My not so happy flying club experience

[Miroslav]

After three years of solo flying, I joined a club to fly with like minded souls. Unfortunately it has turned out rather badly.

They were all nice as pie when I visited them before I joined, and all appeared to be welcoming. So I paid my club fee, showed them my insurance and thought, finally, hassle free flying at a private flying field without some dog walker moaning or his mutt trying to eat one of my planes. My first trip to the club had me waiting an hour to get into the air, despite the fact that I was there before most of the others. "Its a seniority thing" they smirked. Ok I thought. So I finally got into the air and then all I heard from the pits behind me was:

"look at the little foamie, its not a plane, more like a toy"

"electric planes sound so asthmatic"

"aah, its getting blown around, no one fart, har, har, har"

"He's using a Spektrum tx. Wonder when he'll lose control?"

"Land that thing and get a real plane"

All that during my ten minute flight where I took off, did circuits, loops, rolls and had a perfect landing.

Then the Club President wandered over to say he had just rung the local model shop and said that I could get a real plane, (i.e. balsa) and motor for 200 quid. He might also do me a deal on a new transmitter as "everyone at the club uses Futaba". I said no thanks, I was happy enough with what I had. The following week, I went to my first club meeting and it was the most uncomfortable hour of my life. Comments about restricting flying to balsa planes, banning foamies, uniformity of transmitters, vetting of new applicants. Now as I was the only one who had a foam plane, the only one who didn't have a Futaba tx and was the only new member for the past 6 months, I'm pretty sure those comments were directed at me or am I just paranoid?

The coup de grace occured after the meeting when the Club President called me aside and said I could only fly under his supervision as the other club members were not happy with my choice of tx and felt it could lead to an accident. I told him I had been flying for three years with only two crashes, and furthermore I was a former Air Traffic Controller with over ten years experience and therefore I knew more about flight than most. He got a little foul mouthed then and said "You aren't to (swear word removed by moderator) fly unless I'm there". I said "I was the only one who managed to land on his wheels last week unlike you balsa bashers who all ended up going ar$e over t!t, and futhermore, there is more to flying than going full throttle in a circle".

I haven't gone back since. I did get a text from him a while back telling me he would be at the field to supervise me. I said no thanks and that was the end of my club flying.

Edited By David Ashby - RCME on 24/07/2012 18:46:19

[Olly P]

name and shame the club.

This is disgraceful, and when there has been some banter about foamies at my club it has all been in jest as 80% of the membership have at least one foamy, and 25% plus have electrics...

Where are you located? there will be a better club somewhere else nearby I'm sure.

[Dean]

Sorry to read of your bad experience that is awful I agree with Olly P name and shame them!

Don't know why there has to be what appears to be snobbery in this HOBBY we all enjoy what we do.

we have a good mix at our club electric, i.c, scratch built, foamies you name it it is there everyone is welcome no matter what you fly.

I really hope you find a club that acts and treats you far better than your experience so far!

Dean

[David Davis]

I don't own a foamy and most of my models are powered by i/c engines but any sort of aeromodeller would be welcome at my club. There is some banter regarding "proper model aircraft and small effeminate electric powered models," but this sort of exchange is between established members of the club.

No newcomers would be treated in this way. Perhaps that's why my club is full and cannot accept additional members. 

I agree with Olly and Dean, name and shame the club!

Edited By David Davis on 24/07/2012 11:36:02

[Rich too]

Forget it. I had a bad experience with a club - some are founded and run by unsavioury individuals - who like to run it as their own.

I've been flying solo on and off for 30 years (i used to have a mate do it with me but he packed it in). I prefer the freedom, fly when you want etc. I dont want to spend all day socialising and one hour flying - i want to be in the air the whole time - or go home!

I find it hard to believe that noone there has a foamie or electric! I'm a reluctant fan (i have a mixture of everything), because there's no denying the convenience of them.

Anyway David, their loss.

[Martin Harris - Moderator]

That's horrendous. I sincerely hope that this is a one off and there aren't any other clubs like this around.

I agree with the others - name and shame because there's no place for these attitudes. As Olly and David say, there's always some banter at the best of clubs but it should never be more than light hearted and friendly and actually part of the enjoyment of club flying.

They should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves if your report is accurate - and if you've somehow misinterpreted their "banter" then they need to know about the unintended effects on a new member who's entitled to be helped to settle in!

Edited By Martin Harris on 24/07/2012 11:49:25

[Miroslav]

While I would never claim to be an ace flyer, I know I am a good flyer and more importantly, safe at all times. 2 crashes in 3 years is a good record imo, especially as I fly as often as I can, up to 4 times a week. This club experience has left a real bad taste in my mouth tbh as I love this hobby but have become a little jaded flying alone, constantly aware of passers by in case they try to nick my flight bag (you know how helpless you are when flying, do you respond and risk losing the plane or let them leg it with your batteries, etc?).

