Mohawk Flying Club touts low costs

The member-owned Mohawk Flying Club has been in operation since 1959, based at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Club members have access to two aircraft: a 1975 Cessna 172M and a 1977 Cessna 182Q, said club secretary Randy Heldt. “The club operates as a nonprofit, with all dues and fees [going] directly to operating, maintaining, and upgrading the aircraft,” he said.

The club buy-in is $5,000 for a share. Dues are $95 a month, which covers annuals, insurance, and the hangar, said Heldt. Hourly rates are $95 for the Cessna 172 and $135 for the Cessna 182, wet, based on tach time.

“While the club itself does not offer flight instruction, we have two CFIIs in the club that do primary instruction. We do allow student pilots to join,” said Heldt. The club currently does not have any students.

Benefits of joining the Mohawk Flying Club include central scheduling using Internet or phone and no penalty or usage requirements for overnight trips. A maintenance officer takes care of all maintenance issues, and the president and treasurer take care of licensing and financial issues, allowing members to focus on flying.

The club uses Facebook, AOPA Airports, the AOPA Flying Club Finder, and Craigslist to recruit for new members, said Heldt.

The club holds monthly breakfasts and does occasional fly-ins, said Heldt. “Be active with social media and use the AOPA Flying Club [Network] resources to attract and connect with new members,” he said.