I recently received my PPL in June 2025. I have a little over 100 hours of flight time and trained mostly on PA 28 (archers and warriors). I was previously part of a flying club in Michigan which allowed me to fly an Archer which was pretty affordable. Me and my family moved to Montana (Flathead valley) from Michigan recently. I was hoping for some advice in regards to shared ownership vs rental vs outright ownership of plane in my situation or just general advice for my situation.

My immediate goal is to maintain proficiency and build hours. Short term goals (next 1-3 years) would be to be able to do more cross country (fly 3-4 hrs without fuel stops with my family) and to obtain IFR rating. Long term goal (next 5-10 years) would be to be able to fly over 800-1000nm without fuel stops and with a pressurized bird probably through shared ownership. I'm open to obtaining a tail wheel endorsement to help with these goals if it helps getting into a plane that has lower projected maintenance or upkeep for the immediate goals. Of note, I'm also very ok with learning to backcountry fly as well. Currently family size is 4 total (2 small children) with weight of 450lbs combined (very generous with estimates and probably closer to 420lbs). I'm not opposed to learning to fly birds other than Pipers.

I would say that currently I have about $1000 per month (+/- $150) to expense on total flying costs including wet flight time, insurance, instruction, and any additional items needed for flying/training (subscriptions, new gears, etc). I'm planning to fly 8-10 hours per month, but may be limited by cost and weather.

In Montana there seems to be lack of flying clubs while in Michigan there were plenty. Is this because I'm looking in the wrong places or just lack of availability? Also outright rental from a charter company/school seems to be limited in the area as well. There seems to be one or two that have wet rental for 180-200ish per hour for 172s. Would this be my best option? Or does anyone know of anyone willing to go in on a shared plane in the flathead valley? or should I be looking to do solo ownership with a old Cessna 150/PA-16/172?

It probably sounds like I want to do everything with flying but tried to narrow it down a little bit with foreseeable goals.

I'm excited to have recently joined the general aviation community and excited to continue to grow an develop my knowledge/skills as a pilot. Thank you for your help and any advice would be much appreciated! Hope everyone has a great day!

Not sure where you're at in the valley but I'd poke around Kalispell City and Polson as well as GPI looking for partnerships. Ask the local mechanics too, see if they know any partnerships or know anyone who might entertain taking a partner.

Since you asked here, I'll tell you most of the coolest spots within a few hours of the Flathead are more comfortable to land in a tailwheel plane. I've seen trikes in Schafer but when the grass gets long and the gophers get active I'd rather be in something with prop clearance.

That said, I'd bet a 180 would soak your whole budget in insurance alone from 0 tailwheel time.

So - I'd personally look for a champ/scout/pacer/similar partnership if you can. Not 4 place birds(really) but you'll get more flying in for cheaper. Then maybe "upgrade" to a more capable/traveling plane later.

Other thing I'd point out is you're smack in the middle of some gnarly mountains. Flying over them to get out 3-4 hours is not a small feat.

I also just landed in the Flathead Valley. I'm going to hit the EAA meeting tonight to try and get a pulse on the flying in the area. It's helped me in the past. I'm just looking to get back to flying after a 3.5 year hiatus. I'm planning to stay tailwheel though. I had a partnership previously back in the midwest on a Mooney M20C. Sounds like we may be on somewhat the same flightplan.

Thank you for the advice! I appreciate it very much!

As noted above, go visit airports, especially the smaller ones. Get to know folks.

Get in touch with AOPA about partnerships, they have a LOT of information on that concept, and will be very useful.

And, if you can't find an established "club airplane", consider establishing your own club. Again, AOPA has a lot of information on that. You are an AOPA member, right?

I'd bet good money that there are plenty of potential "club" members in that area.

As to type of aircraft, I would stay FAR, FAR away from tailwheel airplanes for your purposes....they'll significantly increase your costs, and risks.....and you don't need that. I agree that you need to be concerned with prop clearance at Shafer Meadows, but that's still possible with nose gear....ALL the air taxis that go in there are noswheel equipped, BTW.

I'd stick with a fairly basic nosewheel, fixed gear single, at least to start. A 172 (though they're overpriced right now) or 182 could work. Warriors are great airplanes and they could work as well. Think practical, not "I wish".

The trikes are fine for flying the Montana Backcountry. In 2021 we took a friend's C182 into pretty much all of the local strips in the area including Schafer. He had an 82 inch prop with size 6 tires. I think the prop clearance was 7 inches. We had to be really careful taxiing off the runways but it did fine.

The 1000 dollar a month budget might be doable in a partnership with a Cessna Trike C172XP or C182. You'll need some money for a down payment. I think either of these airplanes would be good for the local flying in the area. You have the Idaho backcountry to the south and then a lot of nice flying in Oregon, Washington and Utah that are not too far away from Western Montana.

The longer term goal of flying a pressurized airplane long distances will cost a lot more money. Those type of airplanes are great for cross country flying but you may still want a nice backcountry airplane for the local stuff. I would also invest in some local mountain instruction just since you trained in an area that is pretty flat. I don't think an instrument rating is needed until you step up to a more expensive airplane. The MEAs (minimum enroute altitudes) out in that area are pretty high and if there is weather you need an airplane with deicing/anti-icing capabilities.

It is a beautiful area to live and there is a pretty good presence of RAF members in the area. I think you will find the aviation community in Western Montana to be pretty amazing. Flying in the mountains is awesome.


Josh