The main hangar space at San Luis Jet Center in San Luis Obispo, Calif., was packed last weekend. A good 300 aviation enthusiasts came from far and wide to rub shoulders, commiserate, learn, be motivated, and be inspired to be more effective advocates for general aviation. They came to have a good time, too. And they did.
It was my proud role to talk about aviation activism and warm the audience up for the inimitable Rod Machado. Rod’s a force of nature. He’s funny, smart, experienced, knowledgable, and deserving of so many more superlatives than I can possibly fit here. He’s also gracious and kind, which is a good combination of personality traits in a motivational speaker.
Perhaps it was because of Rod’s impressive pull — or maybe it was just because Californians tend to be a polite bunch — whatever the case, the audience sat patiently when I spoke about the importance of motivation on Friday night. They were every bit as orderly the next afternoon when I talked about collaboration of effort. Best of all, they asked questions. Good questions. Well thought-out questions, the answers to which would provide insight into how to be a more effective aviation activist in their own communities.
On Saturday I challenged the audience to go back home and get involved personally in the effort to make general aviation a more welcome and valued part of their local economy and educational system. It wasn’t a casual challenge, either. It was an instruction. A plea. Heck, I practically dared them to go out and stir things up in their home town. And based on their responses, I’d guess at least a considerable percentage of them are planning on doing just that.
As I neared the end of my talk a hand rose in the audience. I pointed to the gentleman with the raised hand and said, “Yes, sir?” in my best southern drawl. The drawl is entirely in my head of course, since I grew up in New England. But as a hard-core Floridian I believe I sound like a southerner. Or at least I want to believe. But that’s a different story altogether.
The man in the audience spoke up, “How do we get the business community involved in aviation?”
“Great question,” I replied, because he had truly asked a great question.
The answer is simple. Talk. Talk a lot. Talk to as many people as you can. But first, know what you’re going to say. Preparation matters.
If you go to a bank president or an architect or a gas station owner and explain with great conviction how much you love to fly, how serene the experience of being airborne is, or why you wish you could spend more time at the airport, their response will be something like, “So what’s that have to do with me?”
On the other hand, if you go to the same people and tell them that aviation is a great vocational opportunity for high school and college students, you’ll get their attention. If you let them know that America has had the lead in the aviation industry for 100 years and you’d like to help find ways for your community to be a part of that success, they’ll listen to you. If you show them that scholarship programs can get young people into aviation, and that aviation can enrich their lives in ways they can’t even imagine, you’ll have piqued their interest.
Once the conversation starts you can let your business contacts help guide it in a direction that will be effective, practical, and acceptable in your community. Just imagine where that conversation might go in the end. Consider what new ground you might pioneer or what programs you might be a part of building. This potential for greatness expands even more when you go beyond one-on-one conversations and start talking to groups. Your town more than likely has a Rotary Club, or an Elks Club, or the Knights of Columbus, a Lions Club, Kiwanas, or a Boy Scout leadership group. Contact those groups and let them know you’d like to speak to them at one of their breakfast or lunch events. Then cut loose. Let them know how their involvement in general aviation can have a positive effect on the region’s educational outcomes. Let them know how business can benefit from working with existing aviation interests to expand their territories, cut down transit time, and even meet with clients in an exciting environment that’s a cut above the average conference room get-together.
We can do this, y’all. We really can. And if I’m not mistaken there are a bunch of motivated Californians who are out there right now making plans for how they’re going to step up their advocacy a notch or two.
Jump on board. This train is leaving the station and building up speed.
Here’s a perfect example of what Jamie is speaking of, getting local businesses out to your airport.
http://blog.aopa.org/opinionleaders/2013/10/25/fly-it-forward-the-williamson-flying-club-inspires-the-love-of-flight-educates-their-business-community/
Mitch Latting
VP, Region 3
California Pilots Association
Jamie, you added such an inspirational message and component to the California Pilots Associations gathering. We are all in the same boat, so to speak. It is our individual responsibility to involve as many as we can in promoting and educating the public as to the benefits of general aviation. Thank you again so much for coming.
Mitch Latting
VP, Region 3
California Pilots Association
http://www.calpilots.org
It was my great pleasure, Mitch. You and Jolie and the rest of the crew did an outstanding job of transforming the San Luis Jet Center into a welcoming, comfortable home away from home for so many of us. Even though I’ve just gotten home I’m already looking forward to my next visit to your corner of the world. It’s my suspicion that you and your compatriots out west will be making a difference in the complexion of GA in the coming years. I’m just happy I had the chance to meet so many of the men and women who are going to be implementing those changes. What a group you’ve got! Super people!
“How do WE get the business community involved in aviation”?
POSSIBLE ANSWER/RESPONSE?
If your a member of the Chamber of Commence – I’ll be making a presentation on the utility value via the light plane and how it is an excellent alternative to airline travel!
“How do WE get the business community involved in aviation”?
CORRECT ANSWER: “Sir, I would be happy to come to your next Chamber Of Commence meeting and give a presentation on the UTILITY value of the light airplane – would THAT answer your question? ASSUME HE WAS ASKING FOR A RESPONSE AS A BUSINESS PERSON – not as a potential “recreational” aviator! A perfect opportunity to capitalize on the benefits of GA travel VS the airlines, etc!
NOTE: IF it doesn’t, he’ll response as to WHAT his real motive was for asking (vague) the question in the first place and you can response accordingly!
Rod, when I respond to questions like that I too use a “utility/business” answer,my usual is a flight I made to a funeral and made it back for work with out lost time. You may recall that I often champion the “recreational” use, as most pilot/owners don’t look at the “utility” of a boat why do we need to with light aircraft? That said, when dealing with a Government on any scale push the utility first. My utility/recreation problem is with the aircraft owner/pilot that says they can’t justify the cost while at the same time they are dragging a $ boat with a $40+K pickup truck to go fish for something that is cheaper a the store. We need to try and stay in this together or the light business flyers will be right with the recreational flyers, waiting in line for the airlines.
Greg; Thanks for the ADDED reality and making cent$!! The “utility” value hasn’t been “pushed” for 3-4 decades since ONE of the Big Three (Cessna), decided that (true!) the BIG $$ was in the Citation line. The FBO/flight school needs to SELL the utility value to those who can USED it – the recreational flyer will be there anyway!