Destin, Florida · Emerald Coast
Destin Flying Club is a small, non-profit, member-owned flying club based at Destin Executive Airport (KDTS), built around one lovingly kept Piper Warrior II, N7859N. Members fly for their own recreation and training, share costs, and always know exactly which airplane, and which club, they're flying with. We're forming now with room for 10-15 founding members.
"You always know exactly which airplane, and which community, you're flying with."
Destin Flying Club was founded by a Destin-based Certified Flight Instructor, who leases the Club's airplane, N7859N, a low-wing Piper Warrior II finished in navy, burgundy, and silver, to the Club for members' use. The Club is organized as a Florida non-profit corporation (501(c)(7) status to be applied for) and operated as a non-equity flying club under 14 CFR Part 91: members share the costs of owning and operating the airplane through a one-time membership fee, monthly dues, and an hourly rate, and fly it for their own recreation, transportation, and training.
Any flight instruction is provided separately by Board-approved Certified Flight Instructors, acting as independent contractors and paid directly by the member, not sold or bundled by the Club itself. Governance is by an elected Board of Directors and Officers, all of them volunteer members, per the Club's Bylaws.
Destin Flying Club doesn't sell flights, rides, or lessons. Members join the Club, share the costs of the airplane, and use it themselves under Part 91.
Once checked out, members reserve N7859N through FlightCircle, the Club's online scheduling and billing system, for their own recreational and personal flying: coastal trips, weekend getaways, or simply staying current. No fleet, no rental counter, the same well-kept airplane every time.
Members can train with any Board-approved Certified Flight Instructor for check-outs, flight reviews, or ongoing instruction. Instructors are independent contractors compensated directly by the member; the Club itself does not sell or bundle flight instruction.
Quarterly membership meetings, safety stand-downs, fly-outs, and hangar days. Every member has an equal vote, and Officer and Board seats rotate among the membership.
Set by the Treasurer and Board each year to cover the Club's actual costs. Ask for the current numbers when you apply.
Approved members schedule N7859N and pay dues, hourly time, and fees through FlightCircle, the Club's online scheduling and billing system, by card, Apple Pay, or ACH from any device.
Read the full Bylaws & Membership Packet before applying — Articles of governance, dues structure, and the Membership Application & waiver, in one document.
Hangared At KDTS
Kept in excellent condition and ready to fly — the Club's Piper Warrior II calls Destin Executive Airport home.
A low-wing, four-seat Piper Warrior II in navy, burgundy, and silver, owned by the Club's founding CFI and leased to the Club under a formal aircraft lease agreement, not pulled from a flight school's rotating fleet. It's the same airplane in every photo on this page, hangared at Destin Executive Airport.
Every member flies the same well-kept Warrior II, N7859N. No fleet variability, no unfamiliar tail number, no guessing what shape the airplane is in.
N7859N is leased to the Club by its owner. Its maintenance and condition reflect an owner's standard, not a rental-fleet minimum, and every member has a stake in keeping it that way.
Destin Flying Club is a non-profit, non-equity club under Part 91: an elected Board and Officers, transparent dues, and equal voting rights for every member in good standing.
Tell us a bit about your flying background and we'll send the Club's Bylaws, dues, and full Membership Application. Every application is reviewed and voted on by the Board of Directors; membership is not automatic and not open to the general public.
Destin Flying Club