If you are an existing club Member, please sign in before renewing your membership as there may be different membership rates/types for new vs. renewing members. If you forgot your username or password, click here.
AMA membership is required to be a full member. To join AMA using the Internet, go to www.modelaircraft.org or call 1-800-435-9262.
Annual Dues: Adults -$100, Youth Member (18 or younger) -$30, Family (Adult & Youth) - $130
New Members joining June to Sept. Adult -$50, Youth Member $15, Family (Adult & Youth) - $65
New Members joining Oct to Dec. (includes following year) Adult - $100, Youth Member $30, Family (Adult & Youth) - $130
Active Military – No Charge for Dues (with proof of compliance with Military membership requirements).
Assessment Fee: $100 is required to be paid with the first year dues. Youth and Active Military memberships are not requred to pay the Assessment Fee.
All new adult members will pay $200.00 to join, for the first time, when joining between the months of Jan to May; $150.00 when joining between the months of June to Sept; and $200.00 to join between the months of Oct & Dec (this covers the following years dues).
Applications will be approved by the SWRCF Executive Board when appropriate.
All Speedworld R/C Flyers members are also required to hold a current FAA Recreational Pilot Registration and have their FAA number on the outside of each of their airplanes. The FAA Drone Zone registration page can be found here: https://faadronezone.faa.gov/#/
NOTE of WARNING: If you end up at a website that is charging more than $5.00 to get your FAA registration, DO NOT register through that site. There are companies who are tricking folks into registering through them and pay a lot more money. We know of one site charging as much as $50.
In addition to AMA Membership and FAA Receational Pilot Registration, all pilots must take and carry proof of passing the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). A link to the page to take the TRUST Test is here:
https://trust.modelaircraft.org/group/4/module/4/answer/63
If you are paying your fees with PayPal, please put your full name and AMA # in the comment section on the PayPal screen so we know who is paying the fees. If the PayPal link does not work, please use PayPal directly with the following account (email) to pay: swrcf.treasurer@gmail.com
Mark Feist, Leader Member and DIII AVP The hobby of model aviation and AMA experienced significant growth from 1970 to 1990. From 1990 through 2002, AMA membership moved up and down, but total membership numbers remained about the same overall and across Senior, Adult, and Youth categories; however, since 2002, [...]
By David Cook My interest in model aviation appears to have begun well before I was born. I can trace it back to my father’s attendance at the 1934 Cleveland Air Races in Ohio as a young boy. Growing up, my father and I spent many hours building and attempting [...]
Two world championship teams are headed overseas to represent the US and compete with the top model pilots in the world. AMA wishes the best for both US teams! The 2026 FAI F1ABP Junior World Championships for Free Flight (FF) Model Aircraft begins July 26 and runs through August 2 in [...]
By Pete Bauer While the World Championships are very competitive, there is also the opportunity to reach out and make new friends from around the world. Two years ago, at the F4 Scale Model World Championships in Romania, Mika Jylha was the only competitor from Finland and needed a caller. [...]
Aviation and aerospace icon Burt Rutan, and fellow aerospace engineer Dan Kreigh, helped AMA celebrate the 100th running of the Nats, sponsored by Du-bro, by visiting the International Aeromodeling Center (IAC) July 8-10. Their visit was highlighted with a dinner and special presentation, “From Model Airplanes to Space,” on July [...]
Aviation and aerospace pioneer Burt Rutan was presented with the AMA Fellowship award July 9, 2026, in Muncie, Indiana. He was given the award following a presentation outlining how his illustrious career began with model aviation. The Fellowship award is AMA’s highest level of recognition to those individuals who have [...]
By Pete Bauer Updated 7-15-2026 It has been a rough start for Team USA (and most of the other teams). This photo indicates the primary issue. There have been a lot of mechanical and weather challenges, mostly engine troubles and the wind. Many of our planes have gotten pranged either [...]
Lausanne, Switzerland, 1 July 2026 – The 2026 FAI F4 World Championships for Scale Model Aircraft runs from 9-18 July in Buckminster, Great Britain with a record competitor turnout. Hosted by the British Model Flying Association (BMFA) at their headquarters, the National Centre for Aeromodelling, organisers will welcome 23 competing [...]
1. A Community That Keeps You Engaged “Meeting with other fliers and belonging to local clubs.”— Dale, Adult Senior, FL One of the most common themes is community. AMA membership connects you with local clubs where you can: For many, this turns flying from a solo hobby into something much [...]
If you’ve searched “RC flying fields near me,” you’re likely ready to take the next step. In AMA terms, these are called flying sites—and they’re where the real experience begins. But one question usually comes next: What’s it actually like when you show up? Here’s the reality, based on real [...]