To get started with your NGMA membership please complete the enclosed Membership Application Form. Return this form back to us by email or regular mail. Determine if a membership fee is required then follow the instructions on pages 3 and 4. (You can fill in this form by opening this document in Preview App).

• Junior Member If you are under 18 years of age, Reduced membership fee. Restrictions apply.
• Student Member If you are over 18 and a College Student. Reduced membership fee. Restrictions apply.
• Adult Member If you are over the age of 18 and not one of the above.
• Membership payment can be made by R C - A I R , check or Pay Pal. Refer to the payment schedule and instructions on pages 3 and 4.

• Your application will be reviewed as quickly as possible and we will get back to you in a timely manner. You will receive a membership badge and the combination to the gates upon dues payment.

• When accepted, you will be contacted by one of our flight instructors to set a date and time to meet you at the field for a free flying lesson. Your instructor will explain the basics of an airplane’s control surfaces prior to taking the controls. You will fly with a “Buddy-Box” system. Check out this video:

• What is AMA and why do I need to know them?

• When you receive your NGMA membership you must become a member of AMA in order to fly at our field.

• AMA is the official national body for model aviation in the United States. NGMA is a charter member of AMA. We follow their guidelines for holding events, field safety and certain operations.

• Spend some time visiting their website: https://www.modelaircraft.org/membership/enrol

• Most importantly AMA provides low-cost liability insurance for AMA members, this is critical!

• There are different levels of AMA membership. If you are under the age of 19 you can join AMA’s “Free Youth Membership” and get free insurance coverage.

• If you are over 19 there are other AMA options. We recommend either “Park Pilot” or “Adult” membership.You will have a choice of magazines when you sign up and each plan includes defined insurance coverage.

• The “PARK PILOT “program costs $38.00 per year as of 2019, including a monthly magazine and $500.00 liability insurance. Any age group can get this plan. http://www.theparkpilot.org/joinrenew

NGMA Orientation provides guidelines when flying your aircraft at our field.

If you are new to RC aviation: An NGMA instructor will help you with your flight training. The instructor will assess when you are ready to fly solo based on observing your ability to perform the Basic Flight Operation sequence shown below.

If you are a seasoned pilot: you must fly the Basic Flight Operation as observed by a NGMA officer, flight instructor or safety officer.

Basic Flight Operation:
1. Perform a pre-flight check. Make certain the control surfaces are responding properly to transmitter output, inspect the airframe, check for damage including the prop. If this is a new plane perform a 360- degree range check at 90 paces from the aircraft.

2. Check that the runway is clear for take off

3. Advance your plane onto the active runway either manually or under power

4. Call: “On the runway”

5. Stand behind a pilot station

6. Call: “Taking off” and call the direction “right to left or left to right” (depending on wind direction)

7. Circle the field observing other aircraft while making a few high passes over the runway

8. Circle the field a few times and make a low pass 15-20 feet above the runway

9. Circle the field a few more times and set up for landing

10. Call: “landing” when on final approach and call the direction, same as take-off (verify the wind direction itmay have changed)

Don't assume anything when on the flight line, use courtesy and common sense. Be aware of your environment especially other fliers and airplanes. It is a best practice to ask another person to be your spotter, it will increase safety.

Other field items of importance:

If you are the last one out, lock the gates. You will get the gate combination when you receive your membership onboarding information.

Observe the area around your table, pick up trash, cover trash cans and replace chairs neatly around your table.

If you find something left behind, put it in a safe place su ch as t he st o ra ge s he d, or take it with you and post the item on our website or Facebook page. Get in the habit of always wearing your NGMA badge at the field.