Frequently Asked Questions
ANSWERS POSTED HERE ARE NOT BYLAWS OR STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. THEY ARE FOR REFERENCE ONLY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
1. What is Spartan Wings, Inc.?
Spartan Wings, Inc. is an association of pilots run by pilots. We are a not-for-profit company. Spartan Wings, Inc. is based in Mason, Michigan. Our office and aircraft are at Mason-Jewett Airport (KTEW).
2. What benefits do Spartan Wings, Inc. offer that other equity owner companies or FBO’s don’t?
3. Do Officers and members of the Board of Directors get paid?
No, they are not being compensated at this time. All officers and Board members are volunteering their time and efforts. The Bylaws will allow the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Officers to be compensated in the form of flight hours if voted on and approved. Up to this point all have deferred making such a motion. At no time may any compensation be paid in cash. It must be taken in flight time.
4. What is the history of Spartan Wings, Inc.?
We formed as a result of several dedicated local pilots who wanted to continue flying after rental aircraft at Mason-Jewett were no longer available. From October 2000 through May 2001 charter members met several times a month to determine how to accomplish our goals to provide affordable flying and promote education and flight instruction. During those months we learned how to form the company, determined how it had to be organized to meet insurance requirements, developed Bylaws and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and learned how to (and how not to) purchase an aircraft. Fortunately our successes far outnumbered our mistakes! That was only the beginning. Since then we have successfully operated our first aircraft, a Cessna Skyhawk and within one year purchased a second aircraft, a Piper Archer II! We have also successfully managed the company’s finances and assets and are a strong organization.
5. What types of aircraft are available?
At this time we have a 1977 Cessna152 and a 1977 Piper Cherokee Archer II. Your equity share will allow you access to all current and future aircraft you have been checked out to fly.
6. Are the planes IFR certified? What types of radios do they have?
7. Who will be doing the maintenance on the aircraft?
We have an FAA certified Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic member who performs some of our routine maintenance. In addition she is also our Chief CFI. Larger repairs and annual inspections are currently performed by Beacon Aviation, located on our field at Mason-Jewett Airport (KTEW).
8. Are the planes hangared?
Yes. The cost for this is included in the monthly dues. They are both in a large hangar that was built in 2006.
9. Do I only have access to the plane I'm buying a share of?
No. Your share is a share of the company and a share of all company aircraft. You will have access to all aircraft you have been checked out in and meet currency requirements to fly. A stock certificate will be issued in your name for one (1) share and will be held by the company. A photocopy can be provided upon request.
10. Is Spartan Wings, Inc. buying or leasing aircraft?In what name are the aircraft registered?
The aircraft were purchased with a down payment and the balance is financed through the Mason State Bank. The payments are made using monthly dues.
11. In what name are the aircraft registered?
All aircraft are registered in the name of Spartan Wings, Inc. and can be verified at the FAA Registry web site.
12. Do I have to be a pilot to join Spartan Wings, Inc.?
No. We accept student pilots.
13. How do I join?
Instructions and information for prospective members are located on the Membership/Downloads page. It is recommended that you download and read the Bylaws and SOPs of our club prior to applying for membership. You will need to complete the Application forms Part 1 and Part 2, and supply copies of the information requested on those forms. You will be admitted to the Association as soon as the paperwork is received and automatically subject to a 90 day probation period. If after 90 days, both the member and the association are comfortable with the arrangement, you will become a regular member.
14. How much does it cost to join?
15. Are there monthly dues?
Spartan Wings, Inc. bills flight time based on tach time. The per hour rate accounts for fuel, engine reserve, avionics reserve, interior and exterior reserve, tires, brake pads, rotors, oil, air and oil filters. For a quick look at our per-hour rates, see Our Planes. For our a complete Schedule of Fees please see Appendix III of our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
17. What is the difference between tach time and Hobbs time?
Tach time accumulates at a 1-to-1 ratio while the engine is above 1500 RPM. Therefore, tach time will run slower than 1-to-1 during warm up, taxi and touch and go’s. Billing on tach time typically saves 20% on the cost of flight. It also saves on aircraft engine wear, brake pads and rotors (braking from excessive taxi speed). Hobbs time accumulates at a 1-to-1 ratio whenever the engine is running.