I live just outside Dublin and the choice of model flying clubs over here is sparse to say the least. For my part, I visited this club three times before I joined. I told them I flew electric foamies and used a spekkie DX6i and there wasn't a single negative comment. They did say that they flew balsa and used Futaba radios but they never said that was the way I had to go if I wanted to "fit in". I'm well used to banter between grown men, trust me you had to have a hard shell working in the ATC environment when tempers would fray when things got busy.  So I'm not a shrinking violet and I can take a ribbing.  However the comments directed at me at the club were not meant light heartedly and were downright mean and nasty.  Perhaps I'm cynical but their mask slipped only after I handed over my club fees of a hundred quid. As for naming them, rc flying is a very small minority sport in Ireland and Joe Public wouldn't care. All I'd risk doing is alienating myself from the rest of the model flying fraternity in Ireland if and when I try to join another club.

Edited By David M on 24/07/2012 11:56:54

[Del Wheatley]

That sounds terrible,like the others have said name and shame.

I've just got my bmfa insurance and am about to visit the local club so hope to many arn't as school playground like as the one you visited.

[Rex Keene]

I had a simiar, though not nearly so extreme reaction.

Such clubs deserve to wither.

[Pete B]

That's very sad to read.....

I agree - name the club, David. There's a more than even's chance that at least one member looks into this forum and will recognise the situation so it won't have gone unnoticed.

Of course, clubs are entitled to make whatever rules they like but the treatment given to you is inexcusable.

Perhaps the club President would like to offer his version of events and a justification for the behaviour?

Pete

[Colin Bernard]

Like the others have said, this is totally unacceptable. Sure, in most clubs there is leg pulling about each other's models or flying - 'ah - so that's how to land in a hedge!' - but what you have described sounds nasty and vitriolic and heaven help any newbies who dare to walk in their vicinity with a nice new PZ or HZ plane! Would put them off joining any club so they either leave the hobby or try and teach themselves with unknown consequences.

We should not tolerate any attitudes like that - one thing I thought we prided ourselves on was our collective support for each other - so I also say 'name and shame'!

[David Davis]

Any of our Irish forumites care to comment?

[Concorde Speedbird]

I'm not in a club, primarily because I just do it with my Dad at a farm, the owner is very nice and has been cutting our strip for years and years. I've never really thought about joining a club because I have my Dad, it is free here and there are rules and regulations like electric only days and time limits in most clubs. We can fly whenever we want to.

If there was a club nearby, we would probably join so we could meet other flyers, but this has put me off.

We fly IC Balsa planes mostly, but we do have a Foam-e Wot 4. To call a foam electric model 'not a proper aeroplane' is nonsense. Here is a definiton of an aeroplane:

'an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by a propeller/s or jet/s'

That is for all aeroplanes, full size, models etc. A foam electric model applies to these rules, so it is just as 'proper' as any balsa IC plane and real planes, Cessnas, Spitfires, even Concorde. This is coming from someone who prefers IC balsa planes remember, not because they are any more 'proper'.

And the talk against Spektrum transmitters? Ridiculous. Mine has been superb.

Enjoy flying as you were, you are still flying aeroplanes, whatever it is made of. The reason I fly is because my Funfly, and all RC model planes, is an aeroplane, alongside Spitfires, Concorde and every aeroplane out there. It is just smaller.

CS

 

Edited By ConcordeSpeedbird on 24/07/2012 12:02:30

[Miroslav]

Posted by Pete B on 24/07/2012 11:55:55:

That's very sad to read.....

I agree - name the club, David. There's a more than even's chance that at least one member looks into this forum and will recognise the situation so it won't have gone unnoticed.

Of course, clubs are entitled to make whatever rules they like but the treatment given to you is inexcusable.

Perhaps the club President would like to offer his version of events and a justification for the behaviour?

Pete

I followed all their rules Pete, i.e., no more than three planes in the air, no flying over the pits, all circuits to the left, land when told etc. I had demonstrated that morning that I could fly safely in a controlled manner and despite the cross wind, I was the only one who landed on his wheels and thus demonstrated that I had good control of my model. The rest of them, including the Club President, all cart wheeled or flipped over on landing.

I'm a reasonable guy, who was prepared to do what was necessary to abide by their code of conduct but junking my fleet of 14 foamies, binning my tx and shelling out hundreds on a balsa plane, motor, starter, new tx etc is not within my financial means at the moment.

I made my decision to quit and not go back. The elitest snobbery I found up there at that club is not to my taste. RC flying is a hobby thats meant to be enjoyed, not endured.

David

[bouncebounce crunch]

the guys that fly in Australia will lend you there false teeth just to keep new members, thats if they are decent. yeah givin a bit of cheek or sarcastic remarks when all parties are well known and friendly toward each other, but your situation is a shocker.

bbc.

[Bob Cotsford]

First off, I own and fly several foamies, as well as several ARTFs, kit builds, plan builds - you get the picture, I'm not biased one way or the other.

