Holloman Aero Club: Learn to Fly Near Alamogordo
Published 8 November 2026
The Holloman Aero Club is a flight training center run through Holloman's morale, welfare and recreation program, and it teaches members to fly starting from zero experience. Membership is open to military connected people such as active duty, retirees, DoD civilians and their families, and member rates include flight instruction at $50 an hour and ground instruction at $35 an hour.
I met the club's manager, David Rizzuto, at the Alamogordo airport open house on November 7, standing next to one of the club's Cessnas. If you are PCSing to Holloman and have ever wanted a pilot's license, this one is worth knowing about.
What is the Holloman Aero Club?
David described it as a flight training center based at Holloman, part of the base's MWR program, offering flight training and recreational flying for primarily military associated families. The Holloman Aero Club page from the 49th Force Support Squadron calls it a full service recreational flight training facility with aviation courses, pilot supplies and aircraft rentals.
The part that surprised me most: it is not just for people who already fly. "Absolutely not," David said when I asked. Many members start from ground zero and work up through their private pilot license, then instrument and commercial ratings. His assistant at the booth was working on his certified flight instructor certificate, so the club can take you all the way to teaching others.
Who can join the Holloman Aero Club?
David explained that there is an order of who can use Holloman's MWR programs, the same as the bowling alley and other base activities, starting with active duty. The club's page lists membership as open to these groups and their dependents:
| Eligible to join | Notes |
|---|---|
| Active duty military | Any service |
| Retired military | Any service |
| DoD and NAF employees | Civilian employees |
| Military contractors | |
| National Guard and Reserve members | |
| Civil Air Patrol members | |
| Others approved in writing | By the 49th Wing commander |
You do need a military connection to get flight instruction there, and you have to be a member first. Eligibility rules can change, so call the club to confirm where you fit.
How much does it cost to learn to fly at the Aero Club?
David told me membership runs $40 a month. The club's website still lists lower monthly dues, so confirm the current amount when you call. The rates below come from the club's rate sheet:
| Item | Rate |
|---|---|
| Flight instruction | $50 an hour |
| Ground instruction | $35 an hour |
| Cessna 172 (T-41C) rental | $140 an hour, fuel included |
| Diamond DA40 rental | $150 an hour, fuel included |
| 30 minute introductory flight | $150 |
| Private pilot ground school | $550 |
| Initiation fee | $25 |
The club's page says private pilot training takes a minimum of 35 hours of flight time, and most students need 40 to 45 hours. At the open house, the club's display board also showed a T-41C Mescalero, the military version of the Cessna 172, and a Cessna 182T Skylane.
Can members rent the planes?
Yes. David compared it to the way a club works: once members earn their license and qualify, they can rent the planes for recreational flying and take friends and family up. Imagine seeing White Sands and the Sacramento Mountains from the air on a weekend. He called it a unique and very nice opportunity for our local military, and I agree.
The club also holds safety meetings every two months at Holloman.
What does this mean for families PCSing to Holloman?
When families ask me about life in Alamogordo, I always say the best part is how much there is to do if you know where to look. A pilot's license at member rates is a perk many people never hear about until they are about to leave. If you are planning your move, start with my Holloman AFB relocation guide, and read about BAH and your housing budget. You can meet the other flying groups in town in my guide to aviation groups in Alamogordo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need flying experience to join the Holloman Aero Club?
No. Many members start with no aviation experience and work up through their private pilot license and beyond.
Who is eligible for the Holloman Aero Club?
Active duty and retired military, DoD and NAF employees, military contractors, Guard and Reserve members, Civil Air Patrol members and their dependents, among others. Call the club to confirm your eligibility.
How much is flight instruction at the Aero Club?
Flight instruction is $50 an hour and ground instruction is $35 an hour. Aircraft rental is billed separately by the hour.
Can Aero Club members rent the planes?
Yes. Once members are licensed and qualified, they can rent club aircraft for recreational flying with friends and family.
Where is the Holloman Aero Club?
It is on Holloman Air Force Base, Building 283 on East Delaware Avenue. The phone number listed on its page is 575-430-3965.
Details come from my conversation with club manager David Rizzuto at the Alamogordo airport open house on November 7, 2026, and the Holloman Aero Club page on 49fss.com, as of 8 November 2026. Rates and eligibility can change, so confirm with the club.