Aviation Clubs and Organizations

184 Flying Club

The 184 Flying Club was founded in 1955 and has owned and operated several aircraft over the years. Currently, the club owns a 1976 Cessna 172M Skyhawk II. The Club's main function is to provide a means for its members to fly at the lowest possible rates. It does this by operating on a non-profit basis. Membership is limited to 15 regular members per aircraft. The 184 Flying Club meets every other month at the east ramp pilot's lounge at Buchanan Field to discuss new and old club business. 184 Flying Club is always open to interviewing new members.

Civil Air Patrol Squadron 44

Squadron 44 is a composite squadron (offering programs to youth and seniors) of the Civil Air Patrol, an Auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Civil Air Patrol flying activities include search and rescue, aerial photography, military training route surveys, disaster relief missions and state and federal agency special requests. Meetings are held at the Buchanan Field Clubhouse at Buchanan Field (cadets every Monday at 6:45 PM; seniors the first and third Mondays of the Month). While visitors are welcome to attend any meeting, prospective cadets must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Concord Flying Club

The Concord Flying Club, organized in 1939 and incorporated in 1941, is believed to be the oldest continually operating flying club west of the Mississippi River. The club pre-dates not only Buchanan Field, where the club maintains its aircraft, hangar and clubhouse, but also the earlier Sherman Field, which was located near Monument in present day Pleasant Hill. The club strives to provide well-maintained airplanes to its members at the most economical rates (actual operating costs) possible. The club owns a diverse fleet of airplanes and meets every Thursday at 6:00 pm, excluding holidays. Pilots with a private pilot (or higher) certificate who are interested in joining may stop by a meeting or contact the Club to coordinate entry to the East Ramp where meetings are held.

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)

Concord Chapter 393 of the Experimental Aircraft Association is one of over 1,000 chapters located throughout the USA, Canada and many foreign countries. Headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the EAA welcomes anyone interested in aviation. Our members include an interesting mix of pilots, airplane builders and enthusiasts. We meet once a month in the Clubhouse on the west side of Buchanan Field and organize various events to promote aviation, such as the Young Eagles Program.

Mount Diablo Pilots Association

The Mount Diablo Pilots Association (MDPA) is a non-profit organization formed in 1976 and based at Buchanan Field in Concord, CA (KCCR). The membership includes people who are interested in airplanes, student pilots, instructors, mechanics, as well as professional pilots with thousands of hours of experience. Mount Diablo Pilots Association presents a breakfast, safety forum, public display of aircraft, and a fly-out to a local airport on the first Saturday of every month. The general membership meetings and dinners are held on the third Friday of each month. We have a speaker at the monthly meetings who makes an aviation related presentation that is of interest to the membership. Subjects have ranged from air traffic control procedures given by actual controllers to the combat experiences of jet fighter pilots.

Northern California Soaring Association (NCSA)

The Northern California Soaring Association (NCSA), located at Byron Airport, is the only club in the San Francisco Bay Area that offers its members basic gliding (sailplane) lessons, as well as encouraging progression to cross country soaring. NCSA is a community organization where all members help out with club operations. We regularly run glider operations at Byron Airport on both Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to Sunset. Our club has several experienced FAA certificated flight instructors who provide both basic and advanced instruction. An instructor is always available on flying days at Byron. Individuals who think they might be interested in learning to fly gliders can arrange an introductory flight as described on our website.

NRI Flying Club

The NRI Flying Club has been around since the 1960's. The club operates as a not-for-profit corporation with the mission to provide safe and affordable flying to residents of the Bay Area and its surrounds. Stated goals are to break even on costs, while ensuring top notch maintenance, training and camaraderie of membership. Membership is currently 75 men and women from diverse backgrounds, sharing 4 planes with various degrees of complexity and capability. NRI Flying Club also has 7 flight instructors and arranges social functions, such as a summer and winter BBQ. NRI Flying Club members are passionate about safe and affordable flying, while being good stewards to the local community.