Returning to the Golden Age of Aviation, that much-romanticized time, is a terrible idea, according to blogger Rod Rakic, who notes in a new post that “The Golden Age of Aviation was a time when the only people who flew themselves in an airplane were titans of industry, movie stars, or crazy people.”
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If we do not return to Barnstorming GA is doomed. The barnstormers created the great interest in aviation that made aviation bloom. Oscosch and Sun-n-fun do nothing to promote GA to the general public. They should be broken down into several small traveling airshows to get the airplanes to the people. A kid with an interest in aviation has a hard time talking his non-aviation parents into a trip to sun n fun a thousand miles away, but could get them to go to a good local airshow. We either start Barnstorming across the country and interest the public in Aviation once again, or start digging a grave for GA. Without new blood GA will not survive.
Hi Group I hate to say it but we need rules & government. The excess of rules and government is what is killing aviation. Just take a when the government rules made Cessna, piper and the like cease manufacturing for a few years. When they came back the price of the aircraft went through roof. I know the attorneys had there hand in this also.
So what is the solution?
Well here is a guy that was a poor Boy in 1946,washing and fueling Airplane,and pushing them in and out of hangers.My pay was $5.00 a week,and three one hour flight lessons.Solo ed at sixteen,and still flying and Instructing at 84 years young.
I should think the “Golden Age” was not the 1930’s, but the era following WWII when there were many aircraft designs from the prolific companies like Piper, Cessna and Beechcraft.
These airplanes were more advanced in design, safer and less expensive to own and operate. The WWII spinoff technology was in my opinion, a far greater influence to aviation then were the Depression Era designs and lack of accessibility except by the very wealthy.
The advent of organizations like EAA must certainly be lauded for tireless contribution to accessibility and popularization of General Aviation.
If I had access to a time machine, I would not wish to travel to the 1920’s or 30’s, but stay in the late 1940’s through the mid 1970’s. It would certainly be more interesting.
I agree with Rod. General aviation used to be fun and much more affordable. I went flying every weekend (weather permitting) as a child and loved it. I still cannot get flying off my mind today. I married that love of flying with my promotional Marketing business to create a custom LIMITED EDITION general aviation Monopoly game. It is appropriately called: MONOPOLY THE AVIATION COLLECTOR’S EDITION. We are in search of industry leaders who wish to be a part of this game.
Joan Moss
Well, perhaps just back to the 50’s & 60’s? Fuel was cheaper & we had much less government intervention in our pleasure flying! The new proposal to eliminate the requirement for a medical to fly for pleasure would Be the best enhancement to GA! I submit that we would see a monumental increase in GA activity should the proposal pass & old normally certificated Part 23 airplanes would be used rather than sitting around our old GA airports.
Richard Russell I agree with you. The 50’s & 60’s were my personal “Golden Years of Aviation”. Relatively free of Government intervention and the manufacturing of some pretty awesome aircraft and lots of the classics still available to fly.