This month’s “Question of the Month” dives into a topic that sounds harmless—but often ends in headaches: membership tiers in flying clubs. We hear the same question time and again: What’s the harm in offering different levels of access? Maybe you’re buying a new airplane and want to limit who can fly it. Maybe you’d like to offer a discounted rate for a spouse or create a student membership to support young pilots. These ideas may come from a good place, but they can lead to serious issues—financially, culturally, and even legally.
To understand why, we’ll walk through some of the most common questions about membership tiers and explore the unintended consequences they can bring. But first, let’s talk about one of the most important documents in the flying club world: FAA Order 5190.6B Change 3.
This document—officially known as the Airport Compliance Manual—is a cornerstone for how flying clubs operate on federally funded airports. If an airport has accepted federal grant money (and most have), it must follow the rules outlined in this manual. That’s mostly good news for flying clubs, because it ensures they’re treated as individuals—not commercial operators—helping reduce overhead costs. But it also means clubs must play by the rules.
One of the key rules? All members must be treated equally. According to the order, “The ownership of the club must be vested in the name of the flying club or owned by all its members. The property rights of the members of the club shall be equal; no part of the net earnings of the club will inure to the benefit of any individual in any form; including salaries, bonuses, etc.” Whether your club is equity-based or non-equity, this means no special treatment—no matter how well-intentioned. More on why we talk about the equal part later…
Our club is buying a new airplane, and we only want certain members to have access to it. What’s the problem?
Let’s say your club is purchasing a new aircraft—maybe something faster, more capable, or just newer. Understandably, there might be a temptation to limit access to only certain members. But here’s the problem: this structure creates unequal financial responsibility and undermines the foundation of a fair and functional flying club.
When only a subset of members has access to a specific aircraft, the club’s cost-sharing model begins to break down. Fixed operating costs—like insurance, hangar fees, and annual inspections—don’t disappear just because fewer people are flying the airplane. If only a few members are covering those costs, the aircraft quickly becomes unaffordable. Meanwhile, members flying less expensive aircraft are still contributing less, even though the club as a whole is responsible for all its assets.
This leads to confusion and conflict:
Instead of creating silos within the club, the best approach is to make all aircraft available to all members, regardless of who flies what. This would mean the members would pay the increased hourly rate for the nicer airplane. If a member wants to fly the new airplane, they can—after completing any required checkouts or endorsements. If they don’t, that’s their choice. But everyone shares in the fixed monthly costs, keeping things fair and sustainable.
Flying clubs typically deal with three types of costs:
This model works well because it’s simple, transparent, and compliant with FAA Order 5190.6B, which requires that all members be treated equally. When fixed costs are shared and direct costs are paid by the hour, everyone contributes fairly—and no one feels left out.
Beyond compliance, this approach also fosters a stronger club culture. Giving all members access to every aircraft—whether it’s a Cessna 172 or a Beechcraft Bonanza—reinforces the idea that the club is a community, not a collection of cliques. And that’s how you build a club that lasts.
Student Memberships: A Well-Meaning Idea with Hidden Pitfalls
At first glance, offering a discounted student membership seems like a great way to grow your flying club. After all, we’re passionate about aviation and want to support the next generation of pilots. More members, more flying, more community—what’s not to love?
But here’s the catch: discounted student memberships can create serious problems—both financially and from a regulatory standpoint.
From a financial perspective, student pilots typically fly more frequently and put more wear and tear on aircraft. They’re practicing landings, stalls, go-arounds, and other maneuvers that naturally lead to more maintenance. Meanwhile, other members—who may only take the airplane out for a weekend cross-country or perhaps the hundred-dollar hamburger—end up subsidizing that increased usage. That’s not fair, and it’s not sustainable. A discounted rate for the heaviest users of the aircraft just doesn’t make sense.
Now let’s talk about compliance. According to FAA Order 5190.6B, flying clubs are not allowed to advertise themselves as flight schools or businesses where people can learn to fly. While club members are absolutely allowed to receive instruction from a certified flight instructor (even one not affiliated with the club), the instruction must be incidental to membership—not the reason someone joins.
If your club markets a “student membership,” it can easily be interpreted as advertising flight training. That’s a red flag for airport managers—especially at federally funded airports—who are obligated to protect commercial tenants like flight schools. If a flight school feels your club is competing with them, the airport manager may step in and restrict your flight training operations.
So, what’s the better approach? Play by the rules and build partnerships. Let student pilots join as full members, just like everyone else. Encourage collaboration with local flight schools—many of which are happy to refer renters to your club once students earn their certificates. In return, your club can refer aspiring pilots to the school for training. It’s a win-win that supports general aviation without stepping on regulatory toes.
And remember: if your website or marketing materials mention “student memberships,” you may be unintentionally signaling that your club is offering flight training. That’s a risk not worth taking.
Here is a great flow chart to decide if your club is in compliance when flight training. Keep in mind that the airport manager can suspend all training operations. Club members should also be paying instructors privately.
Spouses? Why Not
On the surface, offering a spouse membership might seem like a generous and inclusive idea—and to be clear, it’s not a direct violation of FAA Order 5190.6B. However, it opens the door to a host of fairness and equity concerns that can quickly erode the harmony within your flying club. The core issue is simple: why should other members be subsidizing someone’s spouse to fly? If the spouse isn’t contributing equally to the club’s fixed and direct operating costs, then the rest of the membership is effectively footing the bill for their flying time. That’s not just financially unfair; it’s a cultural misstep.
Flying clubs are built on the principle of equal ownership, equal access, and equal responsibility. Introducing a spouse tier—especially one with discounted rates or special privileges—undermines that foundation. It creates a two-tiered system where one member gets more value than another for the same or less investment. Over time, this can lead to resentment and members leaving.
If a spouse wants to fly, the cleanest and most equitable solution is for them to become a full member, just like everyone else. That way, they contribute fairly to the club’s operations and are held to the same standards as all other pilots.
Conclusion:
There you have it. While membership tiers might seem like a clever way to offer flexibility or reward certain members, they often lead to confusion, inequality, and even regulatory trouble. FAA Order 5190.6B is clear: flying clubs must be built on equal access and shared responsibility. Tiers disrupt that balance, they complicate cost-sharing, create division, and risk non-compliance. Whether it’s deciding who gets to fly the new airplane or how student pilots are welcomed, the answer remains the same: treat every member equally. It’s better for your club’s finances, culture, and long-term success. Because in the end, membership tiers will end in tears.
