Serving local pilots since 1972

Cascade Aviation began as the Whidbey Island Navy Flying Club, which was started in 1972 at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station/Ault Field as a way for Navy pilots to fly general aviation airplanes in addition to their Navy aircraft. While the club closed in 1978, it was quickly resurrected by Oklahoma transplant Don Hamilton in 1980. Bob Fraser, who Cascade Aviation's scholarship is named after, transferred to Whidbey in 1980 and soon met Don; the two of them were instrumental in the rapid growth of the flying club. At the club's peak in the mid-1990s there were 14 airplanes in the fleet, featuring Cessna 152s and 172s, a Beechcraft T-34 Mentor, three Piper Cherokee 140s, a Piper Cherokee 180, and a Piper Seneca, flown by almost 175 club members. While all of these aircraft were based on Ault Field / NAS Whidbey (along with a hangar built by club funds), extenuating circumstances forced the Whidbey Island Navy Flying Club to close in 2013. In an effort to provide a general aviation outlet for Navy pilots, Ken Davies and four other member pilots created Cascade Aviation in 2013 and relocated to the Skagit County Airport. Ken and the other founding pilots nicknamed it the Whidbey Island Flying Club to honor the history that led them to this point and the pilots who helped make it great. Under Ken's leadership Cascade has grown to rival the membership size of the flying club during its heyday, and has matured into the largest flying club and flight school in northwest Washington.

become a Cascade Aviation member

All pilots who wish to rent Cascade Aviation aircraft or pursue a training course through Cascade Aviation must join the Whidbey Island Flying Club. As a member you will receive discounted member rates on aircraft rental and flight instruction. Associate members are those who own their own aircraft but wish to use Cascade Aviation facilities and instructors. All club dues are outlined below.

• Initiation fee: $240, one time ($125 annual fee for associate members)

• Monthly dues: $55, plus $25 for each additional family member (not to exceed $105/month or more than two people at $25/month)

• Insurance coverage: $50, one-time

• Associate members pay only a $125 annual fee (which also covers their initiation fee) and are not charged monthly dues