AMA Programs for Members

PROMOTING THE HOBBY Flying Site Help: A comprehensive package of support materials is available free of charge. An excellent video is also available and may be borrowed by chartered clubs. In addition, qualified AMA staffers may visit clubs and local government agencies for meetings regarding site acquisition. Write to the Marketing Department at AMA Headquarters. Intro-Pilot Program: An intro-pilot program is available to all chartered clubs. Qualified pilots from chartered clubs (limited to three per club) may participate. Instructors can train non-AMA members to fly airplanes during a time period of 30 consecutive days, and students are covered by the liability provisions of the AMA insurance policy. Full details are available from the Membership Department at AMA Headquarters. Adopt-A-School: The Academy encourages clubs to adopt schools in their localities. Instructional material will be provided by AMA. Many suppliers also provide elementary kits at discounted prices. Commemorative pins and patches are available, upon request, for club members who participate in the program. For further information contact the Marketing Department. Mall Shows: The AMA Headquarters staff will ship free handout materials to chartered clubs and award a commemorative pin to participants. Clubs need to notify AMA Headquarters 30 days prior to their planned show to allow time for shipping. For further information contact the Marketing Department. Air Show Team (AST) Program: AMA encourages highly skilled fliers who enjoy performing before audiences to inquire about the AST program. The Academy assists clubs with support and liaison with manufacturers and other suppliers. Teams must meet certain performance standards and annual reporting stipulations. Guidelines for forming a team are available upon request from the Marketing Department. SUPPORTING EDUCATION Scholarships: Several scholarships are awarded annually to young AMA members entering a college or university. Annual awards total approximately $20,000. Interested applicants may obtain details by writing to AMA Headquarters. Educator Support: A classroom package is available to educators who write to AMA Headquarters on school letterhead. This package contains suggestions for classroom activities, lists sources of materials, and identifies other companies and associations which provide documentation and guidance. The use of model aviation techniques by teachers can enhance learning opportunities for students in mathematics and various sciences. Frank V. Ehling National Model Aviation Museum and Renaud Research Library: Located at AMA Headquarters, the museum and library promote interest and understanding in model aviation through the imaginative use of the museum and its beautiful exhibits, extensive library, and ever-expanding collection. The museum store provides opportunities for visitors to take home souvenirs of their visit, model aviation literature and video, and educational items for young and old alike. Admission is free for AMA members. For non-members the prices are $2 for adults and $1 for ages 6-17. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. Call (765) 289-4236. RECOGNIZING INDIVIDUALS Leader Member: A program designed to recognize leaders in the modeling community. Three classifications exist: Administrative, Industry, and Scientific. Members recognized in this program help to administer Academy activities as well as maintain and vote on the AMA bylaws. Information and applications are available from the Membership Department at AMA Headquarters. Leader Club Program: In an effort to recognize the leadership of the finest and most dedicated AMA Chartered Clubs, the Academy offers the Leader Club Awards. These awards can be earned by any AMA Chartered Club that demonstrates the highest standards of community service, involvement and modeling activity. For further information on qualification, please contact the Membership Department. Contest Director: Contest Directors are responsible for organizing and running flying events through the AMA sanctioning program. Information and applications are available from the Competitions/Technical Department at AMA Headquarters. Call (765) 287-1256. Appreciation Awards: Clubs may purchase appreciation awards for flying site providers and others who assist chartered clubs in their endeavors. The AMA certificate is nicely designed and arranged for signature by a club officer. A walnut-mounted plaque, with up to 30 words inscribed by calligraphy and decorated with a gold seal and red, white, and blue ribbon, is only $25 postpaid. For further information contact the Marketing Department. PARTICIPATING IN WORLD-CLASS AEROMODELING COMPETITION World Championships: Any AMA member has the opportunity to represent the U.S.A. and AMA in an international aeromodeling competition event. Trials for selecting members of world championship teams are held annually. Details are published in Model Aviation magazine. They are also obtainable through the Competitions/Technical Department at AMA Headquarters. All international events are authorized by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. ADDITIONAL