AMA membership renewal

Recently I was talking to someone i've been flying with for more than a decade. He has decided due to changes he sees in AMA and Model Aviation he isn't going to renew. Don't think he is alone.

I was wondering how many of you who are currently AMA members have come to the same conclusion? I would like to know how long you have been in AMA (AMA #) and if you are planning on renewing. If there are enough replies it'll be sent to Bob Hunt.

to get it started

AMA# 1834 yes

Thanks in advance
Carl

Carl:
In today's litigious society, a flyer that is not an AMA member is a fool.

Our AMA is significantly more than insurance and a magazine: it provides a bit of guidance with competition rules and provides us all with a vast network of volunteers that do their very best to promote and grow model aviation, regardless of discipline.

Remember that our AMA is a group directed by the majority of modelers....if you or your friend are not happy, change can come from within.

Bob Hunt provides controline flyers far more coverage than our membership numbers reflect (same is true for FF, and indoor, and, I would suspect ALL forms of competitive aeromodeling). Don't shoot the messenger.

See Ya

Peabody,
I agree that A M A is more than just insurance, but the Magazine just doesn't cut it for me anymore.
What I would like to do is donate my magazine to a High School and maybe pick up some new modelers that way.
Just my opnion,
Gil

Peabody;

I'm not suggesting dropping AMA. I'm just wondering how many people who have been members for a long time have come to the same opinion as my friend. Bob Hunt is thinking that the changes they've made will entice more new people to remain in, I'm afraid it won't have any effect and that it will cause long time members to drop out. Since it is renewal time seems like a good time to give him some feedback on how his changes are effecting membership, if at all.

I have had some of those same thoughts but if you want to contest fly you have to be an AMA member. A buddy of mine and I had a couple of problems with a certain AMA employee and it really gave us both a bad taste in our mouths. We both considered dropping out of the AMA at that time but living in Muncie I feel that I get more out of my membership than most members. I really cant complain much because I go to the museum when ever I want and fly at the AMA site whenever possible.

Yes, I will renew.

Rick Henry 53163

AMA member, on and off, for 25+ years.

That's the truth!

I for one am happy to pay my dues to AMA in exchange for having access to the flying site which I utilize two to three times per year, and being covered by some liability insurance.

All of the other stuff is like a bonus. The museum, the online articles, the support for other events, etc.

It really is a fair value when compared to other activiity and organizational costs in today's environment.

I know I speak for others in this regard but I respect others opinions on the value they receive.

IMHO

Curt Nixon
(kinda competitive PA flier and sometimes R/C person)

Edit: Regarding MA, I think it is a good overview of the breadth of activity within AMA. Sure, I'de like to see more in depth on my modelling discipline of choice--but that's why the Sig's have their newsletters like Stunt News.

Been a member since the late 60s with a hiatus for marriage and family.

Yes, I plan to renew. Have to have an AMA license to fly in contests.

Ama# 67711 (not my original number, but close)

57676 and yes I will renew (as long as I am able) for all the reasons already stated.

Having been a member of the AMA since 1940, and having utilized their insurance program three times in that period, YOU BETTER BELIEVE I AM CONTINUING MY MEMBERSHIP. In spades.
Bigiron aka Marvin Denny AMA 499.

Yes, of course I will renew. The insurance alone is a must. The records for my original number 47### burned up in an AMA office fire. Sure wish I could find an old magazine with my original number so I could get it back.

No question here. I have some negative feeling about some things concerning AMA, but the fact is, besides all the excellent reasons listed above, there is strength in numbers and the fewer there are the less effective we'll be. I maintain my membership and will continue to do so, it would take something far more negative than a magazine that doesn't exactly fill the bill to chase me off!

AS A MEMBER FROM 1955 (YES 55, MY NUMBER IS 12726 55) I HAVE SEEN SOME PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT LIKE EVERYTHING THE AMA DOES. TO NOT HAVE THE INSURANCE IS JUST NOT TO SMART. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO SAY IT. I KNOW THE COST GOES UP OCCATIONALY. GAS USE TO COST ME 23 CENTS IN 1963. TO NOT SUPPORT THE AMA IS NOT A SIN, IT JUST IS NOT THE WAY TO SAFELY ENJOY THE HOBBY. IF YOU DONT LIKE THE BOOK THAT IS SAD. I USE TO WRITE THE C/L SCALE COLUMN IN THE EARLY 80'S AND TRIED MY BEST TO TEACH ALL I COULD TO INTERESTED SCALE FANS. I JUST RAN OUT OF TIME TO CONTINUE. I DO KNOW PEOPLE THAT FIND IT HARD TO SPEND $58.00 ON SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN'T REALLY SEE. BELEVE ME IF YOU LOVE THE HOBBY LIKE I DO , IT IS A SMALL COST TO SUPPORT WHAT I LOVE MORE THAN MYSELF.
PLEASE CONSIDER THE POSITIVE NOT THE NEGATIVE.

