Aircraft share at Shobdon
Share the flying and ownership of G-ATON, our Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, with an established group at Shobdon Airfield.
One 1/12 syndicate share for sale
- Approximate share price
- £5,000
- For a 1/12 syndicate share
- Flying rate
- £110 / hour wet
- Fuel included in the hourly rate
- Monthly subscription
- £75 / month
Membership of Herefordshire Aero Club is also required. Please discuss the club’s membership fees and share arrangements with us when enquiring.
Aircraft access and maintenance
When not in use, G-ATON is kept in a prominent position in Shobdon’s west hangar. This allows it to be brought out without moving other aircraft.
All maintenance on G-ATON is carried out by Hanger 8 at Ha’penny Green.
Membership requirements
- You can join before your flying licence is issued and become a full shareholder once it is issued. G-ATON cannot be used for your initial licence training.
- We prefer an accident-free flying record. If declared accidents affect the insurance premium, we can discuss this with you.
- All syndicate members must also belong to Herefordshire Aero Club. This enables the group to receive a 10% discount on fuel purchased at Shobdon.
- Every new applicant must be approved by a majority of the group.
Questions & answers
Can I fly G-ATON before deciding to buy a share?
Buying an aircraft share is a significant decision. We offer prospective buyers a one-hour flight with one of the group’s instructors to help them decide whether G-ATON is right for them. The flight is charged at the members’ hourly rate shown above, with no charge for the instructor’s time.
On applying to join the group, will I need a check flight?
Yes. This will normally be a one-hour flight with one of the group’s instructors.
I don’t yet have a flying licence. Can I still join?
Yes. You can join before obtaining your flying licence, but you cannot receive instruction in G-ATON until your licence is issued. You become a full shareholder once it is issued.
Can I use the aircraft to get an FI rating?
Yes, provided the cost of doing so is not detrimental to the group and a clear majority agree to it.
Can I use the aircraft for hours building?
No.
Can the group grow beyond 12?
This is not ruled out.
What does the monthly subscription cover?
The monthly subscription covers all scheduled maintenance, including 50-hour and 100-hour checks, the annual inspection and the Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). Unscheduled maintenance and ancillary costs are covered by the group or insurance.
What insurance cover is in place?
G-ATON has full flight-risk insurance with Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE, arranged through Howden. Insurance premiums are included in the monthly subscription.
The aircraft is insured for £70,000, with a combined third-party and passenger liability limit of £5 million per aircraft/accident.
A £750 hull excess applies to each claim, including total-loss claims. The excess is paid by the individual member.
Cover includes flight, taxiing, ground and transportation risks for private, pleasure and business use within the UK and Europe. Flying is subject to the policy’s pilot approval and eligibility requirements, including appropriate licences, ratings and medicals.
Current policy period –
Cover is subject to the policy’s terms, conditions and exclusions.
Are there any other “hidden” costs?
There are no hidden syndicate charges. Fuel and oil purchased when landing away are reimbursed by the group. In addition to the normal flying charges, the pilot pays the landing fee. Herefordshire Aero Club membership fees are separate from the syndicate’s charges, as noted above.
Is any major expenditure coming up?
Nothing mandatory at present, but a bare-metal respray will be required at some point.
Do you have an engine fund?
Not at present. G-ATON has a low-hours engine, recently overhauled and zero-timed.
What arrangements are in place for circuits at Shobdon?
The group annually block-books (pays for) unlimited circuits at Shobdon, so there are no additional circuit charges.
What are the group’s flying currency rules?
We take a common-sense approach to currency while complying with CAA requirements.
What sort of flying do members usually do?
Members mainly fly from Shobdon and return without landing at another airfield. Touring is not part of the group’s usual flying activity.
How is G-ATON booked?
We use Goboko for aircraft bookings and flight logs. These records support billing and the maintenance countdown. A Tech Log is also kept in the aircraft as a backup.
Can I book G-ATON for a whole day or several days?
Whole-day bookings are acceptable, provided a reasonable amount of time is spent flying. Multi-day bookings must be agreed by the group.
Can I book G-ATON for out-of-hours flying?
Yes. Out-of-hours flying is available once you have obtained permission from Shobdon Airfield through the tower, within the terms of that permission.
How will I be charged for flying?
You will be invoiced by email at the beginning of each month, in arrears, using the Hobbs meter times entered in Goboko.
How long do I have to pay my flying fees?
Payment is due within 15 days of the invoice. Please wait for your emailed invoice and then pay by BACS.
Find us at Shobdon
Meet the group and see G-ATON at our home airfield in Herefordshire.
Shobdon Airfield
Shobdon Aerodrome, LeominsterHerefordshire HR6 9NR
Visitor parking is on the left at the end of the approach road, before entering the airfield.
Airfield visitor informationInterested in a share? Contact us to arrange a visit.
How to join
Start by contacting us about the available share. Tell us a little about your flying experience and what you are looking for from group ownership, and ask any questions about the aircraft, costs or membership.
Short-term staged payments require the consent of a majority of the group. Until the share price has been paid in full, permitted flying hours will be limited and the member will have no voting rights within the group.
Where a departing member is selling a share, the price is agreed privately between the seller and buyer; the syndicate takes no part in those financial negotiations. Membership approval is separate from the financial arrangements.
Enquire about joining