The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association will create a national network of flying clubs as part of a long-term initiative to facilitate flying club growth, association officials told attendees at the AOPA Aviation Summit Oct. 12. The network is part of AOPA’s efforts to grow the shrinking pilot population, according to a report at AOPA.org, noting that flying clubs offer affordability, community, quality instruction, an entry (or re-entry) point to aviation, and a viable business model. The flying club initiative, built on extensive research, also promotes flying clubs and helps new clubs get started, with a goal of increasing the number of clubs nationwide from 661 to 1,000 in five years.