MISASA FEES - Is it worth it ?

[JBurger]

Looks like good news as we can now decide if we want to rejoin Misasa or not. It might be a good idea to stay with the Aeroclub and take out 3rd party insurance from them.

[gertcoetzee]

Here is my MISASA experience

2005 join MISASA and pay fees
2005 received 3 magazines
2005 never receive receipt or 3rd party insurance information I asked for
2006 struggle for 3 months to receive renewal notice
2006 pay fees eventually
2006 request magazine, receipt and paperwork on 3rd party insurance
2006 ultimatum to MISASA - refund or reply

And they wonder why microlighters are hesitant to join. Unless MISASA admin gets up to scratch this is it for me.

Gert

[JBurger]

I agree 100%
I had lots of complaint from fellow pilots not receiving the magazine and membership cards. I was promised that Misasa is in the process of getting their act together but now 3 months later have not seen anything new or different from the previous years. Makes one wonder if it means anything to the microlightters. Maybe next year we will just look for 3rd party insurance somewhere else and only join the Aeroclub.

[loansharkblv]

had lots of complaint from fellow pilots not receiving the magazine and membership cards.

Err, there are membership cards?

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Got membership card 2006 (from aero club)
Got first Mag...

[loansharkblv]

I see - If the Misasa/Aeroclub membership cards are one and the same then I humbly retract my statement - Also got 1st Mag.

[Skybound]

MISASA is a bunch of robbers as far as I am concerned. Paid dues in Sept 2005 and took out 3rd party. Nothing to date.After numerous phone calls,faxing confirmation of payment and enquiring as to when I can expect the magazine. Nothing Appears previous chairperson never put my details on the database.Not that the present lot is any more helpfull. Promised to look into it and call me back in a day or two. This was 3 weeks ago. Thanks for the service MISASA. You bunch will really reel in subscriptions this way

[ZULU1]

I stirred the Misasa forum earlier his year with respect to :
Budgets
Last years financials
Staus of Current account (Cash in hand)
Forecast and Budget for 2006 (Prospectus)

I see that the forecast (labeled Budget) for 2006 has now been posted on Misasa website in a simple one sheet format. Fine but after a statement from Robert Gassmann (he's a good friend by the way) he advised in January that Misasa was technically broke..just a couple of grand in each account. So I stirred the pot...which was my objective. Never to do with flying, that issue was not of interest or highlighted. Purely accounts and reporting. I made the statement "What good a Misasa if its broke ??"

Anyway it seems that cash is in fact in, a budget is prepared and some headway is being made. I am unsure if the budget will hold up as I think its a bit light in some areas but it is there and they have something (a tool) to work with. This is at least better than last year and I believe my little stir has to date in fact achieved something.

But you should have seen the stupid comments and names I was labeled, but thats fine, I am used to it and will not shut up; its all in the good of the sport.

I have supported Alan McKenzie with pics etc. and hes going to give it a good bash with the mag, Mike as the Chairman and Robert Gassmann with cash.

This I believe will be a make or break year, or I predict each province will create their own "club" which may in fact not be a bad thing. Possibly affiliated to Aero Club ??

So I am totally "apolitical" lets see what happens..but every organisation needs non-exec directors and this is certainly no exception.

What I did find strange though is a price rise without a budget...

eish ZULU1

[DarkHelmet]

Mi Casa, Su Casa, Misasa

I am still at loggerheads on this issue too but I have paid my dues (just last week) in good faith.

I atttended a recent Western Cape Microlight Club meeting where Mike Blyth made an appearance. I have only been a member for one year now and I was SERIOUSLY considering NOT renewing my membership.

I forked out the cash and received my 3rd party and renewal in the post about a week later.

Paying for a magazine subs is NOT why I joined, I have email, I have web access - I read these forums (oh damn - I am actually a moderator on most of them)

Mike has his work cut out for him, I am a VERY new member to this crowd. I have expectations and needs from my MISASA membership.

