HQ Highlights: Could Your Club Afford Another Airplane?

Could Your Club Afford Another Airplane?

"Does AOPA help finance my club's aircraft?" It is one of the most common questions the Flying Clubs team hears, and the answer is yes. Many clubs assume that adding a second (or third) aircraft is out of financial reach, but AOPA offers financing options built specifically for the way flying clubs operate. Whether your club is brand new or has been flying together for decades, there is an option that fits, and with flying season in full swing, now is a great time to find out.

Three loan options, built for clubs of every stage

No personal guaranty loan
For established clubs with five or more years of history and at least ten members, this option lets the club itself be the borrower, not any individual member. Clubs can borrow up to 50% loan to value, typically over a 10-year term, with options extending to 15 years for especially well-established clubs.

Limited personal guaranty loan
Here, the club is still the borrower, but one or more members back the loan with a personal guaranty. This option allows for up to 80% loan to value with terms from 10 to 15 years. A club's age and stability are factored in, and clubs with more than five years of history are preferred.

Leaseback loan
Designed for newer clubs that have not built-up years of operating history yet. One member takes personal responsibility for the loan and leases the aircraft back to the club. This option allows up to 75% loan to value, with terms of 10 to 12 years. Annual usage maximums and ownership structure limitations may apply.

Quick facts

• Can a brand-new club qualify? Yes, the leaseback loan is built for exactly this situation.
• Does the club or does a member own the loan? It depends on the option. Two of the three keep the club as sole borrower, so no individual member is on the hook.
• Can we find out what we can afford before shopping? Yes, pre-approval is available, so your club can shop with a clear budget in mind.

Real clubs, real growth

Financing is not just theoretical for flying clubs. Clubs featured in past issues of Club Connector have grown their fleets using resources built for clubs just like them. Whatever stage your club is in, you are not the first to ask these questions, and you do not have to figure it out alone.

Part of a bigger picture

Financing is just one piece of what AOPA's Flying Clubs Initiative offers. Between club matching tools, startup guidance, and hands on support from the Flying Clubs team, AOPA is built to support your club at every stage, not just when it is time to buy an aircraft.

Ready to find out what your club qualifies for? Visit our Flying Club resource website to explore financing options, quick facts, and next steps. Members can log in for full access to all the details.