I think that what many of you said is true about how payment is made. Many of us just do the old country way of compensation. We either repay each other with companionship, or we invite the instructor and his wife to dinner, or we give them a motor, or we help them re-roof their house or fix their car. I think there is a lot a repayment that goes on in this hobby other that just writing a check.
An instructor at my club who may expect a few dollars for instruction may find himself invited over for Aunt Bea's potroast and apple pie instead.

Years ago when I learned to fly, I really couldn't afford to go out and purchase all of the equipment, the guys at the field I hung out at gave me an old Midwest ugly stick, let me borrow a motor and a radio and taught me to fly (can you remember the "pass the x-mitter days" before buddy cords ??)

I'm in the position now to pass that on...I would never take money from somebody to teach them to fly.

Every once in a while I'll come across a trainer in a trade that I really have no use for, but I'll stick it in the garage until somebody comes along who is in a similar position I was in and give it to them......in my opinion, that's what the spirit of this whole HOBBY is about.....

If I need to get paid, I'll sit here in my office and surf RCU !!

I got my instruction for free but I believe there are circumstances where paid instruction is warranted. The instructor providing the field and equipment is one situation. We had someone who said he was only going to be around for a couple of months and wanted to learn to fly in that time. When we asked him to pay the club membership ($20) he wasn't sure he wanted to. He offered to make a donation. (I don't know how much but less than membership).

We told our head instructor to give hime a free membership but go ahead and charge $25/hour for instructing. He has now paid the membership and didn't even show up last weekend, which was perfect weather. He'll probably blame us for not learning. Oh well!

The problem with free is that some get it for free and never work off the debt, others get it for free and pay back over the next x years with 100's of hours of donated time. If you could figure out which was which at the beginning it would be great. One way would be to charge a fee and refund it over the next two years based on work bee attendance and other point earning things. I personally like that idea. That way we workers get to drive good mowers paid for by someone else. I guess that system is just too logical for people to accept.

First, re-read my post. I said the introductory flight is always free. I can't think of a better way to promote the hobby, or maybe waiting in line for an elitist "instructor" to throw you a bone, and let you fly....Second when you are flying with the instructors equipment, there IS no initial high cost, and in fact YOU FIND OUT IF YOU WANT TO STAY IN THE HOBBY BEFORE YOU SPEND A FOURTUNE. You can't tell me EVERYONE who flys a plane is going to do it for life, no way, no how.
Let's review- a free flight, then a few bucks to find out if you want to stick with it, or a wad of money up front, to either crash it all with no instruction, or wait endlessly until you "get your turn". Hmmm.....

I know of at least one potential problem that applies in some cases... Terms & Conditions of Lease. At one club that I used to be in, one of the guys wanted to start charging for lessons. The club looked into it and found out that the terms of their lease from the county stated that no "for profit" activity could take place on the property. Apparently, allowing paid instruction to take place could cause the lease to be forfeit, unless it was the club itself (and not a member) that was being paid, and unless something like 85c of every dollar earned was used for maintenance and improvement of the club facilities.

Gordon

I don't need to re-read anything you posted. I wasn't replying to anything you said. Of course if the student is using the instructor's equipment, he should pay. I thought that was a given and so I didn't mention it. Most of the people who come out make appointments and the waiting isn't an issue. As far as the "elitist" instructors you spoke of, I'm a little confused. It would seem to me that someone who thinks his instruction is worthy of payment when others are willing to volunteer would be more elitist.

I feel both ways about the issue. Late last fall I bought a plane, 2 radios, and tons of field gear. I go to the local field, and find out that their "Every Tuesday evening beginners classes" have ended for the year. So I'm stuck with driving 30 miles to the field on weekends and hoping there is a trainer there, and that I'm not bothering him. I'd have rather paid someone. I make $30/hr, and those trips to the field that were fruitless cost me plenty in time that I could've been working.

But during the summer, tuesday nights, 8? stations, lots of instructors, all for free, you gotta love it. Perfect for a non-dummy who, unlike me, waits to see if he likes flying before he buys everything. Then again, you still need AMA, and must be a member unless you're a guest. I imagine that newbies training get at least a few sessions as a guest. I think it should be offered both for free and for pay. The best way to promote the sport is however the student wants his training. My 2 cents. - Joe

I never really wondered if I would like it or not. I figured I would be controlling an airplane. That's what I wanted to do. My expectations were pretty much right on. I wasn't buying expensive food I've never had.

[Steps on soapbox]

I'll start by saying I am not the oldest flier in the ranks of RC. Having said that, I'll state my point on the subject at hand. I feel there is a need for both free and paid instruction in this hobby/sport. Notice how I phrased that, HOBBY/SPORT. It is both a HOBBY, just for fun, come and go as you please. As well as a SPORT, competition, practice the runs, get it on the mark. As for instruction, it doesn't matter how you look at it, hobby or sport, pay or no-pay, if you want to fly and fly well in a reasonably short amount of time without blowing a ton of money on crashed planes, an instructor is the way to go. Every situation is unique for both the instructor and the student. And as a rule of thumb, if you want something bad enough in this world, the right amount of money will get it for ya. Sad but true.

[Steps off soapbox]

Happy flying!

I too am getting started and have spoken to several clubs about instructions
ALL have offered free instructions and have been very friendly
I have my own equipment and that may make a difference.
When I get instruction and solo I will most likely join the club that helped me learn because that's the kind of people I want to fly with
I'm a firm believer in getting an instructor to learn (sims are good to a point)
I also believe that not all instructors are equal or right for every student
I would like to think that some day I will pass the lessons I learn on to another for free
That's how you pay for your lessons.