Academy of Model Aeronautics

as a recognized sport as well as a recreational activity. It is the largest organization of its kind with a current membership of more than 170,000 members.

Founded in 1936, the AMA is the official national body for model aviation in the United States. They sanction more than one thousand model competitions throughout the country each year, charter more than 2500 model airplane clubs and offer contest sanctioning, liability insurance and the procurement of flying sites. In addition, they also certify official model flying records.

All AMA-chartered clubs require their flying members to purchase AMA memberships for said liability insurance. In order to be covered by their insurance, an AMA member does not need to fly at a chartered club's flying site, but members have to follow their guidelines. AMA's insurance coverage is in excess of one's homeowner's or other insurance.

With the burgeoning interest in small park flyer aircraft which are often flown outside of sanctioned fields, the AMA now provides low-cost membership and coverage for park flyer enthusiasts.

AMA organizes the annual National Aeromodeling Championships, the world's largest model airplane competition as well as providing press coverage of major meets across the country via their monthly publication, "Model Aviation".

Given the unique nature of model aviation insofar as it requires both airspace as well as frequency allocation for radio control, the AMA serves as a liaison with both the Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Communications Commission with the American Radio Relay League as an additional partner. As an associate member of the National Aeronautic Association, the AMA is recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the world governing body of all aviation activity.

Insurance

While many members view AMA insurance as the primary purpose of the organization, the insurance program is low on the list of priorities.

When the organization was formed there was no insurance program. The first offering of optional liability insurance was first suggested in 1939. $0.50 extra was to provide $500.00 liability protection. By the early 1940s, coverage was raised to $1000.00 worth of protection.

By the mid 1940's the insurance program was often referred to as a "gas license" as it was becoming required for operation of gasoline-powered models at most club flying sites and for many contests.

The insurance program presently offers US$2.5 million in coverage. Most leases on flying sites not owned by an aeromodeling club require adequate insurance to be carried by all people who will be flying; many clubs require AMA membership even for guests flying models at their field.

AMA also offers optional site insurance which is considered to be primary coverage and is very low cost. This insurance is subsidized by part of each member's dues.

There is also an additional insurance coverage for each sanctioned event.

By providing the insurance, AMA makes it far easier for clubs or individuals to acquire access to flying sites. It is now standard policy of the US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) to require AMA insurance or equivalent coverage in order to acquire a lease of COE-managed land for model aircraft operation.

"See also:" Model Aeronautics Association of Canada

External links

* [http://www.modelaircraft.org/ Official website of the Academy of Model Aeronautics]
* [http://www.maac.ca/ Official web site of the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada]