Rechartering and Risk Management Made Easy

As I wrote this, we had just celebrated the start of 2026. May this year bring new adventures, health, and prosperity, but most of all, I hope it provides all of the flying time you need!

By the time you read this, AMA’s club rechartering season is in full swing. Your current charter and flying site insurance certificate(s) are in effect until March 31. If your club hasn’t renewed yet, we encourage you to utilize our online club rechartering tool at modelaircraft.org/charter-renewal. We’ve received a great deal of positive feedback from club officers who have utilized this feature. It’s simple, easy, and quick.

There are two more club insurance topics I want to share with you. These might only apply to a small number of clubs, but I want to make sure that you have the information.

If your club has a treasury, especially if it’s a significant amount of money, you might want to consider bonding the club officers who handle financial transactions on behalf of the club. Bonding is a type of insurance that protects the club against financial losses that result from dishonest acts, such as theft, fraud, or embezzlement. I am not saying that any of that will happen, but it certainly can and, unfortunately, it has to some clubs in the past.

Many volunteer organizations use bonding as a standard safeguard so that, if funds are misappropriated, the group can recover the loss. The cost is typically modest compared with the peace of mind it offers. It protects your club, your members, and your mission. If your club is considering a surety or fidelity bond, please reach out to your local insurance providers.

Last but not least, let’s look at environmental liability insurance. In model aviation, environmental risks are relatively low. The main concerns that have come up in conversations revolve around clubs that operate on former landfills or Environmental Protection Agency Superfund sites. When using one of those locations as a flying site, the most important thing is to know and understand the restrictions and limitations that are in place.

For example, many years ago, we encountered a situation where a well-meaning club member hauled dirt from an outside source to the flying site, which was strictly prohibited. Additionally, putting up a flagpole or a fence at your club’s flying site could inadvertently disturb the final cover, releasing harmful or explosive gases. Environmental liability is specifically designed to cover these types of pollution-related risks and environmental damage. It includes cleanup and remediation, which can be costly. Please note that the liability insurance currently provided through AMA specifically excludes environmental risks.

Let the lessons of the past guide us to a bright and successful future. Until next time!