as for the newbies and instruction issue I have over the years been lucky to be with some nice clubs that are more than happy to give instruction to the newbies. Our clubs like all others lose a lot of the guys we train but not because they lose interest it is because of the increaseing AMA dues then on top of it the club dues then the increasing costs at the LHS. What most of the newbies i see are doing is joining for a year learning to fly then goto local parks and schools and fly with out having to pay all the money out in all the dues each year. now not all stay in the hobby but we have some nice areas around here to fly plus the Mississippi, and Rock Rivers to fly loat planes from and a lot of nice size open grass fields at state parks and they are usually loaded with people flying in the nice weatehr rather than at the clubs. So i have to disagree that a lot of the newbies lose interest it is just that a lot of them join and learn to fly then go find someplace where they can fly for free.

Joe

I'll keep this short because I might be wrong.

When adults that have a fleet of RC airplanes in their garage or workshop, that have all the goodies that modern society provide, cars, plasma TVs, etc. start to quibble about the cost of insurance I have to assume that the quibble is not about the cost of insurance.

It is about who is going to make the rules, etc. It is about getting back or getting even.

Not about the cost of model airplane insurance.

True then theres those of us that have homes and families and plenty of bills that have to save and save and save to get our hobby stuff and adding more and more dues etc per year makes it that much harder for some of us. Sure there are guys with plenty of cash but then there are those of us who trying best we can to enjoy our hobby. sure its expensive but if you get a little at a time anyone can afford it. so why should others suffer because a few have the money to throw away everytime someone says we need to increase the dues etc so we can build a new hq or natl field or other stuff not everyone will see or use. in the past few years more and more rogue fields and clubs are opening up and if dues keep increasing without at least giving a detailed reason to justify the increases more and more people will leave. but then again one day those in charge will retire, just quit, or pass on then maybe we can get people in there that care more for the membership than the all mighty greenback

Joe

Joe, I spent a lifetime with bills, family, job pressures, and the rest. There was a time that when I had a RC flyaway that I had no airplane. Just a single channel transmitter and an empty feeling. That is no longer the case thank goodness.

However, I still maintain that no one quibbles about the cost of AMA dues because it will take food from their kids, cause them to miss the house payments, etc.

Your last few statements prove exactly what I am talking about. It is about who makes and who follows the rules, nothing more.