18. Does the company have methods for recovering costs associated with a major repair?
Yes. The initiation fee and per hour rate includes reserve monies that may be used to cover major repairs. Should these reserve funds not be sufficient to pay for a major repair, the Board may elect to impose an additional fee on the membership to cover these extraordinary expenses.
19. Is it cheaper to rent aircraft than to become a member of Spartan Wings, Inc.?
The answer depends on how many hours you fly per year. When rental aircraft were available at Mason Jewett Airport in the year 2000, a 172 cost $100-110 wet per hobbs hour. As an extra benefit, all co-owners are covered by our insurance policy when flying our aircraft provided they follow the Bylaws and SOPs. Our deductible is $500 which the club will pay if you didn't break any club or FAA rule. Most insurance offered with rentals has a $5000 deductible.
20. What are the methods of paying dues and flight time?
The preferred method of payment is with a credit card. This will ensure your account is never overdue. Flights may be paid with a check provided the check is included in the flight book kept in the aircraft. Members will be invoiced by email or by postal mail if the member does not have email.
21. Does Spartan Wings, Inc. have instructors available for flight training?
Yes. We have several members who are FAA certified flight instructors.
22. Can I use my favorite instructor even though he or she is not a Spartan Wings, Inc. CFI?
Maybe. In general, all instruction in Spartan Wings, Inc. aircraft must be with Spartan Wings, Inc. CFI’s. However, we now have an additional category of "Special CFI Membership," which allows a member of the club to use a Board of Directors approved flight instructor, who is not an actual member of Spartan Wings, Inc. For additional information about our Special CFI Membership, please read our Bylaws.
23. What types of currency requirements will I have to meet?
There are several categories in which members are required to maintain currency. They include Medical, Initial Checkout, Day Annual, Day VFR (3 landings within 90 days), Night Checkout, Night Annual, Night VFR (3 landings within 90 days), IFR IPC (6 approaches within 6 months), CFI Annual. A lapse in any category will require you to schedule your next flight with a Corporate CFI. Please read the Bylaws and SOPs carefully. Spartan Wings, Inc. has specific currency requirements above and beyond the FAA requirements. Each Checkout, Day or Night VFR currency is aircraft specific. Being checked out and current in one aircraft does not allow privileges in any other aircraft! You must maintain separate currency for each aircraft in the following categories: Day VFR and Night VFR. Subsequent Annual Checkouts will apply to all aircraft.
24. Does Spartan Wings, Inc. have an insurance policy to cover the aircraft and liability?
We have a $1 million policy with Avemco. You will be covered by the policy provided you are in "good standing" with Spartan Wings, Inc. through its Bylaws, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and FAA Federal Aviation Regulations. Should you violate any company Bylaw, SOP or FAR and have an accident, you may not be covered and may be responsible for the damage. If you are covered, the Accident Committee may hold you responsible for the insurance deductible. That is, if you elect to take an aircraft against the SOP's currency requirements and have an accident, then you may be held responsible.
25. How do I schedule an aircraft?
We use the popular Tak-Off Internet scheduling utility, which is linked directly to our main website. You can log on and schedule aircraft and instructors in half-hour increments. If you do not have access to the Internet, alternate arrangements can be made for you to schedule aircraft.
26. Will members be limited to a certain amount of rental time per day, week, or month?
No. However, please see the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Section II for all information regarding scheduling.
27. Are overnight trips allowed?
Yes, up to 10 days including at most one (1) weekend. Longer trips may be allowed if requested and approved by the Board of Directors. You are responsible for any tie down fees, landing fees, etc. on your trip. Only one 48-hour block of continuous time may be scheduled within a 30-day period unless approved by the Scheduling Officer. Please refer to the current Bylaws and SOPs for any changes or modifications to the scheduling policies.
28. Where are we allowed to fly?
Anywhere in the US and Canada. Flights over water are allowed provided the flight is at a safe-glide altitude to reach land.