HI Carl. What changes?? My number is 3429 and I'm thinking about becoming a life member. In order to compete, I need the license. All things considered, being a member has been of help to me in many small ways in my hobby.
Must be the weather, every time it changes and old men get to talking, they always want to quit something or other. Your "friend" obviously does not compete with his toy airplanes, I do. Unlike the NMRA, belonging to AMA is a necessary thing in my case.

I have to.
Scott(AMA Show team Member)Riese

You know, I don't think the complainers here are reading the same magazine I'm reading. The last issue I got (the one commemorating the Wright Brothers) was one of the best I've seen in years. I read it almost cover to cover.

I think there's some sort of myopia going on here. I fly model airplanes because I like AIRPLANES and FLYING. Just because the CL Combat column only comes once every two months doesn't mean I don't read the rest of the magazine. If all people look for in a magazine is their little niche, then there's no point in having a magazine at all.

Ty

the main point he was talking about was the changes in Model Aviation made this year that Bob Hunt covered in his column in Jan 2003 such as no construction articles, elimination of monthly columns. Said there was only one article this year he found worth reading. There are several other items and I think his approach is definetly the wrong one to take but it started me thinking that he wasn't alone in his response.

>the main point he was talking about was the changes in Model
>Aviation made this year that Bob Hunt covered in his column
>in Jan 2003 such as no construction articles, elimination of
>monthly columns. Said there was only one article this year
>he found worth reading. There are several other items and I
>think his approach is definetly the wrong one to take but it
>started me thinking that he wasn't alone in his response.

No construction articles? Elimination of monthly columns? Are you blind??? There are construction articles up the wazoo. And there are columns every month. Just not the CL stunt one.

I'm actually going to build that electric RC trainer they had in the November issue. Looks pretty neat.

I will renew as I always have since 1966. Chris McMillin, AMA# 32529.
C/L Stunt, Scale, Speed, Racing, F/F Rubber, R/C Park Flyers

The way I understand it AMA was going to put in more construction articles. Maybe I misundertoof.

You know what is really cool about AMA coverage? When you make a claim, I hope you never have to, the dues dont skyrocket. I have car insurance and can use but if it is to much of a claim or to many times and I get dropped and then killed by state coverage. Yet it is unlawful not have it. I have homeowners but a claim on that company can do the very same thing. A claim with the AMA and you still pay just 58 bucks, the same as everyone else.

I have had car insurance for 20 years. I have claimed about 7000$ total over that time. I have paid in way way way way more than that in monthly premiums. What a crock.

I easily could have been involved in a claim at the Baton Rouge contest. Those present know about it. When I fly close to home, I have to fly where I can, which means much less control of events than at the club field in Dallas. I have had passers-by do some pretty wierd things, and so have most of you. No AMA insurance? Absolutely INSANE, if you ask me! And yes, your AMA insurance will cover some things your homeowners policy won't!

I have already renewed. I have been an AMA member, on and off, since 1950. My current number, 235072, goes back to 1975. I had to join in 1950 to enter a contest. I renewed this year for the same reason. However - I do enjoy the Magazine, as I love Model Airplanes and I love to read about them -- ALL of them!

After reading all the above, it is obvious that most will not give up. Thats good. The hobby will always have it's die hard complainers, thats life.
Perhaps golf would be more fun, but not for me.

I still get the flutter in my heart when I am about to arrive at the flying field.
I hope it never goes away.

Sorry for the caps in the first reply. I was not yelling just to lazy to do it right.

53987 was sent in. I first joined in the late 60's.

FIRST OF ALL, I AM A YES ON AMA RENEWAL. I am not sure what planet Jake is living on. I think it is the planet of Contrarian.

I first joined AMA in 1956 so I could fly in my first C/L contest at Mexico, Missouri. It was one of the great experiences of my early life. I did not renew again until 1965 when I got off active duty with the military and remained a member through 1969. These were years of C/L activity and contest flying. Career pressures and graduate school caused me to drop out again until 1984 when I renewed again and have remained a member to this day. Yes, I will renew again this year. It is a must if you really care about building and flying model aircraft, C/L or otherwise.

Don't remember my wife's birthday or our anniversary date, but I remember my AMA numbers.

