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Celebrating Twenty-Eight Years of In Flight USA
March 2012
Editorial
Continued from Page 22 owner who might use his personal plane for the furtherance of his personal business. This merger of classic air taxi operators with shared ownership has greatly expanded the use of corporate aviation. 3. Many corporations own and operate what amounts to mini airlines with a full-time staff and services. These corporations are now crossing over to the shared ownership side of the market to defer cost, but some major corporate operations continue to flourish. This writer has worked in such an environment, and the wide range of aircraft made going to work fun. Aircraft I flew ranged from a DC-3 to a Lockheed JetStar, with everything in between. Did that mean we had a lot of executives flying around in luxury? Not a chance, as this mini airline was used to transporting highly skilled specialist to a variety of remote points throughout the U. S. And this writer’s personal experience is not unique. 4. Many FBOs specialize in executive services for business aircraft. This writer has used, and continues to use, these types of facilities when I fly cross country. They typically have excellent services, 24-hour maintenance, very nice pilot lounges (full R&R facilities) and hangar availability for transient aircraft. A visit to one of these FBOs will make one swear off airline terminals and remind old timers of the days when flying from one place to another was an almost formal event. Thousands of skilled technicians work for these fine businesses and FAA certified maintenance and overhaul services are the rule. Many GA pilots tend to avoid these big guys and miss out on a rewarding experience. Give it a try, and check out their information center for a copy of In Flight USA. Yes, our new business aviation page will have plenty to choose from. And
don’t think this is not for you just because your executive airplane is a Cessna 150. Technology and equipment highlights will be amazingly applicable to all forms of flying. We invite our business friends to send us news announcements. We openly invite service providers to keep us up to date with what is happening in your region. Let us help you answer recent negativity with positive, accurate, information. Finally, let’s deal with the elephant in the room. What does an aviation enthusiast do when confronted with open criticism of the use of business or corporate aircraft? Simply ask the negative commenter to explain why the critic is hiding behind a machine, and not addressing the people of concern. Bad guys who rob a bank may use a Ford as a get-a-way car. The focus is on getting the bad guys, not on vilifying Ford. This is as it should be. But the recent financial bad guys and those who have taken taxpayer handouts for personal gain, along with the federal agencies and politicians who aided them, are not the subject of rhetorical focus. Instead, “tough talk” is directed at the machines they use. Folks, that is a classic us of “spin” that misdirects criticism away from the true culprits and selects a highly visible alternate that many envy and/or do not understand. This writer has searched his memory carefully, and cannot remember ever seeing a Cessna Citation sneaking money out of a bank, taking taxpayer bailouts or foreclosing a home. Ask your critic to clearly explain what their problem is with those using the machine being criticized, and then ask them if they plan to do more than just gripe. Suggest that promoting the destruction of a totally uninvolved industry is not a proper response when dealing with disreputable individuals. Give it a try.
Goodies and Gadgets Continued from Page 23 ever I wish, without worrying about ground transportation.” MotoLOAD is manufactured from welded aluminum tubing and the entire system may be inserted or removed from an airplane in seconds. After loading the motorcycle into a wheeled “sled,” it’s tipped onto one side, then winched into the aircraft cabin. Once inside, additional fixtures guide the motorcycle into position and the entire package is secured with seatbelts. Products are currently available for the popular Piper PA-32/34 series airplanes and the company has hinted that other models are on the way. It’s designed to haul the MotoCYCLE, a custom aviation motorcycle with folding handlebars, no-spill plumbing and other features. MotoCYCLE is lightweight, street-legal and provides highway performance for two. Complete packages cost less than $15,000; around the average price for a Harley-Davidson. It’s a little quieter in the rumble department but it can do what other motorcycles can’t... fly. For more information contact David Shelton at 847/651-4373 or visit www.motorcyclepilot.com