Since a recently closed thread got inundated with a lot talk about the AMA and I am now left wondering how many of the people that post in this forum would actually be in the hobby without AMA???

For the record I know I certainly would. Yes, I am a long standing AMA member but I have spent more of my hobby experiences without AMA involvement than with...


Just trying to get a read on some of those here that have recently voiced some very strong opinions.

Of course I would be in the hobby w/o AMA. The vast majority of model hobbyists are doing it outside of AMA influence and no reason why I couldn't. Worst case, one of the clubs I belong to would have to find another insurance source to cover the site owner, or perhaps simply pay the premium for his PUP coverage for whatever limit he requires. Other club flying site is on owned property in a state where liability of public entities is limited under recreational use statutes.

Not a chance. I firmly believe model aviation could not exist as we know it today without some organization covering our back. Right now it is the AMA.
Remember statements made by some highly placed politicians comments after 9/11?
These folks might have gotten their way if not for the fact that we as a geroup had our backs covered.
Now I know for a fact there are people here that will call me out on this and I expect it to happen. That is their right. This is (was) a Free Country with a set of laws that allows free speach..



BM
AMA member since 1968

If there was no AMA,
there would be an AAM,
or a MAA, or SFA...,
just how people are-birds of a feather.

Originally Posted by hondaflyer

If there was no AMA,
there would be an AAM,
or a MAA, or SFA...,

I know you're right and that is great. Just wondering how much such organizations are responsible for people being into the hobby.

These threads seem to get very contentious and I'm trying to understand why that is.

Any comment about AMA that is in any way perceived as less than complimentary is always met with very strong attacks against the OP/responder. Hard to have any constructive dialogue with that type of environment... as in this very thread... there has already been an attack... with only a few with enough convection to speak matter of factually about their position.

Originally Posted by hondaflyer

If there was no AMA,
there would be an AAM,
or a MAA, or SFA...,
just how people are-birds of a feather.

Yep. Before AMA there was Junior Birdmen of America. Model airplane hobby has surely grown since then (early 30's), but I don't think AMA numbers have ever caught up to JBA membership, and it was just for kids.

Originally Posted by littlecrankshaft

Since a recently closed thread got inundated with a lot talk about the AMAish religion and I am now left wondering how many of the people that post in this forum would actually be in the hobby without AMA???
For the record I know I certainly would. Yes, I am a long standing AMA member but I have spent more of my hobby experiences without AMA involvement than with...


Just trying to get a read on some of those here that have recently voiced some very strong opinions.

crank,
I’m not sure I understand neither the question that you pose here nor the intended audience. If you are attempting to pose a serious question, starting with an inflammatory statement like “inundated with a lot talk about the AMAish religion” is only going to generate a hostile response. In spite of what I think your intended purpose is here I will jump into what will probably turn into a dung heap with an opinion.

We are on a Website called RC Groups/RC Clubs/AMA. All of the people that post here found their way here by first being in or having interest in being involved in the RC hobby. Most of the people here either are currently or have been past members of the AMA. In spite of whether the member opinions are that the AMA is only an insurance policy or a magazine subscription to them they submitted their hard earned monies for their desired goods or service that the AMA provided. I don’t think there is a simple answer to the complex question that you ask for whatever reason you ask it. I can only answer your question with what I think would be a more appropriate question;

Where would the RC hobby be without the AMA?

Regards
Frank

Originally Posted by phlpsfrnk

crank,
I’m not sure I understand neither the question that you pose here nor the intended audience. If you are attempting to pose a serious question, starting with an inflammatory statement like “inundated with a lot talk about the AMAish religion” is only going to generate a hostile response. In spite of what I think your intended purpose is here I will jump into what will probably turn into a dung heap with an opinion.

We are on a Website called RC Groups/RC Clubs/AMA. All of the people that post here found their way here by first being in or having interest in being involved in the RC hobby. Most of the people here either are currently or have been past members of the AMA. In spite of whether the member opinions are that the AMA is only an insurance policy or a magazine subscription to them they submitted their hard earned monies for their desired goods or service that the AMA provided. I don’t think there is a simple answer to the complex question that you ask for whatever reason you ask it. I can only answer your question with what I think would be a more appropriate question;

Where would the RC hobby be without the AMA?

Regards
Frank

Frank,

Maybe a simple answer would be better.

I'll try again.

Would you be in the model aviation hobby if AMA or any organization like AMA never existed?

Originally Posted by phlpsfrnk

snip]
Where would the RC hobby be without the AMA?

Regards
Frank

Probably the same place gun lovers would be without the NRA, a loose gagle of people at the mercy of local, state and federal government regulation.

Originally Posted by littlecrankshaft

Frank,

Maybe a simple answer would be better.

I'll try again.

Would you be in the model aviation hobby if AMA or any organization like AMA never existed?

Short answer; Yes!

Originally Posted by Red Scholefield

Probably the same place gun lovers would be without the NRA, a loose gagle of people at the mercy of local, state and federal government regulation.

Yea, probably would be better off than a tight gaggle of people at the mercy of local, state and federal government regulation...

Originally Posted by phlpsfrnk

Short answer; Yes

Thanks Frank. I would have guessed that from reading your posts.

Originally Posted by littlecrankshaft

Thanks Frank. I would have guessed that from reading your posts.

crank,
If you think about it you would probably come to the same conclusion that it would be the response from most everyone on this Website so I have to ask what is your real question/purpose?

Regards
Frank

Originally Posted by littlecrankshaft

I know you're right and that is great. Just wondering how much such organizations are responsible for people being into the hobby.

These threads seem to get very contentious and I'm trying to understand why that is.

Any comment about AMA that is in any way perceived as less than complimentary is always met with very strong attacks against the OP/responder. Hard to have any constructive dialogue with that type of environment... as in this very thread... there has already been an attack... with only a few with enough convection to speak matter of factually about their position.

I just think with the way you worded the question, it is impossible to answer.
Human nature being what it is, (the need for MOST people to organize under
a common interest), there has to be something like AMA.

IMO, a better way to ask would be something like:
"If you had places to fly model aircraft, such as municipal, county, state, or private fields, and didn't need AMA, would you still participate?

My answer, and I'll bet the one from those honest with themselves, is YES.