President's Position: True to type

The joy is obvious: Who wouldn’t want a time machine that can get you from A to B faster than you can get to your nearest commercial airport? Or, in the case of the Super Cub, a machine that can take you low and slow to pristine lakes or backcountry runways that few people are lucky enough to experience.

That joy is why we fly. The commitment is how we fly. To fly safely, wisely, and knowledgeably, we have to be committed to staying proficient, keeping up with the latest regulations, and understanding the quirks of the airplanes we fly and own. And that’s where we need a partner or two to help us live up to that commitment.

Obviously, I believe AOPA is a critical partner for any pilot, no matter what you fly—with safety programs, advocacy, news, flight planning, insurance, financing, and so much more, there’s no place you’ll find more tools to help you manage and enjoy your flying. But for me, there’s one more group that should be part of any aircraft owner’s commitment to flying, and that’s the type club.

Through the years I’ve belonged to many type clubs, and I’ve spent time visiting and speaking with even more. In just the past couple of years I’ve visited the International 180/185 Club, the Lake Amphibian Club, American Bonanza Society, Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association, Cessna 150-152 Club, North American Trainer Association, Citation Jet Pilots, TBM Owners and Pilots Association, and Pilatus Owners and Pilots Association, among others. And as both a member and a guest I am always impressed.

Type clubs are repositories of deep knowledge about the aircraft they represent. They are keepers of our shared aviation history. Type clubs are also the collectors of data, statistics, and other information specific to their aircraft.

Type clubs are repositories of deep knowledge about the aircraft they represent. They are keepers of our shared aviation history.Type clubs play a huge role in safety, working closely with the FAA to ensure the continuing safety of the fleet and often playing a big part in the development of airworthiness directives for their aircraft. Many type clubs also have newsletters, magazines, or other publications in which they provide safety information and updates. And some, like the American Bonanza Society and the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association, offer type-specific proficiency programs.

In short, type clubs know and understand their airplanes like no one else, and their members are more than willing to share that knowledge with you and me.

Type clubs are also tremendous community centers. It will probably come as no surprise to hear me say that pilots who choose to own and fly the same type of airplane often have a lot in common. If you’re part of the American Waco Club, chances are you enjoy feeling the wind in your face and are doing the majority of your flying—at least in that airplane—for pleasure. If you belong to the TBM Owners and Pilots Association, your mission might be quite different. Either way, you’re sure to find like-minded pilots with whom to spend time and talk flying.

Many type clubs hold social and educational gatherings, whether that’s a monthly seminar, quarterly barbecue, or annual convention. And lots of them join in other community-building events, such as the AOPA Fly-Ins. In my experience, type clubs are welcoming places full of folks who share the love of a particular airplane, so if you’re transitioning to a new make or model, even if you don’t own one, they can be a great way to connect to other pilots who’ve been there and done that. And, like most pilots, type club members are often happy to offer advice or share their own experiences.

I’ve made great friends and obtained potentially life-saving information through every type club I’ve ever joined. Often, those ties are so strong that I stay involved with a type club even after I’m no longer flying that particular airplane. If you own an airplane, are thinking about buying one, or just fly a given make and model regularly, check out its type club. You, too, might discover a whole new world of pilots, knowledge, and experience to make your flying safer, more fun, and more affordable.

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