Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / August 2004

Since you are up to date on the AMA's activities, maybe you can answer a
question, because I'm curious (and I honestly don't know the answer). What
is thier reputaion for honoring claims? Is there a stat somewhere on the
ratio of claims to denials? Really it comes down to this, because the
insurance is the main draw, how good are they after the accident? I have two
complaints, and one isn't their fault. First, I wish there were viable
alternatives. A monopoly is never good, never. Second, is this magazine.
It's not very good, and if I could lower my membership fee by opting out of
the rag, I would do it in a heartbeat.

The more I read about this the more confused I get.

The way I see this is ; if your homeowners takes care of the bills then
you dont need AMA.

BUT AMA seems to control wether or not you can fly at a club field
because the old saw is "ya gotta have ama". It should be "ya gotta have
home owners insurance"

There used to be a box you could check if you wanted their magazine.
What broke down?

Whenever there is a great pile of money in one spot , watch out! ie;
Washington, DC

   Ed, I agree with you that the AMA is a lot more than about insurance,
BUT, the REASON that AMA membership is mandated by every RC club in the
nation is FOR the insurance.
   I really do try to read the magazine cover to cover, but I usually fall
asleep around page 5 or so.
   Beyond the insurance, however, we all really should encourage everyone
in the hobby to join because of the AMA's involvement in EVERYTHING that has
to do with protecting our interests in the hobby.

MJC

Ed,
I know the AMA is much more than insurance and that is part of my beef.  I concur
with the insurance part of the AMA and representing the hobby as lobbyists with the
government and FCC. Also that they stand behind clubs in case the club gets into
legal or government issues.  Beyond that is where I start to have a beef.  Muncie
as a site and the museum is starting to look like a bureaucracy.  Years ago when
the Muncie sight was proposed I was kind of indifferent, but more supportive than
not.  I've done a 180 on that.  Administrative costs of the AMA have skyrocketed
since.  They blame it on insurance costs, but when you look at the figures the
don't support that claim.  Look at the percentage of the annual budget for capital
and administrative costs, verses insurance costs.  Take those percentages and
multiply them against your dues, my last computation was that out of my last years
dues, roughly $10 was insurance costs.  And that administration was well over 50%
of my dues.
My concern is the AMA has lost it's focus on what they are.  An organization to
promote the hobby.  I think they have raised their dues costs to where it is
becoming prohibitive to the hobby.  Not for many existing flyers, but for those
occasional flyers, or those who fly something so small they do it in a park.  Our
club hosts and electric flyin each year.  The numbers of electric flyers who would
like to come but don't, are to increasing each year.  Why, because they don't
belong and can't justify the AMA dues for one event.  We are an AMA club and
require AMA membership to fly at our facility.  I also know of flyers that are
still interested in the hobby, still have equipment but don't belong because they
can't justify the AMA cost for twice a year.  The centralized Muncie facility is a
place that the vast majority of AMA members will never visit, some due to distance,
some due to other reasons.  I personally think it should be sold, and the AMA
museum become 100% voluntary funded.  No money or support should come from your
dues either directly or indirectly.  When sold the AMA should work with each
district to support a flying site central to their district.  That flying site
should be partially funded by the AMA but also funded and maintained by the local
club(s) that considers it theirs, with a couple of exceptions.  As an AMA district
site two weeks each year the AMA should have exclusive use, and for that use they
reimburse the flying site for improvements and maintenance.  Have district and
National events at those sites and rotate national events on a yearly basis.  Hold
national events in the winter months that districts support warmer weather, summer
months in districts that have colder weather.  At these district sites   The AMA
should use their financial ability to acquire the property and over flight area and
the clubs should develop the improvements.

These two changes I believe would reduce the dues costs significantly each year.

I am not really bashing the AMA here, I just think they have lost touch with
promoting the hobby verses promoting and institution in Muncie.  They may not have,
it's just my opinion.  An you know what the say about opinions.

Phil

But I can fly my park flyer across the street from your big expensive
plane:)

This mesage is to Phil...

What you wrote was elequent and dead on. Please do a lot of AMA member
a great service and forward your note on to AMA for publication in th
"Letters to the Editor". The last time I went to the Nationals the
were in Chicopee Mass (1992), about an hour away from my home. It was
fantastic experience that may not happen again for me. The Nationals
now may as well be on the moon. My opinion is that AMA does very littl
to promote the hobby now that they have a central location. By changin
sites for the Nationals, we can expose the hobby to many more people.

Bar

--
$modelman

I live in the country too, but what if my plane hit someone's cow

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Foamaholi