Electric model insurance question

[Lightnin]

FWIW,

I have submitted a question to the AMA about coverage of insurance when flying electic models at non sanctioned fields. I will happily post any findings I get. We have just formed and electric flying club and this is a hot issue. I would guess that we are not the only ones facing this problem.

[Lightnin]

Greetings,

A new club has been created in the Las Cruces area, Mesilla Valley
Electric Flyers (MVEF). There are many decisions to be made about what
the club will actually do and how it will be structured etc. Their has
been a great deal of discussion about AMA affiliation and its
applicability to our flying and or club activities. The question(s) stem
from unknowns about coverage of AMA insurance when flying at non
sanctioned fields. We only fly electric aircraft an utilize many
different sites in the Las Cruces area. I have come across information
from uncertified sources which suggested that AMA insurance covers AMA
members, flying at other sites as long as best efforts to observe the
safety code are being enforced, and that there are no restrictions (by
law) concerning the operation of model aircraft at said site. In other
words as long as models are no operated in an unsafe manner, AMA
insurance should stay applicable. I have perused your online information
and have found nothing to support or contradict these statements. Your
determination on this matter will likely decide our affiliation issue at
a club level and will certainly affect individual participation in AMA
for many club members who are potential, past or current AMA members.
Your time and effort concerning any response will be greatly
appreciated. I hope that there is substantial reason for our club to be
AMA affiliated and our members to be AMA members. I may be contacted
using the information above or by email regarding this matter. I have
directed this email to you because my research has led me to believe
that you would be the person to direct this question to. If my
assumption is incorrect in the direction of this question please forward
this to the correct person or persons. Thank you, for your time and
consideration.

Sincerely,

[Lightnin]

Thank you for your inquiry. Let me take this opportunity to answer your question(s).

You mentioned that some club members are currently AMA members. You may want to ask them to review the back of the card carrier holding their 2004 AMA membership card. The third paragraph shows the following statement:

"AMA coverage applies anytime, anywhere - it is not limited to model flying at contests or on the club field. It even applies to flying at public demonstrations and air shows. Failure to comply with the safety code may endanger your insurance coverage."

You may review a copy of the 2004 Safety Code by accessing our website at www.modelaircraft.org and selecting the appropriate option from the "Membership Services" drop down menu. Please note that AMA sanctions events, not club fields.

Why should your group become an AMA Chartered Club? Liability coverage for individual AMA members does not extend to a club which is sued as a unit. Without liability coverage a club's assets (financial and/or physical) may be lost, and a club may find itself without means to defend a suit. As an AMA Chartered Club, however your club acquires valuable protection against these risks as specifically provided for under the AMA's liability insurance policy.. You may find additional information regarding AMA Chartered Clubs on our website under "Membership Services" by accessing the "2003 Charter Renewal Kit". Please pay special attention to pages 10 of 30 and 14 of 30 regarding the liability coverage provided to Chartered Clubs.

I trust the above information answers your questions. If you have any additional concerns or comments please don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Ilona Maine
Administrative Assistant
Special Services Department
Academy of Model Aeronautics

[Ledbetter]

Very interesting stuff. Thanks for posting.

Regards.

[Murocflyer]

So did you ever get your field sanctioned/chartered?

Frank

[Lightnin]

No the point was not to charter an AMA club but rather would our club require or promote AMA membership as a way to protect our ability to fly where we did. This was on a university campus and we flew there on a handshake. At the time there the dealings between our group and the local AMA club were very bad. Over time they came a little our way and we went a little theirs and they stopped calling our models toys and theirs "true" models. Several of us joined the club and I moved to phoenix shortly after that.

[foamiesrfun]

Doesn't the AMA have many rules or guidlines in witch to have a AMA chartered club?

[fhhuber506771]

The rules for forming an AMA club are pretty simple.

The basics:

5 AMA members.
Come up with some bylaws, which have to cover basic safety rules. (and for AMA clubs should include the Safety Code by reference)
Fill out the AMA charter application.
Send in with appropriate fees. (Club charter fee and if you have a flying site... the site insurance fee is a good idea)

You got yourself an AMA affiliated club.

A club can limit its operations to just fly powered models if they want... or they can include every type model: airplane, heli, cars, boats and rockets.

Note.. a group of 10 yr olds can get an AMA club chartered if they want.... They'll have the education needed to deal with the paperwork.

[Murocflyer]

Wow, it's that easy? I think the tough part might be coming up with the 5 members. :)

Frank

[fhhuber506771]

Yep... The national organization is designed to be INCLUSIVE of any and all modelers.

Its only specific clubs (or members) that get exclusive about certain types of modeling.

Sometimes the exclusions are based on good reason.
EG: No turbines allowed in the club that flys in the HS gym.

Sometimes the exclusions are based on prejudice against a certain type model.... but thats not the AMA's fault. (even if a member of the AMA's leadership exhibits the prejudice...)

[rdwoebke]

Note.. a group of 10 yr olds can get an AMA club chartered if they want.... They'll have the education needed to deal with the paperwork.

That is not *quite* true. To form a club, the club has to have at least some adult members. Look at the chartered club packet, it is spelled out in there.

I experienced a similar kind of thing myself, in 1990 when I formed a model rocket club affiliated with the NAR. In that instance, my father became our "token adult" to complete the adult member requirement.

Ryan

[BillM]

If you really want to get down to the most exclusive clubs you would be hard pressed to find any more exclusive than electric clubs.

Most general or sport clubs have some electric activity--at least that has been my experience. But electric only is exactly that.

BM

[Toker]

I belong to an "electric only" club. It is that way for good reason, and without prejudice. The field is somewhat small, and it backs up to private houses, separated only by a few trees. The noise from glow would be to loud, and homeowners would complain. Until about 10 years ago, it was gliders only, which is where it got it's name "Silent Flyers". It expanded to included electric powered motors well before the late boom in electric. There are a couple of guys that fly .15 glow motor planes there, and the club doesn't really seem to enforce the "electric only" rule. In fact, they are quite the crowd pleaser. I guess it's really more of the "silent" part they enforce. They are even pretty tolerant to my EDF's. They even seem to get rather excited when I pull out the jets. I talked to the President about them before flying them. He told me he would have to judge them when he hears them. So far, I haven't heard anything negative, other than a couple members saying they thought the field is a little to small for a 100+ mph plane. Which it is, but it's not fun if it's not challenging. ;)