Bob, sounds like whole lot of fun! My recommendation is to start small and them grow the group. You will likely find as we have that interest greatly outweighs the the number of people actually willing to cut a check and hat identifying that latter group of people is the hardest job. The trick is to identify those people and start with the plane or planes they are willing to pay for. You can expand from there.
Contact AOPA for a guide to the nuts and bolts of setting up the club. That's actually the easier part of it.
For your amphib options, this is where you might easiest find people willing to put down cash for the simple reason that insurance for rentals is generally not available for such so people are looking for affordable ownership options. Unfortunately, insurance for clubs with amphibs has also traditionally not been available but there is a new underwriter in town doing such. They actually just approved our new SeaRey training program which is going to drive down the costs of insurance for anticipating SeaRey owners. I'd be happy to set you up with our broker who has been working with us on all of this and who has found me some truly incredible rates in the past.
On a side note, when you get to the buying an airplane part, I'd like to sit down and try to sell you a SeaRey. I'll be upfront with you about this because I am truly in love with this plane in part it has many of the robust safety characteristics required of a plane in a multiple pilot operation such as a flight school or club. For example, its the only SLSA flying boat that a gear down water landing won't trap and drown the occupants. Its also the only SLSA that the airframe is independendt of the hull so running over a crab pot of log is a simple boat repair rather than an expensive airframe repair. Anyway, I could and would love to go on (did I mention I love this plane?) but you aren't quite at this point yet. Please just let me know when you are so I can share the excitement with you.
Good luck!
Helen
On 6/7/2011 4:33 AM, bob mcdonagh wrote:
Anyone out there have experience - and advise - on how to set up and start a 'Flying Club'? I've been involved with such clubs - in the past - and at other locations. but this one will be different.I will be - 'The world's Largest LSA 'flying club'! - with - Its ultimate goal - of having 10 -15 aircraft. Most will be LSA's. But, there will be a Cherokee six and a Beech twin - in the mix - (for those that would like to work on advanced flying certificates.)And there will be aircraft they can use for many flight envelopes. Such as three on amphibious floats. And even one that will be an adequate single place Motor Glider. A six plane single engine and a twin engine aircraft - will have the capability - of taking 2-3 couples on a trip to the Bahamas and Key West. Or, back home - to New England, Michigan - etc.The plan includes three planes on floats. And - LSA's. there will be a two place JENNY bi-plane, a SPADXIII and a Fokker DVII. Many of our planes - will fall into the Light Sport Category.We'll keep about half of our fleet - at Punta Gorda Airport and the other half at Page Field, Ft. Myers. there will be two one place bi-planes - and a two place one, as well. All this: to promote fun - and serious flying possibilities. And do it safely and affordable.But, the primary reason for creating this unique extensive 'flying club' - is creating a way - to finance and create: A Children's Aviation Center / Alternative Energy Laboratory: wind, solar and geo-thermal.Our goal is 125 + members - @ $7,000 each, $100 a month dues, and $20 an hour - dry. That will generate enough funding - to create this vast fleet of aircraft. Possibly, the World's largest Flying Club! (At least: one with the highest motives and goals.)'the Center' will have a RAC (rotating aircraft carrier) in it. And we'll build or rent another 60' hanger - at the other location - to house another RAC. Each RAC will be capable of holding six LS and GA aircraft.The two larger planes will be housed in 'T' hangers. Again; one @ Punta Gorda - the other @ page Field. that should make planes easily available - to members - from Sarasota - to Naples - Avon Park and Labelle. A 45 minute drive at the most - for most. And affordable, affable flying friends.Anyone with experience, and interest in this type 'Flying Club' - will be welcome - into helping create it. And please - share this - with others you feel might be able to help in this project. EAA and AOPA - both say we need to find ways to gain back membership in our flying community.This is one grass roots - way of approaching that goal. If you have any ideas on others that can help with this project; please share it with them. Hopefully, you are just the start - of communicating this idea.Bob McDonagh airpark@ embarqmail.com 239-731-5524, C: 63-6407 Hanger 60106 @ Punta Gorda Airport. Member of EAA Chapters 565 & 66. - Lo & Slo Flyers of SW Florida, Florida Warbirds Chapter 24 - THE HOOK -and a former member of EAA 77 @ Flushing, Michigan.P.S. in a few weeks (hopefully) my webmaster will have my website: www.navalairestates.com restored. It recently 'took a hit'. Bad one. Half of it - is gone! There will be much information on this subject there. There is presently - a diagram of the proposed 'Center' on the site. And a few of the planes we hope to have. But, there will be more, shortly.
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