What's in it for me?
What's in it for me?
John,
I am not sure if you are looking for a list of things that you will get by joining the PRA to weigh it against the cost, that you will be able to come up with something that seems like a great deal for you. The truth is, you may have to put more into it than you will ever get out of it. I think that is the way it is with most people who make a difference in this world.
However, if you are determined to look at it from a selfish (what's in it for me) standpoint, I would suggest you consider the fact that Gyroplanes are the smallest Aviation Group in existence. They don't have a very good safety record. And there are a lot of people, starting with Administrators in the FAA, that would love nothing more than to see Gyros totally go away. If we do not band together, get along, and work collectively together to promote Gyros, to improve our safety record and increase our numbers, it is not hard to believe that we could be regulated right out of existence.
However, if we do work together, grow our numbers, recruit new enthusiasts, build more chapters and introduce the benefits of Gyro flight to the public, there is every reason to believe we can become an equal member of the Light Sport Aviation Group that is starting to bring Aviation back to the American public. We will be able to continue to pursue our own Aviation goals and pass them on to others when we get past the stage where we can continue carrying the ball ourselves.
If you think Rotary flight is something that should be available to the public, I can't imagine why you would resist joining every organization that you possibly could to further that cause. Granted, it costs a few dollars to belong every year, for which you get a magazine and support, but even if you never got anything for it other than the ability to keep pursuing your Rotary flight goals it would be a very small price to pay. Compared to what it costs to build or fly a Gyro, your PRA costs are nothing. Put it in perspective and you will see that the PRA is a very small investment that you can't afford to not to be involved with.
At least that's how I feel about it. God bless each of us and our efforts to expand and improve the Gyro Flying World.
Gyro Doug