My City August 2022

MYHOBBY

T he Greater Flint Pilots Association is a professional, non-pro t corporation dedicated to the safety and advancement of aviation in Genesee County and beyond. Incorporated in 1975, the GFPA once boasted a membership of over 100 and operated nine airplanes of dierent makes and models. “Today, we have 55 members and a ‚eet of four planes we maintain,” Johnson adds. “We still have two active founding members.” At an enrollment of 55, the GFPA is still regarded as one of the most robust and best ‚ying clubs in the state. In hangars located at Bishop Airport, the GFPA maintains four planes for member use: a N3559E 2001 Cessna Skylane 182T, N518SP 2000 Cessna Skyhawk 172SP, N6294T 1997 Piper Archer III PA 28-181. Each is regularly maintained and inspected for safety and if any issues are found, will be grounded until it is xed. All the planes are equipped with 1983 Cessna Skylane 182RG, and N818CD

auto pilots and the club is currently upgrading the planes with new state of the art auto pilots and avionics. “Each member is part-owner of the planes in our ‚eet,” explains Johnson. “We want to promote aordable ‚ying and this is the best way we have found to do so.” For those who have dreamed of soaring amongst the clouds, the GFPA has a group of licensed ‚ight instructors to help members gain their initial license and more should they wish to continue their education and potentially, ‚y professionally. Instruction is open to members, but enrollment is limited. “We limit the number of students we accept in order to keep ‚ying time open for club members,” says Johnson, “and we take it very seriously. We expect a student to make reasonable progress over time and to be committed to their goal.”˜e GFPA works hand-in-hand with Crosswinds Aviation Flight School to help new pilots gain their wings and earn their hours.˜e majority

If you love to see the world from above, Johnson urges you to join the GFPA.

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