Hixson Aviation Flying Club in Chattanooga: Affordable Membership-Based Flight Training

Hixson Aviation Flying Club is a membership flying organization based at Lovell Field (ICAO: KCHA) in north Chattanooga that provides recreational and training pilots access to aircraft, instruction, and hangars at lower per-flight costs than renting from fixed-base operators. The club operates as a cost-sharing model where members pay an initiation fee and monthly dues in exchange for discounted hourly rates on a small fleet, making it suited to pilots building hours or returning to flying after a gap without the financial commitment of ownership.

What Hixson Aviation Flying Club actually is

The Hixson Aviation Flying Club functions as a peer-owned flying organization, not a commercial flight school. Members own or have a collective stake in the club's aircraft and share operating expenses, which results in lower hourly rates than traditional rental. The club maintains a fleet of single- and multi-engine aircraft available for cross-country flying, instrument training, and recreational trips. Unlike a flight school, the club does not operate a structured curriculum or employ staff instructors; pilots bring their own certified flight instructors or arrange instruction separately, or use the club's list of affiliated instructors. This model works well for licensed pilots who need a home base and frequent flyers, but not for ab initio (from-scratch) pilot certification unless the member arranges external CFI support.

Membership costs and aircraft rates

Hixson Aviation Flying Club charges an initiation fee (typically $500 to $1,000; confirm current amount before applying) and monthly dues ranging from $75 to $150 depending on membership tier and whether you use the hangars. Hourly rates for aircraft are substantially lower than Chattanooga rental prices: single-engine aircraft rent to members at $65 to $85 per hour (wet), compared to $120 to $150 per hour at full-service rental shops. Fuel surcharges and maintenance reserves are built into dues, so there are fewer surprise costs. The club requires a minimum flight review (or currency checkride) before solo use of aircraft. Verify all current fees with the club directly, as initiation costs and membership tiers can shift annually based on operating expenses and fleet condition.

How it compares to other Chattanooga flight options

Chattanooga has three main models for accessing aircraft: membership flying clubs, fixed-base operators (FBOs) that rent aircraft hourly, and individual aircraft ownership. Hixson Aviation Flying Club is the cheapest option for a pilot who flies regularly (eight to ten hours monthly or more). Lovell Field's primary FBO, Signature Flight Support, rents aircraft at market rates (typically $120 to $150 per hour for singles) and does not require membership but offers no cost savings for frequent users. If you fly fewer than four hours monthly or want structured ab initio flight training leading to certification, a traditional flight school (such as those operating from nearby Collegedale Airport) is a better choice because they provide integrated instruction and don't require membership. For a pilot who flies 20+ hours monthly, club membership becomes so cheap that ownership sometimes becomes competitive; the club is ideal for the middle ground of regular recreational flying.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

Hixson Aviation Flying Club is designed for licensed pilots with a current medical certificate and a valid license who fly regularly and want to minimize per-hour costs. It suits pilots based in Chattanooga or visiting frequently, as well as those who want to maintain or improve skills without paying full rental rates. The club also appeals to pilots pursuing advanced ratings (instrument, commercial, multi-engine) because low hourly rates make hour-building affordable. It does not suit flight-training students seeking their first certificate (Private Pilot or higher) without arranging external instruction, because the club does not provide structured training curriculum or guaranteed access to instructors. Similarly, it is not economical for casual pilots who fly two or three times yearly; such pilots are better served by renting from an FBO on an as-needed basis.

What your first visit involves

Prospective members should contact the club directly to arrange a tour of the hangars and meet current members. You will be asked to provide proof of a valid pilot's license and medical certificate. The club may request references from other pilots or flight schools you have trained with. Once approved (typically within one week), you complete the membership agreement, pay the initiation fee, and are added to the aircraft-scheduling system. Most clubs require an orientation flight with an existing member or an assigned club officer to familiarize you with the aircraft, club procedures, and Lovell Field operations. After that, you can schedule aircraft through an online system or contact the club coordinator directly.

Hours, location, and access

Hixson Aviation Flying Club operates out of Lovell Field (3 Intervale Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37404), a general-aviation airport five miles north of downtown Chattanooga. The club does not maintain staffed office hours; communication is conducted by phone or email during weekday business hours. Aircraft are accessible 24/7 to members via keycard or pin-code entry to the hangars. Lovell Field has fuel available during daylight hours through the FBO. Parking for member vehicles is unrestricted in designated club lots.

Membership at Hixson Aviation Flying Club makes recurring flight activity in Chattanooga significantly cheaper than renting, and the peer-owner structure creates accountability for aircraft maintenance and community engagement among pilots who care about long-term stability of their flying resource.