AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2015 - 46
PILOT BRIEFING
FLYING CLUBS
|
Ann Arbor Flyers:
75 years young
Feeding their flying habits
BY RICK DURDEN
46 | AOPA PILOT December 2015
Musinski, who joined the club in 1975, said
that because of careful tracking of costs
and setting aside money for overhauls and
refurbishment, the club has never had to
assess the membership when an engine
unexpectedly needed an overhaul.
The club makes sure prospective
members experience their culture and
decide if it's right for them. They attend
a series of monthly meetings before the
membership votes on their application.
Once approved, a flight supervisor acts as
a mentor to new members.
RICK DURDEN is a frequent contributor to
AOPA Media.
STARTING A FLYING CLUB
Ready to start a flying club at your
airport? AOPA can help. The AOPA
flying club initiative can help (www.
aopa.org/flyingclubs).
JOHN SULLIVAN SKYPICS.COM
IN THE WANING MONTHS of 1940, a group of pilots did what so many others had done,
and would do for decades: They formed a flying club so they could feed their flying habits
at a reasonable price. Calling themselves the Ann Arbor Flyers, they purchased a Piper
J-3, based it on the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport, and flew it as much as each pilot could
afford. That action would affect the lives of hundreds of pilots and prospective pilots over
the next 75 years.
At the end of the next year, the United States' traumatic introduction to World War II
nearly brought general aviation flying to a standstill, destroying many flying clubs. The Ann
Arbor Flyers persevered, finding ways to fly during the war years and beyond.
Club president Melanie McNichols said one of the reasons for the club's long-term
success is a strong social aspect that makes it a place for people who love to fly to come
together, whether or not they are currently flying. In addition to a monthly membership
meeting, members gather once a month to wash and wax all of the club's four IFR-equipped
airplanes: three Piper Archers and a Saratoga. There also is a financial incentive to attend-
doing so gives a credit toward the next month's dues.
Each member has an equity interest in the airplanes-club members believe that a
pilot takes better care of an airplane he or she owns, and the gleaming condition of the
airplanes shows it. Rental rates are set by the membership, based on recommendations of
the board of directors. Close attention is paid to costs for each airplane, and rates are set to
allow for progressive upgrades. Dues cover the monthly fixed costs of the club, so if there
is an extended period of lousy flying weather, the club doesn't hemorrhage money. Don
http://www.SKYPICS.COM
http://www.aopa.org/flyingclubs
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2015
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