Joint Base Charleston

Aviation Links

Educational/Training Links

Charleston Radio Procedures

VOR Simulator

http://www.exams4pilots.org/
Aeronautical Knowledge Test prep, practice test, and explanations of answers

http://www.pilotworkshops.com/?kw=column
Ground School prep videos - some not free

http://www.webexams.com/
Aeronautical Knowledge Test prep, practice test, and explanations of answers

http://www.expertvillage.com/interviews/fly-plane.htm
Ground School prep videos

http://www.pilottutor.org/
Interactive ground school refreshers VFR and IFR operations (Good NBD trainer)

http://www.studentpilot.com/training_aids/pilotpal/
online exams and brief ground school type explanations

Aero Club Library

The following are links to forms and documents you may find useful:

Forms and Documents

Federal Aviation Regulations

Aeronautical Information Manual

FAA Advisory Circulars

PreFlight Planning

Members - These charts are intended for planning only. Make sure you consult the POH to confirm the accuracy of your planning.

	C172F Performance Charts & Weight and Balance
	C172R Performance Charts & Weight and Balance

Aircraft Weight & Balance

While we are attempting to keep the aircraft data current, we can not update this page as quickly as we would like. The following numbers are for planning purposes only. Be sure to check the current weight & balance in the aircraft documents to ensure the numbers are correct before flying.

Last Review	Aircraft ID	B.E.W.	C.G.	Moment
19 Jul 2004	N5261F	1413.20	37.551	53067.43
21 Jul 2004	N98528	1671.4	39.142	65422
19 Jul 2004	N6208V	1699.6	39.285	65171
19 Jul 2004	N33SA	3220.00	90.047	291398.75

Cross Country Flight Planning

	Air Safety Foundation Nav Log/Flight Plan
	Charleston Aero Club Nav Log/Flight Plan
	Alternate Nav Log/Flight Plan

Safety is Everyone's Responsibility

Make sure you attend all safety meetings!

Securing the Aircraft

Make sure that all Aero Club aircraft have been properly secured before leaving them unattended for any reason except an meeting emergency. A sudden gust of wind can upset an aircraft. Leaving an aircraft unsecured can result in damage to the aircraft.

If it will be only a few minutes: install the control lock and chock the nosewheel. Make sure all doors and windows are closed.
If the aircraft will be left outside: install the control lock, pitot tube cover, and chock the nosewheel. Make sure all doors and windows are closed. Remove the tow bar. Tie down both wings and the tail securely.
If the aircraft is put into the hangar: install the control lock, pitot tube cover, and chock the nosewheel. Make sure all doors and windows are closed. Leave the tow bar in place. Place a fuel can underneath the fuel vent.

How to tie a Wind Knot (Rolling Hitch)

Pull the rope tight, wrap around and create a loop.
Feed the rope around the same way as the first, allowing the rope to lay between the 1st loop and the short segment of the rope.
Pull down & the loose end should be pinched between the 1st loop and the short strand.
Secure any remaining rope with a second wind knot farther down.

Aviation Safety Links:

	Spatial disorientation countermeasure web page. Often updated from the research laboratory of Wright-Patterson AFB.
	Review recent events or "infamous" accidents. Cockpit voice recorder transcripts and other safety related topics are available.
	A large number of articles are available with topics from accident prevention, controlled flight into terrain (CFIT), and ground operations.
	Alertness Solutions is a scientific consultation firm. The site is a reference for managing sleep or lack of sleep. It references circadian rhythms, sleep cycles, and fatigue countermeasures.

Our Members ARE the Aero Club

Otherwise it's just another building.
This is YOUR Aero Club.
It's the members that will make it thrive
Make a point to get involved. Help make it better for everyone

Safety Meetings

Sign up for Flight Schedule Pro to receive our newsletter with important information and dates on our next safety meeting! Tuesday refreshments and social hour starts at 6p & meeting at 7p. Make-up meetings are held the following Saturday at noon

Come and find out why Headquarters voted our Safety Meetings "BEST IN THE SYSTEM"

Congrats goes out to our latest achievers!

