Mike T Posted August 10, 2022 Share Posted August 10, 2022 (edited) We used to charge a joining fee, but now we don't. We just charge a fee and if membership is subsequently renewed, the charge is subject to a modest discount... The reason was not so much related to infrastructure as training. We used to get a lot of bods join, learn how to fly, then beggar off to other local clubs (who we suspect looked upon us as a bunch of patsies...) Charging for training would have been complicated (not least with insurance) so we decided that the Club should be recompensed for this via a joining fee. More importantly now, it is used as an encouragement to re-join, or failing that 'lapse' and have to pay the full fee again on rejoining. Even this is something we'll be looking at at the next AGM. Our field,BTW is the trad. Brit. (as Alex would say...) mown sheep pasture with no facilities other than mower storage allowed. Edited August 10, 2022 by Mike T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin McIntosh Posted August 10, 2022 Share Posted August 10, 2022 My first club was very expensive and required an introduction from a couple of existing members. I was just starting to do F3A at the time and luckily it was popular in the club so managed to leapfrog any waiting list having known some members for a long time. The pair of tarmac runways formed a `T` shape and were resurfaced by members buying shares in the club which were later returned. Fabulous clubhouse and flushing toilets. I later foolishly joined the committee which coincided with a new chairman, etc. The membership was restricted to 110 or so to keep waiting time to fly down to a reasonable time (27mHz). On looking at the application to join list it was about 100 and dated back many years so we had to sift through it carefully. The joining fee and subscription did not seem to deter anyone in the heyday of model flying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted August 12, 2022 Share Posted August 12, 2022 (edited) Had a flyer (!) posted through the letterbox this morning advertising a new affordable local golf course with the usual facilities etc. Prices were annual membership from £250 per annum, so probably quite a bit more with a few extras and then £22 per round. Cheap compared to many others, but you could easily get through a grand's worth of fees if you played regularly. Well, at least they don't charge a joining fee - puts the cost of even the most expensive model flying club at a few hundred quid into perspective. It has to be said that in terms of financing our hobby, whether one flys from a rough farmer's field for a few pence a week or is lucky to have something a little more comfortable for a more realistic fee, then club subs, BMFA and the rubbish CAA tax is a minor outlay overall - especially if you are 'a crasher'. Unless you live close to your flying site, petrol and diesel costs over the year for a regular flyer can surprise you if you add them up. Wherever you fly .........enjoy it! Edited August 12, 2022 by Cuban8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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