AMA numbers - 1956........12592
1965-1969...40838
1984-2003...126416

I would have preferred to have reclaimed my original number of 12592, but didn't know how to get it back.........TD

Ron B.
F4Fguy

I'm betting that the vast majority of people like your buddy are relative newcomers who are strictly sport flyers,who can't see the benifits of competition.Nor can most of them grasp the fact that AMA has to serve it's entire constituency,not just their own narrow interests.It's only by sticking together that we can survive and move forward in an environment which is at best indifferent and at worst itolerant of our activity.AMA is about aeromodelers and aeromodeling,regardless of the specific area of interest.

Will I renew?You bet!I've been a member since 1951,and I've seen a lot of change,not all of which I like.However,if I feel strongly enough about it,and there are enough people who feel the same,there's a mechanism to make changes.That mechanism does not include leaving the organization.

AMA #55566
Ron B.

1st a member in 1962...AMA 33315. Phase II... AMA 33351 for 3 years now. I will be renewing.

Looking forward to competing in 1/2A combat (1st time in 42 years)this next season. I wouldn't fly wack-o combat stuff without the coverage or a wrist strap (even 1/2A!!).

Recently joined the Rocky Mountain Aeromodelers (Denver), a long time charterd club. The club is looking for flying sites. The AMA affiliation is a very valuable asset when it comes to the quest for flying facilities.

Indemnification and Nitro Fumes!!......Hib

The dues are pretty steep IMHO. And I think most of it has to do with protecting the AMA from liability as the sanctioning body for activities.

What may have happend is that the AMA maybe needs to examine it's all-for-one, one-for-all policy, and start selling classes of coverage.

I'm pretty sure when the current system was developed nobody thought people would be flying 30# R/C turbojets at 250 mph. And in reality, only tiny fraction of the members do. But you gotta wonder what the insurance people start thinking when they see that sort of stuff.

So, should I pay the same premium for a controline stunter as the guy with the 20 pound R/C ship, or the jet? Should a guy flying peanut scale indoors pay what I do? Probably not.

Maybe model flying has matured to the point where it should be a incremental premiuim system based on what you fly. (?)

Chuck, now you are getting into the concern about how the AMA does not share with members just where the money goes, or how much each event is costing. That is another problem with the organization. Unfortunately, I am not so sure CL would come out so far ahead if we had those numbers, because it is done in such close proximity to spectators and it would be easy for one to wander out in front of the plane, not to mention for the plane to get loose. Once again there would be a big difference in risk between a 1/2a stunter and a monster ship. I think that a scheme to pay only for activities actually done by the modeler would likely be unmanagable, because there are so many variations on planes, some of which overlap categories.

I recall that the sport flyers organization had insurance that covered FF and RC but not CL.

Point well made, and generally we all have the same magnitude of risk, but I am concerned about some of the extremes. I've been flying models since the 60's (AMA 76478) and did the old CL->R/C-RC Pylon ->CL progression. I love fast, cool models, but the first time I saw jets I had to wonder if this was really a good idea. I mean, these things are nothing more than guided(mostly) missles, and I can't help but think our premiums are based on all of us flying them. Hey, if you can afford them and you like them - fly 'em, but should everyone shoulder the potential liability?

Remember that the jet pilots have a lot more restrictions on them than we do. You have to demonstrate that you can fly fast planes before they'll let you fly one. You can't fly them just anywhere, either. You're not allowed to build your own turbine (a sore point with many, since home-built turbines are common in Europe).

Sure, there are 30 pound jets flying, but there aren't many of them. Most weigh far less than that.

I dislike it when people start talking about banning certain types of models, because I've seen other groups point at us. Aside from SFA (I'm glad they dried up and blew away) Pylon racers were pointing at Combat and saying that we should have to pay more insurance than they do, because we're more dangerous. Be aware that CL has caused at least one fatality I'm aware of (Central Park, NYC, early 70s), has been the cause of one of the few million dollar claims ever, and has the power line problem.

Even Indoor free flight has it's hazards. Imagine retrieving stuck models from blimp hangar roofs, not to mention having cylinders of helium around (prudently tied to something, I hope).

Renewed and voted 2 weeks ago, and I plan on joining PAMPA next year.

AMA for the insurance, PAMPA for the WEALTH of information.

AMA 23139, original number, joined about 1953, continuous except a year or so (college, Army)

CD since 1975, retained original number out of spite <G>...

AMA is what we make of it. I too regret the industry pressure for new product fads, but many who "discovered" model flying over the past few decades didn't stay very long. 3 years and on to para-surfing or some really hi-speed graphics internet interactive "game."

Think of the number of years we 'dedicated' CL (and even FF) fliers remain actively and happily involved, for comparison. Let's see, start with my half-century...

OBTW, I renewed, and intend to next time around, too.

Yeah, a high turnover rate is a given, and it's not just the AMA either. People will try things and move on, that's human nature. NAR has a similar problem - a lot of the people who sign up are kids, and most try it for a year or two, then drop out.

