EAA’s mission to grow participation in aviation took another step forward during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018, as the organization unveiled its Flying Club Initiative, which helps create local pathways to encourage and develop flying.
The focus of the initiative is to assist EAA members in developing separate nonprofit flying clubs at their home airports that engage people in discovering aviation or help them to fly more affordably. The program includes grants through matching or challenge funds to get local clubs started, as well as guidance on obtaining aircraft, establishing bylaws, and other necessary steps to create successful club.
“Flying clubs are well-established ways to share the cost of flying and build a supportive community for those who want to participate,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs. “While EAA chapters cannot directly operate flying clubs, local EAA members now have a way to get people into the air in an affordable way and welcome those who have wanted to fly, but perhaps had cost and access barriers standing in their way.”