Private Aircraft Aren’t Just for the High-Falootin’

The British Business & General Aviation Association has responded to some high-profile displays of aircraft vandalism by some 'Just Stop Oil' activists.

A pair of young-ish activists had broken into Britain's Stansted Airport with angle grinders in order to hose down jets parked there. Ostensibly they wanted to target the private aircraft of pop star Taylor Swift, which was absent at the time. Instead, they were able to spray down two jets with fire extinguishers filled with orange paint. The move, as usual, ranked aviationists at home and abroad, leading the British Business & General Aviation Association to create their "Did You Know?" campaign. They launched with a selection of short videos and posts across the big social media sites, aiming to reach out and correct the disinterested civilian's uncharitable view of private aviation.

"The perception of private aviation as all champagne and caviar is wrong. Many of our aircraft have such small cabins you can’t stand up in them, but they do connect city pairs which scheduled airlines do not," the Association noted.

"Around 10% of business jets flying are air ambulances. One leading London Stansted FBO handled 85 medical repatriations last year. We have King Airs, Pilatus PC-12 turboprops repositioning crew; delivering AOG parts for stricken airlines or cruise lines."

Leaning on the economic argument, the Association added that every business aircraft landing in the United Kingdom supports about 100 jobs, from pilots and refuelers to maintainers and flight planners. 

“As Europe’s largest national business aviation association it is important that we build our own narrative and we are therefore pleased to have started this new campaign," said Lindsey Oliver. "Our members are innovative and increasingly environmentally conscious. We want to highlight how they are making a difference."

FMI: www.bbga.aero