1. I would like to see a MISASA rep out at OUR field to talk about OUR issues.
2. I want to see how MISASA involves me as a recently qaulified pilot in events. (I don't see myself yet experienced to fly to Wonderboom all by myself - have logged 102 hours solo to date but would like to do a trip like this across all the 3 letter Acrononyms (TMA, CTA, CTR, PVR, DVD etc) lead by someone with experience.
3. Championships? F those, I would like to see training sessions how to do these before the championships are held.

I am harsh, but I fly safely and responsibly the way I have been taught and many of these things are beyond my training and expertise. I feel that I pay MISASA to enrich my flying experience and I have yet to see this. Until then I will fly my patch flight and live for the day I get to the field to take my baby up for some peace and quiet!

[DarkHelmet]

In response to myself.

A lot of the verbal people on this forum are recently qualified pilots and (I might be speaking out of turn) but we want to see a body like MISASA that claims to be the be all and end all to all Microlighters in SA to do things for US.

MISASA to date has done nothing for me in the 1 year before that I have been a member, I worship the air that Mike Blyth flies in - but that is NOT enough to ensure my membership payment next year. To Mike, thanks for taking the reigns, to MISASA, make me a part of the team or flush my membership down the drain next year. I paid for 2006, make it worth my while please.

[ZULU1]

I can fully understand where Mr DH is coming from, it is obvious that a lot of newly qualified pilots are on the forum. Great stuff (my fees not renewed as yet by the way) any way, the issues raised by Mr DH are very valid NOW. When I raised the issue of finance, there was no budget, no focus, no f***all. Without these in place, no hope. So I believe a new marketing strategy by MISASA is required to "give the people what they want" and this is indeed a subject that needs to be addressed and quite possibly is being...

An example of I think the word is mentorship?? is last week end (at club level) I took a newly qualified student on a cross country >4hrs, this was done at club level and organised by our club chairman.

Safe flying, if you come to Ballito I will show you some interesting sites...

eish that damned ZULU1 again..

[IFLYHI]

Did not renew last year

Flying from my own strip leaves me a bit isolated from the regular hanger talk if it was not for this forum :D I would not know of any thing, apart from the regular (well publicized) air shows.

It was requested plenty times before and whenever Missasa used this forum they got good positive feedback

And I am sure they are doing plenty good every day but we don't know about it
So I suggest that the secretary post Mike and other key persons dairy in the official notice area on a weekly/bi-weekly basis that way we know what is been done and we can give input if needed or requested

With regards to mentors I know diddly squad too but am willing to co-ordinate fly-ins/outs (have seen that Harties plenty times )
I have taken the plunge twice last year to "big" events, Vereeniging and Brits Aerobatics championships, to fly in (at Brits had the Oracle Pitts wait behind me for take off ) Both these were done solo and it would have been better with other microlights.

As this is the only forum I frequent, I believe there are others apart from Avcom so I don't know how popular those are at least on this one they will reach 600+ ML pilots and interested parties
The only time I go to the Misasa site is when somebody tells me, on this site, to check it out

Where is that Badplaas trip now I was all fired up last year

[mike2flyfar]

