Originally Posted by
speedracerntrixie
While I agree that a $100 module will be appealing to some, let’s look at this a bit more realistically. First off I wouldn’t call it a one time expense. Equipment failures/crashes do happen. Some will want more than one aircraft module equipped as a convenience of not having to switch modules around between flights of 2 or 3 aircraft. Since FT is aimed at getting youth involved in the hobby ( this I applaud ) perhaps the cost should also be compared to the cost of a youth joining a FRIA. AMA $15 , average club cost $20 to $50. Add in the access to instructors/mentors and a FRIA looks to be a better option for some.
(1) Please provide data source supporting the statement "average club cost $20 to $50"
(2) FT appears to be more than able to get people flying w/o "instructors/mentors", so I don't know that access to a club provides as much value as you want everyone to believe.
(3) You neglect the cost in time, fuel, and carbon footprint to travel to a FRIA site. It's 13 miles one way to the nearest club from me. Whether that's typical or not, I have no idea. Some in Montana / Wyoming, etc. have to travel much farther. Back to my example though, my wife's car gets about 25mpg across that route (most fuel efficient we own), so that's about a gallon per round trip. At $3.79 a gallon for flex fuel, once a week, times 52 weeks a year, that's $197. Ok, maybe they don't go every week, let's say every other, so let's call it $98 a year in fuel, which has to be added to the cost of the FRIA option. Which is now $15 (AMA) plus ($25 - $100 for club) plus $98 (fuel) for a range of $138 to $213 (or more depending on gas) ... EVERY YEAR! Add to that the time impact (about 20 minutes each way for me) and carbon footprint. Of course the costs increase significantly once the kiddo turns 18 and the AMA membership jumps to $85 a year ... every year ... AND the club costs go up too (based on your example).
Suddenly $100 (or even $200 for a couple units) and walking down to the corner to fly starts looking a lot more attractive. Plus the parents love it since they don't have to run the taxi service to/from the FRIA.