I don't think this is a new "problem", either, or has anything to do with RC vs. CL. How many people have you met that come up to you and say "Hey, I used to do that as a kid!"? I'd have to say at least a dozen. A lot of RC fliers tell me that, too. And I've met people who fly RC who've been doing it for decades, too.

The good thing is that there is always a hard-core group of enthusiasts who continue with the activity year after year. The transients will always be with us, the best we can hope for is that SOME of them get hooked on the hobby, like we are.

I've already renewed, of course, and always will, as long as I'm an active flier. The insurance is necessary, the magazine is good (can't please everybody), there's the national rules sanctioning function, and there are many intangible benefits of being involved in an umbrella organization that exists to support and promote our activity.
Being a jack-of-all trades (and master of none), I'll also renew PAMPA, MACA, NCLRA, NASS and the two local clubs I belong to. I feel I get some benefit out of all of them.
No organization is perfect, but we all have a vote and we all have AMA reps we can gripe to. That's how democracy works. I have no complaints currently, but if I do, I know who to deliver them to.
--johnt (4051), member since sometime in the 70s.

Well I don't know about everyone else but to me the membership with the insurance is an absolute must I have seen far to many fast combat airplanes get cut of lines and crash into cars around the flying field just imagine if a child was hit at least with the safety rule additions and insurance of these unguided missiles there is some protection for the general public and the thought of loseing everything I own in a law suit doesn't appeal to me never mind how I would feel as in my conscience at injureing someone and them not getting suitably compensated.

Jake,

Peabody did not call you a fool. He said anyone who dropped out or AMA and gave up its membership benefits such as insurance, magazine, contest support, flying site support, Congressional lobbying, local committee support and so forth and so on is a fool. If you take it that way that is your right, but he did not call "you" a fool.

Here in Northern Virginia, being an AMA member with the flying site insurance and the creditibility of the National Organization has helped immensely in our battle with the Bureau of Land Management. AMA and its rules, regulations, liability insurance and congressional lobbying helped overcome many of BLM's objections. We are now in the Land Use Plan of the BLM's public recreation plan for Meadowood Farms. I don't believe we would have been successful without AMA's support.

>Jake,
>
>Peabody did not call you a fool. He said anyone who dropped
>out or AMA and gave up its membership benefits such as
>insurance, magazine, contest support, flying site support,
>Congressional lobbying, local committee support and so forth
>and so on is a fool. If you take it that way that is your
>right, but he did not call "you" a fool.
>
>Here in Northern Virginia, not being an AMA member with the
>flying site insurance and the creditibility of the National
>Organization has helped immensely in our battle with the
>Bureau of Land Management. AMA and its rules, regulations,
>liability insurance and congressional lobbying helped
>overcome many of BLM's objections. We are now in the Land
>Use Plan of the BLM's public recreation plan for Meadowood
>Farms. I don't believe we would have been successful
>without AMA's support.

Pardon me Col. but exactly what is the difference?
All that you listed and a $5 FRN will get me "breakfast" at most any McDonald's.
This is worth nearly as much as what the NRA will do for you if you are a gun owner- which is darn little at best.
This is like Slick Willy's; "It depends on what your definition of the word "is" is". excuse...

>At a recent fun fly/ picnic, my girlfriend got some very
>nasty cuts while launching a plane. The AMA is taking care
>of the bills since I have no other insurance. It would take
>30 years worth of membership just to pay the ER bill.
>This alone is a reason to stay with AMA.
>I have been a member for 16 years, and have already renewed
>Andrew Raney
>P.S. Thank you Dr. Sandy Frank AMA district VIII
>representative

Gee, I'm sorry she got hurt, but the "AMA" isn't taking care of it- the insurance company and their shareholders is.
There is such a thing as "self responsibility" which they are TRYING to teach to children in most of the local school systems without much effect so far.
"You picked it up and broke it; YOU bought it and pay for it" the old sign in the general stores went...

Jake,

Andrew would never have had the insurance to pay for his girlfriend's injury if AMA had not gone out and secured the liability coverage. You are splitting hairs and refuse to face facts. AMA insurance and their other benefits are too good to pass up. But, if you want to go without that is your privilege. But, remember this, you will not be allowed to participate at any AMA sanctioned event or at any AMA insured flying site. The reason is you put all the insured flyers at risk and you do not deserve the privilege of competition or flying at any AMA field.

AMA #7781, since '63 except for 2 years in the early '90's. I CD'd three contests in '03, and still only got 50% off my dues. That's ok, but it will not happen again. Quityerbitchin'.

