I just spent a half an hour reading all the posts in this thread. Two thoughts come to mind:

1- Clubs have made it overly complicated, expensive, and time-consuming requiring newbies to solo on large 4-channel planes (ie, the 40-size trainer that has become “the standard” trainer). Clubs, and the instructors, have become victims of their own circumstance.

For instance, I recently have been in email contact with the head instructor at our local club asking questions about membership, instruction, etc. I wanted to fly only electrics. His response was that my 3-channel trainer was fine, hand-launching (forgiving of the taxiing and grass takeoff requirements) was fine with them, etc. In other words, the club (mostly glow) wasn’t stuck in that “40-size trainer mentality” and that they would be more than happy to teach me to fly, and it would require only a few hours of instruction instead of something like the 20-25 mentioned earlier.

My point is not to start an electric vs glow argument- there’s plenty of those threads already. What I am getting at is that the point of this thread is bringing up the fact about the lack of instructors, and how they’re “overworked” and “burned out”. Hey, maybe the club’s instruction program and its requirements need to be looked at…???

2- Is it any wonder there’s so many beginners are taking up parkflyers and teaching themselves?

As for instructors being paid, I’m against it. Most new members, after paying for a plane, club dues, etc., expects that free flight instruction is included. I suspect that if you told a potential member that they would be charged extra for instruction, they’ll go somewhere else.

However, in exchange for providing a valuable service to the club, I do feel instructors should have free club membership, excused off the “mowing” or “maintenance” list or any other club duty rosters, etc. They’re providing their time for the club- they should get some perks for doing it.