It's a Long Way From May to December

It’s a Long Way From May to December

Tom Benenson

Friday, June 16, 2006 at 08:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The author expresses concern that general aviation (GA) may be in decline, citing formidable threats such as potential user fees, rising costs, increasing regulations, and growing opposition from anti-aviation groups.
The GA community is noted for its lack of proactive engagement in combating these challenges, despite their growing strength.
Despite the pessimistic outlook, the author finds renewed hope for GA's future in inspiring individuals across generations, exemplified by a passionate 14-year-old student pilot and an actively flying 85-year-old pilot who uses his aircraft for conservation work.

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My Dad, a renowned research doctor, used to argue that the human gene pool has reached its zenith and is on the decline. He’d cite the recent efforts at promoting intelligent design, ignoring global warming, preventing stem-cell research and the disavowal of science in general. Maybe I’m a pessimist, but I’m beginning to wonder if general aviation, as we know and enjoy it, has also reached its zenith and whether it too is now on a decline.

At the General Aviation Manufacturers Association Annual Industry Review & 2006 Market Outlook Briefing, Jack Pelton, Cessna chairman, president and CEO and GAMA chairman, and Peter Bunce, GAMA president and CEO, likened the forces acting on general aviation to the four aerodynamic forces that impact an airplane in flight: lift, thrust, drag and weight. “Lift” and “thrust” were positive, while “drag” and “weight” were negative influences. It would be nice if we could “accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative,” but I’m concerned that’s not going to be easy to do.