Danny South- Private
Stephen Lawn - Private
Ken Mackey - Private
Freeman Barber - Private

FAA Exam Information

The Charleston Aero Club is a Computer Assisted Testing Service (CATS) Testing Center. All written exams are $150.00. You cats DO NOT have to be an Aero Club Member to take a written test from CATS.

Computer based testing makes the examination process a more positive experience for everyone.

Candidates like it because:

You can register virtually any day of the year

You will concentrate better in a smaller, conducive test environment

You receive immediate results and pointers on general areas requiring further study.

aopa Registered members of AOPA receive a $10 discount on FAA tests. Have your AOPA number ready when registering for a test to receive this discount.

To take your exam call us at The Aero Club or call CATS at 1-800-947-4228

Links:

Test Information
CATS Homepage

Membership Information

To become an Aero Club member, you must meet some eligibility requirements: Current Military member, retired, or a dependent (including Reserves and Guard), certain VA members (ID Holding), active members of the Civil Air Patrol and Coast Guard Auxiliary, as well as certain Federal Employees. When in doubt please ask!
INTRODUCTORY FLIGHTS approximately 30 minute flight over Charleston Harbor with YOU flying the airplane; only $79.99 (up to 3 people with a maximum weight of 400 lbs).
Becoming a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licensed pilot requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight training; 20 hours with a Flight Instructor, and 10 hours of solo flight (US average is 80 hours).
An hourly breakdown for the potential cost, of course the total costs depends on the amount of time you can put into flying, studying, and knowledge you bring with you.

Þ Once you join the club, contact your assigned instructor to get started!

Aircraft Rental	50 hours @ $105 per hour (Our Most Expensive Airplane) 50 hours can be accomplished Flying 3-4 times per WEEK in approximately 3 months	$5250
Flight Instruction	25 hours @ $30 per hour	$750
Ground Instruction	15 hours @ $30 per hour	$450
Ground School Kit	Pilot Kit purchased at our school	$250
FAA Flight Test Fee	With a designated examiner	$325
Written Test Fee	Using CATS testing software	$150
Initiation Fee	To join the club	$35
Membership Dues	3 months membership @ $25/month	$75
TOTAL COST Estimated	—of course depending on how quickly you learn—	$7285

Ø VA/GI Bill not available for Private License

Joining the Aero Club is a bit different than your local flight school. For one, we are governed by FAA and Air Force regulations, this increased some of the knowledge you are required to maintain but in return it increases our SAFETY. You are required to attend a monthly safety meeting which is presented on certain relevant safety topics here at the club; every second Tuesday of each month. Maintaining your PIF folder is another difference, this allows any CFI to check your progress and address specific information that you might require or desire. Finally, the Aero Club, being military, requires a set of levels to go through prior to rental of any aircraft, which also increases our security. Whenever there is a doubt, please feel free to ask!

Give us a call, and we'll help get you started

Our Aircraft


N33SA-Piper-Aztec-PA23-250	N99792-Cessna-172P	N450AF-Cessna-172R

N5220F-T-41A	N6173J-Piper-Lance-PA32R	N9358L-Cessna-172P

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Aero Club?

Who can join the Aero Club?

How do I join the Aero Club?

What do I have to do before I fly?

Who does all these checkouts?

How do I remain a current member of the club?

What is the Aero Club?

The Charleston AFB Aero Club is a chance for you to experience General Aviation in a safe and friendly environment. It allows an outlet for entertainment like no other. There is no other activity that offers the same freedom and exhilaration that flying does.

The Charleston AFB Aero Club is the perfect place to meet and socialize with other aviation enthusiasts. A comfortable lounge area, weather room, vending machines, and classrooms surrounded by aircraft. Where are you more likely to find hangar flying than in the hangar?

The Charleston AFB Aero Club is the opportunity to become a safer and more proficient pilot. Our professional instructors are always willing to answer questions or to add that bit of insight that makes your flight that much smoother. With monthly safety meetings, the Aero Club will strive to make you one of the safest pilots in the air. TOP^

Who can join the Aero Club?

Active duty military, their families, retired military and their dependents, reserve armed service members, Department of Defense personnel, Federal Employees, Civil Air Patrol, and certain other government employees are all eligible to become members of the Aero Club. TOP^

How do I join the Aero Club?

