AMA members

[akent]

The poll doesn't make sense. It's a bunch of percentage selections.

But yes, I am a member of the AMA.
Kent

[dubehigh]

yea i no, i did it wrong, tried to fix it but it wont let me

[BTCat]

You would probably have to kill this thread and start over. I would be interested to see a straight up discussion about this with a "Yes" "No" or "I'm Considering it" Poll.

I'm considering it.

[dubehigh]

i will kill it and sart over.

[BTCat]

Mar 21, 2010 18:38:05 GMT -6 dubehigh said:

i will kill it and sart over.

Poison or pistol?

[dubehigh]

it wont let me kill it. bt you start one, i'am not in a good mood right now

[Doozer]

I don't need a poll to answer this....

I used to be a FIRM believer in the AMA. I told anyone that would listen that it was a good idea to join. It was when I tried to join a local club, that was insured and chartered by the A.M.A., that I began to question whether it was good or not. When I found out that some of the A.M.A. board and their lobbyist were former executives in the hobby sales industry, I decided the AMA did not have my best interest at heart.

Some of you may already know this story, but I tried to join a local club a while back. I had seen the planes flying from the golf course my father and I play at, so I looked them up online. I went into the forum, and introduced myself as a heli-pilot and that I was interested in joining. For days my post went without a response. Finally when someone did respond they basically said you're better off not flying here. Then a few others chimed in with that same message. I then got a PM asking me to call one of the board members. When I called him, I was told that there were people that would try to "Shoot me down," and one gentleman in particular would try to distract me so I'd crash. I was floored. I mean... really? He told me that there was a group of guys that flew helis elsewhere and he'd put me in contact with them.

I was a little naive and did not understand the planker vs. heli BS that goes on at clubs. So, I heard that a representative from the AMA was going to be on "Inside Heli." I wrote Chris and James and asked them if they'd ask him a question. I asked why a club that is AMA sanctioned and insured is allowed to operate under a No Helis policy... I mean, my dues help pay for that clubs insurance. Without the AMA's insurance and backing, that club does not have a field. It's on public property, and AMA insurance is required for the lease.

It turns out, Chris asked the president of the AMA himself and read a written response on the show. The president stated the AMA would not involve itself in the Governing of clubs, and that clubs are free to do as they please.

So here's my thoughts, they have the hobby industry lawyers representing us (the hobbyist) in Washington (that's like insurance companies regulating health care); The insurance they provide amounts to short pole because they only cover what your home owners policy wont cover; and they wont govern clubs that we (heli pilots) help insure.

I'll continue to fly across the ditch and not give the AMA my money every year. Some of you may have great clubs and for you it works out. Here in Phoenix, it's plankers only. AMA? No thank you.

[BTCat]

I have the distinct impression that I would have to be careful picking a place around here. There are several groups. One seems heli friendly. One seems not so much. There is a third group that flies on private property that is mostly heli and heli/plank guys. They have one field across the road from another, so they can split up when need be. I don't know if they are AMA or not. One of the LHS owners frequents this one. He is a major heli freak with some planks and some foamies. A good place to fly would be reason #1 for joining. #2 would be the insurance if it is worth a crap. #3 would be just to stay more informed about the laws and regulations. BUT, I am independent to a fault. I don't want someone nosing into what I do with my stuff when I'm not on their field.

If I had an experience like yours, Doozer, I would tell them where to stick the plank and how many KVs they need to put to it when it gets there

[akphill]

I am in full agreement wit Doozer

I learned that lesson back in 1995 about heli's and plank's

In my opinion ama sucks

[19000rpm]

I told this story to dube the other day: My dad was a charter member in AMA and got me in when I was 10 years old. somewhere along the line I lost my card and then got out of flying fo many years. When I got back in I called AMA with my number and asked if I could get a new card. They said "NO Dice." I asked why and they said there records burnt up in the 70's. I reiterated the fact that I had my number, what was the difference if I didn't have my card? They just said, "NO, can't do it that's our policy."

The insurance provided by AMA is basically the same coverage many people have as a part of their homeowners insurance. I know our State Farm coverages extend to the field.

The only reason for joining AMA, IMO, is to be able to fly at a club field.

[akent]

I also met some anti-heli jerks a couple of times at one of the Austin fields. It's a really nice field, though, and actually does have a separate area setup for helis and 3d planks.
I went back when I had planks and helis and met some nice folks that day. I have not joined that club, as I usually fly here down by the lake, and there are some real jerks there.
But, like 19k says, you can't fly at a lot of club fields at all without an AMA card.

