My club doesn't charge new members any "initiation fee." Our dues are $80/year and we seem to get along just fine. There are five or six people that volunteer to be club instructors, so newcomers can just call them and arrange to have them help them. We also have a few club trainers, so people can get a feel for flying for a few times before they have to make the investment to the hobby.

We had problems with helicopter flyers in the past, stuff like hovering over the runway, interfering with landing aircraft, ect, but they eventually got out of the club and formed their own club and found their own flying site. It was a win-win for everyone I think.

I think it all depends on the club, but in my club everyone pitches in to help when needed and we always work things out democratically. It's a really nice club, with a great group of guys.

Brian