Sky-Vu Flyers was incorporated in 1956 by four pilots who were originally based in Mooresville, Indiana and has been in continuous operation since. In 1961, the club adopted a new name, “Sky-Vu Flyers.” 

Sky-Vu Flyers, Inc. is an equity-based, not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the state of Indiana. All aircraft are owned by the corporation and members purchase single shares of the corporation. The club’s officers are elected annually by majority vote and these officers serve as the board for the corporation.

Club officers do not receive cash compensation. However, all officers each receive monthly flying credits, in varying amounts, for their contributions of time and effort to manage the club’s affairs in a professional and business-like manner.

All aircraft are owned by Sky-Vu Flyers, Inc. Each member owns an equity share of the corporation, which owns the airplanes.

With the addition of the Cirrus in June of 2017 (increasing the number of aircraft in the club from 4 to 5), the club decided to increase the number of available memberships to 75 (from the previous level of 60 members).  However, since then we’ve decided to halt the growth at 70 members and evaluate the finances for several months at that membership level to see if 70 members will adequately sustain the required level of club income, and thereby minimize the scheduling pressures on the airplanes. Technically, there is no maximum number of total members or members per airplane, however any change in total members would be presented to the membership for review and input.

The club conducts monthly meetings where club business, finances, safety issues, and other topics are discussed. Additionally, a club newsletter, meeting minutes, financial statements, and other information is emailed with owners’ invoices each month. Additionally, through the club’s scheduling service, club-wide announcements and specific communications for each aircraft can be made on an as needed basis. From time to time, special notices from club leadership are sent to all members via email.

The club typically sponsors a holiday party in December of each year. This event is a great opportunity for members and their guests to meet other club members. Occasionally, the club will sponsor a summer pool party hosted by one of our members. During summer months, we may host a regular monthly meeting in one of the hangars at EYE or UMP, including a cookout/pitch-in. We have also conducted airplane-washing parties where club members can get to know each other while cleaning up one of the club’s airplanes.

Contact our membership officer directly via e-mail requesting this information. His contact information is also noted on our “Contact Us” page.

Sky-Vu’s fleet of aircraft current includes three Cessna aircraft: 172SP, 182S, and 182T.  We also own two Cirrus aircraft; a 2008 SR20-G3 and a 2001 SR22-G1.  See the Aircraft page for more details.

All Sky-Vu aircraft are equipped, certified, and maintained in accordance with FARs governing IFR flight.

Three planes, the Cirrus SR22, the Cirrus SR20 and the Cessna 182S are based at Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport (UMP). The Cessna 172SP, and the Cessna 182T are based at Indianapolis Eagle Creek Airpark (EYE). All airplanes are hangared year-round and are equipped with pre-heaters for use during the winter months.

All member pilots must meet all club, insurance, and FAA certification and currency requirements to fly as PIC in each aircraft. Each aircraft requires an initial checkride with a club-approved instructor. For more aircraft-specific pilot requirements, see the Pilot Requirements page.

Our club-approved instructors provide initial checkouts in each club aircraft and can determine an owner’s competency to fly a club airplane as PIC.

Only qualified, current Sky-Vu members who have been checked out by club-approved instructors may operate the aircraft. Family members, unless they are associate members, friends, and others are prohibited from operating the club’s airplanes.

The club does not maintain “hours” like a normal business. Generally, the club’s aircraft are available 24 hours per day, 365 days each year and each member receives hangar and aircraft keys. As long as you reserve an airplane in advance, and you meet all club, insurance and FAA requirements, you can fly at any time.

That depends on when you want the airplane and how much lead time you give yourself when calling to reserve an airplane. Weekends are definitely more in demand than weekdays and the more you can plan in advance, the better your chances of getting an airplane. If you only plan a few days in advance, you may be disappointed. However, if you get checked-out in a number of the club’s airplanes or all of them, you greatly enhance your chances of getting an airplane when you want one. If you are interested in a membership and would like to view the airplane schedules, contact our Membership Officer who can provide guest access for you to observe them.

Sky-Vu Flyers contracts with Schedule Master for aircraft scheduling services. The service operates 24 hours per day so members can schedule an airplane whenever they want – up to a year in advance. The service is accessible online or by toll-free phone.

