AMA questions

[Johnnie Paul]

Dave mentioned on another thread that anyone wishing to fly gliders at Sharon Johnston park, needed proof of AMA. Do we have more events that us "Renegades" like to attend locally or abroad that also require AMA? I don't mean just to fly at RCRC and NARCA fields, but any Slope, Electric events etc?

I have been told that most everyone here has AMA coverage, and I am now wondering if I too will be crossing that path. What say those that be...? Would you reccomend that I go ahead sign onto AMA?

Johnnie

[Jim_Marconnet]

Excellent question, and I hope someone will answer if for you.

My personal inclination so far has been that anything that required AMA was something I was simply Not going to participate in. How's that for being a thoroughly modern Renegade!

Or perhaps just old-fashioned stubborn! :)

Jim

[ghee-grose]

The only reason I will ever get AMA is if I want to participate in an event that requires it, or to join a club that requires it.

Until one of those happens I'm not wasting my money.

[GLIDERGIDER]

To me, it's an insurance policy. When you fly the big boy airplanes, it would not be wise to go w/o liability insurance. Simple as that. When you fly with a club, same story. It also provides a framework of safe operating conditions.
I'd rather by a good $58 lipo battery with that money, but oh well.

[atjurhs]

I like getting the AMA rag. It may not be worth $58 a year, but there's tons of good information in there and pretty airplane pictures too.

The insurance policy may or may not be worth the $58, nor is the political muscle that the AMA has as a speacial intrest group/lobbyists in WDC.

But when you start to add it all up, I'm all togehter pleased with what I get for my $58.

(*Heck I'd pay that just to be in Dave's private flying club*)

[Miderror]

AMA is the one that lobbyed for all RCers when they wanted to take our bandwidth if I remenber rightly.

What organization is going to represent and protect the modeling community?

You can turn your nose at them but much of modelling today is because of AMA efforts.

Just a few things to consider.

Don

[Mars Flyer]

I agree with Todd and Don. I actually like the magazine. It has coverage of free flight, control line, and such which, even though I don't plan to do, I still like to read about. I was also surprised to read a couple of the most honest product reviews I've seen in an R/C magazine. They actually pointed out shortcomings in the planes...

I hope I won't need the insurance but it is nice to know it is there. Yes, my homeowners is primary but I don't have to get out the policy and see if I'm covered if I fly a plane into somebody's car (it could happen).

I also feel I should support the advocacy efforts of the AMA. True, we don't use their club field support but that spectrum issue is significant. I've seen the attacks by commercial interests trying to take the ham radio bands and I know you have to have a national organization to fight that battle for us. Sure, we could all go to 2.4 GHz but I'd like to use my existing 72 MHz transmitters and receivers for a long time to come.

I have been to 2 events where AMA was required to fly. I actually registered at the Tullahoma electric event but the wind never dropped enough for my abilities.

I flew for 2 years before I finally joined. I'm glad I joined.

Rob

[Johnnie Paul]

I have indeed decided to join for one simple wake-up call...

So my son and I are flying his Commander II plane at a local school field. My son calls out a problem to me that the plane will only turn right, not left or straight. The plane flew in a circle and started going down wind with the light breeze. We tried to kill the altitude by cutting the motor, but it dived right into the school...right between two 3X8 plate glass classroom windows. No damage to the school, and lucky for us. It seems that the covering was all that was left holding onto one of the Vee tail control surfaces. The foam had ripped loose, and the tension from the rubberband had pulled it into the stream causing it to spiral...

Long of the short...a simple $100 plane could have cost us a coupla hundred dollars in damages and could very well have gotten us banned from the school field.

So on my list I will need AMA, New V-Tail, and new Commander II wing...

Johnnie

edit: I would like to add that the AMA more than likely would not have saved me from a situation as what I have just described...but at any other main event, this accident could have caused problems that the AMA I feel would have gone to bat for me on.

[ChromeDome]

Like MarsFlyer I've found the magazine to be very good. The Huntsville Public Library has back issues for a number of years that make good reading on a bad weather day if you don't have a build going. They cover all aspects of modeling.

The May 2001 issue has plans for a nice looking slowflyer named SkyCrawler. It was designed for a Speed 480 motor and NiCADs so with today's propulsion it would fly much better. The March and April 2005 issues have a good 2-part article on electric power. Lots of good articles and ideas.

[dleviner]

I have a "simple" question. Are AMA members covered at "non-sanctioned", "non-club" fields (i.e. parks, schools, etc.). I've had different people give me two answers to this question. So what's the real answer -- yes or no?

