In a highly advertised campaign, the AMA claims the FAA is about to end or in some way regulate model aviation. Any time an organization says, if you don't pay me money the Boogeyman will get you, I question them. Here is the AMA claim:
"The FAA is developing new regulations that may place onerous and unnecessary restrictions on the hobby, sport and educational pursuit of model aviation.
It is extremely important that all aeromodeling enthusiasts stand up and tell Congress to protect model aviation from pending federal regulation by the FAA.
This form provides a sample letter that will be emailed to your district Representative and state Senators. Congress requires that all electronic forms of communication include your name, address and email to verify you as a constituent. Your information will remain private and confidential"
Yet, in all of these AMA ads and petitions, I can't find any proposed FAA language. One thing that is easy to find is new AMA-sponsored legislative language, where they attempt to partner with big government to shut down
non-AMA flying...
“Special Rule For Model Aircraft” that provides an exemption from regulation for model aircraft operating within the following parameters: Flown specifically for recreational, sport, competition, or academic purposes; operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization."
...essentially forcing everyone to pay the AMA protection money or stop flying their models. I doubt their is any FAA language that pertains to radio operators standing on the ground, that is solely the domain of the FCC, but by cleverly inserting a model aviation "exemption" the AMA extends an FAA bill to all of us by implication. This smells an awful lot like a scam to trade AMA-votes for a government-sponsored, legal monopoly.
When organizations get too big, they develop minds of their own and often turn on The People who created them. Stop the AMA from trying to send non-AMA fliers to prison. This is just a money-making scam by an organization that values it's own proliferation more than your freedom. These actions are un-American.
I canceled my AMA membership and you should do the same. Private, blanket liability insurance is cheap and a real Umbrella Policy protects you from all liability claims resulting from any contingency--inadequate auto coverage, flying, boating, guests slipping down your staircase, legal defense costs from charges of slander, liable, or any other law suit filed against you--not just one type of claim resulting from a particular hobby when conducted in a particular way.