Varies according to number of members.  Bylaws limit the ratio of people to airplanes to ten to one.  The Corporation is nonprofit and the bylaws prohibit distribution of excess funds.  Membership fees can be reduced/increased by the Board of Directors as needed to insure stability and protect club assets.  All members share equal access to assets and equal risk.

New member buy-in fees vary as the value of the Club’s assets rise and fall.  Initiation fees and/or buyout costs are calculated by the following formula:  Assets minus liabilities divided by the current number of members.  This year that calculation is $10,200.  If you don't want to come up with that much cash, the club will finance a loan (at the same rate we pay at the bank) for up to $8200.  So minimum buy in becomes $2,000 with a promissory note for $8,200.  Interest of about $51/month will be added to your monthly fees if you buy in at the lower cash amount.  Your equity is protected by the value of the airplanes and cash on hand but as total club value changes you will see a change in the buy in/buy out figure.  Sometimes equity goes up because we collect too much in monthly fees and hourly charges but its just as likely equity will go down if we don't collect enough from ourselves.  We aim for a constant equity figure.   Bottom line: If the Treasurer forgets to pay the insurance, the two airplanes run together and are destroyed, and the treasurer takes the cash on hand and runs off to Venezuela with his secretary; each of us is out ten grand.

What happens when you get out of the club?  Well, you get bought out by the club or another new member.  If you get out this year, you will receive your share of the Club equity, currently $10,200.  Next year you might receive more or less, depending on total assets/liabilities.  The Club Charter does allow for delaying your buy-out for up to six months if required to keep solvency.  After six months, the Club buys you out or; we fold the Club, sell the assets, and split evenly whatever we get.  The important point being that we all share equally in benefits and risks.

A monthly fee is charged to cover fixed costs:  insurance, hangar fees, annuals, interest on loans, etc.   The current monthly fee is $100 excluding any interest.  That number varies by the total number of members on board.   If you're mentally comparing club cost to rental or ownership cost, don't forget membership includes your insurance.  Have you priced renter's insurance lately?  Our staff economist says if you average three hours per month you can't rent as cheaply as club membership.

The hourly charge is currently figured at $114 per hour for the Skylane and $85 per hour for the Skyhawk.  The hourly charge includes variable costs such as fuel, engine TBO, and a little extra for maintenance and upgrades.  This charge changes rapidly because of fuel price fluctuations.  If the Club charges too much, you build equity which will be recovered when you have to move on.

There is no charge for camaraderie or pride of ownership.  The Club is a Missouri not-for-profit organization.   This includes an emphasis on socializing as well as  flying because we want it to (and our nonprofit status requires it).  Flying will never be cheap but it won’t be more economical than what our club offers.  We want to grow.  We want to encourage more people to fly.  Our goal is to grow to 30 members and three airplanes.  We invite you to talk to all the members.  We have a get together every second Sunday of the month at 1500 at the Boonville airport.  (call ahead to confirm)  Come meet some of our members.  We have young and old, rookies and veterans; probably someone just like you.   Look at our our finances and goals.  Join us.

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