Frequently Asked Questions

Come Fly With Us!

What is AACIT?

The Aero Association of the California Institute of Technology is a non-profit organization which has been providing flight services to the Caltech and JPL community continuously since 1966. We currently have about 120 members ranging from beginning students to commercial pilots and instrument instructors. Our membership is also open to a limited number of people who are not affiliated with Caltech or JPL.

Why fly with AACIT?

• Lower Cost.

  In comparing flight fees of equivalent aircraft per hour, our rates are lower than most local fixed-base operators (FBOs). We rent by the tachometer hour, which means that you only pay full rate when the engine is running at full power. If the engine is running slower (which it often is), you pay less. Most FBOs rent by the Hobbs hour, i.e., actual clock time that the engine runs.
  
  

• Aircraft Availability.

  We use Schedulemaster, an online scheduling system, for our members to schedule our aircraft. Our aircraft are available to be scheduled and flown 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Each member carries his or her own aircraft keys and simply records flight time at the end of each flight in the flight log. Bills for each month's flying are sent by mail each month.
  
  

• Minimum Usage.

  We have low minimum rental times for multi-day rentals. All we require is that the total time charged be at least equivalent to one hour of flying time per day on weekdays, and two hours per day on weekends. If actual flight time is not enough to meet this criterion, the additional time is charged at the "dry" rate, which is 2/3 the full "wet" rate.
  
  

• Insurance

  Each of the Aero Association's pilots is a named insured on our fleet policy. This means that you, not just the Aero Association, are covered by insurance.
  
  

• Camaraderie

  There are a few other good things about flying with us. If you like to pitch-in and help maintain the airplanes, you get flying credit for doing so. We have two or three meetings per year, and more frequent informal get-togethers. We also sponsor related activities such as fly-ins and camp-ins, and FAA Safety Seminars.

What types of memberships are available?

There are two types of memberships for prospectives: regular and associate. Regular members must be part of the Caltech/JPL community (student, faculty member, alumni, employee, or retiree of Caltech/JPL, or have an immediate family member who is). Associate Members are not part of the Caltech/JPL community. As AACIT is funded in part by Caltech, and geared toward enhancing aviation education for Caltech students, regular membership applications are immediately accepted. Associate membership requires a few more qualifications... click here.

What are the monthly dues?

Dues vary depending on which aircraft you fly and whether you are a Caltech student. In the interest of promoting general aviation at Caltech, Caltech students are offered discounted dues. Dues pay for AACIT's fixed costs, including insurance and aircraft tie-down fees. The dues structure is a two-tiered system, with a different rate for people who fly only fixed gear planes or all planes.

Dues:

CIT Students (fixed gear only): $23/month
CIT Students (all planes): $27/month
Standard (fixed gear only): $46/month
Standard (all planes): $54/month
Inactive members: $10/month

How much will it cost to get my pilot's certificate?

Although the FAA requires at least 40 hours of flying experience to get a license, most students accumulate 70-100 hours of training, while flying once or twice a week. Books, materials, test fees, equipment (e.g. navigation items and headset), and ground school tuition may cost around $1000 in total. In our area, Glendale Community College, Mt. San Antonio College, Orange Coast College, and FAST Aviation may offer ground schools for pilots in training. Self study is also an option.

Total flight training costs in the range of $6000 - $9000 are not atypical. The time required will range from a few months to over a year. Key factors are the frequency at which you take your lessons and your diligence in studying for the written and oral exams.

Some good overviews of training requirements can be found here:

http://www.aopa.org/learntofly/

http://www.firstflight.com/features/requirements.htm

When can I actually fly the airplane?

Immediately! Your first instruction flight will include YOU at the airplane controls with the guidance of your experienced flight instructor. You'll begin with the simpler flying tasks, and after several lessons, be in complete control of the airplane. The fun starts right away!

Who are your instructors?

The instructors on the AACIT Approved Flight Instructor List have all been checked out in AACIT airplanes, just like any other member. The Approved Instructor's list is available from the AACIT Board of Directors.

Can I use an instructor not on the Approved Flight Instructor List?

Not in an AACIT airplane. Our airplanes may only be piloted by AACIT members. That's how we keep our insurance costs low. When you are being instructed by a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI), your instructor is the pilot-in-command, not you. If you have an instructor whom you are fond of, why not ask him or her to join the AACIT as well?

Where is the AACIT fleet located?

Our airplanes are tied down at row 18 at the El Monte Airport (EMT), about 5 miles southeast of Pasadena, California.

What does it cost to join the AACIT?

New members are required to pay a $40 initiation fee (waived for CIT students) and a $200 deposit (refundable), in addition to their first months's dues for the appropriate dues category.

Who do I contact to join the AACIT?

We'll be happy to discuss all aspects of joining and being in the club, or flying in general. Contact our secretary Erik Monson

Where do I send bill payments?

AACIT c/o C. T. Lushbough
9147 Arcadia Dr.
San Gabriel, CA 91775