogent suggestion is often very influential.

Nitrobasher, I would suggest going for the $15 membership with the magazine. The magazine is being oriented for helping out folks like you and it will give you a broad look at the world of model aviation. You will learn a lot from it.

Jim