White Waltham
Perhaps you should make use of the pilot shop when visiting. Presumably it's not limited to members only and WLAC security will let you on site to buy a new chart, or some such?
Interesting dilema for the club. I guess like many others, I didn't just walk in and become a member at WW but sort of "transitioned" over a period of time:
1) Flew in once and liked what I saw
2) Live fairly locally, so popped in once or twice for a superb sunset beer
3) Flew in again
4) Fancied advancing my skills (IMC) so finally joined
the above perhaps over a period of two years.
Have now been a member for a couple of years and can't think of many better places in the SE to fly (Compton and Andrewsfield perhaps being comparable in terms of club atmosphere/facilities?).
Vino, the "public" can simply sit in their cars on the bit of grass next to the members carpark and view, but appreciate it is not the same as popping in for a pint of Marlow bitter
1) Flew in once and liked what I saw
2) Live fairly locally, so popped in once or twice for a superb sunset beer
3) Flew in again
4) Fancied advancing my skills (IMC) so finally joined
the above perhaps over a period of two years.
Have now been a member for a couple of years and can't think of many better places in the SE to fly (Compton and Andrewsfield perhaps being comparable in terms of club atmosphere/facilities?).
Vino, the "public" can simply sit in their cars on the bit of grass next to the members carpark and view, but appreciate it is not the same as popping in for a pint of Marlow bitter
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Never been back since & never will. There may well be some interesting shares available but who's going to find out about them? Not me!
So refusing to go there you can have a wry smile every time you drive past & whilst thinking how much you are saving not going there!
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Vino, the "public" can simply sit in their cars on the bit of grass next to the members carpark and view, but appreciate it is not the same as popping in for a pint of Marlow bitter
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White Waltham
As a former Manager and Instructor at a Northwest Flying School I cannot let the chance of meeting and encouringing a potential new member being barred and going off to the competition. I would suggest that it is in the best interest of everyone to enable the general publc access to the flying schools in order to meet and greet and promote the interest of potential members to the mutual benefit of everyone.
My club used to have all the usual notices at the entrance including the words Club, Private, Danger of..., Low Flying Aircraft - you all know what I mean. We rebranded the Club as a Centre to make it sound more inclusive, removed the inappropriate signage and replace it with Visitors Welcome, Information and Trial lessons available, Enquire at... etc. We added signs showing the way to the office and car park to keep people safe.
Even private clubs need new members from time to time!
Even private clubs need new members from time to time!
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Ive visited many times by air, what a great place it is, to eat in the excellent restaurant and meet up with friends.
Two years ago I visited Aero Expo at Wycombe via car as our aircraft was U/S. On the way back south we decided it would be a good place to visit for lunch on a wonderful sunny day. I was accosted by the membership checkers and made to feel very second class but my words of persuasion got us both in.
Its bit of a dilemma - its a private club and I fully appreciate that. However if I was a potential paying customer I could have been put off for life had I not been as persuasive.
I wonder if they could offer temporary membership for the day (at cost) – reap some extra revenue and possibly drive some more future business?
Two years ago I visited Aero Expo at Wycombe via car as our aircraft was U/S. On the way back south we decided it would be a good place to visit for lunch on a wonderful sunny day. I was accosted by the membership checkers and made to feel very second class but my words of persuasion got us both in.
Its bit of a dilemma - its a private club and I fully appreciate that. However if I was a potential paying customer I could have been put off for life had I not been as persuasive.
I wonder if they could offer temporary membership for the day (at cost) – reap some extra revenue and possibly drive some more future business?
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Next time just say: "it's all right, I'm a friend of Bob Davy"
I thought you were trying to give advise on how to get into the club & not how to get a lifetime ban !
Offers of food sponsorship to certain members could be an idea, eh what eharding? ....Oh you are fully booked for the next 6 months on that sponsorship scheme are you
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[QUOTE][I wonder if they could offer temporary membership for the day (at cost) – reap some extra revenue and possibly drive some more future business?/QUOTE]
Essentially, that would appear to be what you get in a landing -fee, IE use of all members' facilities including one landing and one departure...
As a private club, there has to be some way of filtering out undesirables. (otherwise the "private" aspect would be redundant)
First filter is undoubtedly the arrival method. Afellow pilot is likely to "fit in" anyway, and extension of facilities to a fellow-aviator is a given...........so, the issue revolves around
"Non-Airborne visitation"....."blagging" your way in , is IMHO, churlish and poor form.
As others have posted, offering to pay a Landing-fee, should satisfy honour.