[ghee-grose]

Yeah, I've wondered the same thing. :confused:

[ghee-grose]

From AMA Safety Code 2006....

"At all flying sites a safety line or lines must be established, in front of which all flying takes place. Only personnel associated with flying the model aircraft are allowed at or in front of the safety line. In case of airshows or demonstrations a straight safety line must be established. An area away from the safety line must be maintained for spectators. Intentional flying behind the safety line is prohibited."

I don't think I have ever seen this done.

[ghee-grose]

From AMA Safety Code 2006....

"With the exception of events flown under official AMA Competition Regulations rules, excluding takeoff and landing, no powered model may be flown outdoors closer than 25 feet to any individual, except for the pilot and the pilot's helper(s) located at the flightline."

I've seen (and been a part of) this done at nearly every flight session.

[ghee-grose]

From AMA Safety Code 2006....

"I will not fly my model aircraft higher than 400 feet above ground level, when within (3) miles of an airport without notifying the airport operator."

I've seen this done quite a few times.

[Ken Fidler]

Great organization, I have been a member since 1983. Don is right about AMA lobbying for frequencies, those who have been involved in this great hobby will remember what AMA did, back in 1990, to keep our frequency spectrum.

[dleviner]

Still no definitive answer to this question????


I have a "simple" question. Are AMA members covered at "non-sanctioned", "non-club" fields (i.e. parks, schools, etc.). I've had different people give me two answers to this question. So what's the real answer -- yes or no?

[ghee-grose]

We're either being ignored or nobody really knows.

[GLIDERGIDER]

I've read several of these AMA vs no-AMA threads, and its best not to get too drawn into it. Its a little like a religious argument. Sure, I'd rather buy a good battery, but I don't. I hope I never have to use the insurance portion of the membership. If I were flying pure electrics, I probably wouldn't have it, but that's not necessarily a good choice.

Here's a what if: What if your model flys in to a street and causes a automobile accident, and people are hurt. Is that possible, could an electric airplane cause that to happen, maybe. So, I'd rather be covered by insurance if its available.

I don't know the answer to your question about flying fields. Sorry.

[ghee-grose]

Dave, I know what you mean about the discussion/argument, but I'm not going to throw money at a membership if the insurance I'm depending on is void if I fly my plane into a car in Research Park. I just would like a clear answer if it does or doesn't.

If it does cover you WHEREVER you fly, then YES, being a member of AMA is very much needed.

see what I'm getting at???

[dee-grose]

I emailed them today...

My question:

I'm sure you've been asked this a million times, but does AMA insurance coverage cover me at non-AMA flying fields? If I'm flying in my backyard or in a public park, am I covered?

Their answer:

Thank you for your inquiry. 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 insurance coverage.

[ghee-grose]

Finally an answer! That's good news... might have to pay my dues.

[Johnnie Paul]

I'm in for sure...thank you Andy-

Johnnie

[UAGrad2001]

I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from joining but if we are out at NDD flying, and end up causing a crash, I'm not so sure we are covered. Did we have a clear flight line established. I remember reading a whole host of rules for a flying site that we aren't really following. And wouldn't that void the insurance. As Andy quoted "Failure to comply with the safety code may endanger insurance coverage". Seems like a disclaimer to me. I have decided to go ahead and join just because of the lobbying efforts. I enjoy the hobby and this group supports my hobby. But I wouldn't just naively rely on their insurance. Just my 2 cents.

[GLIDERGIDER]

Christopher,
If you crash into somebody that walks on the flying field, then you have a point, but if you loose your plane over the horizon (trees), what does a flight line have to do with the crash on the next street? The Lawyers will argue but I doubt that the flight line will become an issue with a settlement that involves people on the next street that didn't know you were even flying.

When I fly in a public park, and someone decides to walk their dog across the field, then I have no choice but to land until they vacate the area. That's how I satisfy that rule.

Dave
PS: That does it, I'm going to buy a new battery right now!
I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from joining but if we are out at NDD flying, and end up causing a crash, I'm not so sure we are covered. Did we have a clear flight line established. I remember reading a whole host of rules for a flying site that we aren't really following. And wouldn't that void the insurance. As Andy quoted "Failure to comply with the safety code may endanger insurance coverage". Seems like a disclaimer to me. I have decided to go ahead and join just because of the lobbying efforts. I enjoy the hobby and this group supports my hobby. But I wouldn't just naively rely on their insurance. Just my 2 cents.

[ghee-grose]

SOMEBODY does need a nap. :D