EAA life membership value?

bflynn

bflynn

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Brian Flynn
Without bashing, what's the value of an EAA life membership beyond not paying dues for the rest of your life? I ask because they've hit me up again and the price is substantially higher than 30 years worth of dues. Given that 30 years would make me the longest living person in my family ever, it isn't worth it for just that.

Those life member jackets aren't that nice, are they?
 
I'm an EAA lifetime member but past a certain age it probably isn't worth it. The only perk, and it's relatively new, is the Lifetime Membership Oasis at Osh right across from the Brown Arch. You can go in there to cool off, get drinks and snacks for free, and they have their own bathroom trailers (not porta potties). The plaque and jacket (which is nice but I never wear) definitely weren't a factor in my decision to pull the trigger.
 
bflynn said:
Without bashing, what's the value of an EAA life membership beyond not paying dues for the rest of your life? I ask because they've hit me up again and the price is substantially higher than 30 years worth of dues. Given that 30 years would make me the longest living person in my family ever, it isn't worth it for just that.

Those life member jackets aren't that nice, are they?
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How did you math account for unknown annual dues increases?
 
Clip4 said:
How did you math account for unknown annual dues increases?
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Well lifetime is $1400-ish. Normal dues are $48

So 30 years paid up front.. even if the dues double that's still 15 years prepaid.

So do you think that you have 30 years of EAA stuff in you? I sure don't. EAA is not about building, but about getting inner city yute's to fly for 10 minutes then never get into an airplane again... and I'm really tired of hearing about OSH basically year round.

Maybe if they got more builder-ie (like in the early to mid 80's) I could see the value... but ICNGAF about Young Eagles, the TriMotor or OSH. Yes I did a few Young Eagles events, Yes I even did the TriMotor thing at one of my chapters. Not really keen on OSH as I'm not in the market to buy anything and most of the speakers I can watch online or they are not worth the effort to get to OSH.
 
Sam D said:
I really appreciate what the EAA does and am happy to be a member. So I'm a lifetime member. That was about the extent of my analysis.
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Well said! I don't have a better reason. I just pulled the trigger a few weeks ago. They've given me some great opportunities and I'm proud to be a member.

I'm 50, so odds aren't good that I'll be flying by the time it pays for itself. The jacket... not really my style. The plaque... something else to put in the hangar. The sticker... will look cool!
 
pfarber said:
Well lifetime is $1400-ish. Normal dues are $48

So 30 years paid up front.. even if the dues double that's still 15 years prepaid.

So do you think that you have 30 years of EAA stuff in you? I sure don't. EAA is not about building, but about getting inner city yute's to fly for 10 minutes then never get into an airplane again... and I'm really tired of hearing about OSH basically year round.

Maybe if they got more builder-ie (like in the early to mid 80's) I could see the value... but ICNGAF about Young Eagles, the TriMotor or OSH. Yes I did a few Young Eagles events, Yes I even did the TriMotor thing at one of my chapters. Not really keen on OSH as I'm not in the market to buy anything and most of the speakers I can watch online or they are not worth the effort to get to OSH.
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So I guess that a No vote then, and I'll extrapolate a get off my lawn vote too while I'm at it as a 2-for-1.
 
tsts4 said:
The only perk, and it's relatively new, is the Lifetime Membership Oasis at Osh right across from the Brown Arch. You can go in there to cool off, get drinks and snacks for free, and they have their own bathroom trailers (not porta potties).
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The Oasis does sound pretty cool (pun intended!) Lifetime Membership Oasis

I wish they had more Lifetime gear. I can buy a $32 Pint Glass, or a $58 blanket!
 
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Being over 70 it would most likely be a donation.
 
Doesn't make sense for me, though I like EAA and I could probably rationalize it as a donation.

I did gift a life membership to my son when he got his ticket. I'm sure he'll get my money's worth out of it... :)
 
Would have made sense for me back in 1992 when I joined the EAA. Makes little sense now.
 
For those of you who have kids with any aviation interest why not buy the lifetime membership in their name? They can take you to the "oasis" or whatever it is called and you can read their editions of the magazine....
 
The one organization of which I’m a life member had a fund raiser where donation above $X also included life membership.
 
