Hoping maybe I could get some help from some of you who may or maynot be involved with a non EAA affiliated flying organization. There are a few of us at our local airport that have wanted to start a flying club. Having looked at the EAA bylaws and stipulations we do not think that a local EAA chapter would do any justice. So question is do any of you guys or gals have any experience running a flying club/organization not affiliated with a national or global charter. If so do you have suggestions on how to start one.
Our goal is to involve the community in our airport activities, and to generate more interest in aviation. Our small airport has had some bad publicity over the years and this is one huge reason we are doing this. Also some of the other members and myself are interested and or have done some back country flying at some point. We would like to maybe host a camp inn one weekend in September or October, what are your thoughts on this? Can it be done with out a whole lot of bureaucratic red tape? Thank you in advance. Oh yeah our airport is KOCW in washington NC. We are in the process of having a new FBO built if your ever in the area please stop by and check us out.

I started a flying club in Gallup, NM, but our sole purpose was making flying affordable for the members. You might look at getting an AOPA Airport Support Volunteer for your airport if you don't already have one. He/She can help you with some of the things you are talking about.

msd7ac wrote:Having looked at the EAA bylaws and stipulations we do not think that a local EAA chapter would do any justice.

What does this mean? What bylaws and stipulations make the EAA unjust?

This is an interesting association you could look into in order to bring some positive attention to your situation.

In response to the why EAA unjust question. I am a member of the EAA and have been for 14 years, I think it is a truly outstanding organization, however, they no longer support chapters with flying clubs that own an airplane, or support chapters that build an airplane. These are two things that we would like to do in the future. That is why I am saying the EAA chapter is not the best bet for our circumstances. Apparently older chapters can still build aircraft as part of the chapter activities, but we were told while organizing one that they no longer supported this. I hope this answers your question, and let me add that we have nothing against the EAA just think we should go a different route.
Has anyone used social flight?
Have any of you guys hosted or been a part of a camp in. Or fly in with camping?

You know, with the success of EAA chapters all over the country, I'm thinking you're wanting to reinvent the wheel. I haven't looked at the EAA's "bylaws and stipulations" recently, but using EAA as an umbrella organization makes lots of sense. It's been in existence for many, many years, it has insurance for EAA-supported activities, and so far as I'm aware, there's nothing stopping you and your buddies from doing some things on your own--like building an airplane if that's what you want to do.

Cary