Jim Ryan
Feb 25, 2004, 08:47 AM
I've been away from this discussion list for a while, but not much has changed in the interim.
The AMA remains one of the favorite rants of the uninformed and misinformed. Is AMA perfect? Certainly not. But if a few guys would do a little more reading before hitting the "send" button, a lot of rancor could be avoided.
One of the favorite rants: "Model Aviation is a lousy magazine, and I wish they'd give me the option of not taking it."
1. By LAW, the AMA has to have a regular printed publication to communicate with its membership. So you CAN'T opt out of getting the magazine. If you think they could substantially reduce membership dues by going with more of a bare bones newsletter, you haven't read the published financial statements closely enough. In the grand scheme of things, Model Aviation isn't breaking the bank.
2. It's my personal opinion that a lot of the complaints about Model Aviation's content reflect more the narrow view of the observer than the poor quality of the magazine. This is highlighted by the frequent complaints about the control line or free flight content (or giant scale, or sailplane, or...). I guess if everyone complains equally that the magazine doesn't have enough content for their particular interest then Bob Hunt must be doing a pretty good balancing act.
3. Model Aviation is YOUR magazine. Don't like the electric articles? Fire up your word processor and write something better. Don't like their construction articles? Get a big sheet of paper and a sharp #2 pencil and design a better one. I've submitted three different construction articles to Model Aviation in as many years. All have been accepted, and the staff have been pleasant and professional to work with each and every time. Oh yeah, and they pay on ACCEPTANCE, something that few publishers in ANY part of the magazine industry do (including mass market magazines).
Is Model Aviation my ideal? No. But I can find interesting content in it nearly every month. Frankly, I could say the same about magazines that are specifically tailored to the electric flight community.
Insurance is another favorite rant. For better or worse, insurance costs are a big driver in membership dues. It's an unfortunate fact that AMA's underwriters have made some big payouts in recent years, and I don't see that getting any better. Some complain that the coverage is secondary. Well, try guessing what your dues would be if AMA was your PRIMARY liability insurance.
This tempest is a teapot is no different than the wrangling over healthcare in the US. For healthcare, everyone wants three things:
1. The best healthcare money can buy.
2. The option to pick any healthcare provider they want.
3. And they want someone else to pay for it.
For AMA insurance, people also want three things:
1. AMA to be their primary insurer.
2. AMA to shut up and let them fly whenever, wherever and HOWever they like.
3. AMA dues to be free.
Good luck.
Jim
The AMA remains one of the favorite rants of the uninformed and misinformed. Is AMA perfect? Certainly not. But if a few guys would do a little more reading before hitting the "send" button, a lot of rancor could be avoided.
One of the favorite rants: "Model Aviation is a lousy magazine, and I wish they'd give me the option of not taking it."
1. By LAW, the AMA has to have a regular printed publication to communicate with its membership. So you CAN'T opt out of getting the magazine. If you think they could substantially reduce membership dues by going with more of a bare bones newsletter, you haven't read the published financial statements closely enough. In the grand scheme of things, Model Aviation isn't breaking the bank.
2. It's my personal opinion that a lot of the complaints about Model Aviation's content reflect more the narrow view of the observer than the poor quality of the magazine. This is highlighted by the frequent complaints about the control line or free flight content (or giant scale, or sailplane, or...). I guess if everyone complains equally that the magazine doesn't have enough content for their particular interest then Bob Hunt must be doing a pretty good balancing act.
3. Model Aviation is YOUR magazine. Don't like the electric articles? Fire up your word processor and write something better. Don't like their construction articles? Get a big sheet of paper and a sharp #2 pencil and design a better one. I've submitted three different construction articles to Model Aviation in as many years. All have been accepted, and the staff have been pleasant and professional to work with each and every time. Oh yeah, and they pay on ACCEPTANCE, something that few publishers in ANY part of the magazine industry do (including mass market magazines).
Is Model Aviation my ideal? No. But I can find interesting content in it nearly every month. Frankly, I could say the same about magazines that are specifically tailored to the electric flight community.
Insurance is another favorite rant. For better or worse, insurance costs are a big driver in membership dues. It's an unfortunate fact that AMA's underwriters have made some big payouts in recent years, and I don't see that getting any better. Some complain that the coverage is secondary. Well, try guessing what your dues would be if AMA was your PRIMARY liability insurance.
This tempest is a teapot is no different than the wrangling over healthcare in the US. For healthcare, everyone wants three things:
1. The best healthcare money can buy.
2. The option to pick any healthcare provider they want.
3. And they want someone else to pay for it.
For AMA insurance, people also want three things:
1. AMA to be their primary insurer.
2. AMA to shut up and let them fly whenever, wherever and HOWever they like.
3. AMA dues to be free.
Good luck.
Jim