MANNED AVIATION
Discovery and Learning
On the manned front, we fly:
Paragliders
Paramotors
Powered parachutes
Various light aircraft of General Aviation
We have a Cessna 152 and Cessna 172 available at share-of-cost.
For aircraft owners, our lease-back options help you network for acquiring rental pilots in defraying your ownership costs. We can help you clear a profit while making flight affordable for renter pilots, and we can help you minimize maintenance costs.
For certificated (heavier than FAR 103) aircraft, we provide some general Aviation Maintenance (A&P/IA) & Engineering services for only select clients.
Most larger aircraft maintenance services & repair are referred to outside shops at negotiated discount rates for club members.
Pilot-owners often ask if we will tend their airplanes. If we do, our shop rates are comparable to neighboring facilities. We work in cooperation with neighboring A&P/IA mechanics and do not undercut them, as we also depend upon the ability to seek advice from local, elder IA mechanics. Stealing their customers too cheap to appreciate their value is not in our interest. We have been around long enough to know better than to seek all kinds of customer. We do not push our shop services and, frankly, we can earn more in engineering and other business than bothering to wrench on your aircraft.
Where it builds our available fleet (with high quality owners and aircraft), there we assist pilot-owners as much as we can. Usually, we advise on and support the particular aircraft's maintenance program while taking control of some of its repairs, inspections, and leaving others to neighboring shops, or handing control back again. Whatever is the best mix.
Other times, yes, our mechanics are sometimes willing to trade shop services for time in the aircraft.
Other times, we assist owners at no charge for advice on how they can tend their own bird. Where it comes to actually taxing our time, work, shop, or acceptance of A&P liability on inspections....then we bill.
That doesn't mean we charge for every little thing nor won't see what we can do to help if you are stranded at the airport, everyone has gone home, and we are the only shop open late. Often, we don't charge at all for things like that.
That is in regard to certificated aircraft. PPG / PPC / ultralights and visiting PPG aircraft are a special case. There, shop rates range from free to standard, depending upon situation (flying together, special circumstances, or customers from outside the area in need). Help is often free where a flying buddy or member needs minor repair and support; Member Discount to Standard rates apply where time-consuming repairs, overhauls, and other services are needed -- else, ultralight pilots from all around would dump free work on us!
FAR 103 Ultralights
Primarily, this page is formed for our paramotor (PPG) and powered parachute (PPC) members, and for local or visiting newbies interested in exploring flight.
We also make PPG and PPC aircraft available for rental both in Lake County and out to two hours commute away.
By Cessna 172, we can also bring PPG aircraft, flight instructor, and parts to you just about anywhere in the country. The C-172 available is also configured for door removal and skydiver deployment -- allowing potential downed PPG pilot search, support, and rescue as called up.
Search & Rescue Capacities (as available):
Rapid, wide area grid search -- C-152, C-172, other. Day / Night. Night Vision.
Relief flights -- law enforcement, medical supplies, out of area team pickup, Red Cross supplies.
Paramotors, Powered Parachutes, Ultralights -- More narrow area slow & low search by morning and late afternoon.
Drone Group -- Similar scan capacity to ultralight group, but less wind restricted.
Horse Crew -- Experienced ground crew from local county SAR.
Near future SAR needs we are working upon:
Pararescue / Medic / First Aid deployed from Cessna or PPC to anyone on ground.
More FLIR and NVG available.
More pilots & aircraft.
One scent / cadaver dog in training -- German Shepherd; Possibly Penny, too!