ArtisanAviation

Prospective members, especially student pilots without previous ownership experience, frequently ask about the cost comparison between Artisan Flying Club and a flight school. If you fly 40 to 60 hours per year the out-of-pocket cost is essentially the same, the difference is the intangibles. 

Here are the assumptions:

· A student pilot can normally complete training in one year, in about 50 to 60 hours. 

· The cost of the flight instructor and ground school is the same at a flight school or at Artisan Flying Club.

· Since our trainer is the Piper Warrior, an IFR GPS equipped four passenger aircraft, we compare against the local FBO's IFR capable C-172.

· We take the member share price out of the equation, since the members treat it as a personal asset, redeemable at the member’s option upon withdrawal from the Club.

With those assumptions in mind, the equation is something like this:

· Artisan Flying Club:  60 hours of flying time (on the Hobbs meter), but charged as 51 hours of tach time, at $95, or $4845, plus the monthly fees (12 months at $150, or $1800), for a total of $6645.

· Local Flight School:  60 hours of C172 rental at local flight school at $110 per hour, for a total of $6600.

The point is not that one is more expensive than the other, but rather that the out of pocket expenses are about the same. 

It is the intangibles that make Artisan Flying Club a smart choice.  As an Artisan member, you get:

· the same, well equipped and well maintained aircraft for every training flight

· scheduling convenience and flexibility so the aircraft is available almost whenever you and your instructor need it

· Excellent facilities, including comfortable hangers and a well equipped lounge, to make pre and post flight briefings pleasant and comfortable

· Artisan Flying Club members who will encourage and support your training, answer your questions, share their experiences, and welcome you as a guest on their own missions to provide you with real flying experience.