Lifetime membership in any organization isn't about prepaying for some certain number of years of membership, it's about showing your support in a material way beyond merely paying annual dues.
 
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Lindberg said:
Lifetime membership in any organization isn't about prepaying for some certain number of years of membership, it's about showing your support in a material way beyond merely paying annual dues.
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It’s also a gamble on what the organization might become in the years ahead.
 
There should be (could be?) tiers for different ages going in. As it now stands, I would have to become one of the oldest people alive to make it break even. As it now stands, I am close to pulling the trigger on a one-year membership. :cool:
 
Lindberg said:
Lifetime membership in any organization isn't about prepaying for some certain number of years of membership, it's about showing your support in a material way beyond merely paying annual dues.
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It is, but some of the stuff they offer to lifetime members is just a throw-away... a complete waste of money (IMO). What in the world am I gonna do with a Jacket or a wall plaque? That's $50 or $100 of money just thrown away, IMO. Cut the price by $100 and do away with that stuff, since it really doesn't benefit me or the EAA...
 
Lindberg said:
Lifetime membership in any organization isn't about prepaying for some certain number of years of membership, it's about showing your support in a material way beyond merely paying annual dues.
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Yes and as I stated in my reply I am not happy with the EAA becoming a recruiter for airlines.

EAA should be about Part 147 schools and mechanics. Have you read any of the issues from the 80s? Significantly different tone. Even Kitplanes has turned to trash. Almost every issue of Sport Aviation is nothing more than a rich guy showing off what he did with his money.

As the EAA done a lot regulatory wise? Basic Med was a win, but had a lot of help.

So yeah, I'm not willing to support EAA in a significant manner because in the mid 90's they stopped supporting me. I am a huge proponent of auto conversions... and in the 80's/90's there were many articles about them. Now not so much. Has the EAA ever done something like a series on designing? Kitplanes (again, way back) did have a series 'Stress without Tears' that I remember to this day. But now? Gotta fill the pages with OSH ads, Garmin ads, and a $250k barn find restoration.

EAA chapters are more miss than hit. I'm not super interested to blow my saturday for your chapters monthly pancake breakfast. Or your fly in where 2 planes show up. Of the 6 chapters I've been a part of (yes, I move a lot) ONE was worth the drive to make the meetings. To me this shows that EAA just wants dues, and can't be bothered to keep chapters on point: design, build and fly EABs
 
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pfarber said:
Yes and as I stated in my reply I am not happy with the EAA becoming a recruiter for airlines.

EAA should be about Part 147 schools and mechanics. Have you read any of the issues from the 80s? Significantly different tone. Even Kitplanes has turned to trash. Almost every issue of Sport Aviation is nothing more than a rich guy showing off what he did with his money.

As the EAA done a lot regulatory wise? Basic Med was a win, but had a lot of help.

So yeah, I'm not willing to support EAA in a significant manner because in the mid 90's they stopped supporting me. I am a huge proponent of auto conversions... and in the 80's/90's there were many articles about them. Now not so much. Has the EAA ever done something like a series on designing? Kitplanes (again, way back) did have a series 'Stress without Tears' that I remember to this day. But now? Gotta fill the pages with OSH ads, Garmin ads, and a $250k barn find restoration.

EAA chapters are more miss than hit. I'm not super interested to blow my saturday for your chapters monthly pancake breakfast. Or your fly in where 2 planes show up. Of the 6 chapters I've been a part of (yes, I move a lot) ONE was worth the drive to make the meetings. To me this shows that EAA just wants dues, and can't be bothered to keep chapters on point: design, build and fly EABs
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Seems like, for you, it doesn't matter if it's $48 or $1400. It's not an organization that reflects what you want. :)
 
When at Oshkosh, I'm a volunteer, so I get free admission and camping, sandwiches for lunch if I want them. I spend $1000 on fuel flying there and back, I spend the night in a hotel in Watertown the night before that cost $200, food for me and the girlfriend adds up (beer adds up too!). All in all, I lose money to go see the best show in aviation!

I see planes, people, and aviation products I won't see anywhere else. I've met Apollo astronauts. I met Stan Lee. I met Harrison Ford. I wouldn't have met any of these people if not for Oshkosh. It's a community of like-minded people. EAA does an amazing job and tries to improve it every year. Becoming a Lifetime Member was just me giving something back to an organization that makes all of this possible.

