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About Us
The PHX-AFC Purpose
The purpose of the Phoenix Area Flying Club is to make flying available and affordable. By sharing costs, Club Members enjoy cost-effective, and more frequent, care-free flying. Whether you are a rusty pilot or experienced pilot, or have never flown in our plane types: Cessna 172, Piper Warrior, Cessna 182 or Piper Saratoga before, the PHX-AFC provides everything you need to get started flying today.
Our Story
The Phoenix Area Flying Club was formed by a Chandler-based Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and an area aviator with flying club experience. Together, they identified the need for a social flying club with high-quality aircraft to be located directly at Phoenix Area airports and made available for local flyers. The Flying Club launched in 2018.
Meet the Officers of the PHX-AFC
Ella Spencer
Secretary
Ella is a student pilot training to become a private pilot. She studies Social Welfare at the University of Wisconsin and spends her free time flying with friends and flight training with certified flight instructors. She has been active with the Club for 2 years and as the Club's Secretary she plans to fly more often, especially during summer and other breaks from the University. A favorite for Ella is attending AirVenture in Oshkosh WI every July to connect with other aviators, see what's new and enjoy the air shows.
Chris Hansen
Safety Officer
Chris has been flying since 1992, started as a private pilot then went to school for engineering. Upon graduation he worked for Boeing in St Louis prior to becoming a pilot in the USAF. During his time in the Air Force he was educated and trained in aviation safety and was assigned as the Wing Flight Safety Officer for Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix. He stayed associated with aviation safety in the military until his retirement in 2018. Today, he is a professional airline pilot constantly trained and evaluated in risk reduction.
Garrett Colby
Aircraft Maintenance Officer - WI
Garrett has been flying since 2007 after earning his PPL. Over the last 15 years he has been fun flying with family and friends in rental aircraft, and decided to join the Flying Club. Fittingly, Garrett presented his flying club application to a Club Board Member while attending Airventure in Oshkosh. He is also evolving his professional career with the goal of becoming a commercial airline pilot. Recently, he earned his flight instrument ratings, and he is pursuing additional flight training to reach his ultimate goal: Professional Pilot.
Brian Morse
Aircraft Maintenance Officer - AZ
Brian is a top aviation Executive for a global aeronautical services provider, Top Aces Inc. His team provides fighter jet training and combat scenario training for the U.S. military.
Brian is also an A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) mechanic, giving him the expertise necessary to assist the Club mechanics in caring for and maintaining the Club's aircraft. He is currently training for his private pilot's license, and he enjoys fun flying and flight training in his free time, and plans to travel with family and friends once licensed to fly.
Paul Schumi
President/Treasurer & Founder
The Phoenix Area Flying Club is a project that requires expert leadership to develop the business plan, processes and group structure to be sustainable and viable for many years to come. To that end, founder and aviation enthusiast Paul Schumi is leading the local effort with financial resources and 25 years of business startup experience. Under his stewardship the PHX-AFC is now fully underway with dues-paying members and a management structure to ensure the Club's long-term success.
Mr. Schumi's aviation firm, RPM Aero LLC, buys, sells and leases aircraft, including a few of the PHX-AFC's fleet. His goal is to make high-quality aircraft available and affordable for local flyers. His passion for enabling others to realize the freedom of flight and creating lucrative aviation career opportunities for young local aviators is incomparable.
Mr. Schumi has been active in pilot training since 2008. He is a graduate of Marquette University and a seasonal resident of Mesa, AZ and LaValle, WI.