Data Common AMA Myths

[Murocflyer]

For those that don't visit the AMA forum, here is a list of the Common Myths about the AMA that are seen on the RC forums are listed below that we have put together.

Note: 100% of all AMA forum members do not agree to the below (but when can you get everyone to agree to everything?).

Frank


1. Myth: The AMA controls club memberships.
Fact: Each individual club (all 2378 of them) can limit their membership how they see fit. The AMA does not have a say on how each club is ran and when they will or won't accept new members. The AMA will leave a club to do their own business unless there are safety violations, non-compliance with civil rights laws, or operating a club inconsistent with its bylaws.

2. Myth: The AMA is an insurance company.
Fact: Insurance is a benefit of belonging to the AMA. It doesn't exist to sell insurance.

3. Myth: The AMA sanctions local flying fields and clubs.
Fact: The AMA sanctions events, not flying fields or clubs (clubs are Chartered).

4. Myth: The AMA issues a license to fly a model airplane.
Fact: The AMA is an organization; they issue a membership card, not a license.

5. Myth: The AMA can fine or arrest you for flying unsafely or illegally (e.x. flying in Dodger Stadium)
Fact: The AMA is not a law enforcement agency. It is an organization to help promote the hobby.

6. Myth: AMA Membership & liability protection is only good for RC airplanes.
Fact: AMA's Liability Protection applies to accidents arising from the operation of model aircraft, rockets, cars, and boats.

7. Myth: You must be flying at an AMA chartered club's field for the insurance to be in effect.
Fact: Your AMA Insurance covers you no matter where you are flying as long as you have permission to be flying there and are flying in accordance with the Safety Code.

8. Myth: If you are a student pilot without AMA, you can fly with an instructor and still be covered by AMA's Liability Insurance.
Fact: True. As long as the instructor is an Introductory Pilot Instructor and has submitted the proper paperwork, the student will be covered for a full 60 days by AMA Liability Insurance.

9. Myth: We cannot fly our models higher than 400' AGL.
Fact: The FAA advises a voluntary limit of 400 feet above surface level IAW AC91-57. The AMA has chosen to adhere to this limit only when within 3miles of an airport.

10. Myth: You can maiden your small electric plane at an AMA Sanctioned event.
Fact: Maiden flights or after major repairs are performed on a model are not allowed
during the sanctioned event due to safety concerns. FCFs or maiden flights must be performed before hours or after hours of the event. The CD for each event will determine how "major" a repair is to the aircraft.

11. Myth: Your radio equipment must be on a valid frequency and have FCC Certification.
Fact: This is true. Radio manufacturers must validate their equipment IAW FCC guidelines to ensure the output frequency is within tolerances.

12. Myth: The AMA prohibits tail touching on the ground of aircraft (as in 3D) while in flight.
Fact: There was once a rule in place like that at one time. It has since been deleted.

13. Myth: Model Aviation loses money for the AMA.
Fact: The AMA uses dollars per each member's annual dues for Model Aviation. Add to that the advertising fees MA charges it's advertises puts the AMA in the black each year.

14. Myth: The EC hires people to monitor RCU's AMA forum to contradict negative posts against the AMA in general as well as its members that do not agree with their latest policies.
Fact: There is no evidence to support this myth.

[Don@HomeHobbies]

THANK YOU Frank!!! This is the greatest posting of FACTS I have yet read on this forum. It's about time all the negative posters are shown for what they are!

[littlecrankshaft]

Originally Posted by Murocflyer

13. Myth: Model Aviation loses money for the AMA.
Fact: The AMA uses dollars per each member's annual dues for Model Aviation. Add to that the advertising fees MA charges it's advertises puts the AMA in the black each year.

Maybe you meant MA instead of AMA??? I don't think MA revenue is what puts AMA in the black...

[Mode One]

Thanks Frank, great post!!

[Murocflyer]

Thanks Don & Mode One, glad to help. I can't take all the credit though, the folks on the AMA forum helped me to get the facts right.

Frank

[fnlrun]

if they don't exist to sell insurance, than why is that the biggest bullying point to fly? At least thats how it is in my area. The clubs here have people so scared that they need the insurance to fly half of them never show up. I refuse to get it as I carry a $1 million homeowner policy which can trump anything the AMA can offer.

[BillM]

flnrun
Are you sure your HO covers model aviation? It might and then again it might not.
Can your coverage be terminated at any time by you or the company that you are insured by? The coverage that is part of the AMA membership is good for the entire year. That is why clubs insist on AMA membership rather than accepting HO coverage. Believe it or not some people in this country are actually dishonest. You have an AMA membership--no question on if you are covered--you are.

But as has been stated time and again the AMA is much more than insurance which by the way is a benefit not it's primary reason for existance--one of many which are more important.
I wont go into the many reasons why the AMA is important to all of us who participate in this hobby. That has been done many times in the past.

