The Vagabond Flying Association

Vagabond Flying Association (VFA), remains one of the most successful and economical groups of its kind. This performance is the result of over thirty years of experience.

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Our operation is not designed for business flying or vacation trips. We are dedicated to low-cost flight training, aviation education and recreational flying. The continued success of our organization depends upon the cooperation of all members in safe, sensible flying practices and consideration of other members in the scheduling, use, and care of the aircraft. To this end it is necessary that all members observe the rules listed below:

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Note: The words "must" ,"must not", "no", "forbidden", "shall", "shall not", and "is responsible for" in a rule indicate that compliance is mandatory and failure to comply may result in the member being asked to leave Vagabond. The words "discouraged",or "encouraged" in a rule indicate the preference of the club, but not mandatory compliance.

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1. FAA Compliance: All operation of VFA aircraft shall be in strict compliance with Federal Aviation Administrations regulations.

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2. Scheduling: Scheduling of aircraft is done online. Be precise in scheduling airplanes, cancel if your plans or the weather changes. Never use an aircraft without scheduling the time.  In the event that and aircraft is still on the ramp two hours after a scheduled reserved departure time, any member has the option of scheduling the balance of the reserved time.

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3. Use For Hire or Profit: Use of VFA aircraft for profit or hire is forbidden.

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4. Smoking: Smoking in VFA aircraft is NOT allowed.

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5. Ground Time: Avoid using the aircraft on weekends or holidays for short flights with much ground time. (We wish to avoid a system of charging for ground time.)

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6. Authorized Instructors: Only VFA member instructors or instructors approved by the president may instruct in VFA aircraft. Only VFA members or VFA instructors may fly VFA aircraft.

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7. Pinch Hitter Training: Pinch hitter training for spouse, son, or daughter of a regular member by a designated VFA instructor is permitted - not to exceed 10 hours at prevailing hourly rates. The pinch hitter course used must meet FAA standards. Approval by an officer is required before beginning instruction.

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8. Aircraft Familiarization: Before flying any of the VFA aircraft, the pilot must have received a check-out in that type of aircraft. All pilot and aircraft check-outs must be performed by VFA instructors.

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9. Aircraft Manuals: Become familiar with the aircraft owner's and engine manuals and use a check list.

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10. Care of Property: Be careful not to lose or cause to be lost, VFA property, such as microphones, headphones, and instrument flying hoods. The aircraft and engine logbooks are important documents tracing the equipment's maintenance history. Be careful to return them to their proper places.

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11. Weather Minimums: No flying in marginal weather without a current instrument rating.

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12. Night Flying: Night flying is discouraged.

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13. Over Water Flights: No flights over open water such as Lake Michigan. Open water means outside the best power-off glide range of the aircraft.

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14. Hand-Propping: Aircraft shall not be hand-propped unless an appropriately rated pilot is at the controls.

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15. Housekeeping: After using any aircraft, refuel for the next member (Cessna is topped off and Warrior to the TABS ONLY), secure seat belts, clean up candy wrappers, soda cans, pencils, etc. Return on time and take refueling time into account when you schedule your flight.

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16. Scheduling Etiquette: On all flights, members are responsible for returning the aircraft to DuPage County Airport within the time scheduled. In the event of an emergency or inclement weather it is your responsibility to edit your schedule and to inform those who have the plane scheduled after you.

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17. Oil: Log all oil additions and do not overfill. Add only the proper weight and type of oil. Before adding oil, check the log book to see if special oil is in use - such as after and engine overhaul.

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18. Securing the Aircraft: Properly secure aircraft: Tie down securely, set chocks, place control locks, lock doors, turn off master switch and ensure all windows are closed.

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19. Run-Down Battery: Do not leave aircraft with a run-down battery. In cold weather, a run-down battery will freeze and be permanently damaged.

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20. De-Icing: Do not remove ice from any portion of the plane by scraping. De-icing is available from Dupage Flight Center. VFA will not pay for de-icing, pre-heating, or jump starts. Such charges are the responsibility of the member.

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21. Pre-heating: Below 32 degrees F ambient temperature, all aircraft must be pre-heated prior to starting.

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22. Engine Care: Engine overhauls generally range between $16,000 and $20,000. Other maintenance is proportionally high. Please respect our aircraft and engines and treat them as your own. They are!

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23. Maintenance: Except in emergency, is to be performed only under the direction of the designated maintenance officers. Report any minor maintenance needs on the operating log and if prompt attention is required, notify the appropriate maintenance officer. Any repair charges paid by you must be substantiated with receipts in order to obtain credit.

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24. Mechanical Failure: In case of an off-field mechanical failure that renders the plane unsafe for flight, the member shall contact one of the club officers for authorization of plane repair. The member is responsible for his/her own lodging or alternative travel. The VFA will pay for the return of the plane and the associated cost of a ferry plane. No maintenance, except minor emergency repair shall be accomplished until approved by a club officer.

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25. Prop Damage: Avoid gravel damage to the propellers. Do not run up engine over gravel, water, snow, or other loose material. 26. Gang Box. Keep the tool-oil box locked.

