I just got involved with a syndicate as a "non capital" member. I basically committed to 50 hrs, paid by standing order each month, no capital investment. All things considered the costs will not be much less than the flying club per hour, but for the money I get to fly a far more powerful aircraft [choice of 2 actually], excellent availibility booked on the web, and get the chance to tour with no minimum flight hours per day. The flying club states you must fly "3 hrs per day" to take the A/C away, but now I can fly to the channel islands, spend a few days and fly back with no worries. There's also the opportunity to take the A/C away for >10 days at a time to tour Europe etc....The best bit about being non-capital is that if an engines needs replacement, I'm not liable for any of the costs. As a capital member my hourly rate would no doubt be cheaper, but if you're not in a position to invest this way is ideal.The group I'm in stipulates a minimum TT of 200hrs plus IMC rating....

Cheers
EA:D

It has been discussed before but if you decide to go into a Group in my experience the key issues are:

1. Is the Group properly funded? In other words is there an engine and prop. fund because if not you can bet both will need a major overhaul just after you join. Is the fund sufficient to cover the cost?
2. Are parts available for the aircraft? For some aircraft parts are difficult to obtain and can be very expensive.
3. What is availability like? Does everyone want to use the aircraft at weekends and does this suite you or not?
4. Is the Group well run - occasional meetings, accounts, solid training and currency requirements.

If you decide to buy, do not underestimate the costs. The operational costs often quickly exceed the capital outlay. Consider also how much you will use the aircraft. Aircraft engines in particular like to be used. You may well find for example a small Group of no more than six people gives you just about all the use you could possibly want and yet the costs are split up to six ways.

Hmm thinking about the question of why it is there are plenty of shares around at present if indeed there are.

A couple of months back I was looking very seriously at buying into an Arrer group. The a/c was very tidy, the the group seemed very well run and availibility too looked excellent.
So why didn't I go ahead? Talking it through with Mrs R we decided that what with all the uncertainites (this was just prior to GW2) it might be better to keep assets liquid rather than committed at least until the economic situation improved...