BTW, I'm 50. I have a 182, a Corvette, a Lifetime Membership to EAA. I didn't have any of these things when I raising my two daughters and saving up to put them through college! There's a reason old guys drive Corvettes... young guys can't afford them!
 
Lowflynjack said:
When at Oshkosh, I'm a volunteer, so I get free admission and camping, sandwiches for lunch if I want them. I spend $1000 on fuel flying there and back, I spend the night in a hotel in Watertown the night before that cost $200, food for me and the girlfriend adds up (beer adds up too!). All in all, I lose money to go see the best show in aviation!

I see planes, people, and aviation products I won't see anywhere else. I've met Apollo astronauts. I met Stan Lee. I met Harrison Ford. I wouldn't have met any of these people if not for Oshkosh. It's a community of like-minded people. EAA does an amazing job and tries to improve it every year. Becoming a Lifetime Member was just me giving something back to an organization that makes all of this possible.

BTW, I'm 50. I have a 182, a Corvette, a Lifetime Membership to EAA. I didn't have any of these things when I raising my two daughters and saving up to put them through college! There's a reason old guys drive Corvettes... young guys can't afford them!
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Ditto except substitute boat and motorcycle for Corvette. :biggrin:
 
pfarber said:
Yes and as I stated in my reply I am not happy with the EAA becoming a recruiter for airlines.

EAA should be about Part 147 schools and mechanics. Have you read any of the issues from the 80s? Significantly different tone. Even Kitplanes has turned to trash. Almost every issue of Sport Aviation is nothing more than a rich guy showing off what he did with his money.

As the EAA done a lot regulatory wise? Basic Med was a win, but had a lot of help.

So yeah, I'm not willing to support EAA in a significant manner because in the mid 90's they stopped supporting me. I am a huge proponent of auto conversions... and in the 80's/90's there were many articles about them. Now not so much. Has the EAA ever done something like a series on designing? Kitplanes (again, way back) did have a series 'Stress without Tears' that I remember to this day. But now? Gotta fill the pages with OSH ads, Garmin ads, and a $250k barn find restoration.

EAA chapters are more miss than hit. I'm not super interested to blow my saturday for your chapters monthly pancake breakfast. Or your fly in where 2 planes show up. Of the 6 chapters I've been a part of (yes, I move a lot) ONE was worth the drive to make the meetings. To me this shows that EAA just wants dues, and can't be bothered to keep chapters on point: design, build and fly EABs
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Sounds like you're not their target audience for a lifetime membership.
 
I agree in a way that I get the sense that EAA isn't quite as focused on the "E" part of their name as it seems like they could be... and what part of it they are focused on is much more kit focused, but then that is driven by the market and industry not so much them. Doesn't see as much support for things like alternative engines, scratch built stuff, etc... as it feels like maybe there could be, but that ALL could just me and my perspective.
Teh one thing that bugs me is that the EAA doesn't really have a comprehensive tool or directory for really digging deep into what is available out there in the market for kits or plans models based on features and specs.
For example, I want to look for a x-seat single engine tricycle with a max HP of 'x' and a minimum wing loading of 'y'

I looked and looked a while back...and ended up scrolling through something from kitplanes magazine, but ultimately relied mostly on google and a lot of reading and digging


Anyway, re the lifetime membership
Yes, I considered buying it a long time ago...but like ya'll said when I was younger I didn't have the money, and what money I did have was focused on other things.
and now, it kinda doesn't make sense... I kinda wish they'd prorate it based on age and maybe some consideration to how long I've been paying the annual membership. I wouldn't mind giving them a lump sum payment if it would help them out, but it's gotta make a little bit of good sense too.
 