But just for the record you are about one and a half million short on your coverage as opposed to AMA's--if yours is valid that is.

BM

[Mode One]

In just talking about AMA's insurance coverage, the AMA individual liability coverage certainly is important. However, more important is the site owner insurance coverage provided to clubs at a nominal fee. This coverage helps get and maintain flying sites by providing protection for the site owner!

[Pinecone]

Hmm, $1 million trumps $2.5 million???????

[Mark Miller]

AMA does not exist to sell insurance. They exist to promote the hobby and one of the many benefit of being a member is insurance coverage. Remember that there is actually two forms of insurance offered by AMA. One is coverage for individual members and the other is coverage for flying sited for chartered clubs. The clubs can designate which sites they want coverage for. It is a benefit for the club in being able to acquire sites as it is easier to convince land owners to let the club fly if they have coverage both for the site and individually for members. Both are a benefit for being an AMA member or chartered club.

Mark Miller

[fnlrun]

every time this gets brought up insurance is the #1 factor. It's the most talked about and sore subject. A single monopoly that "requires" insurance to fly...
The fields around here don't have signs saying how grat the magazine is or how much they donate, they say the same thing--insurance required to fly--

It's not a myth its the biggest selling point. If you scare somebody enough with libality they will buy it.

[SA716]

Originally Posted by fnlrun

every time this gets brought up insurance is the #1 factor. It's the most talked about and sore subject. A single monopoly that "requires" insurance to fly...
The fields around here don't have signs saying how grat the magazine is or how much they donate, they say the same thing--insurance required to fly--

It's not a myth its the biggest selling point. If you scare somebody enough with libality they will buy it.

Please post a picture of those signs for us to see.

[Mode One]

AMA Clubs are mandated that their members be members of the AMA, this absolutely true. It's also true that to be afforded the benefits of membership, you have to be a member. If your not concerned with the liability issue, then don't join!

Personally I like Model Aviation, I like being a member of my district, I like being a member at the national level and I like the insurance coverage the AMA provides.

[littlecrankshaft]

Originally Posted by Mark Miller

AMA does not exist to sell insurance.

Mark Miller

Hmmm...maybe AMA only exists because it offers insurance... Ask yourself if you would be an AMA if they didn't have liability insurance for the individual member...be honest.


Wonder if the only insurance AMA offered were for the club and landowner...the club simply purchased the amount of insurance needed based on risk exposure due to their size and operations. As it stands now, clubs with greater risks pay the same as clubs with very little risk and all is greatly subsidized by individual AMA members whether they have the benefit of a club or not...not really fair in my mind but for a socialistic viewpoint I guess it is just fine.

[abel pranger]

1. Myth: The AMA controls club memberships.
Fact: Each individual club (all 2378 of them) can limit their membership how they see fit. The AMA does not have a say on how each club is ran and when they will or won't accept new members. The AMA will leave a club to do their own business unless there are safety violations, non-compliance with civil rights laws, or operating a club inconsistent with its bylaws.

Reality: AMA mandates that chartered club members must be AMA members. Only AMA club members may use club flying sites. Guests are limited to a) AMA members that are not members of the club, b) non-AMA members can fly on a buddy box once-per-lifetime, must use host buddy's plane and equipment, c) non-members under the control of an AMA Intro pilot for up to 60 consecutive days. Depending how hard core law 'n order club boards may be, even a kid with an AMA Delta Dart may be excluded from flying it at a chartered club site.

2. Myth: The AMA is an insurance company.
Fact: Insurance is a benefit of belonging to the AMA. It doesn't exist to sell insurance.

Reality: AMA's very existence depends on its promoting, selling, and underwriting insurance, and mandating the exclusion of anybody that doesn't have it from flying at an AMA chartered club site.

9. Myth: We cannot fly our models higher than 400' AGL.
Fact: The FAA advises a voluntary limit of 400 feet above surface level IAW AC91-57. The AMA has chosen to adhere to this limit only when within 3miles of an airport.

Reality: FAA says the controling document that authorizes one to fly a model airplane is AC-91-57. Compliance with its provisions is voluntary to the extent that flying a model airplane is voluntary. If operating above 400 ft AGL, your UA is not excepted (per the exception granted to complying operation of model aircraft) from UAS regulation imposed by FAA.
If you think AMA is a higher authority on this than FAA, you need to repeat some classes, starting at about third grade.

11. Myth: Your radio equipment must be on a valid frequency and have FCC Certification.
Fact: This is true. Radio manufacturers must validate their equipment IAW FCC guidelines to ensure the output frequency is within tolerances.

Reality: Your radio equipment must not be considered obsolete as to FCC type-acceptance (now called 'certificatation'(sp.?)), or your insurance coverage may not apply. Has AMA provided you with a current list of R/C equipment that no longer meets FCC standards?