RE: Historical membership figures?
Doc-
It is anybody's guess as to the breakdown of what the Walmart/AirHog has done to the masses yearning to fly.
How many grabbed up an AirHog and found out flying was not for them.
Previously they would have gone to the club & gotten some guest/intro/prorated whatever to give them training. They may or may not have stayed with it, but they had to get the AMA exposure & sales pitch. No real exposure to the AirHog buyer trying it out at a school or parkinglot.
How many Grabbed an AirHog & became proficient HogPilots.
So they mastered the hog, and got bored. Maybe they grabed a Firebird or some other advnanced toy, but dont get to the point that they need to stop flying the way & place that the have been Hogging. They might even get up to the Brushless Foamies but stay at their school/parkinglot doing knife edges or advanced maneuvers with the family or work buddy.
And how many used the WalHog as a stepping stone to the full field of clubworthy electrics?
Maybe the AirHog is a gateway plane that gets them hooked on flying... hooked enough to want more & more till they find themselves with an Leader Number and CD position at their local AMA club.
We have no idea whether the AirHog is bringing folks in, or driving folks (that would have clubbed without AirHog) away. But we do know they are selling a ton of Hogs, and not just to AMA members.