There is no maximum number of days that you can reserve an airplane. However, there is a minimum charge of one hour for each day or part of a day that you have the airplane reserved. For example, if you made an overnight trip, you would need to log at least two hours. A typical flight to south Florida would require 12-14 hours of flying time which means you could spend up to 12-14 days enjoying the sunshine there!

Our board of directors establishes the purchase price of a full membership share. While not a steadfast rule, the current purchase price of a full membership share reflects approximately 35% of the actual value of a share in Sky-Vu Flyers. A share’s actual value is based on the total net worth of the flying club divided by the number of shares outstanding. A family associate membership is priced at one-half the price of a full membership.

A full membership must be purchased first. Additional family members may purchase a family associate membership on a space available basis. When the club is full, family memberships are not available for purchase. Family associate members do not have voting rights in the club.

The monthly dues are subject to change without notice and are normally reviewed on an annual basis. Current monthly dues and hourly rates can be reviewed on our Membership Costs page. Dues cover all fixed costs such as those for hangar fees, insurance, scheduling services, administration, taxes, officer flying credits, etc.

There are no other monthly or annual fees. Also, there have been no financial “special assessments” implemented in more than 38 years in this club.

Our rates are established to help ensure the financial success of the flying club and are reviewed on a regular basis. The aircraft hourly rates include engine “reserves” which help us accumulate the funds needed to replace engines without requiring special assessments. Actual operating costs such as fuel, oil and maintenance are major factors in determining our hourly rates. We monitor fuel costs on a monthly basis and adjust rates up or down as necessary.

Hourly aircraft rates are “wet,” which includes oil and fuel charges.

Membership prices, monthly dues, and hourly rates (which include engine reserves) are all established at levels to maintain the financial success of the club. This includes the purchase of new equipment, avionics upgrades, and interior and exterior refurbishment from time to time. We have also asked for member contributions when specific equipment has been purchased, although contributions are just that – they are not mandatory. Finally, because the club has maintained its financial health, we have the ability to borrow funds when necessary, such as when purchasing a new airplane.

Hourly rates are based on Hobbs meter time. Flying time is determined based on Hobbs meter readings rounded to the next 1/10^th hour if necessary. The owner makes a log entry for each flight and the log sheets are collected at the end of each month to prepare monthly invoices. In rare cases when a Hobbs meter fails, Tach time is used and multiplied by a conversion factor based on historical Tach vs Hobbs time differences for that aircraft.

Sky-Vu prepares and emails invoices on a monthly basis. Included in the monthly invoice are charges for monthly dues, flying time, and other charges incurred during the billing period.

All payments due to the treasurer no later than the 25th of each month. Payments postmarked after the 25th of the month are assessed a 10% late payment penalty. Payment delinquency is grounds for suspension of aircraft scheduling privileges.

All payments are made by cash, check, and/or fuel receipts. Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfers can be set up to automatically debit your bank account each month for the total amount due on the due date. To keep our costs as low as possible, we do not accept credit cards. Most members use online billpay services.

Normally. However, there is a maximum fuel price (including all taxes) allowed when purchasing fuel away from the home airports. Members who charge or purchase fuel at a price that exceeds the limit must pay the amount that exceeds this limit. Additionally, any other charges such as those for tiedowns, landing fees, etc., are always the responsibility of the member.

Yes!  When the membership is “full” and there are no memberships for sale, pilots interested in joining Sky-Vu can be placed on a first-come first-served waiting list that is maintained by the Sky-Vu membership officer.

Yes.  Pilots may deposit the equivalent of two month’s membership dues in order to be placed on the waiting list. Pilots on the waiting list will be offered the opportunity to purchase the next membership placed up for sale by an existing member. Pilots on the waiting list will be contacted in the order that they were placed on the waiting list. If and when the pilot purchases a membership, the waiting list fee is applied to the member’s Sky-Vu account as a credit.

The waiting list fee helps the club gauge the seriousness of interest in the club, and thereby gives us more accurate information to provide to our existing members looking to sell their membership, and to prospective members interested in buying a membership. While no one can predict when or how many memberships might sell in a given period, knowing how many seriously interested parties there are on the waiting list is useful information.

