Dear AMA Member,
I am sending this E-mail to you in a request for your assistance. With recent advancements in electric R/C technologies and the advent of the very popular "Park Flyer" aircraft, the demographics of the modeling community are rapidly changing. In order to better serve our members the AMA Executive Council is considering instituting a membership program that is specifically aimed at addressing the needs of the park flyer pilots. We have defined these "park flyer modelers" as having models that weigh 2 pounds or less, do not exceed 60 mph, and do not fly higher than 200 feet.
This proposed program would have less insurance coverage, be limited to non-sanctioned events, and include a bimonthly magazine focusing on electric-powered aircraft. Additionally, we view this new membership group as establishing electric-power flying fields in urban areas and not being part of existing clubs. We have priced this program at $29.95 per year.
To better assess the views of the membership, the AMA Executive Council is seeking your input in answering the following questions:
1) Given your current involvement in the hobby, would an "electric only" program as described above better meet your needs?
2) If such an alternative membership program was offered, would you be inclined to choose this program over your existing full-service membership?
Again, I want to underscore that this is a proposed program.
Thank you for your assistance!
Joyce Hager
Acting Executive Director on behalf of the Membership Development Committee
Program comparison details: (also attached as comparison.gif)
| Current Open AMA dues | Benefits | Park Flyer AMA dues | Benefits | |
| Rate | $58 | $29.95 | ||
| Insurance | $2.5 million individual liability coverage | $500,000 individual liability coverage | ||
| $25,000 medical coverage | No medical coverage | |||
| $1,000 Fire, Theft & Vandalism coverage | No Fire, Theft & Vandalism coverage | |||
| Participation in sanctioned events | Yes | No | ||
| Flying site | Fly at current AMA chartered fields | New park flyer E-fields to be established. | ||
| Magazine | Monthly Model Aviation magazine | Bimonthly E-focused AMA magazine melding MA E-type articles and E-flight articles from existing publications |