Perhaps WW could look at their constitution and perhaps afford "Day-Membership" for a fee, to those showing a pilot's license in their name*
As a former Yacht-club member, we were automatically affiliated to the RYA and could expect acceptance at any other RYA affiliated sailing establishment, anywhere.
My last club now has a "day-membership" which allows non-members to sail on the Club's waters (subject to insurance etc.) and use the facilities. The fee is such that any more than about 3 visits per annum , makes it cheaper to join, though there is also a restriction on number of visits in any 12-month period.
You don't have to be Elitist, there are work-rounds without alienating the core-membershipto whom the committee should communicate the value of this extra revenue.
* Would allow former airmen to visit....My sister recently moved from a bungalow backing onto WW and her partner served at WW (as a secretary) during Nat. Service.He did get the odd jolly, though.
Essentially, that would appear to be what you get in a landing -fee, IE use of all members' facilities including one landing and one departure...
As a private club, there has to be some way of filtering out undesirables. (otherwise the "private" aspect would be redundant)
First filter is undoubtedly the arrival method. Afellow pilot is likely to "fit in" anyway, and extension of facilities to a fellow-aviator is a given...........so, the issue revolves around
"Non-Airborne visitation"....."blagging" your way in , is IMHO, churlish and poor form.
As others have posted, offering to pay a Landing-fee, should satisfy honour.
Perhaps WW could look at their constitution and perhaps afford "Day-Membership" for a fee, to those showing a pilot's license in their name*
As a former Yacht-club member, we were automatically affiliated to the RYA and could expect acceptance at any other RYA affiliated sailing establishment, anywhere.
My last club now has a "day-membership" which allows non-members to sail on the Club's waters (subject to insurance etc.) and use the facilities. The fee is such that any more than about 3 visits per annum , makes it cheaper to join, though there is also a restriction on number of visits in any 12-month period.
You don't have to be Elitist, there are work-rounds without alienating the core-membershipto whom the committee should communicate the value of this extra revenue.
* Would allow former airmen to visit....My sister recently moved from a bungalow backing onto WW and her partner served at WW (as a secretary) during Nat. Service.He did get the odd jolly, though.
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Two years ago I visited Aero Expo at Wycombe via car as our aircraft was U/S. On the way back south we decided it would be a good place to visit for lunch on a wonderful sunny day. I was accosted by the membership checkers and made to feel very second class .
You always get'em, the little men with lots of power. Some years ago, I turned up at the gates of a private club (A boat club in this case). I was refused entry by the harbourmaster, who, had he bothered to read his mail, would have learnt that I was actually doing the club a favour, by donating some equipment for which they had a need. My protestation that my visit had been authorised by the committee fell on deaf ears and he stood his ground.
I could not physically turn my vehicle around in the space available. So I stood my ground. Impasse!
Luckily the Chairman turned up and let me in and I understand later "had a word" with the harbourmaster about reading his daily orders. I later joined the club and spent many years on the committee.
DLTBGYD
D.
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landing on 09L this mornining and so flew over WW, looking down at the field felt sad , days off now so proper aeroplane out and coffee at Compton Abbas I suppose............... Whos Bob Davy........... is he the owner
As an aside, years ago taking part in an airshow at West Malling, arrived by road and had to pay Adolf on the gate the entrance fee!!! (Mass drop from DC3s)
As an aside, years ago taking part in an airshow at West Malling, arrived by road and had to pay Adolf on the gate the entrance fee!!! (Mass drop from DC3s)
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Just say you've turned up to attend the eating contest, to beat eharding to the bottom of the specials board. This will ensure instant respect and carve you a path straight to the bar.
P.s.... Good luck!
P.s.... Good luck!
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Perhaps WW could look at their constitution and perhaps afford "Day-Membership" for a fee, to those showing a pilot's license in their name*
As a former Yacht-club member, we were automatically affiliated to the RYA and could expect acceptance at any other RYA affiliated sailing establishment, anywhere.
As a former Yacht-club member, we were automatically affiliated to the RYA and could expect acceptance at any other RYA affiliated sailing establishment, anywhere.
This would need to be restricted to AOPA members only and, say, one partner just to ensure we were not overun. As far as the general members are concerned, we would be delighted to have pilots such as Kerdunker dropping in from time to time as it is very much a pilot oriented club and we have a shared love of all things aviation related. As mentioned, I will speak to several of the committee members and report back here when I get any news !
There is currently absolutely no problem for general members of the public to access 'Ops' to enquire about flying. I regularly see this happening and if they are enthusiastic they end up staying for twenty minutes or more chatting with one of the instructors about the whole experience. It's just that they can't come in and use the club facilities if they are not actually progressing an interest in flying.