Brad W said:
I agree in a way that I get the sense that EAA isn't quite as focused on the "E" part of their name as it seems like they could be... and what part of it they are focused on is much more kit focused, but then that is driven by the market and industry not so much them. Doesn't see as much support for things like alternative engines, scratch built stuff, etc... as it feels like maybe there could be, but that ALL could just me and my perspective.
Teh one thing that bugs me is that the EAA doesn't really have a comprehensive tool or directory for really digging deep into what is available out there in the market for kits or plans models based on features and specs.
For example, I want to look for a x-seat single engine tricycle with a max HP of 'x' and a minimum wing loading of 'y'

I looked and looked a while back...and ended up scrolling through something from kitplanes magazine, but ultimately relied mostly on google and a lot of reading and digging
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Kitplanes does have a buyer guide that has filters you can use to search. Maybe it wasn't there the last time you looked: https://www.kitplanes.com/buyers-guide-search/

As for EAA, yeah all they have is an alphabetical list. IMO where they shine is all of the How to Videos and their library of Webinars.
 
tsts4 said:
Kitplanes does have a buyer guide that has filters you can use to search. Maybe it wasn't there the last time you looked: https://www.kitplanes.com/buyers-guide-search/

As for EAA, yeah all they have is an alphabetical list. IMO where they shine is all of the How to Videos and their library of Webinars.
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that's the one I found at Kitplanes.
Way better than anything I found through EAA
still not awesome in my opinion....
for example, number of seats. I want to search for say 4 seats, not 3-5
not a big deal, but still....

point is, I'd expect something better..or at least as good...from EAA
 
If you're young enough where buying a lifetime membership would make financial sense, doesn't that mean that if you were doing it to support the organization, it would be BETTER to stay an annual member and not lifetime?
 
Just renewed for five years. Was tempted to do lifetime but being 57 the math didn't work out as much of an incentive and the jacket didn't impress me. Had I known about the Airventure Oasis I think I would have done it.
 
RussR said:
If you're young enough where buying a lifetime membership would make financial sense, doesn't that mean that if you were doing it to support the organization, it would be BETTER to stay an annual member and not lifetime?
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Probably not then either because when you buy the lifetime, the org gets all that money now. And it's not like they won't still hit you up for donations.
 
Lindberg said:
Probably not then either because when you buy the lifetime, the org gets all that money now. And it's not like they won't still hit you up for donations.
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The Young Eagle raffle car this year is pretty dope...

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I’m a lifetime member (as is my wife), any organization that can pull off Airventure is worthy of my support. The jacket is warm but not a factor in my decision either. The oasis is super nice, esp with kids!
 
I like the EAA very much, and the local chapter at CGS, College Park, MD is a good one. I occasionally attend their meetings, and find them good company, and have donated to them.

I joined EAA each year that I went to Sun & Fun for the discounted admission, and to support the organization.

I have never seriously considered designing and building a plane.
I have looked seriously at kits, which I consider the only safe way to a properly engineered design, and parts that exist outside my head.
After carefully debating whether I had the time and drive to go from start to finish, I stuck with used Cessna's.
Keeping those planes in good condition matched the amount of work I preferred to do.
A ?friend? gave me a set of Benson Gyrocopter plans and parts list, but wisely, I did not start on it. I donated them to the College Park Aviation Museum.

One of my EAA friends built a WW 1 fighter plane, with VW engine. When finished, his trust in his quality of workmanship was such that he never even did taxi tests at an airport. He has taxied many miles, though, in 4th of July parades, and those short exhaust pipes make a fine crackling noise when he guns it, and backs off. Did he get his moneys worth out of the cost? He says yes, and who is to question his opinion on that question?

The reality is that kit planes are the most cost efficient and safe way to go, and should be the primary focus of EAA today,

The criticism of their poor search function for finding just the right features, quickly and easily, is to me the greatest shortcoming of the organization.

Ongoing yearly or 5 year memberships are in the long run better for the organization, as that helps them keep focused on the present dues payers, to keep them happy and paying.
 
RussR said:
If you're young enough where buying a lifetime membership would make financial sense, doesn't that mean that if you were doing it to support the organization, it would be BETTER to stay an annual member and not lifetime?
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Some of it is that when lobbying, they can point to the number of life members.
 
At some point you will realize you've seen, heard, and read everything of value published in the magazine. Unless you are a life-long builder you may get to the point where you're not getting anything out of it.

As a one time builder, I dropped AOPA about ten years ago. I stopped paying for my EAA membership two years ago. If I was rich I'd probably continue to support EAA, but I'm not.
 
Lndwarrior said:
At some point you will realize you've seen, heard, and read everything of value published in the magazine. Unless you are a life-long builder you may get to the point where you're not getting anything out of it.