The initiation fee for the Aero Club is $35. If you have been a member of an Aero Club in the past and hold a letter of good standing, you will not be required to pay the initiation fee. You can pick up the membership application at the front office. We will need to make copies of your ID, pilot certificate, and FAA medical certificate. We will also need to make copies of your birth certificate or valid US passport for proof of citizenship. TOP^

What do I have to do before I fly?

You must pass at least two written tests. The first is an annual standardization test. It is an open book test over flying regulations and club policies. (Don't panic!! It is open book and we have all of the reference material available in the club).

The second test is a type specific airplane test. It is over performance, limitations and aircraft operations. The first half is open book. The Emergency Procedures portion will be done from memory. Each aircraft test will have to be taken only once.

An aircraft checkout in each make and model of airplane you wish to fly will also have to be completed. To fly all six club aircraft, you will have to take 3 flights. (C172/T-41, C172RG, & PA-23)

If you have an instrument rating, you will need to pass an instrument check flight each year if you want to use your instrument privileges in an Aero Club airplane.

A night check flight will be needed to orient you with the local area at night. Night can be confusing and we want to give you every advantage to have a successful flight. If you wish to travel beyond 50 NM from Charleston at night, you will need to file and IFR flight plan.

There are also recent experience requirements. These vary depending on your flight hours. If it has been a while since you have flown, any of our flight instructors can help you "knock the rust off." TOP^

Who does all these checkouts?

Any of our Flight Instructors can fly with you for a checkout flight and grade your written test. The time can usually be put toward a Flight Review or an Instrument Proficiency Check depending on the flight. TOP^

How do I remain a current member of the club?

Membership dues are $25.00 per month. Also All flying members are required to attend safety meetings which are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. These meetings are held at the Aero Club and are open to anyone with an interest in aviation.

An annual standardization flight and annual test must also be completed. There are also recent experience requirements. These vary depending on your flight hours. If it has been a while since you have flown, any of our flight instructors can help you "knock the rust off." TOP^

Call us or e-mail the Club to arrange an introductory flying lesson for only $79.99!

Joining the club is easy. Call us or come to a safety meeting to meet the club members, learn more about flying, and join a great group of flying enthusiasts!

Introductory Flight Offer is Just $79.99

view Have you ever dreamed of being a pilot and flying your own aircraft? Come fly with the Charleston Aero Club in September and we’ll help you take that first step to making your dream come true with an introductory flight for just $79.99. All flights are with FAA-certified flight instructors in professionally-maintained aircraft.

The introductory flight lesson is a thirty-minute flight designed to give you the opportunity to see first hand if flying is for you. Because you will be flying with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), the entire flight can be logged toward your pilot’s license. From takeoff to landing, you will be given hands-on experience and shown the basics of flight. You will be introduced to the basic flight instruments, throttle, yoke and rudder pedals and how to use them to control the aircraft. Under the watchful eye of your instructor you will be allowed to pilot the aircraft in turns, climbs, and descents to see just what flying is all about. Call today to schedule an introductory lesson at 963-5149 or 963-5152. If you would like to take a friend along for the ride let us know so we can place you in one of our four Cessna 172s.

Air Force Aero Club Services	Hanscom AFB Rome, NY	Patrick AFB Cocoa Beach, FL
Barksdale AFB Shreveport LA	Holloman AFB Alamagordo, NM	Peterson AFB Colorado Springs, CO
Beale AFB Yuba City, CA	Kadena AB Okinawa, Japan	Robins AFB Macon, GA
Dover AFB Dover, DE	Kirtland AFB Albuquerque, NM	Scott AFB St. Louis, IL
Edwards AFB Rosamond, CA	Langley AFB Hampton, VA	Travis AFB Vacaville, CA
Eglin AFB Ft Walton Beach, FL	March AFB Riverside, CA	Tyndall AFB Panama City, FL
Eielson AFB Fairbanks, AK	Maxwell AFB Montgomery, AL	USAF Academy Colorado Springs CO
Elmendorf AFB Anchorage, AK	OSAN AB near Seoul, Korea	Wright Patterson AFB Dayton, OH
Hanscom AFB Boston, MA	Offutt AFB Omaha, NE	Yokota AB Tokyo, Japan
http://www-p.afsv.af.mil/Aero/Directory.htm