Drambuster
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Drambuster.- your club's constitution would normally lay out terms and conditions for Members' guests...number at any time, number of visits etc. this stops one person bringing in a charabanc full of mates,
OTOH, in the case of a celebration, it's not unknown for random members to sign -in the permitted number of guests,until all are legal.
(you DO have a visitor's book??? )
Unless you specifically demand AOPA membership, I'd suggest a wider scope , to take in , say, LAA, BHGA, BMAA etc. members....remember this is only a "grockle" filter, you'd still get their landing-fee, or day-pass fee, if that's the way you went.
The Sailing-Club was affiliated to the RYA and therefore paid a goodly chunk of cash to them each year, so it could be argued that members had already paid for the reciprocal arrangements with other clubs.
We also had "invitation meets" which closely parallel the "fly-ins", Again, both visitors and members paid a small fee towards the races and the ensuing trophies and sustenance. all entrants had to produce a valid insurance certificate.
It's the details that take the hammering-out to try to eliminate inconsistencies and unfairness, both to the members who'se substantial annual fees keep the club afloat, balanced against the fellow enthusiast who wishes to "sound-out" the atmosphere and possibility of joining.
I don't think there isany members' organisation, Trade or Leisure, in this country, that doesn't struggle to recruit and retain members.
Recently, I've had Flyers from the local Golf club, Conservative Club and Health club, all extolling their virtues and offering low-cost entry.
5 years ago, they all had waiting-lists!
Now, Don't get me started on the difficulty of finding volunteers for committee and official duties!
OTOH, in the case of a celebration, it's not unknown for random members to sign -in the permitted number of guests,until all are legal.
(you DO have a visitor's book??? )
Unless you specifically demand AOPA membership, I'd suggest a wider scope , to take in , say, LAA, BHGA, BMAA etc. members....remember this is only a "grockle" filter, you'd still get their landing-fee, or day-pass fee, if that's the way you went.
The Sailing-Club was affiliated to the RYA and therefore paid a goodly chunk of cash to them each year, so it could be argued that members had already paid for the reciprocal arrangements with other clubs.
We also had "invitation meets" which closely parallel the "fly-ins", Again, both visitors and members paid a small fee towards the races and the ensuing trophies and sustenance. all entrants had to produce a valid insurance certificate.
It's the details that take the hammering-out to try to eliminate inconsistencies and unfairness, both to the members who'se substantial annual fees keep the club afloat, balanced against the fellow enthusiast who wishes to "sound-out" the atmosphere and possibility of joining.
I don't think there isany members' organisation, Trade or Leisure, in this country, that doesn't struggle to recruit and retain members.
Recently, I've had Flyers from the local Golf club, Conservative Club and Health club, all extolling their virtues and offering low-cost entry.
5 years ago, they all had waiting-lists!
Now, Don't get me started on the difficulty of finding volunteers for committee and official duties!
Vino "Then that is good, but is there a mechanism where interested members of the public can leave the car park enquire about learning to fly?"
Yes, you simply walk through the gate and go to the flight office. If thats a bit challenging [in the mental and not physical sense] then one should perhaps consider an alternate hobby
My membership enquiry was met with great enthusiasm and included a walk down the flight line to look at the club aircraft and a cup of tea and chat with the CFI
Yes, you simply walk through the gate and go to the flight office. If thats a bit challenging [in the mental and not physical sense] then one should perhaps consider an alternate hobby
My membership enquiry was met with great enthusiasm and included a walk down the flight line to look at the club aircraft and a cup of tea and chat with the CFI
weird management at WW. I tried to join there when I bought my aircraft in 2002. I had been in and the manageress had shown me around, agreed a parking rate for my aircraft and showed me the club rules etc. All very reasonable. The day before my aircraft was going to be flown in for me I went along to pay the necessary fees and the CFI got involved. He rejected my membership as my Rans (microlight) was deemed to be "too slow in his circuit!"
That bit of stupidity has cost WW some 17 grand so far.
I ended up at Brimpton, cheaper, friendlier, dawn to dusk freedom without arrangement and all the tea and coffee I can drink.
Perhaps he was right to be concerned, microlights are taking over.
Rans6
That bit of stupidity has cost WW some 17 grand so far.
I ended up at Brimpton, cheaper, friendlier, dawn to dusk freedom without arrangement and all the tea and coffee I can drink.
Perhaps he was right to be concerned, microlights are taking over.
Rans6
