Author Topic: AMA Numbers (Read 3139 times)

FLOYD CARTER · « **on:** March 22, 2019, 11:27:14 AM »

I searched the AMA website trying to fine how they assign AMA numbers. I was just curious.
Looks like some planes show numbers over 1 1/4 million! That's amazing.

I know that they assign/recycle old numbers, but don't know how they decide who/how this is done. I have heard one can request an old number of a family member, but can anyone request any old number?

They state that records before 1974 are lost. So how do they know a request for an old number is valid?

I have heard that 2 digit, 3 digit numbers are reserved for "special" assignment. How do they decide who is "special"? I am not a special person (I think), but they re-assigned my number back in the early '70s. I have had AMA membership continuously since about 1948, so it isn't like my membership lapsed- causing a gap and requiring assigning a new number.

What do you know about this process?

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2019, 12:23:04 PM »

"L" numbers are a separate category. They are all low because there aren't many of them.

Mike Scholtes · « **Reply #2 on:** March 22, 2019, 01:36:44 PM »

My AMA number, 1096, was my competitor's number at the 1963 Los Alamitos Nats (Free Flight). I had a 6-digit AMA number, which was a bear to cut out of colored tissue and dope onto the wings. I contacted the AMA about 10 years ago to ask if I could have "1096" instead, and they said sure. It was done immediately.

JoeJust · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2019, 02:10:07 PM »

Ive had # 5167 for years. I wanted my wife to have her # so she could launch my Carrier planes for me at a contest. They wee really nice and they gave her #51678. I'm a CD, and a Leader member, but I have only had the AMA contact me one time, and that was over a law suit in CA some 20 years ago. Can't talk abut that mess as the results have been sealed and not for the public's information.
Joe

Dan Berry · « **Reply #4 on:** March 22, 2019, 02:12:38 PM »

They don’t re-use numbers without permission.

peabody · « **Reply #5 on:** March 22, 2019, 02:39:13 PM »

CD's and Leader members may request a lower number (even three digit, I believe).
I never bothered....took me too long to remember the original.

I believe that John D'Ottavio spoke with the Academy about giving Samantha Hines his "L" number. I don't know if she has the "L", but she is using John's number.

mike londke · « **Reply #6 on:** March 22, 2019, 03:27:47 PM »

My original AMA number was in the 200,000's. One year I called and asked if they could assign me my deceased fathers number and they did so I am now 48913.

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #7 on:** March 22, 2019, 05:01:37 PM »

Quote from: JoeJust on March 22, 2019, 02:10:07 PM

Can't talk abut that mess as the results have been sealed and not for the public's information.
Joe

That’s ok, we all know what lawsuit you’re referring to.

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #8 on:** March 22, 2019, 05:12:15 PM »

Quote from: Ty Marcucci on March 22, 2019, 11:35:45 AM

Life members get 2-3 digit numbers with the Letter L in front. CD's get 4 digit numbers. You can only request your old number, in most cases, and if you have an old AMA license, it' s the proof of your old number. If it is still available, you get it back, I was a CD and that's how I got my old number back.

Whom did you bribe? I showed them my old CD number from 1982 with CONTEST DIRECTOR clearly marked on the front and they said it belonged to someone else who ironically got it the same time I got mine in 1980 but I could have the next number in line, however I would have to reapply since they had no record of my old number. Do they think there is someone out here forging AMA licenses? So I said OK give me back my old 1960 5 digit number and they said that it had never been assigned but they would give it to me anyway - big of them.

No need now for the CD number. Our club has enough.

Ken

Rick Palombi · « **Reply #9 on:** March 22, 2019, 07:08:08 PM »

Mike, mine was 48913. They wont give it back to me. And yes it was after 1974.

Rick Palombi · « **Reply #10 on:** March 22, 2019, 07:09:19 PM »

Correction. It was 48913.

mike londke · « **Reply #11 on:** March 22, 2019, 08:43:08 PM »

Quote from: Rick Palombi on March 22, 2019, 07:08:08 PM

Mike, mine was 48913. They wont give it back to me. And yes it was after 1974.

I'm not sure how this happened. I have one of my dad's old cards from 1985 shortly before his death and the number is absolutely 48913. That is how I knew to ask AMA to re-issue it to me. He would have joined sometime around 1972 when the Detroit Aero Modelers RC club was formed. Dad was a charter member and helped create the club. He served as Safety Officer for many years.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #12 on:** March 22, 2019, 10:09:09 PM »

When I joined AMA on Jan 1, 1963, I was given the number I currently use, a 4-digit. About 1985 I let my membership lapse, so when I re-joined again in 1995, they gave me a 6 or 7 digit number. I then requested the return of my old number and got it.

The 4 digit number had nothing to do with being a CD, but I did get my CD license sometime in the '70's. As I recall, I just had to get a couple of CD's or Leader members to sign off on my dubious character. A few decades later, to re-activate my CD'ness, I had to take a friggin' test and answer a bunch of questions about R/C crap that didn't matter at all to me...but it was an "open book test"...and I still couldn't find one of the answers about some R/C crap. Leading me to realize that the AMA rulebook as a whole was a horribly disorganized pile. Still is, IMO.

