Flying Club or Renting? Why I Chose Both

Not everyone who earns a pilot certificate dreams of an airline cockpit. Many of us simply want to fly—because it’s in our blood, our history, or our imagination. For me, it was all three.

Aviation Was Always Part of My Life

Both of my parents took flying lessons when I was young. My mother soloed, and my father earned his pilot certificate. Their flight instructor rented a room in our home and also taught at the Fort Meade Army Airfield flying club in Maryland. After my parents divorced, my mother married him, and he became my stepfather—and eventually my first flight instructor.

I learned the basics of flying early, but life took me in other directions before I ever pursued a certificate.

Finally Learning to Fly

Forty years later, I finally committed to flight training.

I began at a busy Class D airport, but long taxi times, IFR releases, charter traffic, and Air National Guard operations meant I was burning money on the Hobbs meter before ever leaving the ground.

Eventually, I moved to a nearby nontowered airport with a shorter runway and tied-down aircraft. Instead of paying to taxi half the morning, I could be airborne within minutes.

When I asked for an instructor closer to my age, the school paired me with its chief instructor. After hearing my story—and my stepfather’s name—he told me something remarkable: my stepfather had taught him to fly when he was a Black Hawk pilot at Fort Meade. Aviation has a wonderful way of bringing stories full circle.

The Real Challenge Begins

Two years later, private pilot certificate in hand, I faced the same question every new pilot eventually asks: How do I keep flying affordably and consistently?

I’m a full-time professional, a musician, a husband, a father, and a grandfather. For me, flying four to six hours a month doesn’t justify owning an airplane. That left two practical options: renting and joining a flying club.

While working on my instrument rating, I joined a flying club back at the Class D airport where I started my training. About 20 members share the club’s aircraft, although only a handful fly regularly. Flying clubs can be difficult to find, and many members continue paying dues even during periods when they fly very little, simply to keep their membership—usually about the cost of one hour of fuel each month.

Flying Club or Renting?

After living with both options, I’ve come to a simple conclusion: you don’t necessarily have to choose.

Why Flying Clubs Matter

A good flying club offers benefits that go well beyond lower hourly rates.

• Fly with other pilots—including CFIs and CFIIs—who are eager to share knowledge and experience.
• Learn from different flying styles and techniques.
• Split costs and cockpit duties while building proficiency.
• Serve as a safety pilot for members practicing instrument approaches.
• Enjoy predictable monthly dues and hourly rates that are often significantly lower than traditional rentals.

The camaraderie alone is worth it. Flying with others keeps you sharp, humble, and connected to the aviation community.

Why Renting Still Has a Place

Even as a club member, I continue renting from the nontowered airport where I trained. Yes, it costs about 75% more per hour, but cost isn’t the only consideration.

Renting offers several advantages:

• A much shorter commute.
• Quick access to the runway without a long taxi from a distant T-hangar.
• Less waiting for tower instructions or pattern congestion.
• No need to push a 1,500-pound airplane in and out of a hangar by yourself.
• Lower insurance costs with only renter’s insurance to carry.
• More opportunities to grab an hour of flying and stay proficient.

Depending on the operation, rental aircraft may not offer the same equipment or availability as a club airplane, but the convenience is hard to beat.

Finding the Right Balance

Every pilot’s situation is different, but for me, combining a flying club with occasional rentals has provided the right balance of affordability, convenience, and proficiency.

If you’re a new pilot—or returning to flying after some time away—consider both options. A flying club can provide community, mentorship, and lower operating costs, while renting offers flexibility and convenience. If you have access to both, you may find that you don’t have to choose one over the other.

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David Smith

David is currently Vice President of Technology and the Information Security Officer (ISO) for a large healthcare organization in the northeast United States. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Music, a master’s degree in Information Technology Management, a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration Informatics, and is a Certified Information Systems Auditor. David began his journey to private pilot in May of 2020 with a completion to Private Pilot in August 2021. As an ISO David deals with risk and risk mitigation everyday in the cybersecurity universe and learned quickly that flying is all about dealing with risk and mitigation. David’s Parents were both pilots and while he flew on and off at a younger age, he did not get his Private Pilot's license until he was in his 60s.David says “It’s never too late to pursue what you love."

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