Nomads Flying Clubhouse

Since 1965: The Brief History of “America's Finest Air Travel Club”

In the 60’s, the Federal Aviation Administration created a new operating category for air travel clubs. This opened the door, when in 1964, a group of Detroit area businessmen with an interest in flying founded the Club as a non-profit organization with the State of Michigan.

The 204 Charter members then purchased an Eastern Airlines DC-7, which became the first “Flying Clubhouse”. They were banded together by a love of travel with a desire for worry-free convenience.

The Club continued to grow and in 1969, responding to a new FAA regulation, they were awarded an FAA Travel Club Certification.

In 1971, the members, now numbering over 400, conducted a successful fund raising drive, and purchased a prop-jet Lockheed Electra that could carry 92 passengers.

Using this plane, the Nomads took their first around-the-world trip in 1973.

A 134 passenger Convair 990 jet became the Flying Clubhouse in 1975 and while using this plane, the Club registered a cumulative total of 90 million passenger miles.

The Nomads moved to its present terminal/office/hangar facility on the grounds of Metro Airport in 1979.

Excitement was high in 1981, when the Electra was sold and a fan-jet Boeing 727-100 became the luxury Flying Clubhouse.

In 1993, the Club purchased the current aircraft, a 146 passenger Boeing Super 727-200, which extended the plane flight range, providing non-stop travel to destinations up to 5.5 hours away without refueling.

Aviation officials have rated the maintenance of our Boeing 727-200 second only to Air Force One.

In 2006, the Flying Clubhouse cabin was reconfigured with 92 comfortable leather business class type passenger seats.

By the end of 2006, Nomads aircraft had travelled over 9 million air miles and members had traveled over 850 million miles in total safety. Those records continue to grow today.