The Lakes Region Flying Club

The first Directors' meeting of the Lakes Region Flying Club was called on June 28, 1956 and the club was officially founded on July 5, 1956. Present at the first meeting were the original seven charter members.  The members were Alma Galleger (former owner of the Laconia Citizen daily newspaper), Horace Ballard,  Cal Batchelder, Dave Weeks, Clarence Barnard, Harry Howland, and Les Hibbert who was elected club president.  Six months later, the club membership had swelled to 27 individuals.  Over the years, several hundred local pilots have belonged to the organization.

The Club has owned 12 different airplanes, including both high- and low-wing styles. The Club's first plane was a 1947 Piper PA-12, a 3-place cruiser donated by Don Vaughn--the longtime operator of the Laconia Airport and the founder of Winnipesaukee Aviation.  Currently the Club owns a 1981 PA-28 Piper Archer II , which was purchased in 1984 with just 496 hours total time.  The plane now has over 6,000 hours on the airframe and is getting ready for its fourth engine.

In October of 1983, the Club charter was amended with the New Hampshire Secretary of State to be a Voluntary Corporation with stock, but has just recently been converted to a 501(c)3 non-profit designation.

The Club has a full slate of officers and prides itself on being very financially conservative and well-funded.  Reserves are set aside monthly for engine replacements and avionics upgrade/replacement, the funding for which comes from a portion of the hourly flying charges which members pay.

The purpose of the Club has always been to provide a well-outfitted, meticulously maintained airplane at economical rates.  The Club plane is always hangared out of the elements and is preheated daily in the colder weather.