Right, I see no reason why a club can't have whatever restrictions or 'preferences' they like - it's their club after all.

What I don't think is right is taking money off you before laying out the 'rules', or at least asking what your preferences are and telling you of the clubs communal feelings. Didn't they invite you to fly as a guest before taking your money? If I were David I would be demanding my money back before telling them to look at their recruitment policy.

Most clubs I know of would invite you to fly as a guest with an experienced flyer on hand. If they didn'y like what they saw, whether it be flying style or type of model, they would suggest you were at the wrong club. If it was as described I'd not want to be a member - leg pulling is one thing but that's usually once they know you and that you can take it in the right spirit.

Edited By Bob Cotsford on 24/07/2012 12:09:00

[Miroslav]

Bob

I went up to see them three times before I joined. I told them what I flew and what tx I used. Zero comments on that until the first time I flew (post handing over my fees mind). I can understand a club being nervous of someone flying recklessly but that is not what I do, ever. My flying style would best be described as boring with nice circuits, loops (way up high mind) and very occasionally, I might do a roll, also way up high. I don't do low flypasts or inverted flight. Perhaps thats why my crash rate is so low.

I did consider asking for my fees back but I thought stuff them, I wouldn't give them th epleasure of refusing to refund me.

Saying all that, I'd still love to fly with some other rc enthuasiasts for the banter (good natured) and to swap hints and tips.

[Pete B]

I agree, David, I understand how you feel and wouldn't want to go back either. However, as Bob says, the least they can do is return your fees - although on the evidence so far, they'll not be in a rush to reimburse you!

I hope you find a more welcoming bunch of guys soon

Pete

[Bob Cotsford]

if they keep the fees, then they have won, don't let them! Demand the fees back in full on the grounds that they were taken under false pretences in that all conditions of flying membership were not disclosed. Don't stand for admin fees being deducted, it sounds as though they need to learn that they can't sucker people out of a years fee then discourage them from actually flying.

[David Davis]

I believe there is a club that flies in Phoenix Park. I assume that's no too far away from where you live. If it wasn't the club in question, it may be the right club for you.

[Martin Harris - Moderator]

Please ask for your money back and tell them why. Draw their attention to this thread and the unanimous reaction from the replies so far. I think you've been more than reasonable in not naming them and I don't see that they have any moral or legal right to withold a full refund.

[FunnyFlyer]

Outrageous attitudes and behaviour!

I fly solo for the same reasons as Dickster (great handle). Flying for me has become an hour here and there, rather than an all day socialising thing. Occasionally I have company up at my local slope, and it's great to indulge in the chat and banter.

But many model flying clubs have this sort of ridiculous culture to a lesser extent. It's all so unnecessary. I still can't believe that one very well known club requires you to wear a hi-vis vest and bans aerobatic flying if you are alone at the field flying. What's that all about?

Electric flight has transformed the lot of the solo flyer. More sites become available and you can spend 80% of your total flying time session in the air - and not being restricted and controlled by a club's version of Mr Mainwaring!

Edited By FunnyFlyer on 24/07/2012 12:46:20

[Tony H]

All I can say to that is they are a bunch of idiots, I hate snobery within the hobby there is no place for it. Everyone has different backgrounds interests and disposable income. Just because you have an expensive plane with expensive components does not make you a better flyer!

I have encountered a little snobery at one of my clubs but I quickly shut them up (not as bad as yours). One guy was diss'n my mates plane saying it had cheap HK components, I said yes but we have both been flying with them with no problems for the last two years! now who's the mug!! I was also told to bin a new MDS 48 engine as apparently that was all it was fit for! (I hadn't even flown it yet). So I ignored that and tried it out and it proved to be more reliable than my Irvine 40! Go figure.

I also feel a little more smug if I can fly better and more often with inexpensive equipment than the guys who spend hundreds and rarely fly without an accident (or are to scared to).

I have a range of planes from foamies to Hanger 9 Mustang FS91.

[Lee Smalley]

missing out on club life is in my opinion a massive loss for the soloist amongst you but each to their own, thankfully clubs like the poster has depicted are very rare i have been a member of 5 clubs in my time none of which were anywhere near this level of disgracefulness i allways say to individuals to come down and experience the clubs a few times before parting with money as not all clubs suit all people, my club has a very strong tradition of mickey taking and banter that would turn a lot of people away, but we dont hide it, we are what we are, and you take us or leave us on that basis.

if people want to run their club in such a manner (that i find staggering) then that is fine, just don't hide it, behave normally and let people decide if they wish to join you as you are!!

david really sorry about that mate, but honestly try again somewhere else you may find a gem of a club on your next try!!

[Tony H]

I agree with Lee, Not all clubs are like this. You get the occasion jibe and comment now and then but there is much more to be gained from being with a club than just solo. I have been a member of 3 clubs in different parts of the country. Try to find another club if you can.