A First Visit To The Airport And A First Flight With A General Aviation Pilot Is Vitally Important To The Life Of General Aviation

It seems like no matter what we do, general aviation remains in the doldrums. Organizations like EAA and AOPA have some great programs to get people interested in general aviation flying, and we at ANN fully support these programs, but there is more we can do.

It’s always a good time to take someone to the airport to introduce them to general aviation, but on Saturday, May 16, there’s an even better reason to do so. The sixth annual International Learn to Fly Day is an opportunity to help someone take that first step to discover the fun, freedom, and accomplishment of becoming a pilot.

General aviation can grow from the inside and the outside. Growing from the inside means encouraging people to become GA pilots, and the “inside aviation” organizational programs are a good starting place for this to happen.

Any time we encourage someone to simply fly along with us or just visit the airport and look at the airplanes, the potential is growth from the outside. The person that we introduce to general aviation on a one-to-one basis in the most casual way can gain a perspective and understanding of what it is we do as individuals.

For EAA chapters, this could be the day to sponsor a Young Eagle Flight or Eagle Flight program. It could also be an opportunity to join with a local flight training operation to hold a “day at the airport” event. Perhaps the flight school could arrange some economical first lesson flights. Remember, your part in promoting general aviation does not have to be combined with an organized activity; it could be as simple as taking someone for a sightseeing ride to allow that person to look into our world from the outside.

Whether it’s an official function or you and your fellow pilots do something on your own, May 16th gives us a good reason for introducing someone new to aviation.

FMI; www.eaa.org  www.aopa.org