I looked through the latest Model Aviation magazine and was relieved that I didn't have to actually read any of it. I just got my December '03 Flying Models, and there was nothing interesting (to me) in it, either. I can't say that the AMA has helped us get flying sites, but the insurance has at least opened some doors for us. Without it, we're dead in the water. Steve

>AMA #7781, since '63 except for 2 years in the early '90's.
>I CD'd three contests in '03, and still only got 50% off my
>dues. That's ok, but it will not happen again.
>Quityerbitchin'.
>
>I looked through the latest Model Aviation magazine and was
>relieved that I didn't have to actually read any of it. I
>just got my December '03 Flying Models, and there was
>nothing interesting (to me) in it, either. I can't say that
>the AMA has helped us get flying sites, but the insurance
>has at least opened some doors for us. Without it, we're
>dead in the water. Steve

You need to take a good long look at so called "common law"- it will open your eyes. 99% of court "litigation" today is pure absolute smoke and mirrors BS nonsense...

I pay a lot more for car, and home owners insurance. I don't get any magazine with articles I may or may not be interested in from either one of them, but for some reason I keep paying the bill. I don't have to, it's all paid for, so nobodies making me insure it. But that self responisibility wouldn't go real far if my house burned down, or if I killed someone on the free-way, I have a savings account, but it ain't that big.

you bet i'm going to renew.

>I pay a lot more for car, and home owners insurance. I
>don't get any magazine with articles I may or may not be
>interested in from either one of them, but for some reason I
>keep paying the bill. I don't have to, it's all paid for,
>so nobodies making me insure it. But that self
>responisibility wouldn't go real far if my house burned
>down, or if I killed someone on the free-way, I have a
>savings account, but it ain't that big.
>
>you bet i'm going to renew.

I'm not splitting ANY hairs, and if you will carefully read thru through your homeowner's policy, I think you'll find it covers you- and AMA will only pick up anything they don't.
And again, you guys are passing the bill off onto someone else- that's pretty sorry...

>I'm not splitting ANY hairs, and if you will carefully read
>thru through your homeowner's policy, I think you'll find it
>covers you- and AMA will only pick up anything they don't.
>And again, you guys are passing the bill off onto someone
>else- that's pretty sorry...
>
>Jake

Having liability insurance to cover oneself such as car insurance or health insurance is "passing the bill off onto someone else"!!!? What shortsightedness and what lack of common sense. Insurance is prudent especially when one engages in activities that have risk. Jake, I take it you do not have car insurance or a homeowner's policy since you think such action is "passing the bill of onto someone else".

I will renew until they take my handle out of my cold dead fingers. (Same for NRA.) When DMAA asked for help in refurbishing our circles, AMA cut us a check for 10%. When members get hurt and have no insurance, AMA does. I've been dissapointed a few times when I've called AMA and an employee treats me poorly, but that doesn't make me lose sight of the good AMA has done/is doing. If someone is doing something foolish, I consider him a fool. Andrew and Marvin have had need for AMA's insurance (They are the only flyers I know personally that have actual experience in this area) and it's very clear where they stand. Count me in.

Been a member off and on (mostly off) for the last 25 plus (I'm 37) years also.

Wouldn't be a member if it was not required for the few contests in which I participate. Being a member doesn't do enough for me to justify the cost. Not saying it's bad, has bad people, bad policies or anything, but it certainly doesn't and hasn't justified its expense for me.

Obviously it has for a good portion of the members, and for them I am happy. Personally, I consider it a competition tax. I complain a little, then pay it and get over it!

However, I'm still not sure why I'm insured for over a million on my models (which I'm not likely to hurt someone with) but far less on my cars (which I am likely to hurt someone with, god forbid). However, I'm also not really certain how much of my dues go to the insurance part of the package. Don't care for the magazine. Don't really care too much about Muncie (however it IS very important, and justifiably expensive), do like all the competition regulation and organization.

I guess my unrealistic wish is that I wish other portions of airplane modeling were as well organized as C/L, and that our SIGs could be our main service provider. I'd be far happier if of my $70 yearly dues ($20 PAMPA/$50 AMA), 50 went to PAMPA and 20 went to AMA. Same total cost, but I'd be happier. I think PAMPA is a fantastic value. Sad that I'm not a member, being unemployed. Of course I COULD afford it, but since it's not NECESSARY, I choose not to for now.

BTW, have no clue what my AMA# is, don't paint it on my planes either...in violation of some rules I understand. I get chastised for this on a regular basis, I always find this amusing.

This is my opinion on the subject, I respect all the others offered.

If you're unemployed and out flying a little control-line and someone gets hurt by your model-stranger,family member, even yourself- I think you would find very quickly that your AMA coverage was a wise investment, indeed. (I bet Delta gets up and running pretty soon and things will look a lot better! Keep the faith- dale g:)

Hey Dale,

Actually the silver lining in this cloud is that Delta ALPA is paying for ALL the furloughees health insurance! FAR from trivial, the dues being paid directly out of Delta pilots paychecks on a separate assessment.

