Discussion AMA Question??

[Marcinb]

This thread is all about the AMA...
Ask what you like!

[abel pranger]

Originally Posted by MarcinB1995

This may sound very stupid, but what exactly is the AMA. I heard it is insurance or something for RC airplanes. So please explain to me what the AMA is, thank you.

Not a stupid question at all. For most members, it is all about insurance, particularly liability insurance for the owners of sites used for model flying (all sorts, not just R/C). Many clubs would not have flying sites without providing the owner without protection from liability that might arise from their use of his land. Insurance could be purchased from other companies, but AMA has packaged their insurance product (and subsidized it with general membership dues) in such a manner that it is easier/less costly for a start-up club with few members to buy into AMA. Once that decision has been made, few clubs make the switch to another provider after growing in membership to a point where it would be advantageous cost-wise to do so.

As stated above, insurance is the key factor for most members - it isn't for all. I'll let the minority members speak for themselves re what AMA is to them.

Abel

[defranci]

Start here
http://www.modelaircraft.org/aboutama/whatisama.aspx
and then look through the other links for info that may be of interest to you.
Don

[Pinecone]

AMA is the Academy of Model Aeronautics and is the internationally recognized representative for model aviation the US. As such it promulagates rules fo contests, it holds contest, it holds the National Championships in various forms of model aviation and selects and sends the US team to international (World) competitions.

It is also the body who keeps model aviation records information and verifies attempts.

It it our voice for model aviation to the government.

It publishes a monthly magazine.

And yes, it does provide insurance coverage, as long as you follow the safety code.

[Marcinb]

So What I understand is that it is insurance, so I understand if I crash my plane they would give me money to fix it or buy a new one?? Is that right??

[Marcinb]

So to be able to join a club I must have AMA I'm 13 so how much would it cost without the magazine, because I heard they come with magazines?

[abel pranger]

Originally Posted by MarcinB1995

So to be able to join a club I must have AMA I'm 13 so how much would it cost without the magazine, because I heard they come with magazines?

It will cost you $1.00 per year to join AMA and get the insurance coverage required by all AMA clubs (club membership cost is separate, but many clubs have only a token fee for youth members, following the lead of AMA). I don't believe the magazine subscription is included at that basic membership level, but can be had at additional cost, or not - many Open members would be willing to pass it along to you after a quick scan.

Abel

[fhhuber506771]

Originally Posted by MarcinB1995

So to be able to join a club I must have AMA I'm 13 so how much would it cost without the magazine, because I heard they come with magazines?

Depends on the club...

AMA for under 19 yrs old = $1
Add the magazine (it optional for youth) and you add I believe $14 {that will be +/- $1 of the correct amount})

Our local club gives under 19 yrs old a substantial discount on membership... $10 a year. The club is planning to raise adult membership fee 50% for next year... and to leave the youth membership at $10.

Other clubs might not give a youth any discount... thats up to the individual club.

[Pinecone]

Originally Posted by MarcinB1995

So What I understand is that it is insurance, so I understand if I crash my plane they would give me money to fix it or buy a new one?? Is that right??

No, it is liability insurance. So if your airplane hits a car or a person, they will pay for the damage to the car or person.

They will not pay for crash damage to your airplane. Good luck finding insurance for that.

[Marcinb]

Oh so I see that if I break something else like a window, AMA will cover it.
But would a club cover the repairs of an airplane if it was the club's fault. OR would the club cover anything besides that. So what I learned AMA is insurance, it covers something if I break it (Window,Car) but not my airplane. Many clubs require AMA to join.AMA is $1.00 a year. Did I miss anything?

[Pinecone]

How would the club crash your airplane?????

AMA covers the club separately.

AMA is NOT just insurance, AMA does a LOT more. But one big draw to joining is the insurance.

If you are 19 or under, yes, $1 per year.

[Marcinb]

Originally Posted by Pinecone

How would the club crash your airplane?????

Good point, so well time to go to the website print the application and sign up to the club a few miles from my house, and get an Avistar .40 and go fly.Thank you Pinecone you helped a lot and so did everyone else.

(I really don't know how they would crash it, maybe they wanted to see if the plane flies well and the crash it????????) LOL

[SteveM732]

One pessimistic view would be that AMA membership is a necessary cost to be able to fly at a field as so many fields (even those established in public parks) require it for liability reasons. A corollary to this is the equally narrow view that the AMA is just for insurance.

Some previous posters have already listed more comprehensive reasons for joining the AMA and I think that you should listen to them. To me the AMA is also like the DMV in that if you don't follow the AMA safety rules then your flying privileges can be revoked. I feel a lot safer at the field knowing we are all following the same rules and everyone is insured just in case their plane hits me or my car. There is a peace of mind that comes with that.

One note on the insurance - don't underestimate it. One club member had a LiPo fire that took out a $2500 plane. His home owner's insurance covered all but the $1000 deductible. A year later he learned that AMA would cover the deductible so he filed the paperwork and they sent him a check for $1000. He seems to feel that his annual dues are well spent for some strange reason.

[Saml01]

Hello everyone noob here.

I understand the reasons for having the AMA membership, that's not an issue for me and it makes sense.

Question though, is this just for joining clubs? Is this in any way policed? Basically do people fly without having AMA?

My main concern is the club's and their fees. Example. Around Brooklyn we have an old air strip called Floyd Bennet Field. There is a club there, and they charge a membership. Do they own that area? Do they lease the land? Basically, what I am confused on is why I have to pay them, and if I can fly their without paying them?

In a nut shell, im trying to figure out where AMA, and club membership come in and in what instances do I need them.

[BooBoo]

The club you mentioned probably has some legal obligation to the owners of the flying site if they do not own it themselves. The reason for charging for membership to to maintain the property and provide organized functions for the members to enjoy. The overshadowing reason is to assure that everyone flying there has AMA insurance for liability should someone/anyone become harmed or killed. Some people may look at model aircraft as only toys but they can become lethal.