In May we shared some local knowledge about flying on the East Coast in places like the Washington, DC Special Flight Restricted Area (SFRA) the Hudson River Corridor, and the Chicago Skyline. This month we fly cross country and explore California and some other West Coast destinations that you’ll want to add to your logbook.

Whenever you do something for the first time, it’s always a good idea to do some research or get some advice. The same is true if you’re flying somewhere for the first time. One of the benefits of being in a club is having other members who can share their experience. We pass on some local knowledge from clubs about flying in places like the Washington, DC Special Flight Restricted Area (SFRA) the Hudson River Corridor, Chicago Skyline, and other popular destinations.

It’s often said that earning a private pilot’s certificate is simply getting a license to learn. No matter how often we fly, there’s always a little rust that can be knocked off. Many clubs see flying time drop off in the winter, making this time of year ideal for a safety seminar as club members get ready for the more active spring and summer flying seasons. Gateway Flying Club Operations Officer Matt Douglas talks about his club’s annual safety standdown for its members and the variety of topics that they cover.

The Boy Scouts motto is “Be Prepared.” If your club plane had an incident or accident, would your members know what to do and who to call? The Lakes Region Flying Club is developing a Club Mishap Guide that will provide a standardized process to follow so all club members know what to do immediately after an incident. Club President Jeff Davis, Operations Officer Bob Stephens, and Treasurer Allen Epps talk about the value of being prepared in the event that something happens.

The Monmouth Aero Flying Club based at Lakewood Airport (N12) in New Jersey has 160 members and a fleet of six aircraft. One of the ways it encourages members to stay proficient is through its Book of Routes. It is a collection flights with multiple way points that members can fly to practice different types of navigation or flying in different types of airspace. Board Member Chuck Burke talks about how he developed this resource and how it’s used.

Making the trip to Oshkosh in late July is aviation’s version of going to Mecca. Whether you fly in or drive in, camp for a week or just go for the day, there are some things to know before you go. We’ll provide some tips on planning your trip and suggest some ways your club can make the most of AirVenture for your flying club.

It goes without saying that maintenance is one of the most important aspects of a flying club. Knowing what work needs to be done, and what can wait, can keep a club’s plane flying and prove to be a smart financial decision. Mike Busch from Savvy Aviation discusses the benefits of using a maintenance program to help a club manage its aircraft, including getting longer life out of an engine.

The days are getting warmer and sunset is getting later. That means it’s time for some spring cleaning. That may take the form of an annual plane wash. Or perhaps your club members are busy planning fly outs, hangar BBQs, or safety seminars on what kinds of weather to expect as summer approaches. We’ll take a look at various events that clubs host during the spring to build club camaraderie and safety.

We often talk about the community and camaraderie that are evident in flying clubs. Public benefit flying is flying to help others and it is a way club members can make a difference in a broader, non-aviation community. The Air Care Alliance is a group representing volunteer pilot organizations across the country and is a great resource for learning about using aviation to serve others. We’ll look at the benefits of flying for a purpose and the types of organizations that rely on volunteer pilots.