How to find a flying group?
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: UK
How to find a flying group?
I'm based in the NE UK, local airfield is EGNV, and I'm looking to do my PPL soon. I'd like to find a flying group soon after to do some hour building, but don't know where to start or where to look for such things. Any help?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Joined: May 2007
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From: Banished (twice) to the pointless forest
I suspect that by the time you have your licence, you will know a lot more people, and it will be obvious who you should talk to.
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Niort
The only reliable method is to meet and talk to people. There are often people posting here and in other places looking for this sort of information. Many groups a gatherings of friends and may or may not welcome people who turn up out of nowhere. Those people are unknown entities and as such represent something of a risk. In our local area there are a fairly large number of groups - shares are almost never advertised - they sell through word of mouth. That comes from knowing people and them trusting you. Sharing your best toys actually needs either a serious business head, or a fair bit of trust. Best of luck with your training - but remember you'll still need a certain amount of assimilation of the differences that the UK loves to have from the rest of the world, that will be your opportunity to become 'known'.
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9
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From: Cockfield, Co Durham
I suggest you try smaller local airfields. If EGNV is local to you I presume a location south Durham/Tees Valley/northern part of North Yorkshire? The obvious ones in that case would be Fishburn and Bagby. I’m in a Fishburn based group, where there are several similar groups; I’m not aware of any which are looking for members but as previous posters have said, best to ask around. I’m not sure of the situation at Bagby but would be surprised if there are no groups there. There is also Eshott but that is well north of the Tyne.
If you search the forum you will see loads of advice about groups. A previous poster has already speculated that you may find yourself at a disadvantage as a low hours PPL. A no-equity group might be the best option, at least at first. Happy to meet you at Fishburn for a chat some time if that would help. PM me if interested.
If you search the forum you will see loads of advice about groups. A previous poster has already speculated that you may find yourself at a disadvantage as a low hours PPL. A no-equity group might be the best option, at least at first. Happy to meet you at Fishburn for a chat some time if that would help. PM me if interested.
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Moray,Scotland,U.K.
Join the local LAA Strut. Attend meetings. Get their contact details from the LAA website. No Group should be interested in selling a share to you until you've got your license and a few hours solo.
Insurance often requires 100 hours, or increased premium and deductable.
But by the time you've got your license you'll have contacts who'll know you.
Insurance often requires 100 hours, or increased premium and deductable.
But by the time you've got your license you'll have contacts who'll know you.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12
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From: UK
Thanks for the info guys! Obviously not looking for right now, but just wanted to know what to keep an eye out for in order to find such groups. I'm guessing there's not based on EGNV?
@ timewhite, I didn't know there were airfields in Fishburn and Bagby? I assume grass strips? Check PMs please!
@ Genghis, why do you say so?
@ timewhite, I didn't know there were airfields in Fishburn and Bagby? I assume grass strips? Check PMs please!
@ Genghis, why do you say so?
Joined: Mar 2008
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 59
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From: UK
Can you expand on this?
How do you define an hour builder? Someone who does lots of hours year after year, or someone who does lots of hours in a short time and then ditches the group/share to commence CPL training?
How do you define an hour builder? Someone who does lots of hours year after year, or someone who does lots of hours in a short time and then ditches the group/share to commence CPL training?
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,831
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From: Moray,Scotland,U.K.
Someone building hours to get, as quickly and cheaply as possible, the total number of hours needed to meet some target. Once they reach that target, they intend to leave.
The hourly charge should cover the maintenance they bring forward, but there's still the downtime when others can't fly.
Members who fly a lot, but are not aiming for a target, nor intending to leave, may be annoying, but sort of tolerated. (I'm in that situation, and have been for almost 29 years.)
The hourly charge should cover the maintenance they bring forward, but there's still the downtime when others can't fly.
Members who fly a lot, but are not aiming for a target, nor intending to leave, may be annoying, but sort of tolerated. (I'm in that situation, and have been for almost 29 years.)
Joined: Mar 2008
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 59
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From: UK
@ Maoraigh1 and Big Pistons Forever - Thanks for clearing that up, I thought that was the case.
In this scenario how many hours do you define as a lot?
Bearing in mind that you need to fly roughly 20-25 hours/year for a group/share to become economical versus club rental, I’d assume group owners are aware that this is the minimum members would want to fly each year. Therefore that number plus a little more, to defo make it worth your while, should be deemed acceptable amd not create any negativity within the group.
Bearing in mind that you need to fly roughly 20-25 hours/year for a group/share to become economical versus club rental, I’d assume group owners are aware that this is the minimum members would want to fly each year. Therefore that number plus a little more, to defo make it worth your while, should be deemed acceptable amd not create any negativity within the group.
Joined: Dec 2005
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,999
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From: Hong Kong
I'm sure most groups will have a constitution to set fair rules on availability etc - they either want people to fly or they don't! It's fair to say that a well utilised plane is cheaper by the hour, so as long as Mr 25hrs still gets his slot once a fortnight surely a few hour builders wouldn't hurt.
Have a look on ukga - there is a map function to find group shares near you.
Have a look on ukga - there is a map function to find group shares near you.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,831
Likes: 16
From: Moray,Scotland,U.K.
Most Group shares will not be advertised nationally, as a share in an aircraft at, say, Fishburn, would be of no interest to me, in Moray, nor likely to pilots in Kent and Cornwall.
Most Group members overestimate the flying they'll do. The newly-formed Group I'm in has adopted a 100 hour per year limit.
Most Group members overestimate the flying they'll do. The newly-formed Group I'm in has adopted a 100 hour per year limit.
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,658
Likes: 501
From: Canada
Part of a being good group member is being invested in the airplane. Hours builders have a reputation for treating the group airplane like a hire car rather than “their” airplane because they have an equity stake in the machine
There are non equity groups which are essentially an aircraft rental business. They are more likely to be interested in an hour builder and may offer a better deal than renting from a flying school.
i used to be in a 4 person group that had a small floatplane. One owner wanted to sell and the first interested person was obviously an hour builder. The group pushed back and we helped the selling partner find a gentleman who we were much more comfortable with.
There are non equity groups which are essentially an aircraft rental business. They are more likely to be interested in an hour builder and may offer a better deal than renting from a flying school.
i used to be in a 4 person group that had a small floatplane. One owner wanted to sell and the first interested person was obviously an hour builder. The group pushed back and we helped the selling partner find a gentleman who we were much more comfortable with.
