Stronger together
IN AN ERA when many hobbies are increasingly solitary, aeromodeling continues to stand apart by being rooted in community, mentorship, and a shared passion. One of the most powerful ways to experience the hobby at its fullest is by joining—or even starting—an AMA chartered club.
A Legacy of Community
Since the mid-1960s, AMA’s chartered club program has provided a framework for members to come together, build friendships, and strengthen the hobby at the grassroots level. What began as a simple idea of organized groups of modelers supporting one another has grown into a nationwide network of nearly 2,400 clubs.
These clubs are more than just flying groups; they are hubs of knowledge, mentorship, and camaraderie. Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or brand new to the hobby, a club offers something you simply can’t replicate on your own.
Why Join a Chartered Club?
Flying solo has its appeal, but being a part of a club elevates the experience in meaningful ways:
- Camaraderie and connection: Clubs create a welcoming environment where members share stories, advice, and encouragement.
- Skill development: Learn faster by tapping into the experience of others—everything from building techniques to flight skills.
- Established flying sites: Clubs often secure and maintain safe, reliable flying fields.
- Events and activities: Fun-flys, competitions, and demonstrations keep the hobby engaging year-round.
Beyond the social benefits, AMA provides significant support to chartered clubs, including:
- Flying Site Assistance, Take off And Grow Grants, and Disaster Relief Grants
- Media recognition rewards
- Liability coverage for club officers and landowners
These benefits help to ensure that clubs not only survive but thrive.
A Changing Regulatory Landscape
AMA continues to advocate on behalf of all members, whether they fly independently or at club fields; however, it’s important to recognize a growing advantage for those who operate at AMA chartered club flying sites.
Recent actions by Congress and the FAA have provided greater flexibility for flying at established club sites, including:
- The ability to operate at higher altitudes in many cases.
- The reduced need for Remote ID modules under specific conditions.
These changes reinforce the value of organized club environments and highlight the importance of maintaining safe, federally recognized flying locations.
Starting a Club Is Easier Than You Think
If there isn’t a club in your area or if you see an opportunity to build something new, starting an AMA chartered club is more accessible than you might realize. Here’s what it takes:
Key Requirements
- Members: At least five current AMA members.
- Officers: At least three members must be 19 years of age or older and willing to serve as club officers, one of whom is the club safety coordinator.
- Bylaws: A set of club bylaws (AMA provides templates to help).
- Flying site: A safe location with latitude and longitude information sent to AMA.
Steps to Get Started
Gather interested members: Find at least five individuals who are ready to join or renew their AMA membership.
- Define your structure: Appoint officers and establish bylaws.
- Secure a flying site: Ensure that it meets safety and regulatory guidelines.
- Submit your application: Complete the chartering process through AMA.
Built for Growth
A chartered club is also one of the best ways to introduce new people to aeromodeling. Through services such as the AMA Introductory Pilot Program, clubs can offer newcomers free three-month trial memberships, making it easier than ever to bring fresh faces into the hobby.
The Heart of the Hobby
At its core, aeromodeling has always been about more than aircraft; it is about people. AMA chartered clubs embody that spirit. They preserve flying sites, pass down knowledge, and create lifelong friendships.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your involvement or take the lead in building something new, there’s never been a better time to get involved in a chartered club. Because when we fly together, we don’t just strengthen our skills; we strengthen the future of our hobby.
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IN AN ERA where many hobbies are increasingly solitary, aeromodeling continues to stand apart rooted in community, mentorship, and shared passion. One of the most powerful ways to experience the hobby at its fullest is by joining, or even starting, an AMA chartered club.
Since the mid-1960s, AMA’s chartered club program has provided a framework for local members to come together, build friendships, and strengthen the hobby at the grassroots level. What began as a simple idea organized groups of modelers supporting one another has grown into a nationwide network of nearly 2,400 clubs.
These clubs are more than just flying groups; they are hubs of knowledge, mentorship, and camaraderie. Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or brand new to the hobby, a club offers something you simply can’t replicate on your own.
Flying solo has its appeal, but being part of a club elevates the experience in meaningful ways:
- Camaraderie and Connection: Clubs create a welcoming environment where members share stories, advice, and encouragement.
- Skill Development: Learn faster by tapping into the experience of others. Learn everything from building techniques to flight skills.
- Established Flying Sites: Clubs often secure and maintain safe, reliable flying fields.
- Events and Activities: Fun Flys, competitions, and demonstrations keep the hobby engaging year-round.
- Flying site assistance, Take Off and Grow grant, and disaster relief grants
- Media recognition rewards
- Liability coverage for club officers and landowners
These benefits help ensure that clubs not only survive but thrive.
AMA continues to advocate on behalf of all members, whether they fly independently or at club fields; however, it’s important to recognize a growing advantage for those operating at AMA chartered club flying sites.
Recent actions by Congress and the FAA have provided greater flexibility for flying at established club sites, including:
- The ability to operate at higher altitudes in many cases.
- Reduced need for Remote ID modules under specific conditions.
If there isn’t a club in your area or if you see an opportunity to build something new, starting an AMA chartered club is more accessible than many realize. Here’s what it takes:
- Members: At least five current AMA members
- Officers: At least three members must be 19 years or older and willing to serve as club officers, one of them being the club Safety Coordinator
- Bylaws: A set of club bylaws (AMA provides templates to help)
- Flying Site: A safe location with latitude and longitude information sent to AMA
Gather Interested Members: Find at least five individuals ready to join or renew their AMA membership.
Chartered clubs are also one of the best ways to introduce new people to aeromodeling. Through programs like the AMA Introductory Pilot Program, clubs can offer newcomers a free three-month trial membership, making it easier than ever to bring fresh faces into the hobby.
The Heart of the Hobby
At its core, aeromodeling has always been about more than aircraft; it is about people. AMA chartered clubs embody that spirit. They preserve flying sites, pass down knowledge, and create lifelong friendships.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your involvement or take the lead in building something new, there’s never been a better time to get involved in a chartered club. Because when we fly together, we don’t just strengthen our skills, we strengthen the future of our hobby.
SOURCES
- AMA Chartered Clubs Program
modelaircraft.org/programs/clubs