As a one time builder, I dropped AOPA about ten years ago. I stopped paying for my EAA membership two years ago. If I was rich I'd probably continue to support EAA, but I'm not.
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I continue my EAA membership, as I feel it's worth it to me, but I discontinued getting the magazine a few years ago. I guess technically I switched to "online version only" but I never read it. Just too much else to read and not enough time.
 
pfarber said:
So yeah, I'm not willing to support EAA in a significant manner because in the mid 90's they stopped supporting me. I am a huge proponent of auto conversions... and in the 80's/90's there were many articles about them. Now not so much. Has the EAA ever done something like a series on designing? Kitplanes (again, way back) did have a series 'Stress without Tears' that I remember to this day. But now? Gotta fill the pages with OSH ads, Garmin ads, and a $250k barn find restoration.

EAA chapters are more miss than hit. I'm not super interested to blow my saturday for your chapters monthly pancake breakfast. Or your fly in where 2 planes show up. Of the 6 chapters I've been a part of (yes, I move a lot) ONE was worth the drive to make the meetings. To me this shows that EAA just wants dues, and can't be bothered to keep chapters on point: design, build and fly EABs
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What I'll tell you is that EAA is interested in what its members are interested in. Years ago, you had a lot more tinkerers and EAA/Sport Aviation had a lot more content that reflected the tinkerer population. Rotary engines? VW's? Small Block Chevy's? You bet. But nobody is submitting those articles any more. Nor are people starting with a Spruce tree and building Falco's. The demographic has changed. I'm sure EAA would love to publish more grass roots/DIY articles but those are few and far between these days.

As far as EAA chapters go, they are a mixed bag. Online forums have cut a chunk out of the "why" for EAA chapters, so chapters have to adapt. Some do, some don't.

But, if EAA ain't your bag, that's understandable. On the other hand, you could jump in with both feet and become a contributor on the engine conversion side or whatever. They really do need content that goes beyond "send all your money to Garmin and Van's"...
 
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kyleb said:
What I'll tell you is that EAA is interested in what its members are interested in.
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Really? I'm a member, and their interests don't follow mine.

The EAA has three categories of "Vintage" aircraft: (1) Antique, built before 1945, (2) Classic, built between 1945 and 1955, and (3) Contemporary, built between 1956 and 1970. Almost all the vintage coverage is for the first two, with almost nothing for Vintage - Contemporary, but I'd bet these are by far the most popular aircraft. I have written the EAA several times asking for increased coverage of the Contemporary category, all to no avail. How many members really restore a round-motor biplane from 1930, compared to the number who revamp a Cherokee or Bonanza from the early '60s?

Sadly, the quality of the magazine has declined over the last few years. They lost Skiles and Paine and a few other writers and have not replaced them with anyone of comparable skill. The coverage of Oshkosh now seems to fill every issue, making the magazine feel like it's 50% advertising for Osh.

I'm still a member, and don't plan to drop, but they keep getting further and further away from my needs.
 
Half Fast said:
Really? I'm a member, and their interests don't follow mine.

The EAA has three categories of "Vintage" aircraft: (1) Antique, built before 1945, (2) Classic, built between 1945 and 1955, and (3) Contemporary, built between 1956 and 1970. Almost all the vintage coverage is for the first two, with almost nothing for Vintage - Contemporary, but I'd bet these are by far the most popular aircraft. I have written the EAA several times asking for increased coverage of the Contemporary category, all to no avail. How many members really restore a round-motor biplane from 1930, compared to the number who revamp a Cherokee or Bonanza from the early '60s?
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The magazine has lost a ton of talent and grass root focus since (say) 2000ish. That's been a source of tremendous frustration for a lot of people. But, if you did restore a 1965 Bonanza, I bet SA or Vintage would love to publish an article on it. Again, it comes down to what people submit (and to an extent, what members and advertisers are interested in). If you'll remember, EAA branched out and had a magazine called "Experimenter" until 10-15 years ago. It contained a lot of the hands on stuff that is missing in the current version of SA. When they rolled "Experimenter" back into Sport Aviation, Charlie Becker wrote an article about the combination and stated that the content wouldn't disappear. I'll probably run into Charlie at Oshkosh and will try to gently remind him of that commitment.
 
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