BENEFIT PLANS FOR MEMBERS Overview: The Academy of Model Aeronautics has entered into working arrangements with private companies that have agreed to provide various types of insurance plans to AMA members. These plans are based on the ability to offer advantageous pricing schedules to the large "pool" of membership contacts. AVAILABLE BENEFITS Vision Care Plan: AMA is pleased to announce a new vision care benefit program through OUTLOOK Vision Services. A nationwide network of over 3700 eye care professionals can save you and your family hundreds of dollars on all their eyewear needs. OUTLOOK Vision Services offers up to 50% savings on frames, designer frames, lenses of all kinds, options of all kinds, and contact lenses. AMA members may purchase the OUTLOOK program for $6.95 (annual membership) for the entire family, a 60% savings off the regular annual price of $18.00. The plan is simple to use; present your membership card and pay the discounted price at time of purchase - no forms or papers to file. To receive your membership card, forward check or money order for $6.95 to: Outlook Vision Services, 40 N. Center St., Suite 104, Mesa, AZ 85201, 1-800-342-7188. Membership Benefits Insurance coverage is effective on the date of receipt at AMA Headquarters of a properly completed application and correct dues payment. Membership ends each year on December 31, regardless of the date a membership application is received. Applications received after October 1 will be valid for the remainder of that year and all of the following year. If a magazine is included with the membership, it begins with the first issue available for the year after a correct current application and payment are received; it expires with the issue printed in December (which is dated February of the following year). Membership rates and insurance limits are those in effect at time of printing. Actual cost of dues and amount of insurance coverage is subject to change. Any such changes will be noted at the time of membership processing so that they may be accepted or not. REVISED-2002 OFFICIAL AMA NATIONAL MODEL AIRCRAFT SAFETY CODE Effective January 1, 2002 Changes are identified in bold. Model Flying MUST be in accordance with this Code in order Tor AMA Liability Protection to apply. GENERAL 1) I will not fly my model aircraft in sanctioned events, air shows, or model flying demonstrations until it has been proven to be airworthy by having been previously, successfully flight tested. 2) I will not fly my model higher than approximately 400 feet within 3 miles of an airport without notifying the airport operator. I will give right-of-way and avoid flying in the proximity of full-scale aircraft. Where necessary, an observer shall be utilized to supervise flying to avoid having models fly in the proximity of full-scale aircraft. 3) Where established, I will abide by the safety rules for the flying site I use, and I will not willfully and deliberately fly my models in a careless, reckless and/or dangerous manner. 4) At all flying sites a straight or curved line(s) must be established in front of which all flying takes place with the other side for spectators. Only personnel involved with flying the aircraft are allowed in front of the flight line. Flying over the spectator side of the line is prohibited, unless beyond the control of the pilot(s). In any case, the maximum permissible takeoff weight of the models with fuel is 55 pounds. 5) At air shows or model flying demonstrations a single straight line must be established, one side of which is for flying, with the other side for spectators. Only those persons accredited by the contest director or other appropriate official as necessary for flight operations or as having duties or functions relating to the conduct of the show or demonstration are to be permitted on the flying side of the line. The only exceptions which may be permitted to the single straight line requirements, under special circumstances involving consideration of site conditions and model size, weight, speed, and power, must be jointly approved by the AMA President and the Executive Director. 6) Under all circumstances, if my model weighs over 20 pounds, I will fly it in accordance with paragraph 5 of this section of the AMA Safety Code. 7) I will not fly my model unless it is identified with my name and address or AMA number, on or in the model. Note: This does not apply to models while being flown indoors. 8) I will not operate models with metal-bladed propellers or with gaseous boosts, in which gases other than air enter their internal combustion engine(s); nor will I operate models with extremely hazardous fuels such as those containing tetranitromethane or hydrazine. 