Fly-in fees?

[phippsj]

My club has an all-scales fly-in this weekend and I have been looking forward to it for a few weeks. There will be mostly scale warbirds, but a few of us have 33% and larger aerobatic aircraft, many of which are composites with lots of bling.

The landing fee is $20. Since this is our club field, I asked if I could volunteer and have the fee waved. I was asked to work a specific job for the day and I wouldn't be charged for the lunch. I asked about getting a few flights in when time permits. I was told the club "policy" was that you have to pay to fly, even if you are volunteering to help at the event.

I was really dissappointed and somewhat insulted that the event organizers want club members to help, but would charge me if I wanted to fly at a field that I'm already paying a hefty annual fee. Our club isn't hurting for money and they aren't raising money for a charity.

I was wanting to know what other club's have for a "policy" for fees at events. I'm putting together a proposal to present to the club board at the next monthly meeting to modify the "policy".

BTW, I said "thanks, but no thanks". I told them it wasn't about the money, but the principle. No wonder our jet event and other events always are cancelled due to lack of interest. I just want to go out and socialize, fly and help out the club a little bit.

[50%plane]

That will always be a debate, but I've never seen a show where you didn't have to pay to fly, even if you helped out. If it's an issue, why don't you volunteer half a day, and fly the other half?

[wylieruneyjr]

I think $20.00 is too high to begin with. And paying members should get half-off, right. Volunteers get to work for free, fly after the event.

[DadsToysBG]

I'm a CD of our GS event (Vette City) and I pay to fly. I also pay for food. When we have our jet meet I pay there too. Our war bird event is this month and I will pay for that one to. Dennis

[ifly3d]

1. Where does the money go ? If it goes to the club, then pay the money and fly. The club probably needs the money it makes to run the club.
2. Most ever fly-in I have been to and CD, ever one had to pay including the CD, all helper and club members.
3. I see this happen all the time, and its funny to me guys will spend thousands of dollars on an airplane but want pay a small entry fee to fly.

[wesryman]

Maybe you could fly after the event hours, most usually end at 5 or so. I would suggest your club find a local charity to help support, since you say they aren't hurting for money. I would suggest 10 dollars of the 20 go to a local children's charity or food bank.

[jongurley]

	Quote: Originally Posted by ifly3d
	3. I see this happen all the time, and its funny to me guys will spend thousands of dollars on an airplane but want pay a small entry fee to fly.

amen

[louu]

i never heard of this, it sounds kind of crazy to me. in my book if your a member you should be able to fly all you want, thats what you paid for in the begining of the year right??? how all the clubs around here in new jersey work if your not a club member you have to buy lunch, and if its a contest its about 5 or 10 dollars but that gets divided up for the top 3 winners.

[jongurley]

Our club has always charged members the same landing fee also,, it is true that they pay yearly dues,, but you have to remember that a flyin is for fellowship and making the host club money to run,, as a member it is your responsibility to help "volunteer" your services for the flyin,, , that brings up another reason for charging club members a landing fee,,, for the reason of volunteering,, some club members just fly they will not help out or work for the benefit of the club at there home flyin, so in a way with everyone paying a landing fee you are getting there money too , whether they work or not, ,

[wylieruneyjr]

Yeah Yeah Yeah its double dipping on the members. Unless there is discloser when you join. Though I have some fun and stir the pot.

[TManiaci]

What he said ^

[jongurley]

Well if they can't afford the extra 10 dollars or bitch about it ,, they do not need to be in this hobby,

[jonkoppisch]

We have several events. It's almost always $5 to fly and if you want lunch another $5 for a plate with PLENTY of food!!!! There's always a good time and it doesn't break everyone to bring their family or friends. Not everyone has unlimited finances in this economy (fellowship may mean more than you realize at this time) and the fly-in fee is just 1 thing out of many that an entrant has to pay to be able to fly.. Whether it's gas to get there, etc...

[Hinckley Bill]

Our monthly fun-flys cost members and non-members a $5 landing fee..............you get brats or hotdogs for lunch (normally limited to 2 per person but sometimes the big guys line up for more) plus free pop, water, chips and snacks.

If you're not flying the cost for lunch is $3 and if your family comes it's $5 no matter how many in the family eat!

We normally barely break even, but we do this in order to get more members out flying.

[jongurley]

Around North Carolina most flyins are $10 dollar landing fee,, and lunch cost whatever the club provides whether it is chicken plates or hotdogs burgers,etc,etc,, so you can spend as much or as less on lunch,, I only live 4 miles from my field www.wayneaero.com but I buy drinks water food everything from the club at the flyins instead of bringing my own,, I like donating money like that,,