MISASA FEES - Is it worth it ?

[JBurger]

I just recveived my anual renewal for my Aero Club and Misasa fees.
I am very confused because the Aeroclub can mage a 5% increase but MISAS fees increase by 60%. I personally think that it is time that we part with MISASA permanently and run only one organisation to look after our affairs. We must decide what we want to call it. Aero Club only? By subscribing to both the Aero Club and Misasa does not do it for me. Every year there is the hoo haa about what MISASA has done for us. All we hear is the old transponder story and the dangerous restricted airspace changes but that means little to us in the sticks. Well to tell the truth I start wondering because for us out in the sticks MISASA has done very little and I can now honestly say that after 5 years I am seariously thinking to pernanently resign from both the Aeroclub and MISASA and just enjoy my microlight flying out in the sticks without their unaffordable/ureasonably expensive support.

[DarkHelmet]

JBurger - I tend to agree - I have had 1 Magazine since I bought my aerie in Feb 2005, Yes, I have 3rd party to show for it but why bother paying it?

I am sorry - I don't see the point of this either and I am considering moving my aerie to uncontrolled airspace!

[DarkHelmet]

AND YES - My reg is in my signature so consider this an OFFICIAL OBJECTION

Anyone else care to object?

[RV4ker (RIP)]

I am sorry - I don't see the point of this either and I am considering moving my aerie to uncontrolled airspace!

No opinion on the fees yet as I still await mine.

DH
Is klippies is uncontrolled airspace? Where you wanna go? (just curious)

[DarkHelmet]

I am thinking of going very far north - VERY FAR - out of Special Rules East and West

[RV4ker (RIP)]

You moving

[DarkHelmet]

Since I travel 75km to go fly my aerie ANYWAY I might as well go somewhere north less obvious, maybe a bit further and out of sight - but then I don't have to drive 75km there and 75km back. Just do a one way of say 150 - 300km there, fly all weekend then back!

[DarkHelmet]

With that said, I don't mind paying for things to get done, fees are fees and we all have dues to pay - tolls, petrol tax this that and the next - but I have yet to see what MISASA does for me as a very regular flyer.

I can still fly my aerie every saturday morning, how does MISASA help me do that?

I see letters and stuff going around that wants to force me to put a R20,000 transponder on my aerie.

I hear about increasing membership fees but I still have to receive the letter informing me of why I am paying membership in the first place?

As a newby to the sport I have paid my dues to my instructor to teach me to fly my craft (and he did a darnright good job of it! Thanks Alan!) but to this day I have not seen a MISASA organised event, received a letter or an SMS - YES - I got the COME VOTE SMS - Come vote on WHAT?

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Man I am spoilt. I drive 23kms to Rand and bitch about the traffic. No wonder you leave at the crack of dawn.

Are there not any closer strips. (Lasertronics, Aero 57, Oakfield, Rietfont. Xwinds?) Surely you could make a plan closer to home? What about all the strips in the Hek valley (Harties, Sue's strip etc)? CC (of Lazertronics/Bush Air fame) still uses a strip in Midrand when he in Jhb. Sure he could make a plan. Assume hangar is problem as is mostly the case....

When I lived on the West Rand my license lapsed for that very reason. I was then flying purely for fun. A half hr flip started taking 3+ hrs and the stress levels were just not worth it fighting traffic there and back (FAGC). I know couple of the guys based in Bryanston fly at Brits as drive time is very similar to Rand, Petit & Flyinn for eg. and they have no flight delays once there.

I have plane based in the sticks. It is great to drive up (in peak hr traffic it takes 8 mins vs 5 from office to airfield) open hangar and go fly. 1hr flight takes less than 1.5hrs. No airspace restrictions, no tower nothing, just big sky country.... Only problem is flying alone is a baie K@K & I do alot of it...

KEEP THE PASSION.....

My 2c
Try to find a home for your baby closer to home as driving the 300 odd km's will become a shlepp after first 6 months.

[DarkHelmet]

75km per day both ways vs 4 extra flying hours for a 150km trip?

I live for a 1 flip a week at present - drive double as far and get to fly Friday afternoon, saturday moring, Saturday Afternoon, Sunday morning, Sunday Afternoon and then drive back 150km - which would you do? Drive 75km per flip or 150km for 5 flips?

[RV4ker (RIP)]

You have a point, but can you go vevery weekend? If only going 1ce a month it almost the same thing?

If it were me I would be getting your baby closer to home and getting a mistress (maybe a solid cheapie windlass) on the plaas, but that kinda explains the toy box. (Obviously visa versa also applies Mistress in Jhb for da weekly fix and your bokkie on plaas for the long term flylationship) Best of both worlds. If mistress stays here you could always do timeshare (syndicate) 3 shares at R10K and she's almost free?

my 2c

Type: Windlass
Engine: 503 Rotax
Comments: New Wing - Gauges – Radio and Headsets.
Price: 35,000 fly away

[Cloud Warrior]

Bugger this - I am not renewing my membership until we get briefed by MISASA as to what the reasons are for the sharp increase in fees.

And then you are supposed to join/ pay dues to an ARO in the future as well?

Another reason to look forward to Oz in January!

[Microwave]

I also got a bit of a shock when I renewed my airworthiness a couple of weeks ago......I think it has more than doubled since last year I would'nt mind understanding that increase as well.

[Microwave]

Dark Helmet,

We have some openings at Micro Ranch if you are interested.

The strip is approx 8 miles east of Harties. Hangarage R 200 pm.

We could do with a really passionate newcomer.

[DarkHelmet]

Worth investigating Microwave! I will pm you!