Jetgala - MAR-MAY 2023

46 W LANDING PRIVILEGES Perks and privileges await private pilots and recreational aviators who sign up for membership at flying clubs A flying club membership accords one with an elite status on top of a plethora of perks, privileges and other benefits. There are several prominent flying clubs around the Asia Pacific region such as the Republic of Singapore Flying Club, whose history goes back to 1928, and is widely considered as one of the oldest flying clubs in the world. Other notable and well-known flying clubs in Asia include the renownedThai Flying Club, located near Pattaya, and is the first and oldest flying club in the Kingdom of Thailand. There are many incentives to joining a flying club in one’s hometown. Member privileges and benefits at these flying clubs often include the exclusive use of club facilities,VIP lounges, aircraft rentals, discounted food and beverages, community events and much more. Among the reasons for joining a private aviation club are the bonds, friendships, connections, camaraderie, and the tangible esprit de corps fostered among all of the aviation industry professionals, enthusiasts, and hobbyists within those clubs. Members get a chance to be a part of a close-knit community of like-minded individuals within their locale who are equally passionate about all things aviation and flying related. Each of these flying clubs has its own company events and would usually send a group of delegate members and contingents to fly in and attend international air shows and other aviation related events around the world. For example, every year in July, over 10,000 aircraft and 600,000 pilots and aviation fans from various flying clubs and communities around the world descend and congregate at Oshkosh,Wisconsin, USA for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture air show, which is an annual gathering of aircraft and aviation enthusiasts. Here are three outstanding private aviation clubs to consider in Asia Pacific. Images courtesy of individual flying clubs