Pilot License Number 1, Issued to Glenn Curtiss
What is a flying club
Flying clubs, originally called aero clubs, go back to the very early days of aviation. In 1903 the Wright brothers made their first historical flight that changed the world. Two years later in 1905 the Aero Club of America (ACA) was form to promote aviation in the U.S., in fact it issued the first American pilot licenses until the federal government took over. The first five pilot license were issued in alphabetical order to Glenn H. Curtiss, Frank Purdy Lahm, Louis Paulhan, Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright. The ACA developed as a non-profit, member-run organizations to provide affordable access to aircraft, foster flight training, social connection, and the advancement of aviation technology.
Lancaster Aero Club
The Lancaster Aero Club was chartered in 1919, making it the oldest continuous club of its kind in the country. Its history is rooted in the great barnstorming era, when after the Armistice thousands of long winged, low bellied JN-4’s were available for as little as $50! The rural skies and cow pastures at that time were full of free-lance and they organize “flying circuses” putting on dare-devil shows and hauling brave passengers.
Glen Curtis 1909
Curtis Jenny JN-4
The Lancaster Aero Club was not conceived as a flying club and never owned its own aircraft. Its primary focus is social. Providing opportunities for pilots to gather and share their common love of the sky. In fact the club’s purpose has not changed since their charter was sealed December 6, 1919.
“The purpose for which said corporation is formed is the promotion of a social organization or club, composed in whole or in part of persons owning aeronautic inventions for personal or private use, for the development of the science of aeronautics and kindred sciences, and for the encouragement of aerial navigation, conferences, expositions, congresses and contests.”
Who is the Freedom Flight Club?
The Freedom Flight Club (FFC) was organized in 2026 as a non-profit corporation to provide affordable , non-fractional flight club which supports our community of pilots who want to expand their knowledge, skills, currency and proficiency without having to buy an aircraft. Our Fleet consists of the very best in technically advanced aircraft. Sound familiar? While a lot has changed in the preceding 120 years these ACA principals are still very much the foundation of our new aero club.
At FFC we are going back to our very roots of aviation, to gather and share our common love of aviation and the sky, to foster flight training, social activities, and to seek the advancement of aviation technology.
While our love of the sky and aviation has not changed over the year other areas certainly have. Our early aviators fostered the advancement of aviation technology and flew the most advanced aircraft of their time. Today our technically advance aircraft feature the latest Garmin G1000® NXi avionics and the most thoughtful, intuitive and inspired engineering in the general aviation industry. While early aviators were certainly dreamers our club aircraft today are far beyond even their dreams.
Gone too are the open cockpit, the barn stormers and the wing walker. Our members travel in air conditioned comfort in the safest aircraft that have ever existed.
Safety is our clubs foremost priority as illustrated by the extraordinary safety features available in our fleet and our trainers are no exception. Our aircraft are designed specifically for efficient, comfortable and safe flight training. With an air conditioned cockpit our aircraft are outfitted with the latest Garmin G1000® NXi avionics and the most thoughtful, intuitive and inspired engineering in the general aviation industry.