Learning to Fly
- I am not currently a pilot. Can you teach me?
- Naperville Flying Club is not structured like a flight school. The members that have the most positive experience are generally already at least certificated private pilots. Prospective members seeking to join and earn their private pilot certificate with the club must be sponsored by a member.
- Can I use my own non-NFC instructor?
- Yes. Your instructor must complete a checkout with one of the NFC’s flight instructors and if they show appropriate knowledge and ability they will be authorized to instruct you, an NFC member, in club aircraft.
- I am a CFI and looking for opportunities to instruct. Can I instruct with NFC?
- NFC is not a flight school. It does not employ instructors. Club members who are instructors and approved outside instructors provide instruction solely at the request of a club member pilot.
- What can I do with the airplanes in the club?
- Pretty much any safe and legal enjoyment of aviation. You can fly cross-country to shorten a work commute or visit family. You can fly friends and family to lunch or enjoy a vacation while avoiding a long drive. Private flying saves time and allows you to avoid some headaches of commercial travelling. More frequently than not, there are a greater number of smaller airports which give many more possibilities of getting you closer to your destination instead of having to fly into a large airport and drive hours to your destination. The possibilities are endless as to where you go when you want to fly.
- What aircraft does the NFC have and what are the rates?
- Currently the club has 4 aircraft (Hourly rates current as of June 2026) (The rates shown here are not real-time but are accurate as of the date shown; however, due to fuel price fluctuations rates may have changed after that date)
- 1981 PA32 6 seat Saratoga ($198/hr)
- 1968 BE33 Debonair ($181/hr)
- 1979 PA28 Archer ($129/hr)
- 1974 C172M Skyhawk ($111/hr)
- NOTE – Rates include fuel and fluctuate based on cost of fuel. All rates include a built-in maintenance cost and engine reserve cost.
- Currently the club has 4 aircraft (Hourly rates current as of June 2026) (The rates shown here are not real-time but are accurate as of the date shown; however, due to fuel price fluctuations rates may have changed after that date)
- These are great rates. How much can I fly to build time… (…on my way to the airlines; …on my way to accumulate hours; …on my way to bigger and better things™, …etc.)?
- The typical NFC club member is rarely flying more than 50 hours in a year. While there is no official limit, the club is generally not a good fit for anyone trying to “time build” because it creates disruptions in flight schedules, friction among fellow club members, and can disrupt the financial cost model. In those cases, traditional flight schools or private ownership/partnerships are more appropriate options for those looking to “time build”.
Membership
- What types of memberships are there?
- Full Member: Is an equity member who has purchased a club share. They are financially liable for the monthly dues as well as any flight costs they use.
- What do monthly dues cover and why do the dues go up or down?
- Monthly dues (currently $217/month) cover insurance for each member, tie down/hangar costs, online scheduling service, other fixed costs and a small portion is set aside for the “rainy day” fund and fleet upgrades. Dues are adjusted based on fixed costs.
- Are there any requirements to fly the Debonair and Saratoga?
- Yes. Both require 300 hours of PIC time and 10 hours in type. If you already have 10 hours in a Debonair or Saratoga, that time can be counted toward the 10 hour insurance requirement after a checkout with a club instructor. See bottom of the “Other” FAQ questions for further detail as well as our by-laws.
- Are there by-laws, policies or other forms that I can look at before joining the club?
Other
- Can I fly in the winter?
- Absolutely. Our Saratoga and Debonair are in hangars and the Skyhawk and Archer are parked outside. We usually hangar the Archer in winter.
- At what rate are the aircraft billed?
- Aircraft are billed only for the time the engine is running. Aircraft are billed based on tach rate.
- Tach time is the billing of the flight time based on the engine RPM.
- Hobbs time is the billing of the flight time based on actual time of the engine running. If the engine is started at 2pm and is shut off at 3pm, your flight time is 1 hour, regardless of engine RPM.
- Aircraft are billed only for the time the engine is running. Aircraft are billed based on tach rate.
- Is there a minimum fee charged to use the aircraft?
- There is NO minimum daily fee. If you use the airplane for 3 days and put 2 hours on the tach, you are billed 2 hours.
- What type of aircraft scheduling system does the NFC use?
- We use an online scheduling system: www.aircraftclubs.com.
- Where are some members’ favorite places to fly to?
- Members do a vast array of flying. From long cross-country flights over several days to training to lunch runs, there are many destinations. A few favorite food spots are: Janesville, WI; Madison, WI; Schaumburg, IL; Griffith, IN; Bloomington, IL; Rochelle, IL.
- What type of instrument approach is available at Naper Aero?
- A GPS 36 approach is available to club members. Minimums are 1240’ MSL (532′ AGL). Due to the private ownership status of the Naper Aero airport, the approach cannot be published.
- Who performs the maintenance on the aircraft?
- The Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) allow some maintenance items to be performed by an aircraft owner. For example: oil changes, tire replacement, etc. See FAR Part 43. These maintenance items are generally performed by the members that wish to participate in maintenance.
- Because the planes are owned by the members, a majority of the maintenance is performed by the maintenance officer and the members themselves.
- Some owner-assisted maintenance items require oversight or inspection by an FAA certificated airframe and/or power-plant mechanic (A&P). Additionally, other items even require the mechanic to have Inspection Authorization (A&P-IA). For example: an annual inspection. A properly certificated mechanic is present while supervising or inspecting any of this work, as required.
- Naturally, a number of maintenance items are beyond the capability of aircraft owners and even an A&P in the field. For example: some engine work, some structural work, some avionics, etc. For said repairs, we arrange for maintenance to take place at an FAA certificated Repair Station.
- Generally, every Tuesday is maintenance day. Members can gather at the airport and learn the aircraft and help perform preventative maintenance as well as assist in annual inspections when they occur.
- In addition to the Federal Aviation Regulations, the NFC bylaws & NFC policy manual have the following requirements in the interest of safety:
- NFC requires an annual check-ride with an NFC instructor to fly any NFC aircraft.
- Primary instruction is limited to the Skyhawk and Archer II. Advanced instruction may be done in any of the NFC planes.
- For all planes, you must fly an NFC aircraft at least 1 hour in a 180 day period to maintain currency.
- To fly the Debonair, 300 hours of total pilot in command flight time and
- 50 hours of Pilot in Command time in Single Engine Land, and
- 10 hours of dual instruction in a Debonair with at least 15 take offs and landings, and
- a checkout with 2 club instructors in the club’s Debonair.
- To fly the Saratoga, 300 hours of total pilot in command flight time and 10 hours in a Piper Saratoga with a checkout from 2 club instructors.