| Okay, so you've gone through training. You've flown | | | | one available. Sadly, rising fuel costs and reduction in |
| solo, you've done your cross country work, you've had | | | | disposable income has put a big dent in General |
| hood training and night flight training and done over a | | | | Aviation as a whole. Still, pilots who love to fly will |
| hundred and twenty landings. You've taken and | | | | always find a way... and these pilots generally stick |
| passed your checkride, and your pilot's license just | | | | together in their flying clubs and flight communities. Find |
| showed up in your mailbox. Congratulations!!! Now | | | | yourself a flying club that's local, and that flies out of an |
| what? Well, it's time to pick a flying club. | | | | airport you'll be comfortable with. Ask them where |
| One of the most rewarding parts of being a pilot is by | | | | they meet, and when their next meeting is. Most of |
| sharing your experiences and flight time with your | | | | these clubs will be thrilled to have you, and will invite |
| friends. Not everyone has the benefit of having friends | | | | you to sit in on a meeting or two so you can see how |
| who are pilots, but that doesn't mean you can't make | | | | they operate. |
| some. Joining a flying club can be the best way to | | | | Once you're sitting in on a flying club meeting, make |
| experience the different aspects of aviation that you | | | | yourself known. Stand up and introduce yourself, and |
| would normally miss by going on with things alone. | | | | talk about your piloting experience. Ask questions. Find |
| Aside from providing good friends and good company, | | | | out how often the flying club plans trips, and where |
| a flying club can provide enthusiasm, confidence, and | | | | they go, and what they do when they get there. Most |
| most importantly, ongoing flight education that reaches | | | | flying clubs will have a president, vice president, |
| past your student flight training and into your future | | | | treasurer, and such. Ask about dues and what it will be |
| with aviation. Fantastic websites such as Student | | | | used for and how it will benefit the club as a whole. |
| Flying Club provide a list of hundreds of great flying | | | | Some flying clubs maintain video libraries for flight |
| clubs by US state, so go check out which ones are | | | | training purposes, and many have close relationships |
| available in your neck of the woods! | | | | with an FBO or home air base. Joining a club could get |
| Whether you're going to fly professionally and continue | | | | you special privileges at such an FBO. Sometimes your |
| to get ratings, or just use your pilot's certificate for | | | | dues can even grant you the benefit of reduced |
| recreational purposes, joining a flying club is always the | | | | aircraft rental rates. If you're an aircraft owner, you'll |
| right move. Many flying clubs require little more than a | | | | find pilots who will be willing to fly with you just for the |
| minimal annual dues, sometimes only as much as $40 | | | | joy of being in the skies. Most of them will offer to split |
| or $50 a year. Most flying clubs meet on a monthly or | | | | fuel costs, or grab the stick for the return trip. And |
| bi-monthly basis, where pilots can share their | | | | even if you don't own an aircraft, a local flying club will |
| knowledge, keep each other up to date on the latest | | | | put you in touch with people who do. These members |
| airport or FAA regulations, talk about weather | | | | can become fast friends after just one or two trips or |
| conditions, and most of all plan to fly places together. | | | | meetings. Building relationships with other pilots will |
| These types of clubs often arrange club fly-in's to local | | | | teach you much more than any book or video ever |
| restaurants at neighboring airports, and some plan | | | | could, and flying with other flying club members is the |
| even more ambitious cross country flights. Many pilots | | | | best teacher there is. Observe their flying techniques, |
| love to fly with the benefit of a co-pilot, so you can | | | | seek out unknown airports, and if you're a very |
| easily jump into the right side seat for a quick trip or | | | | experienced pilot, you can even share your own |
| spin around the airport... making new friends in the | | | | knowledge with others. |
| process. At a good flying club you'll meet aircraft | | | | So take your time, check out your options, and pick a |
| owners, aircraft renters, and even some non-pilots | | | | flying club that's right for you. If you have more than |
| who joined the club just for the love of flying. Together | | | | one choice, sit in on meetings for both. Talk to |
| you can go and see places you wouldn't normally | | | | everyone you can, and get a feel for how the flying |
| have thought of without the benefit of meeting all | | | | club operates - and how their members operate - |
| these other people. | | | | before deciding to commit to those monthly meetings. |
| Choosing a flying club might be as simple as going | | | | But once you do, you'll be happy to have other pilots |
| down to your home airport and seeing that there's only | | | | around you with which to share your love of flying. |