Back in the 80's, a prop cut off my pinky finger at a sanctioned field. The AMA card was worthless for any of that. I always assumed it was for when/if I cut off someone else's pinky! I should go back and read about what that insurance is actually good for someday.

I have always had an AMA card, and probably always will, just so I can fly at various club fields on occasion.
Kent

[coffinsnail]

from what i read, their insurance is only secondary to your home owners insurance. in reality the only thing they might provide is helping a club keep its field. however even that is a non issue, because if i allow someone to use my property for such a thing and i then change my mind after the contract is up. there is really nothing anyone can do to force me to allow people to fly on it. in reality from what they offer, and how they mention arinautical or rc aircraft, it seems to me they mean airplanes only. to me it sounds more like a shame like a group of people lobbing for big bussiness then taking the small mans money and really not providing anything to the flyer, unless they compete.

after reading their bland info, i surely will never join. but i also live out in the boonies so sanctuned fields = my own backyard lol.

[Gabe]

Yup, I hate organizations like AMA. I hate lawyers (present company excluded), municipalities, and the Federal Government that has over extended its powers to far beyond the constitutions original design. We truly are not free the way our founding fathers intended us to be. From income tax to the right to travel being taken away and turned into a cash cow for municipalities, to the local city government and laws being in the hands of a few with their own agendas in mind. Bear in mind I have the utmost respect for our troops and those that have already served - no disrespect intended.


So long story short, I don't belong to AMA, I never will, and I fly on public property at a park or in my apartment complex's field. If the City tries to stop me from flying, there will be heck to pay.

I'm off my soap box now.

[fergie]

Mar 21, 2010 19:30:10 GMT -6 Doozer said:

I don't need a poll to answer this....

I used to be a FIRM believer in the AMA. I told anyone that would listen that it was a good idea to join. It was when I tried to join a local club, that was insured and chartered by the A.M.A., that I began to question whether it was good or not. When I found out that some of the A.M.A. board and their lobbyist were former executives in the hobby sales industry, I decided the AMA did not have my best interest at heart.

Some of you may already know this story, but I tried to join a local club a while back. I had seen the planes flying from the golf course my father and I play at, so I looked them up online. I went into the forum, and introduced myself as a heli-pilot and that I was interested in joining. For days my post went without a response. Finally when someone did respond they basically said you're better off not flying here. Then a few others chimed in with that same message. I then got a PM asking me to call one of the board members. When I called him, I was told that there were people that would try to "Shoot me down," and one gentleman in particular would try to distract me so I'd crash. I was floored. I mean... really? He told me that there was a group of guys that flew helis elsewhere and he'd put me in contact with them.

I was a little naive and did not understand the planker vs. heli BS that goes on at clubs. So, I heard that a representative from the AMA was going to be on "Inside Heli." I wrote Chris and James and asked them if they'd ask him a question. I asked why a club that is AMA sanctioned and insured is allowed to operate under a No Helis policy... I mean, my dues help pay for that clubs insurance. Without the AMA's insurance and backing, that club does not have a field. It's on public property, and AMA insurance is required for the lease.

It turns out, Chris asked the president of the AMA himself and read a written response on the show. The president stated the AMA would not involve itself in the Governing of clubs, and that clubs are free to do as they please.

So here's my thoughts, they have the hobby industry lawyers representing us (the hobbyist) in Washington (that's like insurance companies regulating health care); The insurance they provide amounts to short pole because they only cover what your home owners policy wont cover; and they wont govern clubs that we (heli pilots) help insure.

I'll continue to fly across the ditch and not give the AMA my money every year. Some of you may have great clubs and for you it works out. Here in Phoenix, it's plankers only. AMA? No thank you.

this would explain why i can never seem to get a hold of the rc club where i live. nobody seems to know where they fly..... ever.
IDK i smell BS.

[BTCat]

Mar 23, 2010 4:35:02 GMT -6 Gabe said:

Yup, I hate organizations like AMA. I hate lawyers (present company excluded), municipalities, and the Federal Government that has over extended its powers to far beyond the constitutions original design. We truly are not free the way our founding fathers intended us to be. From income tax to the right to travel being taken away and turned into a cash cow for municipalities, to the local city government and laws being in the hands of a few with their own agendas in mind. Bear in mind I have the utmost respect for our troops and those that have already served - no disrespect intended.


So long story short, I don't belong to AMA, I never will, and I fly on public property at a park or in my apartment complex's field. If the City tries to stop me from flying, there will be heck to pay.

I'm off my soap box now.

Your Conservative hair style had me fooled ;D