dkshema
rrProfessor
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
| What has AMA done for you? Nothing, I guess. Just that crappy insurance that allows you to fly at the local field. Other than that, who cares, right?
The 50 frequencies we use in the 72 MHz band are a direct result of AMA's lobbying effort with the FCC. Without those efforts, we might still be flying those 7 or 8 frequencies in the middle of the CB radio band and getting shot down by someone "with the pedal to the metal", or on those 5 or 6 channels up in the original 72 MHz band -- and sharing them with cars, boats, and other RC stuff. Obviously you weren't in this hobby when the wrangling was going on with the FCC, or you would remember. (And you weren't one of those waiting your turn to fly when there were only a handful of available channels).
The narrow band requirements that came along with our 50 channels @ 20KHz spacing would have never happened without the AMA and its technical committee. The radio manufacturers had to develop some decent, selective, and drift-free radios to meet those new requirements. For those of you who flew RC prior to the "1991" narrow band radio days -- the reliability of the equipment just wasn't all that good.
As for "people with lots of money" pushing us out of the frequency spectrum with their pagers., etc...have YOU done anything personally to convince the FCC to let us have these 50 channels lately? Don't think so. AMA has.
Those 50 channels ARE shared with commercial pagers and industrial control systems now. Again, the AMA managed to negotiate for our piece of the spectrum. They fought (and fight) the battle for us.
Who lobbies for us with regard to modeling and the FAA? AMA has done a very good job there as well, keeping their hands out of our hobby to a large extent.
AMA is currently working with Congress and the Department of Homeland Security -- including trying to convince the airport security people that it's OK to ship model helicopters, airplanes, and all the stuff we need when we fly to go to various contests. It's my understanding that it's an uphill battle trying to ship your stuff on a plane when you travel. AMA is working to smooth out those bumps.
Don't forget that model rocket motors are a hot topic with some in the Homeland Security Act -- and that the entire model rocketry sport could be doomed by this legislation. Are YOU doing anything with your congressman to avoid this modeling disaster? AMA is working with Congress and the Dept of Homeland Security on this issue, too.
There have been recent reports in the news that RC models -- especially airplanes and helicopters -- have been targeted by the same zealous folk in the Dept. of Homeland Security. They see our sport as a menace in the wrong hands -- capable of delivering death and destruction on a grand scale. AMA is working with the Congress and DHS on heading off this threat, as well. I'm sure you've been working with them by writing your congressman on this issue, right?
And yes, being an AMA member is required at almost any organized airfield, and almost all of those operated by local, city, and county governments. It's because the AMA and its insurance program goes a long way towards convincing potential flying site owners that they will have insurance that protects THEM from OUR mistakes. Next time you go out to negotiate for a good flying site, try to convince the owner that YOUR insurance will cover HIM for YOUR actions. Or that HIS will cover HIM for YOUR actions.
Sanctioned events, competition events, all under the auspices of the AMA have led to more technological advances than you might be able to think about. Engines, materials...who would bother to try to get the technical edge if there were no recognized, organized competition?
Don't forget the various world record events and our tie-in with the NAA and the FAI that we benefit from, as well. Shoot, we modelers are even a part of the EAA's annual Osh Kosh fly-in. I'm sure that has nothing to do with the AMA being involved.
If you really have to ask "how do I benefit from being an AMA member" simply because you never had to use that insurance (secondary or otherwise), you simply don't understand how it is we got to the level of techical sophistication and competition we take for granted today. You are short sighted, and not thinking much farther than the tips of your fingers.
As to that "crappy insurance." True, it is a secondary policy, and you have to exhaust your homeowner's policy first. Have you had a heart-to-heart talk with your insurance agent lately and specifically asked if your homeowner's liability policy applies if you drill your flying machine into someone, or someone's property? You may be surprised at his answer. In many cases, that "crappy" secondary policy becomes the primary one.
If you despise the publication "Model Aviation" that much -- do yourself a favor -- donate it to a local school or Boy Scout troop or hey -- give 'em to you family doctor's office. (Wouldn't you rather read a year old copy of "Model Aviation" in that waiting room than last year's "Time", "Newsweek", "People" .... well you get the picture). The school and the Boy Scouts would appreciate it (you would get some recognition), and you might get some RC converts at the doctor's office! Hey, maybe by donating the magazine to a charitable institution you could write your AMA dues off on your taxes....I wonder?
I've been an AMA member for close to 30 years, and there were times that I, too, "just paid my dues because the club required me to." Not any more. I was in my late teen's then. I've grown up. I've learned that everything is not "about me".
I appreciate what the AMA has done for this sport in the past, what they are doing at present, and hope they will be there in the future. We need them.
And if you were to splinter off to form your "own" organization, how long before YOUR members start asking what have YOU done for THEM lately? What would YOUR annual dues be, and where would you buy that insurance coverage for your members? Would you have your own publication? Would your members consider it a worthless rag?
And frankly, if you're really into flying RC helis these days, the yearly dues for an AMA membership is just noise compared to what you've probably spent on your choppers, your radios, your crashes.
I just spent about $1500 on a new Hirobo Freya, JR 8103 with digital servos, OS 70 SZH, carbon blades, muffler, gyro/servo. That's in addition to the two Caliber 30's and Venture 30 I currently fly. (Not to mention the dozen or so airplanes I fly on a regular basis, or the dozen or so helis I've owned in the past).
How many heli crashes have you had? How many did you willingly shell out much more than $58 for new parts?
I believe the $58/year AMA dues are a drop in the bucket compared to the actual costs of this hobby. It gets you a place to fly (wherever you go), a monthly magazine so you can actually keep abreast of what is going on in the sport, and in the AMA itself. It gets you someone to fight your battles in Congress and the Federal bureaucracy, and you get a decent number of RC channels to fly on so that wait at the field for a clear channel isn't all that long.
Dave
AMA 5180 |
I know that's nothing new.
There is no mention that I can see anyway about M.A.A.C. only kicking in after my homeowner's policy is exhausted.
Maybe I'm missing something.
