Membership

REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN

You must have at least an FAA private glider license to join BASA.

REQUIREMENTS TO FLY AS PIC

You must get a sign-off from a BASA-approved CFI-G to fly as PIC in one of the BASA gliders. Typically, new members fly dual in one of the DGs until they are signed off. You are also required to be current at the site you wish to fly; i.e. you are known to, and have been checked out by, the FBO at that site. To promote safe flying, to protect our ships, and to preserve our fine insurance and safety records, we have a Flight Committee of experienced pilots. You must fly with one of them within 2 months of joining the club, in order to become familiar with club flight and ground operations (guidelines for this flight). Finally, you must have a current Flight Review (in a glider). See also: Flight Rules.

COSTS

BASA offers two classes of membership:

Sponsor Members own the assets of the club. A new sponsor member buys a membership from a retiring member, and then pays a monthly fee of $60 for unlimited use of the club ships. The price of a Sponsor membership varies with market demand, and is agreed privately between the seller and buyer. The association by-laws have provisions which allow BASA to buy Sponsor Memberships under special circumstances, such as death of a member, or to protect association values.

Associate Members do not own club equipment. They pay BASA a deposit of $450 and a monthly fee of $100 for unlimited use of club ships. Up to $400 of this deposit is refundable, provided the associate remains a member for at least two years.

BASA members are also required to be members of the Soaring Society of America, and the Pacific Soaring Council. BASA will enrol you in these organizations, and collect their annual dues, along with the BASA dues, in a billing mailed to you each month.

ORGANIZATION

The club is governed by a set of by-laws which specify organization, financial regulations, and association business conduct. The everyday business of the club is run by a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Maintenance Chairman and Flight Committee Chairman. The President and Treasurer positions are restricted to Sponsor Members, and all positions are elected annually at our General Meeting in September.

DOCUMENTATION

All club documentation is available on this web site. The club also produces a monthly newsletter, the Bugle, which is mailed to all members and available on-line.

HOW TO JOIN

Membership is limited to 30 Sponsor members, and 45 Associates. Associate memberships are currently available. If you are interested in purchasing a Sponsor membership, contact me as given below. I can advise you if any are currently for sale.

If you meet the requirements (see above) and wish to join, you will have to fill out an application and send it in with your initial payment. Once you have been approved, you are ready to get your check-out with a CFI in one of our gliders, and then fly with a flight committee member. When these tasks have been accomplished, you will be able to reserve and fly club gliders by yourself.

Feel free to contact Marty via phone (408) 828-6200 or via email with any questions you have about BASA membership.