Once upon a time, if you were traveling, you’d pick up a copy of Fodor’s, Lonely Planet, or Rick Steves guidebook to learn the best sights to see wherever you were going. If your destination happens to be the San Francisco Bay area, you might consider calling The Flying Particles and talking to Richard Smith instead. The club is based at Livermore Airport east of the Bay, and Richard shares what it’s like to fly the Bay Tour, as well as several other destinations around Northern and Southern California.

Brent Sinnet is a member of the Wingnuts Flying Club based at Richmond Executive Airport in Virginia. He and his wife flew one of the club’s three aircraft to Ocracoke, a small island off the outer banks of North Carolina that is only accessible by ferry or by air. Learn about their trip and other island adventures your club members may want to experience.

The Blue Sky Aviation Association flying club has a fleet of three aircraft – all of which they have updated from round gauges to glass panels. Maintenance Officer Tom Halvorson talks about the process the club followed in making the investment to improve its aircraft and how they chose the equipment to put in the panel.

The Columbia Aviation Association began in 1949 and is a community of aviators based in Oregon dedicated to fostering aviation safety, education, mentoring, and outreach. In the beginning most, if not all, the members owned their own planes. That is no longer the case. As the organization looks to remain relevant and meet the needs of its members, it has decided to form a flying club. Stan Swan talks about the CAA and the process of forming a flying club.

Winter means less daylight, challenging weather, and generally less flying for most clubs located in the northern parts of the country. It may still be February, but Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow predicting an earlier spring. So, we thought now is as good a time as any to start thinking about what it takes to wake up your club –both planes and pilots – from a winter hibernation. The Gateway Flying Club based in Blaine, Minnesota and the Key City Fliers in Dubuque, Iowa are two clubs that see an increase in flying after sleepy winter. Gateway Operations Officer Matt Douglas and Key City Maintenance Officer Mike Nickeson share some of the seasonal differences their clubs experience.

Increasingly, we are hearing from clubs who are interested in self-financing aircraft acquisition or upgrades through loans made by members, rather than from a financial institution. It's certainly an option, and often it can be a good one—it helps the club, it helps the members, and it reinforces the fact that members are owners. New England Flying Club President Paul Lascari talks about the steps his club is taking to raise capital for another airplane, and TSS Flying Club Treasurer Charlie Mayer shares how his club has successfully used this method over many decades, including the recent purchase of a turbo C-182RG.

Have you ever wondered which flying club is the oldest in the country? What about the oldest club in your state? These questions will have crossed your mind if you're like the Flying Clubs staff. From the information we have received to date, the Brockton Flying Club, formed in 1931, holds the distinction of being the oldest flying club in the country—but feel free to challenge us! Some Brockton Flying Club members shared what it's like to be associated with a historic 92-year-old organization. We'll also list the oldest clubs in several other states. If you think we overlooked your club and you've been around since FDR, Truman, or Ike were in the White House, we only know what you tell us. See this month's "News from HQ" to find out how to educate us!

No pilot, aircraft owner or operator ever wants to pick up the phone and hear it is the FAA on the line, and they have some questions. That’s what happened to the ABC Flying Club earlier this year. Club Member Nick Gianaris shares why the Allegheny FSDO came calling, and how the club worked with them to alleviate their concerns.

Lakewood Airport (N12) in New Jersey is a small airport with two large clubs. The Monmouth Area Flying Club and the Jersey Aero Club both have about 150 members and six aircraft. Monmouth Area Flying Club Activities Director Charles Burke talks about some recent changes the club has made to serve its members and keep them engaged.