aircraft sharing
 

I have been deliberating whether to buy into a group pa28 share at my local airfield or find a flying buddy to help keep down costs and actually be able to get somewhere further than the local area. I would be interested in opinions/experiences in both these areas, specifically conflict/PIC and suggestions for good practices etc.
Also any good begginer fields in a 1 hour radius (100kns a/s) from blackpool?

get into a group if you can but make sure its a good one , if all ten group members fly only on a weekend it is unlikly it will be a happy place to be.
I was lucky with my only group the other three guys would fly at the weekend and i would fly mostly on week days so for me it was 5/7 of the time for 1/4 the cost.

I understand your problems...
Going into a flying group is like a marriage, don't go in without fully thinking it through because you really can be disappointed and lose a lot of money. Be very cautious of being driven by the heart, let the final decision come from the head!

But... keeping your feet firmly on terra firma will stop you losing out in a big way and joining a good honest group will give you regular access to an aeroplane that no flying school can offer, where else can you take the aircraft for the full day and put only a couple of hours on the tacho?

Also you might meet that "flying buddy"... this is essential because the actual flying skills become less of a challenge and the adventures become more important. A like minded friend will join in stretching your respective legs and some good trips are undertaken.

Regarding the group...
Be careful of why the share has become available, is an old trouper selling up before a big bill like a replacement engine?
Check the hours on the lump (2000 before overhaul) and whether there is an engine fund.
Check the actual technical log and find out the aircraft utilisation, will they be able to fit you in? The person you are buying from will probably not be an active flyer so the others might not be used to this slot being actually used.
And finally... does the share actually exist, I do know of a Cherokee share once sold 6 time over!

Lots to tell, I am sure there are good and bad experiences out there... find out all the details and post them up here.

Go in with your eyes wide open,

Beagler (a happy group flyer)

I agree with the two sensible replies posted above but add the following:

If most of your flying is VFR, consider a group with a PFA aircraft. The cost can then be really low with a well-run group. (e.g. our group of 6 fly a two seater @ £2000 per share, £28 per month, and £9 per airbourne hour dry - we buy our own AVGAS).

With flying this cheap I can afford to hire when I need an IFR or M/E aircraft.

Another advantage of PFA groups is that the costs are lower so you can learn more about the pros and cons of groups without risking so much money.

You can learn a lot by talking to non-group members at the same airfield.