View the list of USUA clubs here.
The goals of USUA and the USUA Club Network are to promote, protect, and represent ultralight flying and air sports. The network provides a way for clubs to communicate and work together on mutual goals with other ultralight and air sport enthusiasts.
The USUA provides a club with useful information designed to enhance club activities. The USUA Club Network gives a club national recognition.
Are you interested in becoming a USUA club? Are you an existing club and its time to renew? Want to plan a competition for your next club event? Our Online Forms page has all the Club Application/Renewal forms and a Club Event Kit document, that describes competition tasks you can use during your next event.
Following are the most commonly asked questions regarding the club network:
WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM CLUBS PARTICIPATING IN THE CLUB NETWORK?
USUA does not require clubs to incorporate, have minimum membership/officers or require individual members to fly any particular type of ultralight or join the national association.
USUA encourages clubs to promote their members' participation in:
a) FAA-recognized ultralight pilot and vehicle registration programs,
b) internationally recognized microlight flight achievement programs,
c) regional ultralight fly-ins, rallies and contests
d) club-sponsored local community awareness events and programs.
If a club wants to participate in the USUA Club network, they need to:
a) complete and submit a club network application, with fee, to USUA and
b) put USUA on the club’s mailing list.
WHAT DOES USUA PROVIDE CLUBS PARTICIPATING IN THE NETWORK?
Clubs participating in the USUA Club Network gain the following benefits and services:
CAN OUR CLUB BE DUAL AFFILIATED?
Yes, of course! USUA’s open-door policy has always allowed ultralight clubs to be affiliated with other groups. There are no extra or hidden charges for dual affiliation.
WHAT IS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE?
Your USUA Regional Representative is an important resource for your club. He or she can help facilitate communication between other clubs in your region. They represent your interests to local groups and authorities, as well as USUA headquarters on issues that affect your club.
However, this is a two-way street. Your Representative can better assist you when he or she hears from you. Put your representative on the club mailing list, keep am open channel of communication between you, and invite him or her to at least one of your gatherings during the year. You can find the name and contact information of your current regional representative on the About USUA page of the USUA website. They are also listed in UltraFlight Magazine.
HOW DO WE GET AN EVENT KIT? As soon as you begin planning an upcoming event, such as a mall show, community fair, or air show, have a club officer contact USUA to order the kit. It will be shipped to you before the event. Also, be sure to also let your regional representative know about the event. Please allow at least 3 weeks for delivery.
WHEN ARE DUES DUE AND HOW MUCH ARE THEY?
USUA Club dues are $45.00 annually.
How To Organize Your First Club Meeting
Some suggestions for the start-up phase and early operation of a club are listed below. While many of these suggestions have been successful, they are only guidelines that you can modify to match your circumstances.
Locate A Meeting Place
A free meeting room is best, with most facilities already present (lighting, restrooms, ample seating in an area easily accessible yet sufficiently private to be free of distractions, noise or extremes of temperature). Libraries, schools, churches and restaurants work well. A room at an airport is especially suitable, providing that outside activity does not cause interference. Noise from aircraft operations can be a distraction and interrupt your meeting, especially during the summer.
Get The Word Out
Place ads in local newspapers and flyers. Post flyers where they will get attention. Colleges and hobby shops are good locations. The notice doesn’t have to be fancy - date, time, location will do. Emphasize that members do not have to be ultralight owners or pilots. Offer your invitation to anyone who is interested.
Have A Contact Person
The name and phone number of a contact should be prominent on all announcements.
Get There Early
The night of the meeting, you need to be at the meeting location ahead of time. You may need to set up chairs and tables. It’s also important to have someone there to greet people as they arrive.
Use Name Tags
Make a nametag for yourself and your helpers. Write big so that folks can read your name.
Use A Sign-In Sheet
You'll want to the get names, addresses, and phone numbers of anyone who attends. This will provide information about the nucleus for your club. Particularly in the beginning, as the club is forming and getting organized, you will need the help of your new members.
Have A Goal
The goal is simple; a club that will promote ultralight flight and related activities while still having fun safely. All this really means is that you are establishing the initial direction of the club. This will probably be all you need until the club is established enough to do this by consensus.
Get Club Members Involved
Ask for a show of hands. How many are FAA certificated airplane pilots? USUA registered ultralight pilots? Own an ultralight? Own an aircraft? Subscribe to UltraFlight Magazine? The idea is to provide a relaxed atmosphere and encourage member participation.
Set The Date For The Next Meeting
Have the group decide on a regular time each month on which to hold future meetings.
Solicit Volunteer Officers and Decide On Club Dues
Anyone who volunteers will do a job you won't have to do. If no one steps up immediately, it is not a catastrophe. Members may become more active when a direction is set and events decided upon. Setting dues or "passing the hat" will help you defray the cost of the postage and printing for meeting notices and a newsletter, should the group want one.
Club Name
Have everyone bring a suggestion for a club name to the next meeting.
Thank Everyone For Showing Interest
Show your appreciation for the attendance of prospective club members and tell them you look forward to the next meeting.
Don't Get Discouraged
Whatever the result of your first meeting, don't get discouraged. It may take a few meetings to get things underway. That's not unusual.
As the club develops, contact the USUA for additional information and guidance. You can obtain materials that will help your group plan activities -- from the informal weekend Fun Fly to the internationally recognized Colibri award events. In addition, membership in USUA will keep your group informed on issues relating to ultralights.
By exchanging newsletters with other clubs in the USUA Club Network, you can see what works for other groups. There are many exciting events taking place in the ultralight community.
Good luck and fly safely.