The Art of the Flying Club, How To Attract and Retain Young Members.

Flying Clubs are the cornerstone of any local aviation community. They are a place to gather, reminisce, plan and spend quality face to face time with like minded individuals who share your passion for aviation. If you attend any local flying club meeting there is always one question that is universally asked. “How do we attract new young members?”.

Young member is a relative term. Look around many traditional flying clubs and you will quickly notice that the demographics are heavily weighted toward those that learned to fly when you could earn a private license for less than what a tank of avgas costs today. The average age at many flying clubs is approaching 65-75 years old. For the purpose of this article, the reference to young members will capture those that are under the age of 50. 

Flying clubs take many forms but the key to attracting and retaining young members is to keep the FLYING in flying club and avoid what happens all to often when the flying club becomes a MEETING club. There is nothing worse than walking into a flying club for the first time, full of piss and vinegar, ready to take part and contribute to your local flying community, only to have to sit through a formal board type meeting where everything under the sun is talked about except flying. We have all been to meetings where the majority of the meeting is taken up by discussing the latest battle with airport management or why members pay $9/year in tax on their membership fees. Usually by the end of these meetings everyone is so exhausted from the bickering and non-flying banter that once the gavel hits the table it is a race for the exit, and not one flying related lie or bigger than life story has had the chance to be told.

All of this occurs as the excited, young, new member’s enthusiasm withers away and goes soft like a banana left in a plastic bag in a car on a hot summer day. This prospective new member won’t be back and the local community has just lost one piece of the future of their club. That’s right, I said it but you are all thinking it and know the same thing to be true because we’ve all been there.  

It is hard to deny the benefits of the “older” members at a flying club or any organization for that matter. These members are the epitome of loyalty and experience. They grew up in a time where communication happened face to face and we weren’t heads down tapping into our smartphones on the BC General Aviation Facebook Group. Many of these members flew in defense of our freedoms in wars gone by and have lived to take their grandchildren and great grandchildren flying. There is no doubt that with age comes stubbornness but if you want to learn about integrity and hard work just sit down with an “older” flying club member, you might just learn something. 

The other recurring theme at many flying clubs is an executive committee that has selflessly given their time to serve their club and local community. Often these boards sit for many consecutive terms, they sit for so long because nobody steps up to take their place so they dutifully carry on for the good of the club despite being completely burnt out.They have done their part and are desperate for some “young” blood to take the reigns and move the club along in new and innovative directions. The pancake breakfast has been done before and its time for some new ideas. 

These exhausted boards would welcome a new face to step up and do their part to steer the club in a new direction. Remember, a “young” board will attract “young” members. Don’t worry about not being experienced in the pomp and circumstance that surrounds formal meetings, it doesn’t have to be that way. 

The board of directors at the club was elected by the members. Trust them to do their job. Imagine a meeting where members showed up, enjoyed a cold beverage and some snacks, heard a guest speaker or debated soft field landing technique. All because the board was left to do their job. Sure let the President give a brief synopsis of what’s new but let the politics stay within the board and don’t throw a wet blanket on the members, especially the new member that just wants to talk flying.

If you don’t like what the board has accomplished in their term then let your opinions be heard at the next election with your ballot or better yet be part of the change and nominate yourself and put your time in to effect the change that you want to see. The executive committee’s job should be to protect the members from the politics that take away from the atmosphere and enjoyment of the club.

Enable board members and members at large to take initiatives without going through exhaustive committees. Nothing stifles a great idea like the delay caused by waiting for the next committee meeting. Common sense prevails of course but trust and leeway to make decisions can be the reward for good judgement and decision making. Act on member ideas swiftly and cut the red tape before the enthusiasm is gone.

When it comes to flying clubs ask not what your flying club can do for you but what you can do for the club. They are truly a place where you get what you give. If you are taking on a leadership role don’t expect anything in return. You are doing the job for your own fulfillment and the betterment of the local community. 

In order to be successful, flying clubs need new “young” members to carry the torch and new “young” members need to make themselves heard. Take a risk and express an opinion, even if it goes against the grain. While you may meet some resistance, the “older” members will respect you for taking a chance and speaking your thoughts, something that is rare for a new member to do. Just remember, speak respectfully, be open to input and don’t get defensive.

Traditional flying clubs today need a boost much like an stock that was once hot but needs the next big idea to get going again. Think of the annual membership dues that you pay the club as an investment in the future success of the organization. You may need to be patient for a few years but if you as a new member make an effort to be part of the change and put in some time and ideas you very well may be able to produce the next big thing that the club needs to revisit or even surpass its glory days. 

“Young” members have the ability to invest their skills in the club. Perhaps you can volunteer to look after the Club’s website or social media account. After all, the days of telephone trees has gone the way of the dodo. Use social media to your advantage. Don’t kid yourself, the “older” crowd will resist citing a disdain for THE FACEBOOK. Don’t worry, when they see the attention and fresh faces that it brings to the club they will come around and might even sign up. No great change ever happened without someone taking a chance. 

We have already discussed the issue of generational differences. If you are the new “young” member consider inviting a friend to the meeting, if every new member brings a friend the demographics will start evening out over time. Make the club house somewhere that people want to be. Consider having Wifi for club presentations or an honor fridge, make it somewhere that a young professional would want to be when they need a break from politics, work and yes, sometimes family. The flying club should be a sanctuary. Yes you might have to be one of the only “young” guys for a while but think of yourself as bait to attract other like minded aviators of your generation to join the club. 

Flying clubs are about flying. In order to retain members the club must prove value to its members. This may be in the form of aircraft access, fuel discounts, group activities, fly-outs etc… Every club says “we should do more fly-outs”. BE THE PERSON IN THE CLUB THAT MAKES IT HAPPEN. It is easy to be a passive member and wait for someone else to do it but why not start with organizing a single event or fly-out and go from there. If you build it they will most likely come.

Value isn’t always financial, it is more often a perception. Giving your members a reason to gather and go flying and providing an environment for camaraderie is added value which is often more valuable than any financial saving incentive. Get the ball rolling and see where it goes. 

There are a few clubs that seem to have found the balance that this article outlines. While many of these ideas may seem a little idealistic the concept of a thriving flying club with diverse membership is possible and has been realized by some. The future is now and it starts with you. 

When it comes to General Aviation, there is no room for protectionism. Find other clubs, groups, organizations and associations that share your values and build a mutually beneficial relationship. Organizations like the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association and the BC General Aviation Association are a great place to start and are in place to support your club and the flying community at large.  

Are you looking for a way to get new, young and engaged members into your local flying club! Why not contact us and offer a deal for BCGA members. Getting new club members through the door is the first and often the hardest step. BCGA members are engaged, motivated and younger than the average flying club member so what are you waiting for. For more information on how to get involved contact us!

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​Note: (Of all the things I am good at, Proof-reading is not one of them)