CSA Membership Classes and Privileges

CSA is a chapter member of the Soaring Society of America (SSA), this requires CSA members to be members of SSA. The SSA membership fee can be found on the CSA Rates page, and this fee is collected by CSA. Membership in SSA entitles you to a number of benefits, including Soaring magazine. The first year of CSA membership, SSA dues are pro-rated so the SSA membership for all CSA members will expire on June 30 of each year.

Classes of Membership

The following chart is a high level summary of the classes and privilege's of CSA Members.  A more detailed explanation follows.  However the CSA Bylaws contain the defining definition of CSA membership.

Initiation fees and dues are as found on the CSA Rates page.

Membership is open to all individuals interested in the sport of soaring. Application for membership in CSA can be made at any time. If you're not sure if flying a glider is for you but would like to try it, the club offers you the opportunity to get a rebate of your initiation fee any time before your fourth flight.

REGULAR: Full privileges and use of CSA sailplanes.

FAMILY: Any member of a regular member's immediate family who lives in the same household. Includes all the privileges of a regular member, including voting rights if age 18 or older.

STUDENT: An elementary through high-school student, or a full-time student enrolled in an accredited degree program carrying 12 units or more. Includes all the privileges of a regular member except the right to vote. A student under 18 must have permission of a parent or guardian. At age 18 (or at graduation), the student member may convert to a regular membership by payment of the difference between the student initiation fee and the regular initiation fee. No voting rights.

ASSOCIATE: No voting rights and cannot hold office.  Dues are reduced except for months where flying privileges are exercised. Must have a permanent primary residence at a distance greater than a 125 statute road miles of the Owl Canyon glider port

INSTRUCTOR/TOW PILOT: No voting privileges or dues. Must initially join as regular member. May convert to I/TP status after 3 months satisfactory performance and “fly off” initiation fee rebate.

INACTIVE: No flying privileges and no voting rights. A member must have held some other class of membership in CSA to be eligible for inactive status. After a year as an inactive member and for up to five years, an inactive member can return to one of the active membership categories without paying the initiation fee again. After five years, a new initiation fee is required.

Probation Period

A new member is on probation for the first year and may not vote or hold office during that time. If the membership is dropped without cause by the board of directors during this time, the initiation fee will be returned.

Resignations

Until the Secretary receives a written notice of resignation, a member will continue to be responsible for paying dues.

Changing Class of Membership

In general, a member must remain in a membership class for one year before being eligible for another membership class. An Inactive member may become active without re-paying the initiation fee, but after 5 years in Inactive status, the member is dropped.

Updated 03/1/2025