About our club

    As stated on the opening page, the partnership began in 1956 when several Army Signaleers (part of National Guard) and were stationed at Fort Lewis after the WWII. The group pooled their money and bought a 1946 Aeronca Champ (N2677E), which is still owned by a local flyer. The aircraft was purchased before any of the group knew how to fly the thing. They immediately began their training at Thun Field (now KPLU) under the tutelage of "Slim" Lawson. The group incorporated as the Flying Signaleers in 1958. As a partnership that began in 1956, this is perhaps one of the oldest flight partnerships in the US. The group maintain the organization through out the years adding up to 30 members and 4 aircraft at one time. But as all thing change, so did the membership with many indiviuals move out of the area and concept of clubs has been altered. We believe that the best answer for operations is make it as simple as possible. This is why we have moved to the lease back plane concept for our equipment.

The Flying Signaleers has been and is  group of social pilots that value well-maintained equipment and friendships with other pilots.  The Flying Signaleers members have created a partnership for bringing people together with similar interest.

 We as a club strive to be different than other clubs or organizations. Washington State Sales Tax (WSST) will be added to the operating expernese but we are not an aircraft rental service. The aircraft are operated, cleaned, and managed by the Club (Flyingsignaleers Inc.) which in reality are its members. The Flying Signaleers is a way for all of the members to share in the pleasure and just a little bit of the muscle power needed to "run" this club. As a partnership we value the following:

In Members

• Honesty
• Safety
• Conscientious about how their actions affect other members
• Don’t feel burdened by the share price or the hourly rates
• Clean up plane after they use it
• Pay for the minor damage they may have caused (ins. for the big ones)
  
• Proud of our  aircraft we fly

In our Aircraft

• Great condition
• Well maintained
• Look sharp

Financially

• Not for profit
• Planning for the future (saving money versus borrowing)
• Spending money on good equipment but not always the latest and greatest
• Safety above cost

2020 goals and events

• Become ADS-B Compliant 
• Establish Second Field for club
  
• Set up fuel account
• Annual Young Eagles event in late July
• Bring in three new members
• Possible buy of another hangar at KPLU

2019 goals and events

• Become ADS-B Compliant (Done)
• Cost out and evaluate two axis Auto Pilot
• Annual Young Eagles event in late June
• Bring in one new members

2018 goals and events

• Become ADS-B Compliant (Done)
• Purchase existing hanger from current owner (Done)
• Cost out and evaluate two axis Auto Pilot
• Annual Young Eagles event in late June
• Bring in one new member
• Plan possible 4th trip to Oshkosh (Done!)
  

2017 goals and events

• Annual with a re-balance of prop. (Done)
  
• Re-evaluate panel of aircrart for retro fit
• Wire power ports in rear seating area
• Annual Young Eagles event in late June
• Arlington flyin first week of July
• New members to a total of 6

2016 goals and events

• Annual with balancing prop (Done)
  
• Young eagles event in July
• 3Rd Oshkosh flight in July with N7665G
  
• Pricing and plannning for ADS-B out in aircraft
•  Bring in one new member

2015 Goals and events

• Paint exterior of plane
  
• New interior in plane complete
• Young Eagles in July
• Cost out ADS-B
• Plane 2nd Trip to Oshkosh with 65G

2014 Goals and events

• Move into new hangar on south end of KPLU
• 1st Trip to Oshkosh with plane
  
• Check in to new interior cost in Oshkosh
• New interior at time of annual in Oct.
  
• Look into cost of Auto Pilot
• Cost out painting of plane
  
• Finalizing the sale of C172 to past memeber.

 2013 Goals

• Locate new hangar in the fall
• Possible selling of C-172
• Check into new interior cost
• Show booth in Puyallup for club
  

2012 Goals    

•  Make move back to KPLU - Thun field
  
• Set up advertising for club
• Seek out members
• Young eagles flights

2011 Goals

• Recruit new membeship off the internet.
• Ready for move to Thun
• Stream line cost and expenses
• Reach out to pilots looking to fly after selling personal aircraft.

2009 Goals

• Build up membership through pricing and WAA shows
• Continue to build on TBO fund for 182
• Set up hanger exchange at Thun
• Reach out to local flyers with club info.

2008 Accomplishments

• Have prop for 182 inspected and refurbed.
• Build up membership
• Set up more social events for club members
• Minor painting aircraft