So, you have decided to get serious about RC flying and join a club. Congratulations!  Your next step should be joining the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA).  The AMA is a national organization of flying clubs; ours is an AMA chartered club (#422).  Joining the AMA gets you a monthly magazine, the ability to join an AMA chartered club and fly at its field and a $2.5 million liability insurance policy in the unlikely event of a model related accident.  You will need to get an Open Membership (for adults) or a Junior Membership (for those less than 18 years old).  The Park Flyer Membership is not adequate to fly at our field.

After you have joined the AMA, you may apply for membership to the club. Just come to any meeting with your AMA card or online registration receipt and an MCRCS membership application. Application forms are also available at the meetings.  We meet once per month on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm, most often at the Cranbury Public Library located at 30 Park Palce West in Cranbury, NJ. During the summer months we meet at the flying field at 7pm.  Check the calendar  on this website for dates, locations and directions.

When you complete this application, submit it along with a copy of your AMA membership card to the Vice President of Membership.  If at a club meeting, you can just show your current AMA membership card.  When you attend your first meeting, your application will be reviewed by the Board of Directors.  If there is a quorum, all the members will vote on your application for membership.  If your membership is approved, your annual dues of $125 are due and payable at the club meeting (dues due after July are prorated 50%).  The VP of Membership will give you a Member-in-Good-Standing card.  Please have this card with you when you attend meetings or go to the flying field.  (Note:  You have to be at least 12 years old to join the club and Junior Membership dues are $15).

New members have club privileges, including use of the flying field.  The VP of Membership will provide you with a copy of the MCRCS Constitution, By-Laws, Field Safety Rules, list of Instructors, and Solo-Pilot proficiency requirements.  Instructors are available (no charge) to help beginners learn, or new pilots develop better skills.  New members must demonstrate solo-pilot proficiency before they are allowed to fly without an instructor's assistance.  Even experienced pilots SHOULD NOT FLY ALONE.

Your participation in club flying events is strongly needed and encouraged, and is a great way to meet members and get the most out of the club.  Attendance to your first meeting is required, so that we can all meet you and welcome you to the club.  Voluntaring for an event requires some work, but it’s a lot of fun and you get to know some of the other club members really well.

Although we have some club trainers, once you've decided you're serious, we expect you to get one of your own. A trainer appropriate for our field should probably have a wingspan of about 60 inches and be powered by a .40-.60 sized glow engine or the electric equivalent. Buy an Almost Ready to Fly (ARF) model. You don't want to spend a lot of time building your first model.  Better to fly it (and rebuild it, if you have to).

If you learn to fly on your own, you will crash. If you fly with one of our instructors the chance of crashing will be far lower. (You probably won't crash at all).  Our instructors are all experienced pilots who have been certified by other club instructors as competent to offer instruction. By flying on a buddy box (a system of dual controls that allows the instructor to take control with the flip of a switch), your instructor will guide you through straight-and-level flight, turns, basic flight maneuvers, and landings and takeoffs.  Safety procedures, rules and regulations and flying field etiquette will also be covered during your training.  When you are ready to solo, two instructors will give you a test flight during which you will demonstrate your ability to safely control the airplane. Then you’ll be ready to fly on your own.  Note:  You also have the option to fly with an experienced pilot but you can only be tested by a certified instructor.

Please note that flying safely is a main priority and your membership could be rescinded if there is grievously dangerous or unsocial activity on your part.  Once you are a member in good standing, you will get a button with your name and AMA Number to proudly display on your cap.  You may also get a hearty handshake from the president, and you'll be well on your way to enjoying this great sport.  Welcome to the Club!