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[quoteWhat's his name? Dennis Raddant? If so, you couldn't have asked for a nicer person. [/quote]

I'll second that, same goes for Mrs. Raddant!

I will second that Hung. I was partners with Dennis in 02V for about 2 years along with several other members. A better partner you will not find.

Chris wanted to know how club prices compare to partnerships, etc.Here's an example from Valley Fliers based at Auburn, S50.
We have 4 aircraft at present for 60 members, 2 172M's, a Cherokee 180, and a 182, all IFR, all nice interiors, but skanky paint on the 172's. It costs $2000 to join, and the monthly charges are about $135 which includes one hour's flight time in a 172...whether you fly or not you are charged for one hour.
The hourly charges for the 172's are about $66 per hour Hobbs, Cherokee is about $75 and 182 about $85. These are all aproximate as we have a fuel surcharge depending upon the average cost of fuel that month. Planes are pretty well equipped, cherokee and 182 have the fancy schmancy Garmin 430's, and 172's have Garmin 250's in addition to DME's and IFR stuff...also have working ADF's so we can listen to ball games! The club has several instructors for an additional 25-35 per hour...everything from PP to ATP is available, and in the instructor's own aircraft you can do upset and taildragger training. It's a pretty reasonable way to fly.
I'm planning on finding my own 150/152 because I'm in the Coast Guard Auxiliary and really need my own platform. Has to have a marine band radio installed etc etc. It needs to
fly low and slow so I immediatle thought of a 150/152!!
Didn't mean to hijack the thread, just providing one example of club costs.
Regards,
Rodg

Wow, that seems like a lot of members (15/aircraft). How's availability?

Yep that is the same, Dennis and 02V,

Yep,
Dennis told me in Clinton he was the next buyer in line for mine if the deal fell through. I had already sent the deposit and was arranging the pre-buy before he took notice. Actually, I don't even think I had sent the check, just arranged the pre-buy.

That was a good feeling, knowing he liked it enough to take a look at it, too.

I believe it'll work out just fine Mark.

Bengie

Partnership made it possible for me to start my path to ownership. The better half ("my business manager") would never, at first, have signed off on my owning 100% of a plane. But when I got to flying, and she got used to the idea of my being a pilot, buying out the partner when he lost his medical was not an issue. It was a "nose of the camel" deal.

I knew the plane, and I had known Wally Peterson for almost 30 years. When I got my license, he asked did I want to go halves with him in his Cessna 150. The Business Manager (after some discussion!) gave her assent.

He's a WWII vet, and a generation in front of me, so out of respect, I made it policy that I never argued with him. Never had to, actually. (He also had a Cub, so conflicts actually never happened.) Our one difference was that he usually didn't want to spend on any upgrades.

We used the in and out service of the local FBO, and our agreement was that when we got back, we'd have it topped off so the next to fly would not be paying for the partner's fuel burn. Of course this meant we were both paying for the gallons that vented onto the hangar floor.

The really bad part was being yoyo'ed: We were upset over expenses and were going to sell the plane (Damn plane! We should sell it!") then we liked the plane and were going to keep it, then back again to putting it up for sale, then... You get the idea. Of course, I could fly it until it was sold.

Now I get the plane out and in myself, I know it better -- we used to wash it once a year! -- now, I do some cleaning waxing, and buffing after every flight. And I'm prouder of my 150 when I land somewhere.

My former partner is the salt of the earth, and splitting expenses was good, but having been both places, I won't go back. Now that the business manager is used to my being an aircraft owner, I only have one person to convince about expenditures. And my Cessna 150 is NOT FOR SALE.

Bottom line: even with the most agreeable partner in the world, owning is better.

Hi Greg,
Availability is OK...plan ahead for weekends and vacations. pretty much no problem for last minute stuff during the week...if you don't have a preference.
Rodg