I have just read all the different posts from the last few months. I understand why you all feel the way you do about the fees and the problem on non-delivery by MISASA. Yes, we have made mistakes and yes things are not right yet and yes, the fee increase was huge and yes, we are not yet communicating well enough with you and yes, there are still administration problems and I can go on … but if you will indulge me, I will explain what we have done and what we are now doing.
First of all lets look at the history a little … In the early days MISASA didn’t have to worry too much about dealing with regulations and all sorts of administrative issues and could focus on events etc., but as the years passed that changed and for the last 8 years or more, the MISASA committee have found themselves under pressure to deliver on all sorts of administration issues such as regulation changes, instructor and AP training and admin, producing the magazine (a really huge task), dealing with the CAA and more. Under pressure to get these jobs done, their focus naturally shifted from doing what MISASA should focus on – events, club promotions, competition and communication. Until a few years ago, members from around the country (especially those who operate from small clubs or alone) were not really in touch with each other and so a MISASA member with a problem was isolated - neither the committee nor other members got to hear about it. Also, much of the work done by the committee went unnoticed because it is boring and not something that the average member has any interest in – consequently it was not reported on much. Keep in mind that the work is done by members who are pure volunteers (except for last year).
Since I took the reins in January the committee have been working with a slightly different focus and to mention some of the things we have done: we moved the office from Pretoria to the Aeroclub office at Rand Airport, employed and tried to train a Girl Friday to do all the admin work needed (she is not doing well and this will be sorted out very soon), tried to sort out the database (last years members … not an easy or quick task), sorted out many admin issues, Robert Gassman has been fixing up a few years worth of financial messiness, we took over the magazine from Konrad, found a new editor and a new layout company and new printers, renewed contact and got our relationship on track with the CAA and the Aeroclub, rearranged and got some new committee members, fought for all sorts of issues on the regulations and restricted airspaces, worked on the higher weight limit issue, initiated and promoted new events and competitions and more. And done by volunteers – most of whom are busy and hard working men with demanding jobs.
MISASA has been losing money over the last 2 years because of a big decrease in membership numbers and increased costs – thus the big jump in fees. Today is our financial year end and so within a month there will be a complete set of accurate accounts for you to look at (it has taken longer to get done than expected – my apologies). Next year we are aiming at reducing the fees now that we are running a tight ship and have reduced our costs considerably.
So, what’s the plan? Well, first I have to look at what MISASA’s role is and if we are heading in the right direction. Reading the constitution it is easy to get direction - MISASA’s role is to represent microlighters on all levels, especially on an official level, promote safety, promote the sport, promote and assist flying clubs, promote events and competitions, communicate with the members - to name a few of the important things. I am not someone who looks back - after all I have been a MISASA member for 22 years and if things were not to my liking I had the ability to do something about it. Now that I am in the driving seat, I better do what should be done because I am the one who is now accountable to you, I am the one who took the job and so I better deliver. Unfortunately it all takes time, the tasks are many and have to be done in between our other day to day work – that is the reality of it. We know what has to be done, we know how to do it, but it does take time. Some things that we are planning are going to take until the end of the year and maybe even take longer – in the meantime I am prepared to take the flack, because I know our credibility will improve with time you will eventually want to belong to MISASA.
To those of you who have a specific problem, take the time to contact one of us on the committee - but give us a fair chance to rectify the problem. This is our sport together. I and the other committee members are exactly like you – we fly for the love of it, we fly with you and hopefully help each other. The committee have volunteered to do a job that is time consuming and sometimes difficult - for the long term good of all of us and our sport. As an example - Gert Coetzee had a problem with his membership … he didn’t give up .. he kept on at me until we were able to help him and because of his perseverance he highlighted a problem area we have - now we know about it and are going to fix it. Do the same and support those who really are trying to do something because they are doing for everyone, you included.
Feel free to contact me directly even if it is just to moan - my work tel number is 011 455 4203, my cell number is 083 550 1163 and my e-mail is mike@aviation-engines.co.za.

Have a good and safe flying weekend (the weather is looking good)
Mike Blyth
MISASA Chairman

[IFLYHI]

Like I said as soon as we hear something from you guys things look rosy again :D

I have said this before "Thank you to all your tireless efforts and time"

[RudiGreyling]

Hi Guys,

I was one of the guys that stirred on the forum. Stirring is one thing, but I also took accountability and sent an email to current (Mike) and old chairman in the beginning year explaining my gripes. Guess what, Mike came back to me, old one did not...

I also renewed my membership, with objection letter.

I understand the need for a GOOD microlighters governing body, so I renewed to show my goodwill, and give the new guys at the helm my support.

If I understand it correctly this year these guys are doing it without compensation, nada, nothing, only for the love of the sport! I personally think last year we bit of more than we could chew, we didn't need a full time paid chairman. We can't afford it, the state of the finances at the beginning of the year showed that. We need to crawl before we walk and run again...

Think about it, will you take all the flack and responsibility for what your paid predecessors did, for nothing? Yeah Right!

The new guys need a chance, give it to them. That said I have also made my decision, this year is my Misasa membership decision year, but in the mean time I gave the new guys the benefit of the doubt.

Mike, Rob and current commitee good job so far, I hope you turn it around.

Regards
Rudi