Many of you have questions about AMA’s future and what it could mean for our flying sites, clubs, and model aviation communities. These are important issues, and the decisions ahead will have a lasting impact on our organization and the hobby we serve. For decades, AMA has worked to protect, […]
Continue readingCategory: Membership
Membership 360 – Webinar Series
By Mark Feist, Leader Member and DIII AVP The Membership 360 plan takes a comprehensive approach to membership retention and growth by bringing together AMA staff, districts, Leader Members, club officers, and members to strengthen our hobby. As an AMA member, you play an important role in helping clubs grow, […]
Continue reading
Leader Member Highlight: Bob Belluomini
By Bob Belluomini I was first introduced to model aviation when a new family moved in across the street at the age of 10. I was intrigued by the Free Flight (FF) and Control Line (CL) models hanging from the ceiling of the detached garage. My first model was a […]
Continue reading
How to Start an AMA Club: It Only Takes Five Members
Thinking about starting an RC flying club or model aviation club in your community? It might be easier than you think. You only need five current AMA members to start an AMA Chartered Club. Becoming an AMA Chartered Club can give your group access to valuable benefits and resources, including […]
Continue reading
The Spirit That Lifts Us
President’s Perspective By Greg Stone, AMA President | amapresident@modelaircraft.org As seen in the August 2026 issue of Model Aviation. EVERY TIME I visit an AMA flying site, I’m reminded of something powerful. Our hobby doesn’t run on fuel, batteries, or even lift: It runs on people and the spirit of […]
Continue readingMembership 360 – A Plan to Drive Growth!
Mark Feist, Leader Member and DIII AVP The hobby of model aviation and AMA experienced significant growth from 1970 to 1990. From 1990 through 2002, AMA membership moved up and down, but total membership numbers remained about the same overall and across Senior, Adult, and Youth categories; however, since 2002, […]
Continue reading
Leader Member Highlight: David Cook
By David Cook My interest in model aviation appears to have begun well before I was born. I can trace it back to my father’s attendance at the 1934 Cleveland Air Races in Ohio as a young boy. Growing up, my father and I spent many hours building and attempting […]
Continue reading
Why AMA Membership Is Worth It: Real Stories from Members
1. A Community That Keeps You Engaged “Meeting with other fliers and belonging to local clubs.”— Dale, Adult Senior, FL One of the most common themes is community. AMA membership connects you with local clubs where you can: For many, this turns flying from a solo hobby into something much […]
Continue reading
6 Ways to Grow Your Club
Real ideas from clubs across the country Growing a model aviation club isn’t about one big idea—it’s about doing a lot of small things well, consistently. In our recent webinar, we pulled together insights from experienced club leaders and AMA staff to highlight what’s actually working today. Whether your club […]
Continue reading
What It’s Like to Be a Youth AMA Member
For many young people, model aviation starts with a simple interest. An airplane. A drone. A question. How do I get started? For youth members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), that curiosity quickly turns into something more. It Starts with Interest “Planning for aviation, hence wanting to join […]
Continue reading