AMA membership...off topic

[mayhemmike]

Didnt see any other forum to post in so I'll ask here. While looking for a park to fly in, I see some require membership to the AMA. Membership price is resonable and comes with insurance. Theft, liability etc. Any users belong to AMA. Is it worth it?

[Mattinfla]

It is absolutely worth it. Apart from the insurance, the AMA is our most effective voice in DC. The AMA lobbies for us to keep the regulations hanging over our hobby as reasonable as possible.

[mayhemmike]

Originally Posted by Mattinfla

It is absolutely worth it. Apart from the insurance, the AMA is our most effective voice in DC. The AMA lobbies for us to keep the regulations hanging over our hobby as reasonable as possible.

Ok. Thanks for the quick reply. Joining now

[flightengr]

Yes, I'm an AMA member.

There are three key benefits to AMA - the insurance, the voice in DC, and the educational resources they provide. "Safety rules" sounds negative because people generally don't like rules, but the AMA has built a set of rules and other information based on over 75+ years of experience with radio control aircraft.

The FAA rule interpretation from last year for recreational model aircraft includes a stipulation to "operate within the safety program of a community-based organziation." That's the AMA.

[BigAl07]

As stated already WELL worth the $$.

Our local club had an "incident" many many years ago. A woman moved in about 1/4 mile from the flying field (was before electric was common) and suddenly claimed the noise of the airplane motors were causing her to have mental illness. She had $$ and hired a large law firm from out of town to represent her. We were a small club in a very rural area (flying basically from a cow pasture) and had no significant funds to speak of.

Long story short the AMA provided legal support and in the end we WON (which we should have of course). Without our affiliation with the AMA we would have lost big time.

That's but a small piece of the whole AMA puzzle and it's probably the best $60 you can spend for this hobby.

THANK YOU for joining the AMA.

[mayhemmike]

Originally Posted by BigAl07

As stated already WELL worth the $$.

Our local club had an "incident" many many years ago. A woman moved in about 1/4 mile from the flying field (was before electric was common) and suddenly claimed the noise of the airplane motors were causing her to have mental illness. She had $$ and hired a large law firm from out of town to represent her. We were a small club in a very rural area (flying basically from a cow pasture) and had no significant funds to speak of.

Long story short the AMA provided legal support and in the end we WON (which we should have of course). Without our affiliation with the AMA we would have lost big time.

That's but a small piece of the whole AMA puzzle and it's probably the best $60 you can spend for this hobby.

THANK YOU for joining the AMA.

Correct you are. I cant even get out of the hobby store for $60.

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by mayhemmike

Correct you are. I cant even get out of the hobby store for $60.

LOL! Isn't that the truth

[4_Props]

I too belong.

[mapper65]

I belong mainly because I occasionally fly with some guys at a local club and their club requires it. Most other times I'm flying at random locations that probably would not warrant belonging to the AMA.

I've read both sides of the coin when it comes to the insurance coverage. Near as I can figure if you don't have home owners insurance or any other kind of insurance they "may" cover you in the case of an accident. From what I've read it's purely a supplemental insurance that kicks in when none of your other types of policies cover you.

In one instance I know some guys that had a battery fire in their car two weeks apart from each other. The one guys accident was covered by the AMA insurance and the other guy's wasn't. Don't know all of the details but that sounds a little sketchy. Hopefully I never have to find out for myself.

[Big Island Guy]

Well worth it!! Besides the insurance coverage and privileges at many fields, the AMA has the clout to prevent us from being stomped on by ignorant lawmakers and bureaucrats.

[Nelsonisms]

I fly at an AMA field that just so happens to be less than a mile from my house. And it is sooooo nice to have some place to go practice my hobby that is specifically sanctioned for RC aircraft. I used to go fly at various parks and public areas and invariably there would be knuckleheads that wander onto the field or come up from behind to talk just after you take off even though there was nobody around just before. I'll gladly maintain membership in the AMA and pay reasonable club dues to have a place to go fly where I don't have to worry about any of that shenanigans. If I'm the only one there I'll just lock the gate behind me so no crazies just happen to wander in and I have a beautiful runway and helipad all to myself. On other days some of my best friends are guys I met through this club and it's easy to blow a day out there flying and shooting the shit. That's what I call money well spent. Both AMA and club dues combined cost me all year what it would cost for maybe a couple dinners and a movie. It's the epitome of a no-brainer.

[Big Island Guy]

Originally Posted by Nelsonisms

I fly at an AMA field that just so happens to be less than a mile from my house. And it is sooooo nice to have some place to go practice my hobby that is specifically sanctioned for RC aircraft. I used to go fly at various parks and public areas and invariably there would be knuckleheads that wander onto the field or come up from behind to talk just after you take off even though there was nobody around just before. I'll gladly maintain membership in the AMA and pay reasonable club dues to have a place to go fly where I don't have to worry about any of that shenanigans. If I'm the only one there I'll just lock the gate behind me so no crazies just happen to wander in and I have a beautiful runway and helipad all to myself. On other days some of my best friends are guys I met through this club and it's easy to blow a day out there flying and shooting the shit. That's what I call money well spent. Both AMA and club dues combined cost me all year what it would cost for maybe a couple dinners and a movie. It's the epitome of a no-brainer.

I so wish we had one like that on this side of our island. We have one RC field here and it's only open on the weekend. That's one reason that although I'd love to have a nice, big plank to put one of my 100 or so engines in, there's no point. There's nowhere to fly it, except weekends if you're lucky and it's not raining, or want to drive 90+ miles to Kona. At least with the helis and quads, I can do some flying in my own yard. Like some cheese with that whine?

[Not_Here]

AMA member also...

[mayhemmike]

For average of $5 a month. It seemed to good to be true so that why I asked. I probably loose that much change in the couch cushions. I am now a 8 x 10 temporary receipt card carring member . the fields,insurance and voice in DC. Is well worth it.

[Bigsmitty]

There should be an AMA thread (explaining the benefits) STICKIED to the top of every forum on this site.

[JonJet]

Originally Posted by Bigsmitty

There should be an AMA thread (explaining the benefits) STICKIED to the top of every forum on this site.

+1



AMA 988253
(2011)

[Nelsonisms]

Originally Posted by Big Island Guy

I so wish we had one like that on this side of our island. We have one RC field here and it's only open on the weekend. That's one reason that although I'd love to have a nice, big plank to put one of my 100 or so engines in, there's no point. There's nowhere to fly it, except weekends if you're lucky and it's not raining, or want to drive 90+ miles to Kona. At least with the helis and quads, I can do some flying in my own yard. Like some cheese with that whine?

Yeah...boohoo says the guy who lives in Hawaii. But I can imagine it might be difficult to find a suitable place to build up an RC park on that part of the island. Both it being the windward side and the terrain itself. Not to mention the lava flows.

[edin508]

I am a member of 3 flying sites near me, and all 3 of them require AMA membership.

[Big Island Guy]

Originally Posted by Nelsonisms

Yeah...boohoo says the guy who lives in Hawaii. But I can imagine it might be difficult to find a suitable place to build up an RC park on that part of the island. Both it being the windward side and the terrain itself. Not to mention the lava flows.

LOL, yeah, someone has to hold the islands down.. Everything here is basically on a hill. Helis are just the ticket!

[Conundrum1911]

Does anyone know if there is an AMA equivalent in Canada? I like the idea of having some level of insurance should things ever go sideways (or rather, crashing back down to the ground).