AMA recently (last 5 years or so) pretty much demanded that CD reports and Sanction applications be done online, at which point I refused to do it anymore.

I am curious why Joe's wife joined AMA just to launch his Navy Carrier models. Does not compute!

FYI, NEVER allow anybody to be an "ED" without being a current AMA member. Even as secondary insurance, it's (barely) better than relying solely on your homeowner's or renter's insurance.

Steve

Bill Mohrbacher · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2019, 10:33:31 AM »

I joined AMA in1956 when I was 13. Number was 2825 and I still have it. I bought a PA vanity plate AMA 2825.

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #14 on:** March 23, 2019, 12:31:33 PM »

Steve H. That's amazing. And amusing, too.

JoeJust · « **Reply #15 on:** March 23, 2019, 04:27:57 PM »

Quote:
I am curious why Joe's wife joined AMA just to launch his Navy Carrier models. Does not compute!

The rule book states that only AMA member are allowed at an evens site if they take part in an event. Because Ginny has her own number she is now legally fine to come to the deck and launch my plane on the deck. I am assuming that previous events this was an iron class rule. Now, to the dis-interest in CL by the AMA this rule is now just ignored. However, any rule not covered by rule book statement is just asking for a problem law suit if something goes wrong and there is personal or private health or ownership damage.
There was a rule in effect in he 90's that spectators had to remain behind some sort of fencing. It also states that non AMA members are not allowed to take part in any event in any manner, like launching, or being a "caller" in R/C Pylon. At the Nats in MA in 92 (?) I witnessed some official telling some folks that hey could not be lose to the event.

Joe Just

PS With that said, I have to say it is now a moot point. I no longer compete at any AMA contests due to numerous health problems. The same goes for Ginny, but once at Brodak's she did launch my profile Carrier plane and did it with skill!

WR Crane aka MrClean · « **Reply #16 on:** March 25, 2019, 08:11:03 AM »

My Original was 76343, in the early 2000's I became a CD and it was shortened to 7633 I think. Luckily the card was in my pocket because I always had a mental block on that. Some time after that I was running an internet monocopter contest and made that I shipped to a lady with her own personalized number and I thought what the heck, paid the 20 something and it's now MrClean. I don't know what the cost is now or if they offer it.

Hubris, ya I'll look it up. I din't think of it that way at the time just how often I couldn't remember what number they cut out of my original. Thought I was being smart by changing my number, ended up being a problem. Probably Alzheimers, I remember my original drivers license, phone number AMA number FCC number but somewhere in the late 90's, ehhhhhh.

everyone at the field and the meets and the biker group call me MrClean or Clean, that I can remember.

What was the question?

Dave_Trible · « **Reply #17 on:** March 25, 2019, 09:35:52 AM »

A few years ago I was able to get my dad's AMA number for my grandson, his great grandfather who he never got to meet. It now spans four generations of AMA members in the family.

Dave

Fredvon4 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 25, 2019, 10:42:44 AM »

978047....... WAS my last and 4th AMA number
Army brat...then Soldier for decades

seems to me my first was a 5 digit in the 70s

lots of folks do not know right now you can apply for a vanity number that can be alphanumeric, or all alpha, or all numeric

kinda like Vanity FCC Ham call sign
Kinda like vanity auto License plates

Fred-- Dot FAA =FA33T97LXP
Fred-- FCC =KD5NCO....retired First Sergeant...this was a natural Amateure General ticket call sign not a vanity
Fred-- Texas Disabled Veteran license plate= DPS-1DV...let this one sink in a bit as it is NOT a vanity plate just my $3 plate from Texas since retired in 1996.....(hint DPS is Department of Public Safety) an organization I never belonged to...grin

Ever meet anyone with a AMA 3 digit number?...I have...but CRS as me not remembering names those fine Teen agers that helped me on the school yard try to fly my stuff circa 1968

john e. holliday · « **Reply #19 on:** March 25, 2019, 11:11:58 AM »

My AMA number is the only one I ever had and hopefully will keep it for many more years. People look at me funny when I state I am doing better physically than I was 3 ears ago. I'm also working out more.

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #20 on:** March 25, 2019, 11:47:01 AM »

Random Trivia:

I also had amateur radio callsign license plates for many years. It read "K6BSU". I finally got tired of paying extra for that, so my next new car had ordinary license plates.

Remember when AMA sent a decal for your car window. It only read "AMA". Gas station attendants used to ask me "Are you a doctor?" Got tired of that, and removed it.

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #21 on:** March 25, 2019, 12:04:38 PM »

I wonder if any serious stunt fliers will get the vanity number? I rather doubt it. If it starts happening maybe we (through PAMPA) should petition the AMA to reserve the handels of our deceased fliers. I can just see some new flier unknowingly requesting "Bear" for example.