Until moving for a job in 2007, I was a satisfied member of a flying club with a single Cessna 172, hull insurance (about $7,000/yr back then), and a tiedown on the ramp with electricity for preheating. I served in every board member capacity over my 15 years in the club, and my wife had been there for over 10 years before me (we met when I joined).

Since the club's founding as a state-law non-profit in the 1960s, it was at its worst during economic bubbles (3 owned and 3 leased planes, a paid operations officer, lots of mis-use, but not enough utilization for each aircraft), and at its best when smallest/leanest. With a volunteer board and some reduced dues and flying credits for the maintenance officer and secretary/treasurer, we did well. We had 20 to 25 members with a $250 buy-in, set up a web reservation system at aircraftclubs.com, and rarely had any schedule conflicts (weather was the bigger issue). Utilization averaged under 300 hrs/yr, and nearly half the members almost never flew, yet faithfully paid their dues ($50-$60) every month and called themselves airplane owners. Almost all the flying was done by the same 5 or 6 active members, and only about 3 or 4 of us usually broke 40 hrs/yr. After going through an engine replacement with an assessment and loan, we added an engine reserve to the hourly rate. In 2006 we had a base hourly of $75, with a fuel surcharge that kicked in when our cost was over $3/gallon, which made the hourly $85 at $4/gal, $95 at $5/gal, etc. On $20,000 to $30,000 in yearly gross revenue, an slightly less in expenses, we managed to buy an IFR/Long-Range plane and sell the VFR/Standard-Tanks bird, upgrade to a Pen Yan 180-HP fixed-pitch powerplant, and do some other upgrade just about every year (interior, new nav/com, etc.).

Unable to find a similar club after our move, and interested in back-country off-airport landing operations not covered by our old club insurance, my wife and I bought a plane in 2008. Now, it is a challenge to fly 30 hrs/yr and shoulder all the expenses of ownership for about the same plane and insurance/tiedown situation. I look back fondly to our club days now - both the cost savings and the camaraderie - even though it was sometimes frustrating to manage an airplane by committee and put up with some folks who didn't always share our approach to maintenance or safety.

Flying clubs can make flying more affordable and fun, with the right energetic folks involved, but they aren't going to make it free. It is the passion for aviation that has to justify the expense for recreational flying. For me, it is worth it to own/fly only 30 hrs/yr when I can land a visiting friend next to a glacier and see the smile on their face (and mine!). If we can introduce a steady stream of newcomers to that passion - every year - and have the choice of a well-run flying club or two nearby, there will be enough folks entering the professional aviation pipeline to have an industry with decent career prospects. Let's give AOPA's club effort a chance, and some free verbal support at least, unless you have a better idea.

The trouble with flying rentals or club-owned planes is that, at end of the day, what do you have that is tangible for your 50 hours per year for five years? Answer? A competent pilot, a piece of a diminishing asset and a bunch of cool memories. Spend the same $5 K per year for five years and you have some home improvements that directly translate to increasing that asset, a better car, perhaps a small boat or an RV in the garage and $5000-10,000 in the bank.

So bottom line is, you'd better be a committed pilot and be doing it because you have then passion for it. Otherwise it makes no financial sense to toss away money that will appreciate for you for a long time and provide a more comfortable retirement. You'd be better off buying an inexpensive plane, like a J-3 or Musketeer, that would you out of house and home and will give you a tangible asset after those five years.

Douglas M
Surrey, British Columbia

I believe strongly in the value of flying clubs. I know from first hand experience that a flying club kept me from becoming an inactive pilot. I and three other avid pilots and flying clubs believe flying clubs are a key part of rebuilding the industry. So much so that we have created the first ever scholarship to start a flying club. With the support from several well-known aviation industry partners, we are is excited to announce a scholarship for which the winning applicant will receive various forms of consulting, products, and services to launch a flying club and position it for long-term success. Details and other information can be found at http://www.StartAFlyingClub.com.