This factsheet is designed to inform and assist individuals who wish to set up a new aircraft sharing scheme so that it operates legally, fairly and smoothly.

Owning an aircraft is a luxury that many people simply cannot afford. Aeroplanes and helicopters easily cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, and can be as much as millions. A group of friends, colleagues or other associates who want to buy an aircraft, or upgrade to a bigger, newer or better one might want to get together and share the costs between them to enable them to fulfil their ambition.

However, cost is not the only reason for sharing an aircraft. Some people may be tempted to buy an aircraft, but are concerned that it will not be used frequently enough to warrant the purchase and that it may be wasted sitting in a hangar or at an aerodrome or airport. By sharing the aircraft with others these concerns can be alleviated as a shared aircraft is more likely to be used frequently.

This factsheet describes an aircraft sharing arrangement which involves two or more people sharing the use of the aircraft and its costs, but not necessarily travelling together in the aircraft at the same time, unless of course they want to share their time in the aircraft together.