Acadermy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) (And other insurance)

[RetiredInFL]

Is it worth joining? Does their insurance cover flying anywhere or just at AMA parks? Not much DETAIL on their site.

Other then that is there any "recreational drone insurance" both for liability and possibly damage loss ? I would prefer stand-alone insurance rather than tie it to my homeowners policy.

 

[LazerMan]

AMA covers you anywhere in US Farmers has drone coverage 60 a year

 

[RetiredInFL]

AMA covers you anywhere in US Farmers has drone coverage 60 a year

Interesting. Is Farmers only liability?

Thanks

 

[LazerMan]

It replaces the drone if lost , damaged, crashed what ever
AMA is a lot more but doesn't cover the drone in most cases

 

[Deleted member 114292]

On the other hand by joining AMA you are supporting an organization that works to your advantage.

During the comment. Period For the FAA proposed rulemaking they sent emails to their three times encouraging members to comment and even gave them ideas on how to. Comment appropriately.

also having an AMA membership allows you to fly at AMA fields.

I’m really not advocating for AMA just pointing out they do some good.

 

[BigAl07]

I've been a member of the AMA for a few decades now and they have done a LOT to support the UAS Community. Granted they (and myself) were against "Multi-Rotors" but for very good and valid reasons. They (and of course I) have had a change of heart over the years and now embrace MR to a much greater extent. There are still some AMA flying clubs that out-right do not allow MR flight but that's their prerogative. I know of at least ONE club that does this because the Land Owner (they only lease the land) has mandated that no "Drones" (his collective term for MultiRotors) are allowed on his land. So in that case the Flying Club has no option in the matter.

For those who are considering AMA is has a lot of advantages besides just the Liability Insurance (no hull coverage for Hobby). They have a LEGAL team that can provide advice/counsel in certain UAS situations. Our flying club was being sued by a local land owner who recently moved to the area and built a house directly adjacent to the property we leased. She claimed the "constant whine" of the aircraft caused her mental anguish and because of this she became 100% disabled and could no longer work. We contacted AMA and they provided documentation, suggestions, and councel to help us get through the fairly significant law suit. When our attorney presented his case to the judge it was clear our T's were crossed and our I's had been dotted. In just 2 hours the case was dismissed and we were good to go.

Also it's important (especially right now with the new Proposed FAA rules) to realize that the AMA has people in place to help support our industry from a Political standpoint. Due to the AMA being a Non-Profit the amount of $$ they can send to a Lobbyist is limited that doesn't mean they/WE don't have representation. The AMA actually has a dedicated team of Lobbyists physically in DC working each and every day for our industry. The best part is they are devoted entirely to supporting the R/C industry and don't have any ties to Manned aircraft (Unlike AOPA and EAA).

In addition to an active team of Lobbyists physically in DC each day, the AMA Government Affairs Team travels to DC every few weeks to meet face to face with Congressional Offices on behalf of the membership.

While it's true they are limited as to how much they can do financially etc through lobbying, they are heavily committed to doing everything in their power and they are there on OUR behalf every single working day.

www.modelaircraft.org

 

[harle83]

On the other hand by joining AMA you are supporting an organization that works to your advantage.

During the comment. Period For the FAA proposed rulemaking they sent emails to their three times encouraging members to comment and even gave them ideas on how to. Comment appropriately.

also having an AMA membership allows you to fly at AMA fields.

I’m really not advocating for AMA just pointing out they do some good.

When I compare the AMA and the AARL-Amateur Radio Club, there are huge differences. Some rather glaring. When the FAA was allocating for it new budget the AMA and the “Big” 3 Tech were in the room, oddly enough the AMA was not at the table for us but in the back of the hearing room. The AARL on the other hand is always upfront and actively engaged to protect our rights. The AARL has a Welth of teaching, how to’s and rules books as well as test study guides to learn to hows and whys of radio so you don’t loss a finger hand or worse by stickin your hand in an unproperly discharged 1500 watt Amp and instantly turning to toast and sadly losing a life. It happens more than you know. They also teach and Approve volun examiners to test new and upgrading hams.Finally the group has a lobbing arm in DC year around advocating for Operators.

i know the organization is completely different and has a base of over 850,000 hams to draw from of which over 170,000.and the organization has been around pretty much since the beginnings of Radio. So yes different but I feel the AMA needs to be much more proactive. Where I live out in Western Iowa there’s no sight or sound of them and I also fly in a Fixed Wing Club at our Towered Airport by the kindness of Airport Management. If RID and “ drone prisons“ become a reality then hobby pilots like me currently have no place to fly. The closest AMA Site is almost a 100 miles away. So not possible, not even remotely.

