Thousands of pilots worldwide have found an outlet for their passion for flight through a local flying club. With over 600 organizations in the United States, there are many opportunities to become a member at an already-existing flying club. While many pilots seek a flying club for the financial benefits, it is the community and sense of camaraderie that make their membership special. Studies have shown that pilots that become members in flying clubs remain much more active in aviation as a result of the peer support found in the club.
Most clubs even allow members to take primary flight training in the club aircraft while almost all flying clubs allow and even promote advanced and recurrent training. You may not even have to look outside of the club membership to find a certified flight instructor.
If you are interested in starting your own club, there are some things you should consider including what is the mission of the club; how large you would like it to be; what type of aircraft you would like feature; and how you will legally structure the club. Most clubs will either be a corporation; an unincorporated association; or a limited liability company. A detailed description of each type of organization can be found in the AOPA Guide to Flying Clubs; available on our website: AOPA.org. While there are advantages and benefits to each, the laws in your state will determine which type of organization will best suit your club. We recommend that you seek the assistance of qualified legal and accounting professionals to advise you through this phase of setting up your flying club.