Perhaps they could have done more to keep our jobs in the first place, but they really stepped up to the plate and beyond on this one.

In the case of the 250 of us furloughed at the beginning of the summer, we're being recalled during Oct, Nov and Dec, I'm in the Nov group, so it looks like I weathered the storm, albeit it was shortlived. I can only hope everyone else does as well, so far there's no policy on the recall of the 1100 or so furloughed because of 9/11 (my group of 250 was due to the war with Iraq! know of a guy at Northwest being furloughed because of the SARS epidemic! geesh!).

Of course I'll be more junior than ever, so can only hope I can find a way to get back to VSC (ok, ok, so maybe a little unemployment wasn't SOOOO bad).

Scott will be flying his (fairly) new Flite Streak (TF kit), I hope to have a Nobler going by then. Take care, hope to see you then!

>>At a recent fun fly/ picnic, my girlfriend got some very
>>nasty cuts while launching a plane. The AMA is taking care
>>of the bills since I have no other insurance. It would take
>>30 years worth of membership just to pay the ER bill.
>>This alone is a reason to stay with AMA.
>>I have been a member for 16 years, and have already renewed
>>Andrew Raney
>>P.S. Thank you Dr. Sandy Frank AMA district VIII
>>representative
>
>Gee, I'm sorry she got hurt, but the "AMA" isn't taking care
>of it- the insurance company and their shareholders is.
>There is such a thing as "self responsibility" which they
>are TRYING to teach to children in most of the local school
>systems without much effect so far.
>"You picked it up and broke it; YOU bought it and pay for
>it" the old sign in the general stores went...
>
>Jake

Jake,

It seems to me that Andrew not only picked it up, but he bought it when it broke. By this I mean that he had the forthought to join AMA that provided insurance coverage in case of just such an accident. To me that was a smart and responsible thing for any person to do. Is the, "AMA" covering the claim? Of course not. The insurance company that the, "AMA" secured for, "US" the members is doing it. I'm sure it's a group policy not unlike the insurance we have in the International Aerobatic Club or the Insurance that covers me as an Airshow performer when I fly at shows all over the country. The cost of such insurance would be out of reach for any one individule but as a group we and even you would bennifit from a lower cost. I'm sorry Andrews girlfriend was hurt. However, I'm glad he was an AMA member and was covered. Thats why we have it. I'm sure that you may argue that he and his G/F knew the risks involved and should except paying out of pocket. I'm sorry but that is the very reason we get insurance in the first place. If he was doing something outside the code of safty then I would say sorry.... but if they are being covered then I have no problem.

I have been an AMA member off and on over the years. Was big in R/C pattern late 70's and into the 80's. Was a member long before that. When I got into full size acro I was out but now I'm having fun with C/L again and getting my boys started. I have rejoined AMA and had to go with my #2 old AMA # 70244 as the earlier one was gone. Anyway, The first thing I did was find a local AMA C/L club and join. Why? Because that is where I knew I would find the help I needed. People like Tom McClain, Clayton Berry, Henry, Bill, Dick, Jerry, and all the NVCL club that have tripped over themselves to help get my boys in the air! That is where I knew I would be covered with insurance to fly. That's where I figured that My boys would be able to learn from people with experience in C/L. Guess what? I as well as my son's are learning the fine art of Control Line (relearning for me!!!). Have a wonderful group of people willing to help us anyway they can, and our butts are covered because we fly at an AMA club field!

As for the Model Aviation. Well as far back as I remember it was always a magazine of small bits to try and give a feel of what all the modeler's were doing. There were splinter groups then (NSRCA) like PAMPA now for people of like interests to gather and relate their specific topic of choice. To me the magazine is not a fantastic publication on the subjects I am interested in. But I do enjoy seeeing what the other areas of modeling are up to. If I compete in Stunt then I will join Pampa ( Cool Mag.) If I do Scale then I will join up with that group to get the scoop, and so on. The Magazine is not AMA...The people are AMA and we make it what it is and will be. Hopefully it will continue to be there to enrich our sport/hobby for years to come. Sure it's a lot of money for dues, but it's cheaper than the $250 PER YEAR dues for Internatinal Council of Airshows + the $200.00 more per year to renew my low level waiver for airshow performing!

Will I renew? What do you think.... YES!