II think we all know that the proposal as written does not and will not hold water. There will be changes and hopefully so that we will not need to worry.

Have members and charging yearly dues is one thing, showing up and fighting activity for us is a completely different thing. I hope I haven’t offended anyone, this is my opinion and yes at 57 and being disabled my RC Hobby is a great majority of my my fun and focus. I enjoy all 3 Truck,Fixed, and Drone thanks to my beautiful wife of 37 years. At the moment we sit watch and wait. Hope those of us who are among the 17000 plus commenters will be heard.I hope will be louder or treated the same as “The Commercial Drone Alliance”. That’s all they are give to us, it’s about the money we and in three the FAA can rake in. We sadly are at the bottom of the pole looking up.

As always YMMV.

THANKS Everyone!

 

[RetiredInFL]

@harle83

As a "ham" for well over 50 (maybe 55?) years I'm familiar with the ARRL. I still have a repeater spewing my calls up in NJ which I haven't used in probably 15 years. LOL! I always preferred Wayne Green and 73 Mag organization anyway. I wonder how many of those 850,000 (actually 750K per FCC) hams are active these days. I'd bet maybe 20% and most all (like me) a bunch of old farts. Lost interest when cell phone service then computers became big and computers became my livlihood. Haven't had any kind of rig in decades other than 2 meter handheld eons ago. I know they are mixing them into ham radio but (to me) it's still a big MEH. Got my Advanced ticket back when you actually had to go into NYC to the FCC and face that guy with the big stinky cigar and take a real test INCLUDING CODE! Now they just give licenses out with not much effort. I'm really surprised to hear the ARRL is still a "viable" organization. I know their magazine has shrunk and was surprised it still exists. Saw it a couple weeks ago.

 

[Deleted member 114292]

When I compare the AMA and the AARL-Amateur Radio Club, there are huge differences. Some rather glaring. When the FAA was allocating for it new budget the AMA and the “Big” 3 Tech were in the room, oddly enough the AMA was not at the table for us but in the back of the hearing room. The AARL on the other hand is always upfront and actively engaged to protect our rights. The AARL has a Welth of teaching, how to’s and rules books as well as test study guides to learn to hows and whys of radio so you don’t loss a finger hand or worse by stickin your hand in an unproperly discharged 1500 watt Amp and instantly turning to toast and sadly losing a life. It happens more than you know. They also teach and Approve volun examiners to test new and upgrading hams.Finally the group has a lobbing arm in DC year around advocating for Operators.

i know the organization is completely different and has a base of over 850,000 hams to draw from of which over 170,000.and the organization has been around pretty much since the beginnings of Radio. So yes different but I feel the AMA needs to be much more proactive. Where I live out in Western Iowa there’s no sight or sound of them and I also fly in a Fixed Wing Club at our Towered Airport by the kindness of Airport Management. If RID and “ drone prisons“ become a reality then hobby pilots like me currently have no place to fly. The closest AMA Site is almost a 100 miles away. So not possible, not even remotely.

II think we all know that the proposal as written does not and will not hold water. There will be changes and hopefully so that we will not need to worry.

Have members and charging yearly dues is one thing, showing up and fighting activity for us is a completely different thing. I hope I haven’t offended anyone, this is my opinion and yes at 57 and being disabled my RC Hobby is a great majority of my my fun and focus. I enjoy all 3 Truck,Fixed, and Drone thanks to my beautiful wife of 37 years. At the moment we sit watch and wait. Hope those of us who are among the 17000 plus commenters will be heard.I hope will be louder or treated the same as “The Commercial Drone Alliance”. That’s all they are give to us, it’s about the money we and in three the FAA can rake in. We sadly are at the bottom of the pole looking up.

