US members-only aero club, iFly, has taken delivery of its first six Garmin G1000-equipped Columbia 350 light aircraft.
The programme, which offers unrestricted use of the four-seat aircraft for lower initial monthly and hourly costs than fractional ownership, has launched operations across six bases in southern California – Carlsbad, Long Beach, Orange County, Santa Monica, Torrance and Van Nuys airports. iFly plans to expand nationally, but is remaining tightlipped on the size of its orderbook.
The scheme offers shared owner-flown access to the $450,000 aircraft for an initial membership fee of just under $40,000, monthly dues of less than $1,800 and an hourly use fee of $70. Based on an expected 150h per year use over the five-year programme, total cost of access is estimated at less than $245,000.
iFly co-founder Erik Lindbergh says: “The initial delivery is only the beginning for iFly. We have aggressive expansion plans and anticipate rapidly adding to our fleet and the number of airports we serve.”
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Columbia 350 deliveries could herald the start of national growth for iFly |
Source: Flight International