AMA #70244

>>At a recent fun fly/ picnic, my girlfriend got some very
>>nasty cuts while launching a plane. The AMA is taking care
>>of the bills since I have no other insurance. It would take
>>30 years worth of membership just to pay the ER bill.
>>This alone is a reason to stay with AMA.
>>I have been a member for 16 years, and have already renewed
>>Andrew Raney
>>P.S. Thank you Dr. Sandy Frank AMA district VIII
>>representative
>
>Gee, I'm sorry she got hurt, but the "AMA" isn't taking care
>of it- the insurance company and their shareholders is.
>There is such a thing as "self responsibility" which they
>are TRYING to teach to children in most of the local school
>systems without much effect so far.
>"You picked it up and broke it; YOU bought it and pay for
>it" the old sign in the general stores went...
>
>Jake

Hey Jake, it sounds as if you could use "attitude insurance" so that you can get your attitude fixed. Lighten up.

>Gee, I'm sorry she got hurt, but the "AMA" isn't taking care
>of it- the insurance company and their shareholders is.

WHAT EXACTLY IS YOUR FRIGGIN POINT? Geez...enough already.

Andy, I am so glad to hear that everything is being taken care of. Tell your girlfriend she may the toughest girl I have ever seen. She did not wimper, cry, or anything. Just held her hand while the blood poured out.

Hurts just thinking about it... see you at the field.

Brad

Perhaps AMA magazine isn't as good as it was or isn't the best modeling mag on the market right now, but it certainly isn't the worst. I have mixed feelings on the new format and would like to see more construction articles and plans. Like with Pampa Stunt News, the editors can only publish what is available for articles, so I don't have much heartburn over not seeing 3 construction articles per issue. I think the AMA is working for modelers and I will continue to support them with my membership until I no longer have an interest in the hobby. The cost of the dues is (in my opinion) not a hardship all things considered. I've been a AMA member since mid 70's and have had one period where I dropped my membership (4 years during military service).

Add me on the "I've renewed" side of the tally sheet.
AMA 90464 Mark G.

My, my Jake. A little testy tonight are we? Heh, heh. But then you are just being you. At least you're not like ole Floyd. By the way, where is ole Floyd on this issue. Heh, heh.

Yes I renewed, and haven't competed in 30 years till last week. Forgot how much fun it was. AMA 22547 got it in 57. Had a lower one but being young and dumb I didn't ask for it back when I had to go a year without it. I didn't think that the AMA got that many members up from 12K plus in 55. I know that they wern't signing up cub scouts back then.

I've been an AMA member off and on since 1955, and hope to be one when I die. MA hasn't been my favorite mag for some time. However, it is a magazine for ALL model aviation, and we CL folks still get more than our fair share. What we do get is of very high quality, I think. I fly competitively, and AMA membership is also required to fly at several club fields where I fly from time to time. We have just obtained access to a wonderful paved parking lot which belongs to a municipality. No way we would have access without AMA membership and the support and cooperation of AMA headquarters. I'm a stayer.

Floyd is right. The times have changed. Modelers of all stripes, ARFers or not, have to compete for time and space with all kinds of recreational activities. How many soccer fields you got in your town? In the world we live in, money and numbers talk. Anyone that doesn't believe that needs to get a life.

AMA is imperfect. So is the NRA, AOPA, EAA, FCC, and the Easter Bunny. Get used to it. But the AMA makes many of our privileges possible. It is an organization that has created a national site we can be proud of. It is likely the best such organization in the world. The insurance protects both site owners and users. The magazine is more of a matter of opinion. I liked it better a few years ago, but, again, the world is changing.

The point I want to make is that if a guy wants to participate and encourage growth and progress, great. If he wants to sit and bellyache and not help, GO AWAY.

Kelvin Heath
AMA 8607 (since 1972)
CD and Leader Member

>Look at the EAA - what a joke

What's wrong with the EAA? Putting on something as big as
AirVenture Oshkosh, and running it so well, is staggering.
I was so impressed I became a member.

>If some chunk of the RC spectrum is needed for something that
>is required by the general population, it is outrageous for AMA to
>lobby claiming that it ought to be preserved...

Do a google search on BPL (Broadband over powerlines). If it
becomes widespread, it could wipe out 72mhz with interference,
as well as the entire amateur radio HF bands. I suggest
you look up 47 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) parts
95 & 97 which gives radio control the right to use its
frequency allocations, and part 97 for amateur radio.

I gotta ask from reading your posts, do you like ANYTHING?

And to answer the original subject of this thread,
yes, I will renew in AMA. I have really been totally
inactive in C/L for most of the year, and was considering
skipping a year or 2, but I'm getting my interest back,
and the flying site I use requires AMA membership.

