If you’ve ever wanted the benefits of aircraft ownership without going it alone, now is the time. South Shore Flyers is forming its founding membership — the group of people who will collectively own, operate, and shape this club from day one. We’re building this together, and we want you in the room.
Who We’re Looking For
There’s no single profile for a South Shore Flyers founding member. We’re looking for people who are serious about aviation and willing to participate — not just pay dues and fly.
- Active pilots — any certificate level, any rating. Private, instrument, commercial, ATP. Fixed-wing, tailwheel, high-performance. If you fly, you’re welcome here.
- Student pilots — If you’re working on your certificate and want to have a real aircraft waiting for you when you finish, this is the time to get in.
- Builders and mechanics — Experimental aircraft reward members with hands-on skills. If you can swing a wrench, your expertise is genuinely valuable to the club.
- Non-pilot aviation enthusiasts — You don’t need a certificate to become a founding member and equity owner. You do need to be willing to show up for meetings, work days, and participate in the community. Your perspective and contributions matter.
No specific certificate is required to express interest or join as a founding member.
What Founding Members Get
- Equity share in the aircraft — You’ll own a real, documented share of a real airplane. Not a membership card — actual co-ownership.
- Voting rights on all major decisions — Aircraft selection, bylaws, operational policies, dues adjustments, capital expenditures. Every major decision goes to a member vote.
- The ability to shape club culture from day one — Founding members write the rules. The standards, the culture, the expectations — you help set all of it.
- Priority scheduling consideration — Founding members will have their scheduling preferences reflected in club policies from the start.
- A lower member-to-aircraft ratio than typical clubs — We’re intentionally keeping membership limited relative to aircraft. No competing with 30 members for one Cessna.
- Access to a like-minded aviation community — Group fly-outs, safety meetings, work days, hangar nights. The people make the club.
What to Expect
Cost Structure (Preliminary)
Exact numbers will be determined collaboratively by founding members once the aircraft is selected and the member count is finalized. Here’s the structure:
- Equity buy-in: A one-time payment representing your ownership share of the aircraft acquisition cost. This is your equity — it has real value and can be recovered if you ever sell your share. Total buy-in amount is TBD based on aircraft selected and number of founding members.
- Monthly dues: A fixed monthly amount to cover fixed costs — hangar, insurance, annual inspections, reserves. Amount TBD, but we’re targeting a number that makes sense relative to the overall value.
- Hourly wet rate: A per-flight-hour rate covering fuel and engine/prop reserves. Charged only when you fly. Amount TBD based on aircraft fuel burn and reserve requirements.
Participation Expectations
- Attend safety meetings and annual reviews
- Participate in scheduled maintenance work days (typically a few per year)
- Complete aircraft-specific checkout before flying club aircraft
- Operate the aircraft in accordance with club policies and applicable FARs
The Founding Member Process
- Express Interest — Fill out the form below to get on the founding interest list. No commitment required at this stage — just let us know you want to be in the conversation.
- Meet the Group — Join our informal meetups to discuss aircraft candidates, budget range, structure, and timeline. This is where the club takes shape.
- Collaborative Decision-Making — Founding members vote on aircraft selection, finalize bylaws, and lock in the buy-in structure together.
- Launch Together — Once we’ve reached our founding member target, we formalize the club structure, execute the purchase, and begin flying.
Stay in the Loop — Join the Founders List
The single best thing you can do right now is get on the list. No commitment, no pressure. Just a way to stay informed, get invited to meetups, and make sure you’re in the room when the decisions get made.
Questions?
We’ve tried to anticipate the most common questions on our FAQ page. If you don’t find what you’re looking for there, reach out directly — we’re real people and we’re happy to talk.