Aero Club Lost $42K In Past Two Years

A proud tradition dating back nearly 50 years is shutting down at Patrick Air Force Base, located along Florida's Space Coast and home to the 45th Space Wing. Florida Today reports The Aero Club at Patrick was hit with dwindling membership, coming in part to tightened security restrictions at the base in the days following 9/11.

The club -- believed to have started in 1959 -- maintained a fleet of seven T-41 Mescaleros (the Air Force designation for the Cessna 172, shown above) and Piper planes, available to members for monthly dues of just $20 plus flight expenses. The Aero Club existed to allow active duty civilians and veterans to learn to fly, and maintain currency.

It was a lack of a different type of 'currency', however -- cold, hard cash -- that forced the 110-member-strong club to shut its doors. The group lost $42,000 over the past two years, according to services division director Mike Wage.

"Other services and programs had to offset that $42,000 loss," said Wage -- services such as a golf course, marina, and fitness center located on the base, that aren't supported by federal money.

Jacob Senior, one of the remaining Aero Club members, acknowledged declining membership had hurt the flying group... but added officials at Patrick turned a blind eye to recent profits, and proposals from members to make the club more self-supporting.

"The way the situation was handled was kind of covert," Senior said. "The members are very enthusiastic and will do anything to keep the place going."

Club members now enrolled in ground or instrument training programs will be able to complete their studies, officials at Patrick said. After that, however, the club will shut its doors for good.

During the 1970s and 1980s, as many as 75 such clubs existed at Air Force installations throughout the country. Fewer than 25 remain today.

"The club is part of the base's tradition," said Colonel Mark Bontrager, 45th Mission Support Group commander, "but unfortunately, closing it is the most fiscally responsible move at this time."

FMI: www.patrick.af.mil/