AMA renewal and question they ask

[Kevin M. Smith]

I just renewed my AMA membership for 2 years (even though I'm not that active right now, I still like to support them and get the magazine.)...

On the online form they ask you what your "primary" interest is and you can respond with only one selection from a number of options - "control line precision aerobatics" is one of the options, along with R/C soaring, pattern, free flight, etc, etc.

Does anyone know what they actually do with this information ?   

[Fredvon4]

Is is a poor way to statistically present data for their cash cow...the advertising industry

and secondary to that, it is a very poor way for the AMA to actually know the interest of their members

Following is made up numbers.... They think of 165000 members only 3% fly control line and they have zero clue how many member actually build and fly model airplanes

I would not mind a more comprehensive set of 3 or 5 questions where I describe my Model Airplane building and flying activity more precisely

BUT I personally no longer have a dog in the hunt.... I do not compete...

So I quit AMA last year.
I am quite disgusted with their myopic Quad Copter (DRONE) fetish....but mostly their utter misunderstanding of the DOT_FAA power grab.
IMO, so far AMA pretty ineffective at convincing Congress that building and flying aircraft models is a leisure HOBBY to be protected as is any other constitutional right/privilege.... Funny how the Congress actually carved out Model airplane flying as protected from the FAA modernization mandate the Congress proscribed to the DOT.... You would think it should not take very much for the AMA to get 60 congressmen to agree the DOT-FAA over stepped...

Where o where are the 1.2 million new AMA members from 2015 Drone sales ?

Now where did I retire my Nomex flight suit to?

[john e. holliday]

I too am contemplating not renewing as I don't get to compete like I used to.   But, even some fun flies require an AMA license and I do like ready about what little model airplane stuff is in Model Aviation.   Also our park department would like us to be AMA insured even though they would get nothing out of it.  I drive around and see helicopters and quad copters being flown all over the area of my part of the country.   Yes, as I sit here I will renew as I still would like to make a few contests.   

[Fredvon4]

I hear you Doc...

But it sure would be nice if the general rank and file, public property adinestrators, and contest directors,  actually knew that my personal home owners insurance and my additional umbrella insurance (ridiculously cheap) covers me and my activity much more effectively than the (over priced for what it is) AMA secondary insurance does....

I am pretty disgusted with the ignorance of so many so called professionals

Maybe I am thick, but when my son and I motorcycle dirt bike raced I was not required to prove some sanctioning body insurance...
When I arrived at Portland international, Seattle International, Sears point, or Laguna Seca to race ----I only needed proof that I had paid my entry fee and signed all the waivers...


but hell doc that may have all changed by now...my activity was in the 70s ~80s when this country was not a bunch of wussies

[Target]

I voted for Lawrence Tagous as he says that the AMA has lost it's way and it has.....
That's all....

[Jim Oliver]

Lawrence is right but he can't fix it all by himself..........

[Mark Mc]

I just filled out the questionnaire I got in my email about my preferred flying and drones.  I answered all the questions, and when they indicated I was not a drone enthusiast it asked why and what they could do.  I gave them my best honest answer:

"I have no faith that anything I say will be paid any attention by the AMA because my opinion does not align with the cash cow of drone advertisers, whereas my dues are a drop in the bucket compared to other revenue streams the AMA is courting."

Mark

[Russell]

I checked Control-line although I fly RC too.

[peabody]

I'm certain that the Academy looks at this at renewal time...and combines it with the new membership apps.
What is revealed, I imagine is lots of fixed wing RC, growing numbers of drones and a fairly stable population of free flight and control line.

What they seem to fail to recognize it that the FF and CL guys STAY members far longer that the majority of the other persuasions.

RC guys buy one join a club that requires AMA to fly, crash and lose interest, therefore not renewing. Same for the droners....

Where they miss the boat, I believe, is failing to fully recognize the core membership....long term flyers and supporters.

The other AMA (motorbike) recognizes longevity and actually awards an "Earned Lifetime" membership after 25 years. I have received emails addressed to lifetime members that are aimed at future planning.

Have fun!

[Kevin M. Smith]

I checked Control-line although I fly RC too.

I did the same...

[JoeJust]

Here is something that might just tie in with this thread.  I have received several "Sale-Mark-Down" prices for Drones by Tower Hobby.  Not just one or two but a bunch.  This could very well show that the "Quad" craze may be declining.  Certainly Tower is ahead of the curve that limits MA to having their copy and ads available 3-4 months in advance.  Could be, but time will tell if the AMA could realize their blunder when ad monies dry up because of declining sales.  That is not to suggest that the guys flying races with quads will decline. I think that phase of the hobby will continue, but encouraging the masses to jump into flying quads has been overdone and is failing to support the huge time and interest by our governing people.
Just a thought.
Joe

[Phil Spillman]

Being something of a natural contrarian I noted all the stuff I have ANY INTEREST IN! And will send it of that way! Let the brains in Muncie try to make their warped sense out of it. For my money its far too expensive for a person of age on a fixed income but I do enjoy the fun and associations I enjoy at competitions and fun flies. So I do take my $10.00 discount and hope that I'll be able to enjoy all of it during my 80th Year! The organization appears to me to be too TOP Heavy without enough grunts to actually do the work which we bottom feeders really need!

Phil Spillman

PS I think the Mororcycelists have the right idea to reward loyalty! Why can't the/our AMA do the same or a similar thing?