The power of type clubs
What’s in it for you?
By Mike Ginter
“Who needs them? I can find anything I need to know about my aircraft on the internet.” That’s a common refrain from pilots who haven’t experienced type club membership or who have had a bad experience at some point. Some will say that pilots in the younger generations are different these days—that they are not “joiners.” I say it has little to do with a pilot’s age or generation, and that it’s all about the value. If the cost of my type club membership brings me more value than it costs me—then sign me up. I believe that basic economic principle transcends generations.
It’s true that not all type clubs are created equal. Some of the larger ones, with membership in the thousands, stand out as examples of exceptional leadership, robust financial stability, and highly organized events. These clubs also offer targeted training and maintenance resources to better serve their members. The American Bonanza Society and the North American Trainer Association, where I’ve previously served as president, are prime examples of how a type club can become a well-respected authority in the aviation community, providing an unparalleled level of support and guidance to their members
Smaller type clubs like the American Navion Society and Grumman Owners and Pilots Association, while more modest in size, are no less dedicated to their members. They’re known for strong leadership, sound financial practices, and some of the finest type-specific training available for their members. The passion and loyalty their members demonstrate can rival even the most enthusiastic sports fans, with a deep sense of pride and commitment that keeps these communities thriving. Whether large or small, these clubs foster an invaluable connection between members and their aircraft.
I belong to three type clubs and was a board member and president of one of those, so my perspective is shaped by those personal experiences. Every type club I have visited or joined is filled with passionate members connected with a strong common bond. I recently had the pleasure of attending the Grumman Owners and Pilots Association Convention in Port Clinton, Ohio, and was struck by the close-knit family bond among the 100 or so convention goers. Some members had attended 42 of the past 47 annual conventions, others had flown their Yankees, Cheetahs, or Tigers—more than 50 of them—from as far as Los Angeles and Arizona. They spent a week enjoying seminars and competing in flying events such as flour bombing and spot-landing contests and entertaining ground events like the “rigged preflight” and “Grumman Limbo” taxi contest. The atmosphere was electric, fun, and welcoming. Participating in a type club event will enrich your ownership experience and expand your network of experts you can trust for dependable advice on buying, fixing, upgrading, or seeking training in that type.
The big question I’m often asked is whether joining a type club will enhance one’s piloting skills. I believe it can, and while the available safety data do not directly link membership to improved safety outcomes, type clubs offer resources like specialized training, expert advice, and a supportive community that can positively influence a pilot’s knowledge, skills, and experience—all benefits that are often poorly understood beyond the active club membership.
GA has been enjoying a declining accident rate for more than 30 years. In 2022, our fatal accident rate was 0.77 per 100,000 flight hours, and this year is shaping up to be the safest year ever, and that’s worth celebrating. Thanks to superb accident analysis, we know exactly why airplanes crash, and AOPA Air Safety Institute is focusing training and resources to drive the accident rate even lower. Even though accidents are happening less often, pilots who have the proverbial “bad day” are making the same mistakes. The top four causes of fatal accidents continue to be loss of control in flight; system component failure - powerplant; controlled flight into terrain; and unintentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions.
Thankfully, online training resources are available to pilots—many of them free—that can help you improve your flying skills and prevent these accidents. While type club content is a better resource for what you are flying specifically, online resources have general value. A simple web search can help you find anything from a focused flight review checklist to how best to conduct a task-based Phase 1 flight test for experimental/amateur built aircraft. As pilots, we must challenge ourselves to continually learn, train, and maintain our skills—all we have to do is find and consume the information that helps us meet this challenge. Check out the type club for your aircraft and dive into the resources they have. Chances are you’ll find just about everything you are looking for to improve your ownership or flying experience in a specific type aircraft. And if you don’t, you’ll at least have fun and meet like-minded people who share your passion.
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