For the first time, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the National Business Aviation Association teamed to hold events at the two national party conventions. The goal: Schmoozing politicos to hold high the flag of general aviation. I attended the first, at the Republican National Convention in Tampa on Tuesday, Aug. 28, to see […]
Drew's Views
The evolution of AOPA Live
Many associations and news organizations are producing video news and features – some even in the TV news format – now that the Internet has solved distribution issues. But since the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) pioneered an in-house news show in the 1980s, critical viewers found most early efforts painful. Will the online […]
Will Generation Y be pilots?
Several recent, seemingly unrelated reports pose issues in our hopes for a new generation of pilots. Boeing’s July announcement that half a million airline pilots will be needed worldwide by 2031 made big news. But many of us have heard such news before. And this time, there are new caveats and wrinkles. One that caught […]
Chinese ‘stalking horse’ at Beech?
Pundits are checking in on the news that Hawker Beechcraft has arrangements to be acquired by a Chinese firm. Some believe the offer is just a “stalking horse” to flesh out the real value of the company, especially without its defense business. The Chinese have been stalking before, or at least, doing their research. It […]
The Shuttle ‘has wings’ with the public, why not GA?
East Coast folks and TV viewers everywhere flocked to watch the Space Shuttles fly into Washington and New York recently. Some Washington friends took the day off. AAA even published safety tips to avoid distraction if you saw a Shuttle overhead while driving. The public was fascinated. So why is our flying now so seemingly […]
Flying someplace different(ly)
A seaplane trip to Bimini? I took the bait and learned a lot, had a good time and spent more than I should. But getting away to an island is the perfect case for general aviation. And Bimini is closer to the Florida coast than any Bahamas island. I got the chance to ride along […]
Remembering The Mighty Eighth
Traveling I-95, the East Coast’s main street, you come to something seemingly out of place in Savannah, Georgia: A museum dedicated to World War II’s Eighth Air Force. Visit and you’ll see why it’s here. You can’t fly-in, but it’s only two miles from KSAV. Why Savannah? Nearby Hunter Field was “the birthplace of the […]
A control tower for FDK
May 1 was the day many in Frederick, Maryland, had long awaited — or dreaded, depending on your point of view. The home of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), defender of our freedoms to fly, was finally getting a control tower. Was it a day to celebrate or commiserate? A control tower had […]
Media promotion: The right — and wrong — way
As a 30-year industry PR man and promoter, I think I know something about media relations. Perhaps I’m kidding myself, but at least I was successful in my time. Recently, I encountered two general aviation examples of how — and how NOT — to do it. I happened to contact Jones Brothers Air and Seaplane […]