Gloster Aero Group
Gloster Aero Group was founded in September 1970 and has been based at Gloucestershire EGBJ (Staverton) airport ever since. It has owned and operated a number of aircraft over that time, but since 2015 the Group’s aircraft is our trusty Cessna 172M G-BSOG.
The group is a very friendly group, and we hold a couple of social get-togethers each year. Plus many of the group fly together, which is a great way to fly further afield and to have fun, develop our skills and continue to learn.
Please Note: This website is still under construction.
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The Group's Aircraft
The Group’s aircraft is a lovely C172M, G-BSOG. Built in 1974 she spent the first 16 years of her life in the USA as N1508V and was sold to a UK owner in 1990. The Group bought her in 2015 with circa 1500 airframe hours.
Since then, the engine has been through its first engine overhaul, and the cabin has been completely refurbished. During the refurbishment the Group decided to remove the Bendix King SkyMap III and create space in the central panel area for fixing a tablet (typically an Apple Mini iPad). This works very well and avoids the need for various suction mounts.
The Group uses a SkyEcho device to assist with electronic conspicuity.
Overview
How the Group Works
Aircraft Booking
Flying
Charges
There is a committee consisting of a Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and Maintenance Officer.
Accounts are produced each year in October, and there is then an annual AGM to review the accounts and consider and agree any other matters.
We use Goboko as a flight booking app.
Our rules for booking flights are fairly informal (in short don’t be greedy). Generally, we allow up to a maximum of:
• 2 full days Monday to Friday in any one week;
• 1 full day Saturday or Sunday.
The Group is very accommodating - if someone has a particular requirement we work around each other.
The Group are VFR pleasure flyers – we mainly fly around the UK, but occasionally venture further afield – across to the Channel Islands, Scilly isles and northern France. Goodwood and the Isle of Wight are regular destinations.
We charge ourselves:
• A fixed monthly subscription. This broadly goes towards fixed costs such as hangarage, insurance etc
• A rate per flying hour. This is based on time in the air (take-off time to landing time, each rounded to the nearest 5 minutes) plus 10 minutes for taxiing. The cost goes toward fuel, maintenance etc and builds an 'engine fund' for when it is time for the engine overhaul.
These charge rates are, of course, reviewed periodically to ensure the Group’s finances are heading in the right direction.
A flying bill is produced for each member at the start of each month for the preceding month.
If members upload fuel away from Gloucestershire Airport this is credited to their account.
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03
Membership
Group Size
The Group size has been settled at 14 members for many years, which we find is a good balance between sharing the costs of aircraft ownership and ensuring good aircraft availability.
Type of Group
The group is an equity group, i.e. each group member owns an equal share of the Group’s assets (and liabilities).
Experience Required
For new members we require at least 100 hours of flying time, of which at least 25 should be as pilot in command, and no insurance claims/losses in the previous 3 years.
Join us?
If you are interested in joining Gloster Aero Group please contact us at info@glosteraerogroup.org.
As at 23/03/2026 there are 2 shares for sale.
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Our History
Formed on 30th September 1970 by five like-minded pilots looking for cheaper flying, the first aircraft the Group bought was a single seat Turbulent Druine D31 (G-APUY). In 1971 the Group decide to expand up to ‘ten or twelve’ people and by 1972 the Turbulent was sold and a Fournier RF4D motor glider (G-AZUU, formerly F-BPLD) was acquired instead.
Over the years, the Group has owned a number of different aircraft including a succession of different types of Fourniers.
The aircraft operated are as follows:
G-APUY - Turbulent Druine D31
G-AZUU - Fournier RF4D
G-ASDW - Piel CP-301B Emeraude
G-AZZW – Fournier RF5D
G-AWGN - Fournier RF4D
G-BLWH - Fournier RF6B-100
G-BVMM - Robin HR200/100
G-GFRD - Robin ATL L
G-BIZE - Socata TB9 Tampico
G-BSOG - Cessna C172M
GLOSTER AERO GROUP - Friendly flying since 1970