Yes and no. First of all, when the pilot joins Sky-Vu his or her waiting list fee is applied to their Sky-Vu account as a credit, so it is “refunded” upon joining the club. If a pilot’s application for membership is rejected by the club, then their waiting list fee is refunded. Beyond these conditions, requests for refunds of the waiting list fee are reviewed by the board on a case-by-case basis. Pilots should only join the waiting list if they are fully intending to purchase a membership when it is offered.

Unfortunately, not at this time. We regularly evaluate our current student pilot “load” and the scheduling pressure that is being placed on our trainer aircraft. If those ratios are favorable, then we allow post-solo student pilots to join our waiting list. If, in our estimation, we are getting out of balance with too many student pilots scheduling our trainer aircraft, we will place a temporary “hold” on accepting additional students on the waiting list. Such a hold is currently in place.

There are two ways you can sell a membership. You can identify a potential member on your own, without the assistance of the membership officer, or you can list your membership for sale with the membership officer. If you find the buyer for your membership, you will be charged a 5% fee based on the actual selling price of the membership. The fee increases to 15% based on the actual sales price if you list your membership for sale with the membership officer. Remember, all buyers must be vetted prior to acceptance into the club and they must agree to abide by the articles of incorporation, bylaws and rules. All membership purchases must be transacted through the club’s treasurer. Most members who sell their memberships list their memberships with the membership officer simply because it’s more convenient to do so.

Even though a selling member may find a potential new member as a “replacement”, the membership officer is still required to complete a thorough review of club procedures with the prospective new member, ensure the set of keys to the aircraft and hangars is complete, and complete the vetting process by checking all references. There is additional administrative work that is also required whether the club or the departing member finds the new member. The 5% fee, in the form of flying credits, is awarded to the membership officer for his/her work in processing members in and out.

It varies depending on the time of year and the “demand”. Sometimes it may take months and sometimes we have a waiting list of individuals who are ready and willing buy a membership as soon as they become available.

Maintenance is available whenever the FBOs’ maintenance facilities are open.

Sky-Vu’s maintenance officer and assistance maintenance officer request and follow up on all maintenance items for the club’s airplanes. All maintenance work is performed by FAA certified and licensed repair stations as required. Normally, maintenance is performed by licensed A&P mechanics and signed off by licensed A&P inspectors at FBOs in Indianapolis. Occasionally, maintenance can be performed by members if approved by the maintenance officer and only when consistent with FARs that allow such repairs.

If you encounter maintenance problems away from the home airports, you must first call one of the maintenance officers to report the problem and coordinate maintenance activities. You may use club’s charge accounts or your own personal funds/credit cards to purchase fuel and if necessary, maintenance at other locations. You are responsible for timely returning the airplane to the home airports.

The club carries an insurance policy from a leading aviation insurer. The policy includes a $1,000 deductible, full hull coverage and liability coverage of up to $1,000,000 per accident. Copies of the insurance policy are made available to all members when they purchase their memberships.

In all cases where there is significant damage to an airplane, an internal investigation led by the Safety Officer is conducted. The member pays the deductible if it is determined that the member was at fault. The club’s Board of Directors makes the final determination as to whether or not a member will be charged the deductible. 

The club has purchased the maximum amount of insurance available to it from the current vendor. Individual members may wish to purchase additional coverage on their own as they deem necessary.

Sky-Vu Flyers is associated with a number of instructors who are familiar with the club’s aircraft and who have been approved to provide new member checkouts in club airplanes. Instructors are typically current or former members of Sky-Vu Flyers. Club-approved instructors inlcude both CFIs and CFIIs. Each instructor is an independent contractor and sets his/her own policies and hourly rates.

Once you have been checked out by a club-approved instructor in a particular airplane, you may use any qualified and current instructor of your choice for additional flight instruction in that aircraft. Initial check outs for each aircraft type must be completed by club-approved instructors.

Members and instructors make their own payment arrangements directly. 

Unfortunately, we currently do now allow student pilots as members in Sky-Vu Flyers.  Members must possess at least a Private Pilot’s Certificate to join Sky-Vu.

Sky-Vu does not offer ground school training. You may arrange for ground school instructions either with your personal flight instructor or with a local FBO.

Sky-Vu does not offer a flight simulator.