The AMA's Website
We are all familiar with the AMA. Everyone of us who fly model aircraft at Flightmasters Field on a regular
basis is a member of the "Academy of Model Aeronautics" - the AMA - because it's a club rule! Some modelers,
in fact, have the misconception that the AMA's sole purpose is to provide the insurance that we model aircraft pilots
need should an accident occur. Yes, the AMA does provide liability insurance to model aircraft pilots and to
the model aircraft club to which they belong, as well as to the site owners. But that isn't the only thing the
AMA does for modelers. The AMA provides many, many more benefits to it's members than just insurance, but
that is not the scope nor purpose of this article.
The intent of this article is to inform you, in case you don't already know, of just some of the features available
to the modeler on the AMA website. The logo above is a link to the "Home Page" of the AMA's website. In
fact, EACH of the images shown on this page are "links" to a specific section of the AMA's website. "Clicking" any
image will open a new window with that part of the AMA's site. When finished browsing that section, just close the window and you will be back here.
The "SPORT AVIATOR" section is, in truth, not a part of the AMA's website, but a complete website in itself. It is
an internet magazine, much like any other magazine, except that it is ONLY available on the internet. This type of
"electonic magazine" is referred to as an "e-zine". "Sport Aviator" is a function of "Model Aviation" and is aimed at the
newcomer to the hobby. There are many "departments" inside of "Sport Aviator", such as "Flight-Tech", which is a large
collection of "How-To's", and "On The Flightline", which is made up of Kit and ARF "Reviews". There are also departments
dealing with Test Pilot Reports, Student Logbook, Advanced Training and etc. It is a good place to pick up some
invaluable advice for newcomers ... and even for us "older" pilots as well.
The "AMA INSIDER" is published ONLY electronically, and on a bimonthly basis for members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics.
Its purpose is to create a network of information exchange between the AMA's chartered clubs and the AMA's officials.
It is, more or less, a newsletter whose contents are collected from AMA charterd club newsletters and various other sources
within (and outside) of the AMA. Most of the information contained within the "INSIDER" may be used and distributed in local
newsletters, etc. It is by subscription and I recommend ALL AMA members subscribe and read it regularly. (As a
matter of fact, there is an article about WD-40 that was published in another newsletter somewhere, that inspired me to do my
own research and write the article on page one of this issue.)
The final section of the AMA's website I will discuss at this time is the "Digital Archives" section. The link at the
right will take you there, but you MUST be "signed in" to view the archives. It is another section that is very helpful and useful
for finding old information. The "Digital Archives" are comprised of almost every article that has appeard in "Model Aviation"
magazine. It is "searchable" by both content and date. I have used it very much to gather information needed for some of the
articles I have written.
I believe we need to take advantage of what is offered to us. If we don't, we are missing a lot!
Until next time ....
Ron
We are all familiar with the AMA. Everyone of us who fly model aircraft at Flightmasters Field on a regular basis is a member of the "Academy of Model Aeronautics" - the AMA - because it's a club rule! Some modelers, in fact, have the misconception that the AMA's sole purpose is to provide the insurance that we model aircraft pilots need should an accident occur. Yes, the AMA does provide liability insurance to model aircraft pilots and to the model aircraft club to which they belong, as well as to the site owners. But that isn't the only thing the AMA does for modelers. The AMA provides many, many more benefits to it's members than just insurance, but that is not the scope nor purpose of this article.
The intent of this article is to inform you, in case you don't already know, of just some of the features available to the modeler on the AMA website. The logo above is a link to the "Home Page" of the AMA's website. In fact, EACH of the images shown on this page are "links" to a specific section of the AMA's website. "Clicking" any image will open a new window with that part of the AMA's site. When finished browsing that section, just close the window and you will be back here.
The "SPORT AVIATOR" section is, in truth, not a part of the AMA's website, but a complete website in itself. It is an internet magazine, much like any other magazine, except that it is ONLY available on the internet. This type of "electonic magazine" is referred to as an "e-zine". "Sport Aviator" is a function of "Model Aviation" and is aimed at the newcomer to the hobby. There are many "departments" inside of "Sport Aviator", such as "Flight-Tech", which is a large collection of "How-To's", and "On The Flightline", which is made up of Kit and ARF "Reviews". There are also departments dealing with Test Pilot Reports, Student Logbook, Advanced Training and etc. It is a good place to pick up some invaluable advice for newcomers ... and even for us "older" pilots as well.
The "AMA INSIDER" is published ONLY electronically, and on a bimonthly basis for members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Its purpose is to create a network of information exchange between the AMA's chartered clubs and the AMA's officials. It is, more or less, a newsletter whose contents are collected from AMA charterd club newsletters and various other sources within (and outside) of the AMA. Most of the information contained within the "INSIDER" may be used and distributed in local newsletters, etc. It is by subscription and I recommend ALL AMA members subscribe and read it regularly. (As a matter of fact, there is an article about WD-40 that was published in another newsletter somewhere, that inspired me to do my own research and write the article on page one of this issue.)
The final section of the AMA's website I will discuss at this time is the "Digital Archives" section. The link at the right will take you there, but you MUST be "signed in" to view the archives. It is another section that is very helpful and useful for finding old information. The "Digital Archives" are comprised of almost every article that has appeard in "Model Aviation" magazine. It is "searchable" by both content and date. I have used it very much to gather information needed for some of the articles I have written.
I believe we need to take advantage of what is offered to us. If we don't, we are missing a lot!
Ron