As always YMMV.

THANKS Everyone!

Maybe the test seems easier today to get your ticket but you still have to work for it. Hams were always amazingly good at following the rules. Partly because you had to take a test which involves a little bit of work and you valued your license.

The ARRL is very different from the AMA. For one thing their primary mission is to convey and advance technology. In my day they were tons of volunteers to help you get your ticket.

I was very disappointed with the AMA. I wanted to learn how to fly an RC plane and they make a lot of noise about training but, at least in my area, there isn’t much behind it.

I was unable to find any club anywhere close to me they had actual trainers. They claim to have instructors but when it came down to it none of them actually wanted to do it.
At one point I drove to Gainesville and paid $700 for three days of lessons I had to stay in a hotel.
And this is palm beach county not some backwoods area.
Flying an RC fixed wing aircraft is way harder than a drone.
Also they were not welcoming to UAS pilots at all. Except when they wanted me to go find their crashed model with my drone.

And in someways both hobbies have jumped the shark. Computers smart phones and satellites rule the roost for communications and UAS flying is much more popular.

I’m not trying to pass judgment I’m just conveying my experiences and frustration.

 

[LazerMan]

I'm an AMA member and after I read there comments on RID I wrote them a letter asking why there wasn't more support for drone pilots and that I would not be renewing my membership unless they addd more to protect us. I never heard back from them.

 

[OurAngryBadger]

I have general / commercial liability through state farm for $42/month for my photography business (had it for 3 years for non drone stuff), and just yesterday they said it will also cover drone work, and they also let me add equipment insurance on my mavic 2 (covered up to 1500, replacment cost) for $50/year.

Edit: yes the equipment ins. covers both hobby and business use

 

[dronerdave]

One thing about AMA (as an insurer to process a claim) is IIRC you're required follow AMA rules during the flight. Fly out of compliance and you might not be covered. I'm not talking loss of control that ends up out of compliance but purposely pulling a bonehead move such as intending to fly BVLOS, flying in NFZ's and similar actions considered contrary to their rules. And as mentioned they don't cover your aircraft. At my main field it's common to see a RC plane go down at almost every event. In the drone world it seems most people are worried more about their quad being covered for loss as compared to the action that can be taken against you if a flight goes wrong and someone sues you. I'm AMA because I fly fixed wing at a few AMA fields weekly. If I was more of a serious multi-rotor operator (such as a 107 pilot) and fly where I have a greater chance of something causing havoc if something bad happens, I'd be looking for extra coverage more suited for business AND join AMA.

Does anybody know for sure if AMA covers you as the primary insurer or is it a secondary insurance that kicks in after your personal insurance is exhausted? I was told the latter is correct but I actually don't know.

 

[BaeByte]

@harle83

As a "ham" for well over 50 (maybe 55?) years I'm familiar with the ARRL. I still have a repeater spewing my calls up in NJ which I haven't used in probably 15 years. LOL! I always preferred Wayne Green and 73 Mag organization anyway. I wonder how many of those 850,000 (actually 750K per FCC) hams are active these days. I'd bet maybe 20% and most all (like me) a bunch of old farts. Lost interest when cell phone service then computers became big and computers became my livlihood. Haven't had any kind of rig in decades other than 2 meter handheld eons ago. I know they are mixing them into ham radio but (to me) it's still a big MEH. Got my Advanced ticket back when you actually had to go into NYC to the FCC and face that guy with the big stinky cigar and take a real test INCLUDING CODE! Now they just give licenses out with not much effort. I'm really surprised to hear the ARRL is still a "viable" organization. I know their magazine has shrunk and was surprised it still exists. Saw it a couple weeks ago.

Not all of us are old farts like you put it, while not a child in my early 40s I've very much active although lately I've taken to long range DX lately my 2m is always on and I hear a lot of chatter on a daily basis.

As for this topic, you can't even begin to compare the AARL against the AMA they're worlds apart.