>>I still get the flutter in my heart when I am about to
>>arrive at the flying field.
>> I hope it never goes away.
>
>I'm with you Dick.
>Mike Gretz
Thanks Mike you are a true friend. You are what makes this hobby so great.
dick

Make a note of my number. 1272655. It is seven digits. I asked the AMA see if my old number was used, it was. I just added the 55 as the year I first got it. As far as I know it is the only seven digit AMA number. What I do is use 12726 in 2" numbers and the 55 is in 1" numbers.
It sure gets a lot of questions.

The flutter will always be there.

Isn't is also possible to get "customized" numbers, like vanity license plates? How about DB12726?

" As far as I know it
is the only seven digit AMA number."

My number is my old number plus the state abbreviation where I live...19413OK, which would be 5 numbers and two letters so your claim is still safe.

28894 in the '50s, as a Jr. Currell

I've had the same # since 1952 "20461" and have renewed. I pulled
out my home owners ins package, went to exclusions' GUESS WHAT?
model airplanes aren't covered in any way shape etc.... I would have to purchase a seperate rider, cost would be more than 50.00/mo and if
I was to have a claim, it would be covered, along with a healthy
cost increase or nonrenewal.

AMA 6733
Renewal is imminent. I hope I can run an event or two this year so I can send them even more money. Generally read most of the magazine and just wish all you whiners would just go jump in a creek.

Now can we please bellyache about the BOM some more?

>Tom,
>
>Please dont waste your time trying to be rational. It
>somehow doesnt ring true with Jake. He and I have done this
>before. It goes nowhere.
>
>Oh and Jake the AMA is "Taking care of it" All he does is
>submitt some stuff and they do the insurance bit for him.
>In my mind that is "Taking care of it"
>
>I have been an AMA member since 94 that is something like
>550 in dues. A couple of years ago we needed some money to
>update our field. They kicked in something like 1200+ in
>funds. They have already paid me back more than I have
>paid them. It is a great organization for us. We are not
>even 10% of their membership yet they are very willing to
>look our way when we need things. They gave us the great
>flying site and then added to it. There is more cl circles
>at the National flying site than you can shake a stick at.
>It is so great.
>
>Truth is the magazine wont appeal to everyone. No mag can.
>I like it enough. I like the articles. I have learned a
>great deal from looking at all the other kinds of modeling
>that is in that mag.
>
>AMA 496454 and yes I will be renewing.

And you consider yourself "rational"?... MOST amusing.
You keep ignoring the fact that it is NOT the AMA that pays for this stuff- it is the shareholders of the insurance company that get stuck with the bill. Guess what?- they either pass the cost on to you and others thru higher premiums or (most often) they invest less in the company and then the stock drops- eventually people wind up out of jobs and the economy declines still further. You're talking to the wrong guy on all this hoss, I know exactly how this stuff works- I've had it drilled into my head by people who have been there and done that. Stop trying to blow smoke at me...

I think I joined AMA around 1962 so I could compete at a GSCB contest. Was in 6th grade as I recall. I rejoined AMA in 1983 after a ten year gap (was in the service, got married, had 3 kids ...)

I am now a CD and Instructor pilot and plan to keep renewing forever.

Had a ball teaching two of Kirk Wickers kids to fly last weekend. They each got three attempts with our trainers and they each did several solo laps. One did a touch and go at fully power and kept on flying !

I will delete what I first typed here, it was spiteful.

Right on John!!! Three cheers and a free beer from the front pew.

Bigiron ( 44-40 )

412924. Renewed, voted, and VERY happy!

Hey Jim, Not to worry! Today's newspaper says the eonomy is booming again.

What you can understand or not understand doesn't really have much bearing on the issue.

Floyd

My concern is not with the jets because of all the electronics they have in the plane. If they lose radio for example the control system automatically goes to a preset failsafe mode. My concern is with RC combat where you have 10 or so planes in a single combat match, this sounds like just asking for an out of control plane.

See what I mean? Everyone has their favorite "most dangerous" type of model airplane. If we started banning them all, there'd be nothing left, even Stunt.

There is at least one person who posts here who flies RC Combat. I'll let him do the honors. From what I've seen of it, the chances of an out-of-control plane seem pretty slim. The ones in a midair usually just crash right away on the field.

I think the most dangerous type model is the one that hits ME.

Already renewed.

I like the mag...models is models.

George
AMA 23454

Dude, I'll say one thing for you, you can sure type more than I can. I'll grant logic isn't your strong suit tho... "Rational" is as rational does- I have seen herds of folks who would consider themselves "rational" if asked that question who are the dumbest bunch of sheeple that ever walked. You want to "debate" me, fine but this board isn't our ground, and I am not up to typing much so we'll have to do it elsewhere.

Best wishes Bro,

John

PS: I forgot Dude, but I found your "reply" a masterpiece of the axiom "I think he doth protest too much"...