- Do you have regular board meetings and may I attend?
- Board meetings are held monthly on the fourth Tuesday of each month. They alternate between Chandler and Deer Valley airports at 7:30 PM. Anyone is welcome to attend. See our Upcoming Events page for more information.
- Why do you ask for a Social Security Number on your application?
- The club requests a credit analysis on each prospective member prior to accepting membership into the club. The SSN is required in order to perform the analysis. The credit check is not done until a prospective member has actually accepted a membership offer and sent in the initial fee.
- How difficult is it to schedule or reserve the aircraft?
- The cross-country aircraft average 25 hours per month. The Archers average around 35 hours per month. With four aircraft we try to maintain the active membership at 54. Generally, scheduling in the middle of the week is seldom a problem. Weekends and long trips may require a bit more flexibility.
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- The Internet scheduling system that we use makes it very convenient to reserve an aircraft. Multiple scheduling views are available to determine aircraft availability. A demo version of the scheduling system is available at AircraftClubs.com.
- Why are your aircraft located at Chandler and Deer Valley airports?
- Since we had been based at SkyHarbor from 1958 to 1997, we have members from all over the valley. We chose Chandler and Deer Valley as the majority of our members live near one of these two airports.
- Are you planning to replace any of your aircraft?
- The club purchased a 1998 Cessna Skylane in April 2007. The board anticipates replacing the Comanche sometime after 2010.
- Why do you rotate the Skylane and Comanche between CHD and DVT?
- We rotate the Skylane and Comanche between Chandler and Deer Valley airports on a three-month schedule to equalize access to our primary cross-country aircraft. Each of the airports always has an Archer based on the field.
- When was the last time your rates changed?
- Our monthly dues increased from $100 to $125 in April of 2008. The monthly dues are used for our fixed operating expenses which include insurance, tie-downs and hangars, annual inspections, GPS navigation updates, and office and web site expenses. They also include a margin for "wear and tear" maintenance on the aircraft, new paint, interior replacement, etc.
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- Our hourly rates are adjusted to cover the actual cost of flying the aircraft. This includes fuel, maintenance, and engine reserves. The last adjustment to our aircraft rates was in January 2008.
- How do you budget for engine reserve?
- We have built an engine reserve fund into the hourly rates for the aircraft.
- How does Tach-time compare to Hobbs-time?
- Tach-time varies anywhere from 0.9 of Hobbs-time on a cross-country flight to as much as 0.7 on a training flight. When comparing our rates to an FBO that bills on Hobbs-time, multiply our rates by an average of 0.8, or divide the FBO rate by 0.8.
- Do you have to charge sales tax?
- No. Since we are a non-profit corporation and we are just sharing the cost of aircraft ownership between our members, we do not charge sales tax.
- How do your rates compare to an FBO?
- Comparing Phoenix Flyer's Archer to an FBO that charges $100 based on Hobbs time,
and 1 hour of Tach Time averaging 0.8 hours of Hobbs Time:
- Converting FBO rate to Tach Time: $100/0.8 = $125 per Tach Hour
- Adding %7 sales tax: $125 * 1.07 = $133.75 per Tach Hour
- We are $133.75 - $85 = $48.75 less per hour
- But because of monthly dues you only realize a benefit if you fly more than two hours per month.
- Do you have CFI's in the club?
- Yes, we have board-approved CFI's in the club. They charge $30 per hour. The only time you are required to use a club instructor is for initial checkouts and annual check rides. For other types of instruction, you may use any CFI of your choice.
- Who does your maintenance?
- Routine shop maintenance is performed at either Chandler Aviation or Atlantic Aviation. Annual inspections are usually done by Arizona AirCraftsman in Prescott. Some of the owner type maintenance (oil changes, brakes, tires, etc.) is done by members.
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