Long Winded Response: Two years ago I flew up to the small town of Page, AZ to take in their annual Air Fare air-show for the first time. I was the last plane to land before they closed the field. Taxing to the parking ramp the Air Boss called me and asked if I'd like to show the plane. I said. "Sure!" They put me in the front row smack in the middle of the war birds. They roped off my 'Coupe, waived the entrance fee, bought my lunch, and gassed me up for free! I spent the rest of the day answering questions about Ercoupes with the local public. It was the best time I've ever had at a show and the show itself was spectacular. I was treated like a King. That will probably _never_ happen again for me.
The point here is this: Air shows that charge admission, cater to wide aviation interests and have financial support from businesses, corporations, etc. can afford to do this. We are talking here, though, about _Ercoupe_ enthusiasts, pilots and owners. Our _Ercoupe_ conventions and gatherings are primarily for _us_ and not for putting on an aviation extravaganza for the public. It still takes a lot of money and time to plan and pull-off an Ercoupe event. Of course _we_ should pay for it! We aren't professional air-show performers who can expect to be paid to show up (gas, lunch, fee-waivers are a form of remuneration requiring a commercial pilot's license). Landing fees are a different argument not related to registration fees for attending an Ercoupe conference. Assuming the public will turn-out and pay to see only Ercoupes and that _they_ should support our conferences is silliness. They won't and why should we expect them to? There isn't anything to "talk" about here so why keep the thread going? If people want to gripe about landing fees, contact your local and national representatives but, griping about conference registration fees is a waste of time. Jim -----Original Message----- From: V. Childs <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wednesday, October 13, 1999 7:48 AM Subject: Re: AIRPLANE FEE AT NATIONAL CONVENTION >WHERE TRYING TO TALK ABOUT NOT HAVING A REGISRATION FEE FOR THE PILOTS. THE >PEOPLE WHO DRIVE OR WALK IN CAN PAY A HIGHER FEE AND IF YOU AS A PILOT WANT >TO PAY THE FEE GO AHEAD. I THINK WILL GET MORE PILOTS FLYING IN WITH OUT >FEES. THE YOUNGER PILOTS DON'T LIKE ALL THE FEES. IS IT SUCH A BIG DEAL WE >CAN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT IT. I'M SURE YOU'LL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO GET BACK >TO PARTS & CORROSION. GENE MARTIN > >Dyno wrote: > >> Greg Bullough wrote: >> > >> > At 07:04 PM 10/12/99 -0400, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >> > > Tom, Well put. Warren H. >> > >> > Well since we're griping... ...why don't they make sure that the venue >> > of choice has 80 Octane gas!?! >> > >> > College Park doesn't. >> > >> > Greg >> >> Geezzze Guys Grow Up ! Next you will want them to meet you at your >> coupe with a red carpet and a Limo... >> >> It is NOT a landing FEE, it is the price you pay to cover the expense of >> having the convention. >> >> Besides if you have enough bucks to get there and still be able to eat, >> and they don't repo you plane on the ramp, then 25 bucks will not kill >> you... Nad if it will then don't go , we'll understand you are so poor >> that you can afford to own a plane , but can't afford to fly it ! >> >> I would rather read E-mails where fellow pilots are helping each other >> and sharing information .. If I want to hear bitching I will sit in the >> kitchen when my mother in law is over........... >> >> Don... N-72DS > > >
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