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27. Operating Logbook: When you fill out the operating log, you have agreed to the accuracy of the preceding Hobbs reading unless you note an exception.

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28. Insurance: VFA aircraft are self-insured against hull damage, with the deductible set at $1,000. The pilot in command is responsible for the deductible portion of the claim for any in-motion accident.

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29. Assessments: Assessments may be made equally against each member for aircraft damages, major repairs, or equipment upgrading if sufficient funds are not available within the VFA treasury.

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30. Fuel Charges: Charge fuel to VFA only at DuPage County Airport Flight Center (122.95). All off-field fuel purchases by members must be substantiated with proper receipts to be credited. Landing fees and tie-down charges at airports away from DuPage are the pilot's responsibility and are not reimbursed by VFA.

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31. Selling Your Share: VFA will not buy your share if you must sell, but will try to find a buyer for you for a fee of $50. All share transactions must be handled through the VFA treasurer. Prospective members must meet with and be approved by a VFA officer. Members are responsible for dues until their share is sold. The club offers two methods of paying for a membership share:

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A. Full payment of $2,300 (plus $80.00 for the first month's dues) at the time of joining.

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B. In multiple payments (plus $80.00 for the first month's dues) at the time of joining plus $80.00 per month until a total of $2,300 is received by the treasurer.

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If a share is sold under method B, the selling member does not receive payment from VFA until the total sum is received by the treasurer. Also, the member selling the share has the right to refuse selling his/her share by method B. A member may sell a share to a VFA approved person at any price is he/she wishes to sell direct.

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32. On-Time Payment, Delinquent Members, Loss of share or Treasury Share:

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  a) On-Time Payment.  Make sure your monthly payment is in the hands of the VFA treasurer no later than the first of the following month. A 10% late charge per month will be added on the unpaid balance. A member may receive a one month dispensation from the late charge simply by notifying the treasurer.

Credit Cards Visa/MasterCard will now be accepted as payment for current and new members.  A 3% fee will be added to the amount charged. This fee is what the credit card company charges for use.

  b)  Delinquent Members.  If a member carries a balance of more that $500 at anytime, the member will be considered a Delinquent Member.  Delinquent Member's flying privileges will be terminated until full payment is made.  The Delinquent Member has a maximum of 90 days to pay in full or work out a payment plan with our Treasurer.

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Delinquent Members Unauthorized use of Airplanes:

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  (1) Once a member becomes "Delinquent", their flying privileges will be forfeited.  The Delinquent Member will not be able to schedule an airplane or access the scheduling system.

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  (2) If at anytime the Delinquent Member chosses to ignore (1) and takes/flies one of VFA's aircraft, the unauthorized use will be considered a theft and the authorities will be contacted immediately.

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  c) Treasury Shares (loss of share)  If after 90 days, the Delinquent Member's balance is not paid or a payment plan has not been worked out, the Delinquent Member's share becomes VFA property.  These shares will be called "Treasury Shares".

"Treasury Shares" will be sold by the VFA as soon as possible.  "Treasury Shares" will be VFA's top priority to sell.  The monies tht VFA receives from the sale of these shares are assets of VFA and will not be reimbursed to the original owner.

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As of January 16, 2003, members with a balance of more that $1600 (current value of 1 Vagabond Share) will forfeit their share.  These shares will become VFA "Treasury Shares" with VFA being the sole owner and the proceeds from the sale will become VFA assets.

As of January 16, 2003, members with a balance of more that $1600 will also be turned over to a collection agency and any proceeds collected as a result of this transaction will become VFA assets.

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33. Out of Service Procedure: Out of Service Procedure: Each pilot is responsible for calling an airplane out of service if there is anything to cause it to be less than full safe for the next person to fly.

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A. Use the board that says "Out of Service". It is kept in the box and is to be placed on the pilot's seat in the aircraft.

B. Note any problem on the squawk sheet.

C. Take the aircraft “Out of Service” via the scheduling system. Notify others who have the plane scheduled that it is out of service.

D. Notify the maintenance chief for that airplane or the maintenance officer so repair can be quickly initiated.

E. The maintenance chief or maintenance officer will verify that repairs have been completed before the plane is put back into service.

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34. Monthly Flight Time. During the course of a calendar month, no member shall accumulate more than $500 in billable time UNLESS the billable flying time in excess of $500 has been pre-paid or UNLESS the member has informed and received the permission of an officer.

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35. Pilot Records: The Vice President of Membership shall collect copies of all BFR's, medical certificates, pilot certificates and club currency endorsements. It is each pilot's responsibility to forward these documents in a timely fashion to the Vice President. Vagabond Flying Association takes no responsibility for reminding pilots of required due dates for medicals, BFR's, or currency check rides.

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36. Rules for Student Pilots:

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S-1: No student solo night flying

S-2: No student solo cross-country flight until the Private Pilot's Written Test has been passed.

S-3: All student solo cross-country flights shall be under the supervision of a VFA instructor.

S-4: A students BFR date will serve as the medical date

S-5: Any student pilot who has not flown for 30 days must be checked out by a VFA flight instructor.