Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

These are some of the questions we find ourselves answering the most. Of course, you are always welcomed to contact us and request more information about the club.

1. What is Crosswinds Flying Club?
2. How much?
3. What are TACH and HOBBS times?
4. I'm a licensed pilot. When can I start flying?
5. Could you teach me to fly?
6. What is your reservation system?
7. Are your airplanes equipped for flight under Instrument Flight Rules?
8. How is the airplane maintenance organized?
9. Where do you keep the airplanes?
10. What about insurance?
    

What is Crosswinds Flying Club?

Pilots from all walks of life, with varying levels of experience from student pilots to airline captains, instrument students and pilots, commercial pilots, CFI's and even the occasional "pinch hitter". We all share the same love for flying and appreciation for the best in equipment.

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How Much?

Costs are very affordable.

Crosswinds has three categories of aircraft and the costs are based on the category you belong to.

* In most cases, the Initiation Fee is refundable up to 90% depending on membership longevity. If you leave prior to a year, your refund is pro rated. See a club officer for more details and specifics on the initiation fee refund.

** The hourly rate is based on a Dry Tach hour. Members are responsible to fuel the aircraft after use.

*** Monthly dues include two (2) hours of flight time that can be used for flying, or banked. Members can bank as many as 24 hours (or a year's worth of hours) before they need to start using them. Pre-charging the two (2) hours promotes the use of our aircraft.

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What are TACH and HOBBS times?

Airplanes have timers in them that are used to track operating time for maintenance and billing. For example, most small aircraft engines are overhauled after reaching 2000 tach hours. The Tach timer is connected to the tachometer, which indicates how fast the engine and propeller are turning in revolutions per minute, just like your car. This timer is set by the factory to be equal to normal clock time when the engine is at 2300 rpm (Piper). Therefore, when the engine is operating at low power levels, common during training, the Tach timer operates slower than clock time. The Hobbs timer records clock time whenever the engine is operating.
Generally, Tach time is 85% to 90% of Hobbs (clock) time.

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I'm a licensed pilot. When can I start flying?

After your membership has been approved and you have passed a club check ride for the aircraft you intend to fly, you may schedule the aircraft through our 24-hour scheduling service.

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Could you teach me to fly?

Many of our members join as students with no previous knowledge or flying time. A flying club is often the very best place for a student to learn to fly because of the low cost and personalized instruction. Our Piper Warrior costs just $45 per Dry TACH hour! If you have looked into the flight schools and Fixed Base Operators (FBO) in the area you will realize that this is about half the going rate. Once you become an Active member and make arrangements with one of the club's instructors, you are on your way to earning your pilot's certificate. See the Student Pilots Section.

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What is your reservation system?

We are using Aircraft Clubs (http://www.aircraftclubs.com). The service can be accessed either using a regular phone, or over the Internet using a web browser. It is available 24 hours per day, every day.

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Are your airplanes equipped for flight under Instrument Flight Rules?

All of the airplanes are equipped for IFR flying and incorporate different equipment for your education and safety. For example, various planes in our fleet have GPS, RNAV, HSI, intercoms and Storm Scope to name just a few features.

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How is the airplane maintenance organized?

The club's maintenance officers oversee that all airplanes are kept in airworthy condition. Whatever maintenance work is needed, it is done under FAA rules by licensed mechanics and by shops in the area that have a reputation of high quality work. Club members also perform minor maintenance as permitted by the FAA. The club's policy on maintenance is very straightforward: no compromise on safety.

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Where do you keep the airplanes?

All of our aircraft are stored in hangars (E1, E3, E5) at the Central Illinois Regional Airport. Our club members regularly volunteer to keep our hangars (and aircraft) clean and orderly.

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What about insurance?

The club carries noncommercial insurance through Avemco in the amount of $100,000 per passenger (pilot excepted and family members of pilot limited to $25,000 each) and $1,000,000 per accident. The member is responsible for the deductible of $500. Each member pilot is listed as a named insured pilot. There are specific insurance limitations based on the type of accident. Ask any of our club officers for details on the limitations and rules.

Based on your personal financial situation, you may wish to carry additional renter's insurance. Instructors may wish to carry additional insurance to cover the commercial activity of instructing members. AOPA, Avemco and NAFI have non-owned instructor policies available.

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