Thank you Robin,
Actually on the example we used of 5 (say) group members.
Each currently pays ~£48 plus one fifth of Permit fee, another ~£27 for their (say) £4,000 personal investment in the a/c. Say a total per capita of under £80. I suppose one group 'Engineer' pays £69.
I am pleased to pay a Permit fee of £100+£69 for my £2,000 steed.
There's no reason why I, or those many members who don't or can't afford to fly, should contribute more than their fair share to the costs of running the LAA. Which is undoubtedly why the LAA have this ruling.
If a Group has some members unable to pay their way, perhaps it's their Group colleagues who should help them out, rather than the whole LAA membership.
mike