Central Coast Flyers

We’re starting a new kind of flying club.
Bridging the gap between renting and owning a plane.

Central Coast Flyers is a nonprofit general aviation club based in San Luis Obispo. We’re not a flight school. We’re not a rental business. We’re something new: a community-built club that prioritizes access, safety, fairness, and camaraderie — not profit.

This isn’t about squeezing dollars from your flight time. It’s about making flying easier, more affordable, and more personal. We want our members to feel real ownership, real freedom, and real support — whether you fly twice a month or every weekend.

If you’re a licensed pilot or an active student with at least 15 hours, this club is for you. Whether you’re building time, exploring new ratings, or just looking to be part of something bigger, we’d love to fly with you.

What we’re building

• Affordable, safe, well-maintained aircraft

• Transparent, cost-based rates — no markup

• Avionics upgrades and maintenance as a top priority

• A real sense of community — not just logbook hours

• A monthly schedule of meetups, fly-outs, and speakers

• A fleet that grows based on actual member demand

• A place for current aircraft owners to participate too — not just renters

We're forming as a nonprofit, not a co-op. That means the club owns the aircraft and runs the schedule, but pilots help guide the vision. We're not handing over shares — we're building something together.

The plan

We’re aiming to start flying by the end of July 2025 with a Cessna 150 already identified and budgeted. Our goal is to add a 4-seat aircraft (like a 172 or Archer) within the next 2–3 months — not someday, soon. If member interest and support grow fast, we’ll move quickly to expand the fleet even further. We’re planning to offer aircraft for every stage — from trainers to cross-country cruisers and everything in between.

We're not waiting around — the more interest we get, the more aircraft we'll acquire.

What membership will look like

We’re still finalizing numbers, but here’s the current draft:

• One-time member fee around $2,000–$2,500

• Monthly dues around $75–$100

• Hourly rates that reflect actual operating costs (example: ~$90/hr wet for the 150)

• Online scheduling and maintenance tracking using shared software

• Members help guide decisions, but don’t have to do any heavy lifting unless they want to

It’s About More Than Just Flying

Whether you just want to grab the keys and go, or you’re looking to meet other pilots, share knowledge, and get more involved — this club is for you.

Some folks will come fly and head out. Others will show up to every hangout, every movie night, every fly-out. There’s no right way to be part of Central Coast Flyers. You're welcome at whatever level makes sense for you.

We're creating a space where:

• You can meet other pilots without pressure

• Events happen regularly — but casually

• Learning, mentorship, and shared stories are always on the table

We’ll host monthly meetups, fly-outs, speaker nights, and study sessions. We’re also planning to partner with the FBO or similar for space and join local events and organizations to stay connected to the broader community.

No dues-driven pressure. No cliques. Just a welcoming group of people who love flying and want to make it easier for others to love it too.

For Aircraft Owners

Already have a plane? You’re still welcome here.

Central Coast Flyers isn’t just for pilots looking to rent. We’re building a broader general aviation community — and that includes you. While we won’t be renting member-owned aircraft, we absolutely want aircraft owners to be part of the club.

Whether you're flying your own plane regularly or just want to connect with others who love aviation, there’s a place for you here.

You’ll have opportunities to:

• Join fly-outs, backcountry trips, and shared adventures

• Take part in monthly meetups, events, and speaker nights

• Mentor new pilots or help guide the club’s direction

• Be considered for leadership or board roles if you're interested

This is a pilot-led, community-first group — and we want local owners to feel at home in it. No pressure to share your aircraft. Just bring your experience, your love for flying, and your desire to see GA grow in SLO and Paso.

Ready to join the interest list?

No commitment, just a quick form to help us understand what pilots in this area actually want — and what we should build.

Support Central Coast Flyers

Help build something great for aviation on the Central Coast.

We're actively looking for people and businesses who believe in the future of local flying. There are a few ways to get involved beyond membership:

Sponsor the Club

Local businesses can sponsor events, aircraft improvements, or even help underwrite the cost of a new plane. It’s a great way to stay connected to the GA community while giving back.

Make a Donation

We’re a nonprofit, and every dollar goes toward making flying more accessible and keeping our aircraft in top condition. You can donate toward avionics, maintenance reserves, safety equipment, or general operations.

Join the Board

We’re forming a small board of directors made up of people who care deeply about general aviation. Ideally, you’re a local pilot, mechanic, or business owner who wants to help shape the future of affordable flight in SLO and Paso. No micromanaging, just smart oversight and steady guidance.

If any of this sounds like you, reach out. We’d love to talk.

About Me

I’m Gabe — a local pilot based in San Luis Obispo, currently working on my private pilot license. I’ve lived here for years and also work full-time as a real estate agent. Like a lot of you, I’ve always wanted more affordable, consistent access to good planes — and a community of people who love to fly.

Central Coast Flyers started as a simple idea: build a group that makes flying easier, more social, and less expensive, without cutting corners on safety or quality.

I’m not a flight school. I’m not a rental business. I’m just someone who wants to fly — and I figured I wasn’t the only one.

Gabe@gabedavisre.com | 805.316.1108