AMA Nostalgia Membership

[Dick Pacini]

It has been many years since I have flown C/L PA.  However, I still re-up my AMA membership every year just to keep my number.  It is, perhaps, a foolish endeavor but I just can't let it go.  Anyone else out there do this?

[Robert Zambelli]

When I lived in PA some 20 years ago, there was a woman in Lansdale (as I recall) who kept her original ama number and I think it was single digits!

When I returned to model aviation after a 22 year hiatus, I requested my original ama number from 1956 (ama 9982) and to my surprise, tit was available and they reissued it to me.

Bob Z.

[Avaiojet]

I've been with the AMA a long long time.

I renew my number because, even though I don't fly often, I have the AMA insurance just in case. Just two flights two Sundays ago and it wasn't my model. Electric!

I also like the work the AMA does promoting model aviation. I have no use for their magazine and I guess not many do because I cannot give my subscription away. No one wants it. 

AMA 007

[Dave_Trible]

This could depend upon whether you plan to pass your number on.  My oldest grandson has my dad’s AMA number.  My newborn grandson may eventually get mine.

[don boka]

I keep my AMA number which is 7219 which I have had since 1953.
I still build and fly CL/PA although not as often as in the past as the ground seems to be getting closer to my flight path.
I also fly some R/C but won't admit it.   

[Dick Pacini]

When I lived in PA some 20 years ago, there was a woman in Lansdale (as I recall) who kept her original ama number and I think it was single digits!

When I returned to model aviation after a 22 year hiatus, I requested my original ama number from 1956 (ama 9982) and to my surprise, tit was available and they reissued it to me.

Bob Z.

I had a similar situation.  I let my membership expire around 1976 because I had relocated and had a different job and no flying sites, hobby shops or flying buddies.  I was involved in too many things.

Several years later, I decided to re-up and contacted AMA.  My number of 62221 had been re-issued to another flyer.  I didn't do anything more.  Then maybe 12 or so years ago, I tried again and the other guy had let his membership lapse and 62221 was available again.  I grabbed it and have been a member ever since because I support the hobby and don't want the number to go away again.

[john e. holliday]

I've had mine since 1956 when I entered my first contest only to be disqualified when the wheel fell of during qualifying flight for a race.  Have flown RC and tried free flight, but control line is where I stay.

[FLOYD CARTER]

Most of us renew AMA each year only because our flying site requires the insurance.

One AMA number is as good as the next.  I have accepted my AMA # as issued, and without any prompting from me.

[Dick Pacini]

If I paid for a lifetime membership, I wouldn't have to worry about losing my number.  Probably not cost effective at this time.

[Dave Harmon]

When I was inducted into the Model Aviation Hall of Fame (AMA HOF) in 2000 I received a Life membership and was told I could pick the lowest number available. My AMA number at that point was 22804. I asked if the number 1111 was available because I thought it would be easy to mask and paint! I was told that the only number in the 1111 to 1119 range that was available was 1114. I took that number and then asked if my old number could be assigned to my son, Robby. That was done, so the old number is still in the family.

Later - Bob Hunt

A similar thing happened to old friend Charles Gilliland....outstanding free flight builder and flyer.
His AMA was 7777....decades later I tried to get that AMA number with no success as it had been re-issued.
Then I tried to get my original AMA from 54' which was 5053.
AMA membership said the records before their fire were destroyed but if I had an old AMA card as proof....I could get my original number back as it had not been re-issued.
I kept all those cards so I got the old number back....still have it.

Dave

[Dan McEntee]

I've been with the AMA a long long time.

I renew my number because, even though I don't fly often, I have the AMA insurance just in case. Just two flights two Sundays ago and it wasn't my model. Electric!

I also like the work the AMA does promoting model aviation. I have no use for their magazine and I guess not many do because I cannot give my subscription away. No one wants it. 

AMA 007

     You know that three and four digit numbers are reserved for contest directors, AMA officers, and Hall of Fame members like Mr. Hunt mentions. How did you get this one?
   Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee

[Robert Whitley]

I don’t understand why they cancel and re-issue numbers.
If they just issued new numbers it would have given a reasonably accurate record of total registered modellers since formation of the organization.

I understand that there is a large disparity of member numbers between our national organizations but I was extremely pleased to retain my MAAC number (10094) after a four decade absence from the hobby.

Just my two bits.