Discussion AMA Question??

[Saml01]

I really dont need the clubs functions and etc, I just want to go fly.

So how do I go about finding out if they are in fact responsible for the land or just gathering in a public place?

Also, what is this confusion with AMA. Some say you need it and some say you dont, I think the homeowners dont(from the reading I did). I am not a home owner, do I need AMA?

[fhhuber506771]

Originally Posted by 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.

No, its not JUST for joining clubs... appx 40% to 50% (I forgot the number) of AMA members do not belong to clubs. (AMA has the statistics via thier club membership lists being compared to the total AMA meber list)

The only "policing" of membership is... people in control of the flying sites can ask for proof of membership if it is required for flying at thier site.
Most clubs require that proof as part of the membership application.

The club at Floyd Bennet most likely has a LEASE on the property... and thus the ability to control who uses the property. (within the terms of the lease)
If no lease... then whatever agreement allows flying there will rule who can and who can not use the facility for flying.

So:

You need AMA membership to fly at facilities that require it.
You need club membership to fly at facilities that require it.

Some sites have clubs associated, but allow any AMA member to fly.

Our local club for example does not force you to get club membership to fly. We have not come across a PPP member wanting to fly yet... and have not checked if the PPP member could be allowed to fly under our lease. (we probably should check before it comes up... but... planning ahead is not one of the club's strong points and I have not been able to get the info on my own)

There are 3 known (to me) local area flying sites that do not require AMA and do not have clubs associated with them. ( two of them, I consider UNSAFE for the type models that people are flying... too many houses around)

[fhhuber506771]

Originally Posted by Saml01

I really dont need the clubs functions and etc, I just want to go fly.

So how do I go about finding out if they are in fact responsible for the land or just gathering in a public place?

Also, what is this confusion with AMA. Some say you need it and some say you dont, I think the homeowners dont(from the reading I did). I am not a home owner, do I need AMA?

Some "undereducated" AMA members will try to say AMa is a legal requirement to fly RC in the US...
Which is obviously BS.

I HIGHLY RECCOMMEND joining the AMA.

See my above post...

And look at www.modelaircraft.org.

[Saml01]

OK. I gotcha.

Ill join the AMA then and find out what the clubs requirements are.

Thanks for the awesome clarification.

[BillM]

Home owners insurance is primary coverage but clubs insist on AMA membership for a number of reasons. HO coverage can be cancelled by the individual or the insurance company for any number of reasons at any time. There is no way the club can be certain you have coverage from day to day with HO insurance. You are covered for the complete year with the AMA.

BM

[fhhuber506771]

Originally Posted by BillM

Home owners insurance is primary coverage but clubs insist on AMA membership for a number of reasons. HO coverage can be cancelled by the individual or the insurance company for any number of reasons at any time. There is no way the club can be certain you have coverage from day to day with HO insurance. You are covered for the complete year with the AMA.

BM

They just changed AMA ins to being primary for club officers in the process of doing club/AMA business

Check the AMA EC minutes on the AMA site.

[BillM]

Just saw the article today in MA.

BM

[Chip01]

Originally Posted by 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.

There are some clubs located on public lands, most notably US Corps of Engineers around man made lakes. When they are on US Gov controlled lands, usually the authority requires you to have insurance, most notably AMA membership covers that for you. And you may fly at those locations without being a member of the club (sort of rude since the club has paid for all the improvements and does things like cut the grass, etc.). Finding a suitable place to fly is difficult and can be very expensive.

Clubs also provide free training usually. These RC airplanes, fuel powered ones and some large electric ones, are not toys and can be very dangerous and difficult to fly. Almost no beginners can fly with out significant help.

Clubs are also social groups - friends with like hobbies.

Cheers,

Chip

[cactus]

I am currently not an active member of the AMA. Was in the past while learning to fly in FL. I am interested in renewing, but do not care to get the magazine. Is there an option to save a few bucks by declining the magazine or let me recieve the Park Pilot one as it is more relevent to me?

[SteveM732]

Originally Posted by cactus

I am currently not an active member of the AMA. Was in the past while learning to fly in FL. I am interested in renewing, but do not care to get the magazine. Is there an option to save a few bucks by declining the magazine or let me recieve the Park Pilot one as it is more relevent to me?

This thread was for discussing "what is the AMA" and reasons why people would want to join. Welcome to the forum, please take a moment to acquaint yourself with the rules and proper etiquette.

[cactus]

Originally Posted by SteveM732

This thread was for discussing "what is the AMA" and reasons why people would want to join. Welcome to the forum, please take a moment to acquaint yourself with the rules and proper etiquette.

This was not indicated by the thread title. Appears to be a general question area for the AMA.

[fhhuber506771]

Originally Posted by cactus

I am currently not an active member of the AMA. Was in the past while learning to fly in FL. I am interested in renewing, but do not care to get the magazine. Is there an option to save a few bucks by declining the magazine or let me recieve the Park Pilot one as it is more relevent to me?

No, there is no current program to get a discount as an "Open" member for declining the magazine.

You can get the Park Pilot membership at 50% of the cost of Open membership... and that comes with the Park Pilot quarterly magazine.

You can opt to get the Park Pilot magazine as an Open member... it costs an additional $10 / yr.

There are portions of Model Aviation that don't apply to many current modelers... but in those articles you can find tidbits that may solve problems or make something easier when applied to the type of modeling you do like to participate in.

EG "Pattern" is a type of flying that a fairly small percentage of all AMA members actually participate in, but the tips on weight saveing and getting a plane to behave properly are useful in just about all forms of RC flying. (and some of the Pattern tips are useful for Free Flight modelers...)

Read the whole magazine... there's more useful stuff in there than you might think.

[cactus]

Originally Posted by fhhuber506771

You can opt to get the Park Pilot magazine as an Open member... it costs an additional $10 / yr.

That's not a bad idea.

I have not seen an issue of MA in years so it may be more relevent to electric non-competion flyers these days.

I am not required to have AMA insurance to fly at the only local club to me, but supporting model aviation does interest me.

[Marcinb]

Originally Posted by SteveM732

This thread was for discussing "what is the AMA" and reasons why people would want to join. Welcome to the forum, please take a moment to acquaint yourself with the rules and proper etiquette.

Actually no...
This thread is all about the AMA, it's a sticky so the more answers and questions we have... the better

[SteveM732]

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.

This is the first post, the OP should have been reprimanded for using a vague thread title since the category tag is used to mark the thread type and the title used to give a concise indication of the topic(s). Note that in this case the category the OP chose was "Discussion" but the title indicated a question of some sort.

Originally Posted by MarcinB1995

Actually no...
This thread is all about the AMA, it's a sticky so the more answers and questions we have... the better

I'm so sorry it was made sticky for the above reasons that the category and title were poorly chosen. If you'll refer to your first post and the discussion that followed, this was never once said to be a general use thread for asking questions about the AMA, that is what the purpose of the whole gosh darn AMA Forum is. If this morphs into a general Q&A that is fine, but don't even pretend like it was up until today.