"James M. Knox" wrote

There is a cost of having someone as a member... Newsletter mailings,
special event mailings, calls to try to fill that last-minute mission,
calls from a local wing leader inviting them to fly, etc. Plus, when
you sign up, you get "gifts." So the membership dues are as much to
keep the rolls clean of well-meaning pilots who are never going to
actually fly a mission as it is for any attempt to recover money.

It's a little like putting a sign up in your yard that reads "Puppies,
$5" vs. "Free Puppies." The $5 isn't the issue, but somehow if people
pay even a few bucks, they are more serious about it.

Having said that, it is the general belief that the pilots are already
donating huge amounts of their time and money in support of missions and
trying to get them to pay (even just a few bucks) for the privilege is
... well, just plain tacky. So the dues have NEVER been approved in our
region.
jmk

Seems to me a way to do it might be a $50 fee, which can be applied towards,
or refunded, against the cost of the first flight.
--
Jim in NC


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