9) I will not operate models with pyrotechnics (any device that explodes, burns, or propels a projectile of any kind) including, but not limited to, rockets, explosive bombs dropped from models, smoke bombs, all explosive gases (such as hydrogen-filled balloons), ground mounted devices launching a projectile. The only exceptions permitted are rockets flown in accordance with the National Model Rocketry Safety Code or those permanently attached (as per JATO use); also those items authorized for Air Show Team use as defined by AST Advisory Committee (document available from AMA HQ). In any case, models using rocket motors as a primary means of propulsion are limited to a maximum weight of 3.3 pounds and a G series motor. Note: A model aircraft is defined as an aircraft with or without engine, not able to carry a human being. 10) I will not operate any turbo jet engine (axial or centrifugal flow) unless I have obtained a special waiver for such specific operations from the AMA President and Executive Director and I will abide by any restriction(s) imposed for such operation by them. (Note: This does not apply to ducted fan models using piston engines or electric motors.) 11)1 will not consume alcoholic beverages prior to, nor during, participation in any model operations. RADIO CONTROL 1) I will have completed a successful radio equipment ground range check before the first flight of a new or repaired model. 2) I will not fly my model aircraft in the presence of spectators until I become a qualified flier, unless assisted by an experienced helper. 3) I will perform my initial turn after takeoff away from the pit or spectator areas, and I will not thereafter fly over pit or spectator areas, unless beyond my control. 4) I will operate my model using only radio control frequencies currently allowed by the Federal Communications Commission. (Only properly licensed Amateurs are authorized to operate equipment on Amateur Band frequencies.) 5) Separation of less than three miles between flying sites is only acceptable if testing has been accomplished to determine that no interference potential exists or a frequency sharing arrangement between the clubs and/or individuals involved is developed. Written confirmation of either of these two alternatives, signed by a club officer of both clubs, or individual AMA members from both clubs shall be provided to AMA Headquarters. 6) For Combat, distance between flight line and spectator line will be 500 feet per cubic inch of engine displacement. (Example: .40 engine = 200 feet.) ORGANIZED RC RACING EVENT 7) An RC racing event, whether or not an AMA Rule Book event, is one in which model aircraft compete in flight over a prescribed course with the objective of finishing the course faster to determine the winner. A. In every organized racing event in which contestants, callers, and officials are on the course: 1. All officials, callers, and contestants must properly wear helmets which are OSHA, DOT, ANSI, SNELL, or NOCSAE approved or comparable standard while on the race course; 2. All officials will be off the course except for the starter and their assistant. 3. "On the course" is defined to mean any area beyond the pilot/staging area where actual flying takes place. B. I will not fly my model aircraft in any organized racing event which does not comply with paragraph A above or which allows models over 20 pounds unless that competition event is AMA sanctioned. C. Distance from the pylon to the nearest spectator (line) will be in accordance with the current Competition Regulations under the RC Pylon Racing section for the specific event pending two or three pylon course layout. 8) R/C Night Flying is limited to low performance models (less than 100 m.p.h.). The models must be equipped with a lightning system that clearly defines the aircrafts attitude at all times. FREE FLIGHT 1) I will not launch my model aircraft unless at least 100 feet downwind of spectators and automobile parking. 2) I will not fly my model unless the launch area is clear of all persons except my mechanic and officials. 3) I will employ the use of an adequate device in flight to extinguish any fuses on the model after it has completed its function. CONTROL LINE 1) I will subject my complete control system (including safety thong, where applicable) to an inspection and pull test prior to flying. Pull test will be in accordance with the current Competition Regulations for applicable model category. Models not fitting a specific category as detailed, shall use those pull test requirements for Control Line Precision Aerobatics. 2) I will assure that my flying area is safely clear of all utility wires or poles. 3) I will assure that my flying area is safely clear of all non-essential participants and spectators before permitting my engine to be started. 4) I will not fly a model closer than 50 feet to any electrical power line. GAS TURBINE 1) I will not operate any turbo jet engine (axial or centrifugal flow) unless I have obtained a special waiver for such specific operations. 2) I will fly my model in compliance with all requirements specified in AMA Safety Regulations for Model Aircraft Gas Turbines, Document Number 513*, at all times. GIANT SCALE RACING 1) I will fly my model in compliance with all requirements specified in AMA Required Safety Standards for Giant Scale Racing, Document Number 535*, at all times. Separate Code(s) available from AMA Headquarters for boats, cars, and rockets. ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS, 5161 EAST MEMORIAL DRIVE, MUNCIE, INDIANA 47302-9252