LowNslow
No you don't have to be a member to own a PFA aeroplane ... well certainly not if a co-owner in a group. As I've been a member for longer than I've owned aeroplanes it's never been an issue for me. As the elected engineer/repair man in a group operating a permit aeroplane I suppose I cover it. However, I know that in such a group all the members do not have to belong to the PFA. In fact I wouldn't be at all surprised if I was the sole PFA member out of the five of us?
SS