New flying clubs in the U.S. could get their first airplane for free under a new programfrom AOPA. President Mark Baker said AOPA will provide the winning club with a “Reimagined” Cessna 150 that it has built by Aviat Aircraft. “Flying clubs and Reimagined aircraft are great options to bring down costs and get pilots flying more,” Baker said. “By bringing them together we hope to get more pilots learning about flying clubs’ benefits, and help get a new flying club off the ground.” The airplanes are gone over from spinner to stinger and all systems and equipment are put in as-new condition.
To qualify, new flying clubs have to have at least four members and have elected a slate of officers. The club also has to have at least a draft form of its bylaws and have received a quote from AOPA Insurance. It also must appear on AOPA’s list of clubs in formation. AOPA has a program aimed at helping pilots form flying clubs and said in a news release that it helped form 10 clubs last year.
