High school aero club on the rise

The social benefits of clubs, coupled with the highly appealing advantage of driving down the cost of accessing aircraft, proved prescient. Hundreds of new flying clubs came into being as a result. The case was made with great success. Flying clubs work.

In 2023 AOPA expanded on that success to promote and assist those intrigued by the idea of high school aero clubs. Formed and managed similarly to a traditional flying club, high school aero clubs are specifically intended to expose teenagers to aviation in a meaningful way. By getting personally involved with a wide variety of aeronautical activities, students learn firsthand about GA in an environment that encourages active, hands-on participation.

High school aero clubs have the advantage of being inexpensive to start, while offering a significant bang-for-the-buck experience for participants. Because an airworthy aircraft is not an initial requirement for success, aero clubs can thrive without the need for large meeting spaces, elaborate infrastructure, or major investment. Yet, high school aero clubs can grow over time into full-blown flying clubs if the membership wishes to do so.

In the initiative’s first year, several high school aero clubs have formed across the country, each with its own unique take on the activities their members take part in. Some focus on maintenance and restoration. At least one has chosen to prioritize working with avionics. Others prepare their members for flight training, including mentoring for those who lack the funding to pursue their aeronautical dreams to improve their chances of being awarded flight training scholarships.

Whether choosing to work with airplanes, gliders, drones, maintenance, or some other aspect of aviation, high school aero club members tend to find great personal value in the activities their club offers.

Teenage club members often work collaboratively with adult volunteers to manage and grow the club they’ve founded. Fundraising, parts acquisition, inventory control, the purchase of tools, and even the purchase or donation of aircraft can all be folded into club activities. Beyond learning about aviation, club members learn the basics of running a nonprofit business.

“High school aero clubs are an ideal companion to the AOPA Foundation’s High School STEM curriculum,” said Dan Justman, AOPA’s vice president of You Can Fly programming. “The club members become part of the airport community, developing real-life skills that can turn into career opportunities.”

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