Aero Club welcomes new manager Published Aug. 5, 2008 By Priya Ramanathan 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs HANSCOM AFB, Mass. -- The Hanscom Aero Club offers the chance to gain an incredible flying experience and with new manager Steven Bates, the club has many initiatives underway to help it grow and expand. The Hanscom Aero Club is a FAA certified and VA approved flight school and is recognized as one of the best in the Air Force. Hanscom has the second largest Aero Club in the Air Force with about 180 members and over ten instructors that teach a wide variety of levels. Ground school and airplane courses are offered for private, instrument and commercial ratings for pilots. "The charter of the Aero Club is to provide an opportunity for service members and their dependents to have the ability to learn to fly," said Steven Bates, new Aero Club manager. Mr. Bates is a resident of Concord, Mass. with an engineering background. He has been a member of the Aero Club for the past 18 years and holds his own pilot's license. He views his role as an opportunity to help others gain a positive flying experience. One thing that Mr. Bates strongly emphasizes is the focus the Aero Club has on safety procedures. The Club holds a monthly safety meeting the third Wednesday of every month. Important safety procedures are discussed, such as checking the weather and making a flight plan. The safety meetings also provide a chance to discuss the general interests of the club. There are many improvements underway to strengthen and expand the organization. Mr. Bates discussed gradually adding more advances to various avionics, especially in terms of navigation. He also talked about adding a flight simulator for enhanced training on the ground. For more information, contact the Hanscom Aero Club at (781)-377-5610 or go to www.hanscomservices.com/AeroClub.html.