MRCHA Membership Survey Results

Fall 2007

43 members polled

20 responded – Thanks for your participation!

How long have you been flying RC helis?

Average 4 years, range 14 years to 2 weeks

How many years have you been a MRCHA member?

Average 2 years, range 7 years to 0

How many RC helis do you currently own?

Average 3.7 (from 8 to 0)

Electric: average 2.35 (from 8 to 1)

Glow: average 2.21 (from 5 to 1)

Gas: one member reported two gas helis

None responded “other” (turbine, etc.)

How many of your helis are in flying condition?

Average 3, from 8 to 0

What interests you most about flying RC helis?

8 listed “3D, aerobatics” as primary choice

4 listed “sport flying” as primary choice

4 others listed both as primary choice

2 listed “FAI” as primary choice

During the season how often do you get out to fly helis (times per week, month, etc.)?

Average 3 times per week, max of 5 to 7 times per week, minimum of once every other week

How many flights do you usually complete each time you go out to fly?

Average 3.29, from 1 to 10

Where do you usually fly?

6 indicated Post Office field

10 fly at an established R/C club airfield

11 fly at a local park or other non-R/C club location

Are you a member of any other RC clubs? If so, please list the clubs you belong to:

MVRC Tri-Valley MRCSS

Grassfields St Paul RC Anoka Co RC

MARCEE Key City Bald Eagles North Metro Heli Club

Marion RC flyers (Rocheseter) Valley RC Flyers (Fargo, ND)

Northern MN RC

Are you currently a member of AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics)?

18 responded “yes”, 2 “no” (MRCHA members who are not AMA members have been flying helis seven months or less)

How many times have you attended the Rotary Ring Out?

Average 1.9 times, some have not attended, one has been to all of them

If you have attended, what did you enjoy most about the Ring Out?

Many heli pilots and lots of action, getting help with setup and technique, Bennett lessons, meeting new people, seeing different flying styles and machines, watching night flying, seeing friends, gathering of people with common heli interest, camping out, watching really good flyers, watching factory pilots, socializing, everything!

Have you attended a monthly MRCHA meeting?

14 yes, 6 no

What do you like about MRCHA meetings?

Meeting other pilots, heli discussions, meeting new people, seeing others fly, socializing and “getting help on my T-Rex 450”

What would you change about MRCHA meetings?

More structure, presentations, agenda. Better location than PO field. Closer to my home. Consistent start time. Share knowledge on heli maintenance, construction and flying, see info on new products. More discussion of open club issues. Provide timely updates on venue and time changes. Need chairs.

Would you be interested in seeing 15 to 25 minute heli-related seminars at MRCHA meetings? Topics could include the following: Gyro setup, canopy painting, simulator setup and use, governor setup and use, preventative maintenance, radio programming, fiberglass repair, engine setup and break-in, set up for 3D flying, blade balancing, post-crash analysis, etc.

18 said “yes”, 2 said “no”

Remember, we need knowledgeable people to present these topics. Please think about stepping up and sharing what you know about one of these at a future meeting!

Please rank the following reasons to attend a MRCHA meeting in order of importance to you:

28% - Social interaction

22% - Learn more about flying RC helis

22% - Learn more about setting up RC helis

18% - Get information about club business

10% - Get information about club activities

What do you seek from being a MRCHA member?

34% - Fly with other heli pilots

32% - Social interaction

17% - Get flight instruction

14% - Help with machine setup

3% - Give flight instruction

How should MRCHA use its funds?

54% - Spend some for social activities

29% - Invest for future MRCHA club field

17% - Spend all for social activities

As an RC heli pilot, do you consider yourself a

30% - Beginner pilot (includes hovering, forward flight)

60% - Intermediate pilot (includes inverted maneuvers)

10% - Advanced pilot (includes backward flight, pirouetting maneuvers)

At what level do you want to be with your heli flying in two years? What maneuvers do you want to master?

15 want to improve to next level, two want to keep flying and keep it fun

Would you be interested participating in a mentoring program for flying where experienced pilots could be paired with less skilled pilots to improve their flying ability?

15 are interested, 2 not (learning is personal to each pilot)

Some very good pilots expressed interest in instructing advanced flying

Please comment on anything you like, dislike or want to see different about MRCHA.

• Keep activities social and fun, help new pilots, present a positive image of the club to others
• Put more emphasis on club growth, increase opportunity for MRCHA to be a resource for new and experienced pilots
• MRCHA should dedicate to teaching new pilots set up and flying
• Dislike the lack of past promotion
• Excited about plans heard so far for 2008
• Would like to see more organized activities
• Meetings at Hooters?
• MRCHA should have activities in locations other than Bloomington and Richfield. An event in northern MN would be nice (camping, etc.)
• The Ringout is an awesome event that should be capitalized on.
• The Post Office field stinks. A real heli field would be nice but tough to support.
• MRCHA is only useful for myself for the discount fuel purchase and MRCHA sponsored fun flies (Grassfield and Ring Out) -- member not in metro area
• Would like to see meetings in a more central metro location
• The club lacks cohesiveness and a firm set of rules, maybe due to not having our own flying site. This should be a top priority.
• Get the owner of King Kong Hobbies back in MRCHA