Join a flying club

“About a year ago my only aviation friend was my CFI,” said the surgical trauma center physician’s assistant and assistant professor at Quinnipiac University. “I looked around and found 43rd Aviation. It seemed too good to be true; I can fly a nicer Piper than what I utilized for training at one third of the price. And in just three months, I have 10 pilot friends with various levels of experience who I can call on to ask questions.”

Take it from the AOPA You Can Fly Flying Clubs Director Steve Bateman, who has helped form 200 clubs since 2014: “Flying clubs allow you to own your aviation journey though cost sharing and enjoying the company experience and camaraderie of like-minded people.”

Flying clubs are groups of pilots based at airports where they together lease or own aircraft for club members to fly. There are many ways to structure flying clubs (youcanfly.aopa.org/flying-clubs); however, at a minimum a flying club helps you meet other pilots, save money on aircraft, learn from others, and make new friends.

Low rates and aircraft availability—as well as a strong, goes-without-saying safety mindset—bring club members together, but it is the friendships that solidify flying clubs. “I am the luckiest guy to find such great people,” said Sandor, who cites the fly-outs, airplane washes, and social activities as key to his club’s appeal. “The mentorship, camaraderie, and educational experience is better than I could have imagined. The teaching moments, the meetings—even shoveling snow, this is really a ‘club.’”