Thanks to all of you for the posts.

We just can't let this out of control government take over everything. We are slipping into socialism and I'm afraid people just don't see it coming. Call me a rebel I guess.

Yes something needs done with the ability to fly remote control vehicles into the clouds and flight paths of aircraft but... not us. Putting each and every one of us personally under the thumb of the feds is just ridiculous.

The AMA and the FAA has been feeding us bull for a couple years. I was at the meetings at Joe Nall when they stood there and said.. "it won't affect you!" Those lying S.O.B.'s

This is exactly what has me ticked off. Typical liberal progressives moving forward to control the stupid people that need guidance... yeah right. Up your taxes to pay for them to control. Not this kid.

According to the AMA website, they have over 175K members. At $70 each, that comes to $12.25M in revenue. In return, I get a magazine that I read for about 5 minutes a month, and an insurance policy that kicks in after my homeowners, my umbrella, and any other coverage is exhausted. I also get the power of the AMA to support my interests .

It feels more like paying union dues than a membership. If you don't pay, you can't fly at most fields. When you do pay, you struggle to find the value. At an individual level, it's easy to cover the expense, but do I get $70 in value every year? Hard to say, especially given the lack of success fighting big brother.

Let's face it, the FAA gets over $15.2B in government appropriations for 2015, and the AMA has .08% of their financial clout. Washington says "control everything that flies" and they control your purse strings... the AMA has been little more than a nuisance, and this week's ruling just exposes that reality to the membership.

What do you do when you're out flying and there's a gnat buzzing around your face? You pay it as little attention as possible, maybe swat it away, and you stay focused on your goal... The FAA just swatted the AMA away.

Mike & Karl....I agree completely. Just unbelievably stupid and naive for them to think this is going to address issues of flying ANYTHING in a prohibited area and at putting others at risk.

Originally Posted by JuStOnE

Mike & Karl....I agree completely. Just unbelievably stupid and naive for them to think this is going to address issues of flying ANYTHING in a prohibited area and at putting others at risk.

I also agree but I also pick and choose my battles.

A couple of bucks a year. Seriously? You're going to beat the battle drums, raise your blood pressure, and throw away thousands (or tens of thousands) of dollars 'cause $2 a year is some kind of tax increase???

$2!

That's it.

TWO bucks a year. You're going to single handedly take on the federal government for TWO DOLLARS a year?!?

Have fun. I'm going flying...

Originally Posted by Pappy

I also agree but I also pick and choose my battles.

A couple of bucks a year. Seriously? You're going to beat the battle drums, raise your blood pressure, and throw away thousands (or tens of thousands) of dollars 'cause $2 a year is some kind of tax increase???

$2!

That's it.

TWO bucks a year. You're going to single handedly take on the federal government for TWO DOLLARS a year?!?

Have fun. I'm going flying...

Yeah only $2. Nobody protesting the $1 trillion omnibus spending package.

The problem isn't the $2. It's the rule that comes with it. The last thing we need is the government sticking there noses in our business.

Originally Posted by ericb

The problem isn't the $2. It's the rule that comes with it. The last thing we need is the government sticking there noses in our business.

What rule?

That you have to register your aircraft. What word should I have used to please you?

Originally Posted by ericb

That you have to register your aircraft. What word should I have used to please you?

You are good, registration is nothing, I thought for a moment you were one of those conspiracy theorists trying to fire up the troops without merit.
happy flyin'

Originally Posted by flyin4fun

You are good, registration is nothing, I thought for a moment you were one of those conspiracy theorists trying to fire up the troops without merit.
happy flyin'

Nope, just trying to point out that it is not the $5 that gets people worried.

Originally Posted by ericb

Nope, just trying to point out that it is not the $5 that gets people worried.

And why is this a problem? Don't want the government to have your personal info? Let's see:

Passport: Feds have it.
SS Administration: Feds again. Same info. Different agency.
Driver's License: State has it.
Tax Return: Feds Again. 3rd different agency with all your info
Voter Registration: Fed, State, and Local
Pilot's license (I have one): Feds. 4th agency

You guys are making a mountain out of a mole hill...

OK, let's pretend you have a 10 hear old child who wants to have their own drone. They want to fly it responsibly in a nearby park, so they register it and put that number on the drone. Maybe it's registered in your name since you are the adult.

Now, out flying on a nice day, a local sicko sees your child and the drone, and they walk over to "see the drone" and get the identification number off of it.

Now they can search the public database (just like your N number) and find out exactly where you live, maybe even a phone number.

Concerned now?

Originally Posted by Pappy

And why is this a problem? Don't want the government to have your personal info? Let's see:

Passport: Feds have it.
SS Administration: Feds again. Same info. Different agency.
Driver's License: State has it.
Tax Return: Feds Again. 3rd different agency with all your info
Voter Registration: Fed, State, and Local
Pilot's license (I have one): Feds. 4th agency

You guys are making a mountain out of a mole hill...

....And they (FEDS) have screwed them all up! BTW - I never said I'd quit flying RC, as you alluded to in your earlier quote of me. I said "I'll be damned if I'm going to let the FAA or the AMA infringe upon my enjoyment of this hobby".

Now....go ahead and bend over for Big Brother - again!

Originally Posted by JuStOnE

....And they (FEDS) have screwed them all up! BTW - I never said I'd quit flying RC, as you alluded to in your earlier quote of me. I said "I'll be damned if I'm going to let the FAA or the AMA infringe upon my enjoyment of this hobby".

Now....go ahead and bend over for Big Brother - again!

I think thats the issue everything they get involved in no matter how innocent it seems at first turns into a complete disaster.

Originally Posted by JuStOnE

....And they (FEDS) have screwed them all up! BTW - I never said I'd quit flying RC, as you alluded to in your earlier quote of me. I said "I'll be damned if I'm going to let the FAA or the AMA infringe upon my enjoyment of this hobby".

Now....go ahead and bend over for Big Brother - again!

Originally Posted by jlc

I think thats the issue everything they get involved in no matter how innocent it seems at first turns into a complete disaster.

This country is horrible, a disaster, overreaching, corruption, etc, And it aint gonna get better.
BUT, you know one thing that is great about this country IS, if you don't like it they let you leave.