Bob Underwood Box 40, St. Peters, MO 63376
Newcomers
So you're an aeromodeling newcomer, or about to become one, between the ages of 9 and 90. Since you are reading this column, you might be an AMA member, or have come in contact with a member who shared this magazine with you. Perhaps you are reading it in your school library.
Whether this is your first contact with Model Aviation and the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), or you have been with AMA for a period of time, you may wonder what the organization is really about.
The Academy of Model Aeronautics dates to 1936. Originally it was much more youth-oriented and heavily competitive in nature. Events sponsored by major corporations were a dominant part of its makeup.
If you take time to study the bylaws in the Membership Manual mailed to all members each year, you will find a long list of goals that classify AMA as an "academy," or learning-type organization.
You will also find a class of membership known as Leader Members. Initially, these individuals were the adult advisors for the youth-oriented organization; now they serve more as guidance for the Executive Council—AMA's volunteer board of directors—which, among other things, votes on bylaw changes.
Through the years, AMA has "aged"—it has become populated with older adults. Today, one of the fastest-growing membership classifications is Senior Citizen (65 and older). However, with the increased focus on education and the establishment of the $1 Youth Membership, 1998 saw a dramatic increase in the Youth (through age 19) classification.
Another change centers around the fact that AMA is no longer a primarily competition-oriented group. By far, the largest percentage of members are those who fly for recreational purposes. Several years ago, through a study of sanctioned rulebook contests, the percentage of the overall membership who participated in those types of events was less than 10%. If you add non-rulebook events, such as competitive fun-flys, the number is closer to 15%.
A large number of AMA members never get beyond the word "insurance" when they think of reasons for belonging. That's because their first contact with AMA might have been at a local flying site or hobby shop where they were told about the need for insurance, although it was probably one of the last things they thought about when approaching the hobby.
AMA is not an insurance company. However, through membership it does provide various types of coverage. For many, the most important is liability coverage. Is there logic in spending a few dollars each year for such coverage to supplement the homeowners insurance that some might have? History and the current litigation climate in this country strongly suggest that there is!
It is important, however, that you look beyond insurance when thinking about AMA; there is much more to the organization, although many of the items are intangible. A sheet that lists 34 reasons to join AMA is published from time to time and distributed at trade shows. Following are a few of the items.
Government liaison
Throughout the years, AMA has monitored government actions that impact the hobby—especially actions of two agencies: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The Academy has not just monitored their activity but has taken a proactive stance in many ways.
As for the FCC, the radio frequencies that we enjoy are the result of direct action by the Academy, working through a group of technically oriented members (the Frequency Committee), an attorney, and, in later years, the Radio Control Manufacturers Association (RCMA). AMA maintains a continuous relationship with developments by retaining the services of an attorney in Washington, D.C. There are also other agencies that AMA touches.
Clubs
One of the strongest programs within the Academy is that of chartered clubs. There are almost 2,500 around the country, ranging in size from a handful of members to many hundreds of individuals.
On a local level, clubs provide the nucleus around which individuals may approach the community for flying-site development. Sometimes site location becomes a chicken-and-egg story; often, an energetic individual locates a site and a club grows from it. Other times, a unified group of people (the club) convinces a property owner or governmental agency, and a site develops.
In either case, AMA provides the site owner with special levels of insurance coverage that often seals the pact. There is insurance assistance available from Headquarters, along with various documents.
Competition
While it was stated earlier that the bulk of the membership is not competition-oriented, the Academy's commitment to competition support has brought about important aeromodeling developments.
First, as can be seen in sports, competition fuels product development. While the average "Sunday flier" may not need cutting-edge technology, his or her engines were often yesterday's competition engines.
Second, competition creates venues that attract others and promote public recognition. Often the Academy doesn't do the best job of promoting events that it could; however, the major events that reach beyond the choir are often competitive in nature. There are exceptions, such as some events put on by the International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA).
Third, competition captures a significant number of persons beyond the actual competitors. Most contests have as many (or more) "participants" in the form of judges, timers, hot-dog grillers, ticket takers, tabulators, and volunteers as fliers. Why do these people help? Generally it is because they enjoy the competition in a vicarious fashion. I shouldn't forget the many modeler spectators who "participate" in their special way.
Model Aviation
Every month, members receive an issue of Model Aviation, which attempts to serve every element of the hobby. The word "attempt" is stressed because it is virtually impossible to cover every type of aeromodeling activity—especially on a monthly basis.
Unlike many hobbies, aeromodeling spans a wide range of interests: from rubber power to turbines, from flying sites to the museum, from club activity to Executive Council policy. It's a real reach for one publication, but Model Aviation serves the members well. You are encouraged to look at the various sections in order to gain a better understanding of what AMA is about.
Other services and programs
There are a host of other sides to AMA, including:
- International representation through the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), located at Olympic headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
- The International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana.
- Scholarship programs with more than $20,000 available each year for high school seniors headed for college or university.
- Financial programs for club assistance.
- Liaison with the hobby industry and a nationally recognized trade show held each year under AMA auspices.
How can you learn more about the Academy of Model Aeronautics?
Reading this publication will help. Also, spend some time looking at the many documents available, including the Membership Manual and the Competition Regulations.
Documents for specific concerns can also be obtained, including materials on insurance matters, flying-site assistance, instructor programs, club chartering, and many more. Study the website, and note the "Guide to Member Services" page in this publication that lists departments at Headquarters and how to reach them.
You also won't want to miss the growing listing of "goodies" available through the merchandising catalog.
AMA seeks to be responsive to your needs. We don't always get it right, but remember that it is a member-based organization. Yes, there's a board of directors, the Executive Council, but the members elect the board. Yes, there's a Headquarters staff, but it is directed by policy developed by the Executive Council. Thus, ultimate authority rests with the members.
To really understand AMA, visit the site at Muncie. As you tour the museum, utilize the Lee Renaud Memorial Library, and fly at one or more of the many sites, you will acquire a better feel for the dynamic, growing nature of the organization.
Talk with the staff at the many trade shows around the country; make a point of seeking out your district vice president or associate vice presidents. Become a knowledgeable, viable part of the organization.
Remember that when you hear people say, "Why doesn't AMA do this or that (or not do this or that)," they are really saying, "Why doesn't the collective 'we' do this or that?" The newcomer and old-timer, the competitor and Sunday flier, the young and old, are the AMA.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
