Flying Clubs

[Ak Steve]

Does anyone know of a flying club between Lake Hood and Birchwood that owns aircraft and makes them available at a reduced cost to club members? I have a friend in one, but getting in is difficult and they only accept high time commercial pilots (not me!).

It occurs to me that a club with three or four low cost planes, an A&P who gets a pro bono membership, and members who volunteer their time could provide a group of pilots with a low cost way to fly.

I am at the point where I might be ready to cough up pretty soon, but I want to fly some different planes and get some hours under my belt before I jump in.

 

[Louis]

I haven't been around Anchorage for a while, but you might try getting ahold of Herbert Hubbard. He used to have a flying club/flight school. I don't know what he's up to now but he might give you some leads, anyway. I don't have his number, but it's probably in the phone book.

Keep me posted if you do talk to him, I'm curious about what he's doing these days. I had him for a CFI instructor. He's very knowlegable, enthusiastic and a lot of fun to fly with......Louis

 

[tccak71]

Clubs

Clubs

The most reasonable club I've seen is the Elmendorf Aero Club. It was dirt cheap compared to flying at Merril. It WAS $35/Month $63/hour for a 172. (THIS WAS IN 2002 THOUGH!) I couldn't join the club; I can't get on base. The MP's actually confiscated my expired military id. So...If you have base priveleges try the aero club.

Also watch the Daily rag, I've seen clubs advertise there. The last one (August) was $3000 down/$125 month/$30/hour-wet but they were flying only a 172. I also say a sport club advertising looking for members and they were flying J3's, T-craft's, etc.


Good luck, let us know what you find.

Tim

 

[Adison]

Clubs

Clubs

Has anyone looked into starting another club?
Adison

 

[Ak Steve]

New club

New club

Well, I've thought about it, but have not done any research. The only real barrier I envision is getting insurance. I have no idea what that would cost for a group of low time pilots.

Fuel costs, maintenance, some administrative costs, etc are easy to manage. Really, it's not a bad idea. Four or five guys could really bring the cost of a plane way down. The initial buy in would be to recover the cost of the aircraft. Hourly fees would pay for fuel, insurance, maintenance, and build a sinking fund for the eventual major overhauls. Really, one would need an A&P in the group. Offer him a pro bono membership in exchange for his work. An insurance agent in the group might might help as well.

Who insures aircraft up here?

 

[Adison]

Insurance

Insurance

A few years ago, I flew with a couple of guys who owned a 150. I provided maintenance services and bought my own gas and paid my own insurance. If I remember right, it was about $100.00 per month based on my experience and # of hours. I think it would also depend on what type of aircraft (complex or high performance) and where it is flown (runways vs dirt). If you decide to persue it, I know a really good mechanic, wink, wink!
Adison

 

[Ak Steve]

flying club

flying club

Well, why not guys?

i am thinking about a 150 or a tcraft to start with. Ultimately I am looking for a Maule, but plan on starting small and cheap.

Who might be interested in joining a flying club? Let's see, $30K for a Tcraft or Tri Pacer would be $7.5K per guy to split the aircraft over 4 pilots and pro bono mechanic. And then on the order of $50 per hour for fuel, insurance, and maintenance? Addison might pony up to be the mechanic!

Is anyone even remotely interested in something like this? This would be a regular corporation with a bylaws, officers, rules, etc. Anyone out there who has or does own a plane what to gin up a decent estimate of operating expenses for an mid time aircraft that is run about 300 hrs per year?

 

[Terry]

Interested

Interested

The approach of joint ownership is getting big in the lower 48. Most try to find a low hour plane and sell it before it needs a rebuild. I have 100 hours and will be looking to purchase my own plane in probably a year or so. Would be interested in creating a club like your discussing.

Terry

 

[Daveintheburbs]

I'm interested

I'm interested

Put me on the (e-)mailing list.

Dave

 

[martentrapper]

Here's what you need

Here's what you need

While you guys are planning, here's a good plane for you.
75 Citabria. In very good shape with a 500 hr 160 hp engine. Good starting plane for learners, plus you could add floats, skiis, etc. It's ready to take you where you want to go. Currently in Fbks at Chena Marina.

 

[AkSnow]

Got the flying bug again. Where did this end up? Sounds like some interest to start. Another interested yet fustrated at the costs guy.....

Chris

 

[AK_Dave]

I'm frustrated at the cost of renting, too. And at the cost of ownership. I'd be very very keen to join a group of 3 or 4 to purchase a plane and start a club. I'm really astounded at how hard it is to find a flying club up here.

AK Steve, let me know if you're moving forward with this idea, and if you need any help.

Dave

 

[cwh]

I'd like to add my name to this list too. I've been eyeing a few planes around, but most planes are out of my price range, and I'm not good at saving up money.

I got my license when I was at Oregon State University, where they had a great flying club that basically got you discounted rates on a couple 152s, a mooney, and a bonanza. I scrounged up just enough to get my private pilot license, but haven't flown since (1996 - wow, was it that long ago?).

Now that I'm back in AK, where I got the bug, I can't get my mind off flying. Anyway, I'd be interested - let me know if you guys come up with something.

 

[Terry]

What kind of plane is on everyone mind?

What kind of plane is on everyone mind?

Getting in shape to purchase a plane and really thinking about attemping to set up a partial owership club. Was wondering if people was looking for a tailwheel or 172 style aircraft. For me I think a 150 or 152 is probably a little to small. Have seen some decent priced straight tail 172's that 4 or 5 guys could afford to purchase and maintain. Also would really like a Citabria like martentrapper's.

Terry

 

[chriso]

keep me in mind if and when you get serious would you?

keep me in mind if and when you get serious would you?

Have you checked with Brooke at Denali Alaskan Insurance for that cost yet? Any interest in a 180... possibly on floats? I know a group of guys who made that work out for them for several years. I think they had the 180 float plane and a 172 on wheels both available to the members. Keep me in mind as you get closer would you? Thanks!

 

[cwh]

Just my opinion, but...
The more plane the better. I really like the idea of a 180 or similar, especially if we could get it on floats. I guess my thought being that I could always rent a trainer if I need to for a "reasonable" rate. Not true of a bigger/badder plane.

 

[joespenard]

flying club

flying club

I am looking at the discussion going back a couple years and wondering if there's been any developments on a flying club? I've got my name on the float slip list for lake hood and I'll need a 1/3 ownership in a plane eventually. so i'm thinking a group of 6 people to start with, and a plane that can be put on floats. so I would like a 2nd part ownership for myself when the slip becomes available. a tie down at Lake Hood strip/Echo parking would be ideal for the time being. thanks

 

[Mark]

Well, I've thought about it, but have not done any research. The only real barrier I envision is getting insurance. I have no idea what that would cost for a group of low time pilots....

It was insurance that killed the Ft. Richardson Flying Club.

 

[joespenard]

insurance

insurance

It was insurance that killed the Ft. Richardson Flying Club.

do you mean the Elmendorf flying club?

I think the AOPA insurance program must be applicable to flying clubs, or joint ownership?

 

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Mark
It was insurance that killed the Ft. Richardson Flying Club.

do you mean the Elmendorf flying club?....

Nope. There was a flying club operating out of Bryant Army Airfield on Ft. Rich. It closed down in the late 80's or early 90's.

Some of the members just went over to the Elmendorf club. They had the larger club, anyway, including float planes on Sim Mile Lake.

I always assumed the EAFB club would always exist because (hello?) zoomies like to fly, and grunts like to play in the mud more.