The Core Tier is designed for members who fly more often—and want deeper discounts for doing so.

With this tier, you unlock access to larger time buckets:

• 20-hour bucket – Ideal for active recreational flyers or those in training, offering a better hourly rate than the Casual Tier.

• 40-hour bucket – Our best value, providing the steepest discount for frequent flyers.

For example, our upgraded Cessna 150/150 rents for just $60.94/hour dry when using a 40-hour bucket—an unbeatable rate for that kind of performance and capability.

This tier is perfect for pilots building time, maintaining proficiency, or maximizing adventure. The more you fly, the more you save.

At High Sierra Pilots, every member has access to the entire fleet—including our aircraft, simulators, and training resources. When you join HSP, you’re not tied to a single airplane—you’re joining a community built around variety, freedom, and flexibility.

Whether you’re looking to train in a Cessna 172, take friends for a scenic flight in a 182, log multi-engine time, or sharpen IFR skills in our  simulator, it’s all available to you based on your membership tier and qualifications.

Here’s why that matters:

• You’re never grounded just because “your” plane is booked or down for maintenance.

• You can grow as a pilot by experiencing different aircraft—tailwheel, aerobatic, complex, and more.

• You’ll always have options that fit the mission—short hop, long cross-country, training, or adventure.

Our flexible, shared-access model gives you the benefit of owning a hangar full of airplanes—without the cost or hassle of managing a single one.

All members are welcome at every club event, regardless of membership level.

We believe community is at the heart of what makes this club special. That’s why our events are open to everyone in the club and designed to bring members together through shared interests, learning, and fun.

Sample events include:

• Monthly Safety Presentations – Stay sharp with engaging discussions led by experienced pilots, mechanics, and industry pros.

• Guest Speakers – From legendary aviators to innovators in aviation and automotive design, our guest speakers bring fresh perspectives and stories.

• Fly-ins & Destination Events – Enjoy weekend adventures and group fly-outs to scenic airports, backcountry strips, or historic airfields.

• BBQ Socials & Hangar Cookouts – Kick back with great food, good music, and even better company.

• Movie Nights – Aviation classics, car culture documentaries, and member favorites shown on our hangar screen—popcorn included.

No matter your experience level or interests, our events are designed to create connection, offer inspiration, and build lifelong friendships.

Core Tier members can hold up to three active reservations at a time (compared to two in the Casual tier).

This added flexibility makes it easier to plan longer trips, reserve multiple training sessions, or take advantage of spontaneous flying opportunities—without giving up your future bookings.

It’s a meaningful perk that helps keep your schedule open and your flying stress-free.

Core Tier Members get unlimited use of our FAA-approved BATD simulator at no extra cost.

Normally rented at $50/hour, the Gleim BATD (Basic Aviation Training Device) is included with your membership. It’s an incredible tool for sharpening your skills, especially when the weather’s bad or you’re working on advanced training like:

• IFR procedures and currency

• Emergency scenarios and decision-making

• Cross-country planning and route testing

Whether you’re flying for fun or prepping for the next rating, the sim gives you valuable hands-on experience—without burning avgas.

When you fly to participate in an official club event, your round-trip flight time is comped and not deducted from your bucket. We calculate the flight time based on a mid-tier aircraft like our Cessna 182, and you’ll get credit regardless of which plane you choose to fly.

For example, on our annual overnight trip to Kern Valley, we comp 2 hours each way—even if you fly a different route or aircraft.

It’s one of the coolest perks of membership and part of our commitment to building a community that actually flies together—not just talks about it.

So fuel up, pack your bag, and don’t worry about the clock—we’ve got that part covered.

Let me introduce you to the Flight Opportunities Board — an exclusive perk reserved only for our VX Core members.

From time to time, our aircraft need to be ferried for maintenance, repositioned to another airport, or delivered for a flight. Instead of hiring staff to make these flights, we open them up to our VX Core members as a unique benefit. It’s your chance to log free flight time, explore new destinations, and experience aircraft you might not normally fly — all at no extra cost.

The Flight Opportunities Board is proudly displayed in our front office, where VX Core members can browse available flights and request the ones that inspire them. Spots are limited and often go quickly, so checking the board regularly ensures you don’t miss out.

This is more than a perk — it’s adventure, training, and freedom rolled into one. For our VX Core members, the sky truly opens wider.

Full Access Members receive 50% off all gear rentals.

Whether you’re outfitting a guest, capturing an epic flight, or preparing for high-altitude adventure, we’ve got the gear—and you get it at half the cost. Available rental items include:

• Portable oxygen systems

• Headsets (for you or your passengers)

• ADS-B In receivers

• Action cameras (with mounts for cockpit recording)

• Tie-down kits and backcountry essentials

It’s perfect for those one-off flights when you need extra equipment without committing to a full purchase. Just rent what you need and take off.

Full Access Members receive 10% off all purchases in our store, both online and in-person.

That includes everything from everyday essentials to club-branded swag:

• Pilot supplies – headsets, sectionals, logbooks, kneeboards, training materials

• Custom merch – HSP mugs, thermoses, hats, and apparel

• Gift items – perfect for friends, family, or your own hangar shelf

Whether you’re grabbing a fresh logbook before your next flight or repping the club with a new shirt, your membership helps you save while supporting the community.

Full Access Members receive 50% off overnight fees, paying just $25 per night instead of the standard $50.

Overnight fees help the club offset the cost of lost availability when an aircraft is away for an extended period. While your plane is tied down somewhere else, it’s unavailable to other members—so this fee ensures fair use across the fleet and helps keep our hourly rates low for everyone.

With this tier, you get the freedom to take longer trips at half the cost, whether you’re spending a night at a backcountry strip or a weekend in wine country. It’s one more way we reward members who fly often—and fly far.

The Flight Time Dividend is an exclusive benefit for VX Core Members that rewards you for your loyalty and flying with High Sierra Pilots. On your one-year anniversary as a Core Member, you’ll receive 10% credit back on every dollar you spent with us over the past 12 months.

Example: If you spent $10,000 on flight time within your first year, you’ll automatically receive a $1,000 credit when your Flight Time Dividend kicks in.

How can I use my Flight Time Dividend?
Your credit is flexible and can be applied toward:

• Flight time on any aircraft in the fleet

• Purchases in the Pilot Store

• Any other services within High Sierra Pilots

Does it expire if I leave the club?  Yes, your dividend is only good for current members.

As a VX Core Member, you receive one free Discovery Flight each year that you can give to a friend or family member. This is your chance to share the thrill of aviation with someone who’s curious about flying—at no cost to you or them.

Key details:

• You get one Discovery Flight to give away per year of membership.

• The flight can be gifted to anyone you choose—a family member, a friend, or even a colleague.

• It’s completely free of charge and includes both the aircraft and instructor time.

This benefit is a great way to introduce someone new to aviation and let them experience firsthand what it’s like to take the controls of an airplane with a certified instructor by their side.

A dry rate means the cost of fuel is not included in the hourly rental price.

This approach gives members more transparency and control over their expenses. You only pay for the fuel you actually use, rather than covering a built-in estimate that may be higher than necessary. After your flight, you simply refuel the aircraft and keep the receipt for your records.

Dry rates also help keep our hourly pricing lower and fairer across the board, especially as fuel prices fluctuate. For example, a Cessna 172 might rent for just $127/hour dry—far less than a comparable wet rate from a traditional FBO.

By keeping fuel separate, we give members the flexibility to choose where and when to refuel, and ensure the fleet remains ready for the next flight.