MEMBERSHIP DUES INCREASE
DURING THE June 2022 AMA Executive Council (EC) meeting, the board approved a dues increase. This decision is never taken lightly. Increasing dues is done after we have explored other options, including ways to increase non-dues revenue, cutting costs, and reducing member benefits. The AMA has a long history of keeping dues consistent.
AMA’s last dues increase was voted on in 2015—seven years ago. The previous dues increase was in 2002, marking a 20-year period with only one increase.
Recent inflation has certainly impacted everyone, and the AMA has felt this as well. As of this writing, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was up 9.1%, the largest increase since 1981. We have felt the impact of inflation throughout the past two years.
During the pandemic, supply chain disruptions caused paper prices to increase substantially. We were advised late last year to expect increases in the insurance premiums because of a hard market, and inflation will only exacerbate the insurance markets. Labor costs have also increased across the country.
For members who are feeling the crunch of higher costs everywhere, there are ways to delay the dues increase. The EC voted on a plan that allows discounts for two-year and three-year memberships. If you sign up for the three-year membership, the rate is still the equivalent of the current membership price, although you would pay the entire cost up front.
The cost of Life Memberships has not increased for many years. The new rate is $1,936, which is still a great value. The price was selected because 1936 was the year in which the AMA was founded. A Life Membership gives you all of the benefits that you currently have, while eliminating the concern for future dues increases.
A dues increase does not show up on the balance sheet right away. There is an expected decrease in membership after any increase in costs. This has proven to be temporary in the past.
With the membership plans available, members can delay the increase in cost, which in turn delays the revenue increase. A revenue increase typically is not felt for a couple of years. Next year, 2023, will be a year with higher expenses.
On top of inflation factors, the FAA reauthorization bill is up for changes in 2023. This will mean more travel expenses to Washington, D.C., lobbying expenses, and member communications.
—Keith Sessions,
AMA Chief Financial Officer
Up, Up, and Away With
an RC Balloon
AMA PLANS SERVICE houses all plans formerly sold through Model Builder magazine, Bill Northrup’s Plan Service, and the Scratch Builder’s Almanac. There are more than 18,000 plans in the collection.
Would you like to put some lift in your flying? If so, you should build the Raven 03 RC Hot Air Balloon designed by George Steiner. Its features include a gondola with wicker covering, gores, and vent holes. It is similar to a full-scale hot air balloon. The diameter of the balloon is 49 inches at its widest part.
You can order plans for the Raven 03 RC Hot Air Balloon, plans number 10851, at https://plans.modelaircraft.org for $13.
MORE THAN $69,000 IN
GRANTS AWARDED
THE AMA FOUNDATION has announced the 2022 recipients of the Flying Site Improvement Grant and the Take Off and Grow grant (TAG).
A total of 41 clubs were awarded Flying Site Improvement Grants. This program provides funding for AMA chartered clubs that have made improvements or plan to make improvements to their flying sites. In addition to helping clubs enhance their flying sites into something to be proud of, AMA believes that well-maintained flying sites can increase a club’s visibility to the public and promote community engagement.
Also in 2022, TAG grants were awarded to 17 clubs. Grant recipients use these funds to introduce the public to model aviation and promote the hobby by holding community events. To qualify for this grant, a club must apply. After the event occurs, clubs that were awarded the grant funds must provide a detailed write-up about the success of the event, including photographs.
To see a full list of the 2022 TAG and Flying Site Improvement Grant recipients, visit https://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amafoundation/2022/05/06/2022-grants-a.... Congratulations to these grant recipients!
WORLD WAR II VETERAN
PASSES
A FORMER AMA MEMBER and lieutenant colonel who served as a World War II pilot has passed away. Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson died June 22, 2022, at age 100.
Alexander said in an October 2015 interview that he had built model airplanes all of his life, which taught him the principles of flight. He later used that knowledge while serving with the U.S. Army Air Forces. He was assigned to the 332nd Red Tail Fighter Group as a Tuskegee Airman. He flew more than 18 missions in the military, including escorting B-17s from Italy to Germany. He also flew BT-13s and P-40s for the military.
A resident of Detroit throughout his life, he joined the U.S. Army Air Forces in September 1942. On August 12, 1944, the aircraft that he was in was shot down over southern France. He parachuted to the ground, where he was captured by Nazis and later put in a prisoner of war camp.
Alexander retired from the military in 1969. His military honors include the Purple Heart, Air Force Achievement Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, American Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Reserve Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the Bronze Star. In 1995, he was inducted into the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame. The Congressional Gold Medal was presented to Alexander and the Tuskegee Airmen in 2007 by President George W. Bush. In November 2021, the city of Detroit gave him a key to the city, announcing that the Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson Plaza would be built in his honor.
You can watch an extended interview with him at www.youtube.com/5a2jJAvyW9A. A portion of the interview appeared on an October 2015 episode of AMA Air.
AMA Thanks
Its Lifetime
Supporters!
The Academy of Model Aeronautics recently welcomed Life Members Ryan Donnelly, Ravena NY; Terry L. Wiggers, Wichita KS; Albert J. Hibpshman, Gilbert SC; Jeanette R. Hibpshman, Gilbert SC; Brian J. Muzek, Huntsville AL; Cody Fortier, Opelousas LA; Terry K. Frazer, Muncie IN; Robert Root, Ventura CA; Faust R. Parker, Weatherford TX; Wendell Hostetler, Orrville OH; Jim Tiller, Custer SD; and John Hoover, Keego Harbor MI.
For information about becoming a Life Member, contact AMA Headquarters at (800) 435-9262.
—AMA Membership Department
History Preserved
By Jackie Shalberg, National Model Aviation Museum archivist and historian
FOR MORE THAN 36 years, the Museum Patron Program has offered model aviation history enthusiasts the chance to financially support the museum. The program was approved at the November 1985 AMA Executive Council meeting and initiated on January 1, 1986. Today, this program helps fund the museum’s special projects, collections care and development, exhibit work, and more.
The museum archives stores brochures and flyers that were produced to advertise the Museum Patron Program. According to the introductory flyer about the program, patron levels were listed as Regular ($10 per year), Charter ($100 for the first year then $10 per year after), and Life (a $1,000 one-time payment). All patrons received a special patron card with a level-specific patron number, a level-specific pin, a bumper sticker, a patch, and the museum’s printed newsletter, Cloud 9. Depending on a patron’s level, a two-, three-, or five-digit patron number was assigned.
Current Patron gifts
Past patron gifts
Throughout the years, a few changes were made to the program. The special card and numbers were dropped, and fees and patron levels changed. The museum varied the patron gifts offered throughout the years, including certificates, pins, decals, patches, bumper stickers, mousepads, and newsletters. Some of these are now housed in our collections, and a few of them are pictured with this article.
We currently have three levels of patronage: Patron ($25 per year), Supporting Patron ($100 per year), and Museum Life Patron (a $1,000 one-time payment). At the time of this writing, those who sign up for their first year in the Patron Program will receive a mini bumper sticker, a lapel pin featuring the museum’s logo, and a mousepad with an image of the museum’s hobby shop exhibit. (Please note that patron gift supplies are limited and might be subject to change without notice.)
In addition to these gifts, Supporting Patrons receive a certificate, and Museum Life Patrons receive a certificate plaque. All current patrons receive the AMA Foundation’s newsletter, The Torch, via email, and discounts on museum research fees, purchases from the museum store (online and in-person), and AMA Plans Service purchases.
Anyone can become a National Model Aviation Museum Patron; you do not need to be an AMA member to join. Would you like to support the museum by becoming a patron? Visit our website at www.modelaircraft.org/donate to join!
