Sometimes small clubs can be hard to contact. People work, travel, etc. Just showing up at a field is usually the worst way to try to contact them. Keep trying email, and check the AMA website to see if there is a phone number for the club contact. I'm President, Instructor, and Training Coordinator for my club, and its often very difficult to find club members that are confident enough in their own abilities to try to fly someone elses plane. They understand the risks, and don't want to place themselves in the situation where they might crash someone elses plane. Perhaps the people you've contacted are just uneasy about helping new people. It sounds silly, but its understandable.

In the past couple months, I have maidened three new planes for club members that are just getting back into flying or just starting. In each case, I made sure before ever taking off that they understood the riskiest flight for a plane is the first. Make sure that if you're asking someone to help, you relieve them of any liability. You might want to watch them fly for a while to determine their competence. Do you really want to trust them with your pride and joy?

I second the simulator time, but discourage the solo without training approach.

Good luck. Persistence will pay off.


Brad