Vhayne,

Don't be disappointed in the least. ANYPLACE you can fly safely with AMA insurance at your back is a luxury. I belong to a great club with a very nice field. By 'nice' I mean a paved runway, shaded pits and a very large pilot area with 10 plane stands for start-up/range check. There is no fresh water and we share a portable toilet. (There is a Heli area and a car track too, but I dun get out there much, not my demographic). Fees are $250 first year and $150 annually after that, and it's a BARGAIN. How many golf courses will let you come out and play at-will for a one time price of less than $300/yr?

Typically the 'field assessment' fee is a one time first year 'donation' to help pay back the club which has shelled out lots of money to do improvements on a, let's face it, piece of land which is usually good for little else. As has been said, flying sites are harder to come by every year. Try hanging out a few times and get to know some people. It's true that some clubs are poisoned by bad politics, but people in this hobby are generally like those in any other hobby. We love to talk to interested people about the hobby we love to occupy our time and money with.

I am currently looking for an additional club to join closer to my home, but I have been spoiled by my primary field and have become a bit persnickety, (always wanted to use that word in a sentence), with regard to field quality and 'people-quality'. I have narrowed it down to two sites within 10 miles of my home. WOW...I am blessed to have that many choices in CA where Real Estate prices are so ridiculous.

Remember, the air above the site is the reason you are there in the first place. Consider the rest a bonus.

Have FUN!!