The A & E Flying Club is a shared ownership, California not-for-profit-corporation that is operated by its membership to promote low-cost safe recreational flying, improve flying skills, and promote interest in and support of General Aviation. The club, based at Hawthorne Municipal Airport, was formed in 1947 by a group of FAA certified Airframe and Engine (A & E) mechanics working for the Northrop Corporation and has been in operation continuously since it was formed. Club operations are supervised by a group of officers elected by the voting membership who serve on a purely voluntary basis.
The Club has purposely limited its membership to 50 active flying members in order to assure that club aircraft are generally available for use. The Club has a strong orientation to maintenance, and actively promotes individual member responsibility for the aircraft. All club members voluntarily perform the cleaning and maintenance operations that can legally be performed by the aircraft owner/operator. Qualified club members with FAA certified Airframe and Powerplant certifications perform the other aircraft maintenance operations, and the general membership is encouraged to assist when possible. Occasionally, other qualified contractors perform necessary maintenance operations.