I'd mark a club as a place which is run by and for the members.
Totally agree, and that is how we promote our Club. We are a happy and thriving club with two club aircraft and a member owned one which club members use, we have a syndicate and other privately owned aircraft of various types. Only yesterday, i was at the Club after work for secretarial rather than flying reasons. Three of the guys were there; we were chatting away; one was going for a bimble to Shackwell Farm strip and offered me the RHS. Of course I leapt at the chance and had an excellent couple of hours with more experience of flying another type, of being pax whilst landing on a small grass strip and chatting to the farmer (the owner ) about his aircraft and land. Could this sort of camaraderie of flying be found at a school? We have our annual Fly In and club fly-outs....are these arranged by schools?
I hope that as long as there are pilots out there who want the club atmosphere and are enthusiastic and happy to take a full part in membership of their own club then whatever external pressures there are from outside, there will always be enough spirit on the GA club scene to keep it thriving in the UK. Am I being naieve? Hmm, I hope not....
