Man, if I could stand that heat, I would move there for the clubs.

As to why the clubs don't have a van, it simply a matter of money. Check the cost of vans. Say $25K at a low estimate. That $25K is about 15 years of our clubs expenses and that includes servicing our runway every few years. Add in the cost of insurance, a driver, and operating expenses, and you start to get the picture. It just is possible to provide that service even for a club of a couple hundred memebers. Also, the need for that service isn't there. We have a few guys who car pool to the field. but only a few. A lot of our members could use the bus system to get near to our field, but at best, they would have a mile walk back from the closest bus stop. The great majority want to use their own transportation in order to eliminate damage to their planes and to allow them the flexability to fly when they can, within the hours of our field.

W8ye's suggestion to check out the clubs and see if there is a close by member to assist you is a great idea. Be happy that you are as close as you are to so many clubs. Most places in the US don't have that concertration of clubs. I live on the central coast of California and our club field is 25 miles from my house. The next closest fields are 30 miles an 45 miles away. The closest member to me is five miles away, so car pooling isn't a very good option for us.

I wish you good luck in finding a club and a mentor for learing to fly. Most all clubs place helping new members learn to fly high on their priority list. I'm sure almost all of the clubs the W8ye listed are the same. It's the nature of the hobby to help newcomers. Check them out and I'm sure you will find a solution to your problem. By the way welcome to the hobby/addiction

Don