The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is committed to delivering high-quality Model Aviation magazine content that informs, inspires, and connects our community of aeromodelers.
Because of rising production and distribution costs, AMA will implement a $10 annual fee for eligible members who choose to receive the print edition of Model Aviation, effective September 1, 2026. This decision follows careful evaluation and thoughtful discussion to ensure that we can sustainably maintain the quality of the magazine you value. We understand that changes to long-standing member benefits can be frustrating, especially for those who value the print editions.
At less than $1 per month, this adjustment allows us to continue producing a printed, monthly publication that covers all facets of this great hobby while sharing the latest news from AMA.
Starting September 1, 2026, all new and renewing eligible members will automatically be subscribed to Model Aviation Digital at no additional cost. The digital edition offers an enhanced experience, including direct links to bonus content, videos, and advertisers—providing even more ways to stay engaged and informed.
To confirm that AMA has your correct email address, please update your online AMA profile by logging in at modelaircraft.org/user/login or by contacting the Membership department at membersupport@modelaircraft.org.
Model Aviation remains the only aeromodeling magazine that is printed and distributed in the US, and we are proud to continue offering both print and digital options to serve the diverse preferences of our membership.
We appreciate your understanding and ongoing support as we adapt to ensure the long-term strength of this valued member benefit.
For me the additional $10 a year is well worth it for a printed edition of the monthly magazine.
I cutout and save articles, drop off read issues to the local library and much prefer reading a magazine during breakfast and supper.
Digital editions just don’t get it for me and they’re usually deleted before being read. I just get tired of smart phones and laptops. Printed, mark the page and come right back to where you we’re earlier.
Thanks Brian, for writing exactly my reasons for a hard copy of Model Aviation. It also is what I need when waiting for an appointment in the doctors / dentist office.
First you raise the dues and now for the magazine. It never ends.
Inflation. Everything goes up in cost over time. And some administrations in goverment have caused self inflocted increases in inflation. Its actually amazing that te AMA has not increased their fees for such a long time.
Do you think AMA is not charging the vendors that advertise in the magazine also. Really, I think it’s called double dipping. Everyone think about it. I can’t seem to find a excel spreadsheet or a pie chart showing AMA’s expenses.
I agree, for what they are charging for dues and now the magazine I think they should make public their account records to members to see where the money is going and hold them accountable.
Will the digital edition allow me to print out articles or individual pages if desired?
If so, can I store them on my computer.? Your answer may be of interest to others.
Thanks
Yes! You have the option to view each article like a webpage, or as it appears printed. And there is a print button in the top right corner for each page.
Bob,
The digital edition does also allow you to download the entire issue as a PDF to your computer. You can then print it out in its entirety or just select pages.
You will spend more on paper and ink for your color printer. So why not just get the printed copy.
I am an AMA life member and would like to continue receiving the print edition. Will this change impact me? If so, what will I need to do to continue getting the print edition?
At this time, we are seeking clarification from the Executive Council regarding Life memberships and paying to receive the print version of Model Aviation magaine. Once we receive that clarification, we will post the answer in this blog.
Rob Kurek
Director of Communications
AMA is also upping the cost for suppliers to advertise in the printed edition anyway so why up the cost for life members.
It says “…all new and renewing eligible members…”. So if my membership does not renew until 2028, will I continue receiving the print edition at no cost or will I need to switch over to digital on 1-Sep?
Cheers!
I’m double checking, but you are correct. Until you renew your membership in 2028 it will stay as print. UPDATE: Confirmed, print subscriptions will be honored through their expiration date.
Looks like someone just got caught speeding up the extra cost early. Come on.
I just renewed for 1 yr. If I had known this was happening I would have renewed for several years! Can I go back and revise my renewal order?
If you contact Member Support you should be able to extend your membership.
I think no ever likes having to pay more. But really, AMA is quite a bargain. Not only do we have a national headquarters with an extensive flying site, support for clubs, preservation of history, and much more. We even get a substantial monthly publication (a rare enough thing on it’s own, today). But most importantly, we get national representation in this ever complex and capricious federal government that has kept our hobby intact. It could have been easily overridden by some politician’s ignorance and simply deleted as a convenience to commercial airspace.
Sounds like someone from management has piped in to explain how great we have it.
Cost for everything go up, no big deal. NRA did the same thing, again no big deal, I would challenge these member who do nothing but complain to find a better way.
Thank You AMA, you all do a great job!
I was into control line stunt and combat, r/c planes and cars back in the 1970’s. I grew up drag racing for the majority of my life. I think the complaints about the expense of AMA are funny. Between the annual cost of FAA, AMA, local flying clubs and fields, it doesn’t come close to even 1 day of fuel for my drag cars. I think a $10 cost of a printed magazine is a bargain. Has anyone even noticed that there have been recent price increases just for USPS? AMA, please keep up the excellent work.
I work in printing field if you knew what it cost to print a magazine that $10 is nothing
Less than a dollar a month seems reasonable for preserving a specialized print publication, especially while digital access remains included.
Clear instructions for life members and people renewing early will probably prevent most confusion.
A clarification on how this change will affect Life members:
Current life members are grandfathered and can continue to receive print at no cost. Anyone who becomes a life member after September 1 will be charged $10 annually.
It’s good that AMA is keeping both print and digital options available. The $10 annual print fee seems understandable given rising production and mailing costs, while digital access still gives members a no-cost alternative.
I feel an important consideration has been overlooked in the fact that many many adults and children have been introduced to this wonderful hobby by reading one of these magazines passed onto doctors offices, car dealerships, libraries, etc. through membership dues. Sure, ten dollars is not a lot of money by itself, but when you add all the cost together for AMA membership dues, local club dues, cost of equipment and FAA registration dues (which are guaranteed to increase consistently due to our governments involvement) before long RC flying will be unaffordable for those we are desperately trying to bring into the sport. Before long, model aviation will be enjoyed by the ten percent not unlike full scale aviation is today!
After reading the statement below, I truly appreciate my membership and the ability to use the AMA facilities as often as I want; it’s a deal!!! It’s a blessing living only 30 miles from the AMA in Muncie, Indiana!
Starting September 1, 2026, all new and renewing eligible members will automatically be subscribed to Model Aviation Digital at no additional cost. The digital edition offers an enhanced experience, including direct links to bonus content, videos, and advertisers—providing even more ways to stay engaged and informed.