First let me say how thoroughly I enjoy your magazine.
With a 71-year affiliation with a general aviation company, among many other endeavors, my personal underlying efforts have been to foster among the general public a better understanding of general aviation and how it differs from “aerial mass transit,” i.e., scheduled airlines.
There are some 12,000 plus airports in the nation, while only some 450 cities enjoy any scheduled air service. Corporate aircraft are no longer the private barge for the CEO, but companies have learned that they cannot afford not to take advantage of the time and money savings from most employees going direct to and from their points of business contact and on a time schedule of their making, not that of some mass transit expert.
Regarding your June 8 issue, page 8, center column, fourth line, your unnamed writer fell into a trap that most reporters do and, too often, aviation writers also are subject to using “in airport” when they are really refering to “in a scheduled airline terminal.” One cannot be “in” an airport, only “on” an airport. An airport is not a building, it is a parcel of terra firma, suitable for aircraft takeoffs and/or landings.
Every time we force the use “scheduled airline terminal” it suggests there is another form of delightful air travel, i.e., general aviation — be it owner flown, corporate or air charter — they each and all let one decide “when and where, direct, and return at your pleasure.” Then don’t hesitate to use “aerial mass transit” in lieu of scheduled airline at every opportunity!
DON HERRMAN
via email