About the Club The Inn Flying Club, Inc. (IFC), a non-profit organization, is incorporated in the State of Maryland. It's purpose is to provide airworthy and dependable aircraft for use by member pilots and student pilots at a low overall cost. The IFC continues to operate in this manner today. Operation of the IFC is according to By-Laws and Operating Rules, as amended from time to time, by approval of the membership. The Board of Directors is elected annually and meets monthly to conduct IFC business. General membership meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month as set forth in the monthly IFC Newsletter. The Board consists of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chief Aircraft Maintenance Officer, and a Membership Officer. The IFC also has a Chief Flight Instructor, individual Aircraft Maintenance Officers for each of the club aircraft, and a Safety Board. Club membership is currently limited to 60 members to maximize aircraft availability and scheduling. Additional membership applicants are placed on a waiting list, if they would like to wait for an opening. Aircraft may be used for business or pleasure, but not for commercial purposes.
History, how it came into existence The Inn Flying Club was formed in July, 1967, by 15 aspiring pilots and students who worked for IBM in Gaithersburg, MD. After researching a number of area flying clubs, they took the best parts of several clubs' bylaws and operating rules and put them into the new club's documents. These early pioneers agreed that to attain long term stability, they would fund the capital needs of the club by the initial membership fee; the fixed costs would be funded by the monthly dues; and the flying costs by the hourly aircraft charges. In this way, the club could operate without having to require a minimum flying charge. The name, "Inn Flying Club" came from the "Charcoal Inn", which was the site of the final organizational meeting of the founding members. This restaurant was located in Gaithersburg Square Shopping Center and has changed names and ownership many times since 1967, so the only real legacy of that original site is the flying club itself. Freestate Aviation sold us a Cessna 150, N4701X from their flight line. Five members loaned the Club $1,000 each and with a $150 membership fee from the 15 original members, we were on our way. The monthly dues at that time were $15.00 and the flying charges were $5.50 per hour. What a start! It was so much fun that we bought a Cessna 172, N5735R, in November and expanded the membership to 30. During the next year we learned to fly, renewed our flying skills, got additional ratings and learned how to run a flying club. Scheduling was done by my secretary at IBM or myself at home. In January, 1969, we bought a Cessna 182, N3046F, and increased the membership to the present level of 45 people. Along the way, we developed a financial history which allowed us to borrow money from banks, first with personal guarantees, then with the planes as collateral. We also contracted with an answering service to schedule the 3 aircraft for members, making it easier to have access to flying time. Members have had a variety of experiences during the past 30+ years. Some have progressed from zero time as students, through commercial ratings, to the purchase of their own aircraft. Some have flown the 182 to the Caribbean, to Calgary, to camping trips along the northern route to Washington State, down to California and back across the southern route. One member flying the 172 to Arizona was delayed by high winds in Oklahoma and could not taxi off of the runway until "wing walkers" held each wing tip. So our Inn Flying Club aircraft have seen the U.S. and more... Through the years, we have upgraded the fleet as it became appropriate, even purchasing several 152s, as well as the latest 1997 172. In 1973 the IFC owned a Cessna 207 for a short time, and in the 1980s had two 172s. There have been 6 150/152s, 5 172s, 3 182s and the 207 in inventory during the life of the Club. With a dedicated staff of volunteer pilots, our members have handled maintenance, administration and management of the Inn Flying Club throughout its proud history of service. We look forward to a long and satisfying existence well into the 21st century.
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